Black Sand Beach

Location:Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, Big Island, Hawai'i

Green, white, black sand… you name it, Hawai’i’s got it!  I couldn’t leave the Big Island without visiting one of its most famous beaches: Punalu’u Beach, otherwise known as Black Sand Beach..

Black sand is pretty interesting.  Formed when hot lava enters the water and is cooled so suddenly that it solidifies and shatters.  Thus, black sand is created almost instantly.  While not the most comfortable surface to walk on – it’s basically small rocks – it is favoured by some exceptional visitors.  Green sea turtles!  As the black sand retains heat, the honu enjoy swimming up to the beach and resting during the day.

Unfortunately, a turtle sunning itself on the beach, immobile, looks…..well….not so vibrant.  Reassuringly, one of them would occasionally move its head so we would know all was well.

It’s pretty impressive to see these magnificent creatures up close!