Kehana or Punalu'u Black Sand Bch from Hilo?

Question

Aloha: Doing a volcano overnight Hilo trip, so which to visit on the morning?

Mahalo

Answer

Both Kehena Black Sand Beach and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach can be visited from Hilo, but they offer very different experiences. Since you are doing a volcano overnight trip and only choosing one beach for the morning, it helps to know the feel, travel time, and what each beach offers.

In short: If you want a stunning, accessible, family-friendly black sand beach with a high chance of seeing turtles, choose Punaluʻu. If you prefer a dramatic, remote, clothing-optional beach with strong waves and a local vibe, choose Kehena.

Below is a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Driving Times from Hilo

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach: About 1 hour 15 minutes from Hilo (via Hwy 11).
Kehena Black Sand Beach: About 45 minutes–1 hour from Hilo (via Hwy 130 / Kalapana-Kapoho Road).

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach (Traditional, Easy, Wildlife-Focused)

Punaluʻu is one of the Big Island’s most famous black sand beaches. It’s wide, flat, easy to walk on, and perfect for photography. It’s also one of the best places to see Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) resting on the sand or swimming close to shore.

Pros: High chance of seeing turtles, beautiful jet-black sand, easy parking, restrooms, picnic tables.
Cons: Can be busy mid-day, water is sometimes rough for swimming, sand can get very hot.
Good for: Families, photographers, wildlife lovers, calm & easy sightseeing stop.

Kehena Black Sand Beach (Remote, Dramatic, Clothing-Optional)

Kehena is a narrow crescent of deep black sand bordered by cliffs and pounding surf. The beach has a strong local vibe and is well known as a clothing-optional spot with drum circles, dancers, and a more alternative community feel. Swimming here is dangerous due to strong rip currents.

Pros: Very dramatic scenery, less touristy, unique “Kalapana” energy, great people-watching.
Cons: Steep trail down, no facilities, waves often unsafe, clothing-optional crowd may not be for everyone.
Good for: Adventurous travelers, those who want an offbeat experience, people comfortable with a nude-friendly beach.

Which One Fits a Volcano Trip Better?

Since you're already in the area for a volcano overnight trip, Punaluʻu fits more naturally into the typical Volcano–South Island loop (especially if you are heading toward Kona afterward). It’s closer to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and pairs nicely with a scenic morning drive.

Kehena, meanwhile, is closer if you're staying in Hilo and keeping your morning simple and local.

How to Decide

Pick Punaluʻu if you want the classic black sand experience, turtles, easy access, and excellent photos.
Pick Kehena if you want something wilder, more local, or unique, and don’t mind rough surf and a clothing-optional crowd.
Pick based on route: Punaluʻu is much better if you will be traveling clockwise toward Kona after Volcano.

Recommendation for most travelers

If you only have one morning and want the most scenic, iconic, easy-to-access stop, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is the better choice.

However, if you want something truly different and are attracted to the Kalapana area’s culture and rugged beauty, Kehena can be a memorable alternative.

Kehana or Punalu'u Black Sand Bch from Hilo?

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