I love going to the beaches here on the Big Island of Hawai’i. They have the most unusual sandy beaches that I have ever seen and probably ever will see.  Recently we went to see the night time glow of Kilauea and on our way back home we finally made the stop to see Punalu’u Beach, where the sand is black! Talk about an unusual beach; it’s a black sand beach!

Black Sand Beach

A Black Sand Beach Isn't As Rare As You'd Think

The grain of the black sand is like no other; it’s much thicker and more like gravel than sand

A Black Sand Beach Isn't As Rare As You'd Think

The beach has black sand made of basalt and created by lava flowing into the ocean which explodes as it reaches the ocean and cools. – Wikipedia

We didn’t stay long on this trip, but we had to make our way there again multiple times. We stayed just long enough to get a few pictures and stretch our legs half way through our 3-4 hour drive home.  It is a site to see and a very different feeling of sand.

A Black Sand Beach Isn't As Rare As You'd Think

There is a whole new world out there in these beautiful trees

A Black Sand Beach Isn't As Rare As You'd Think

Not only was the sand cool and very unusual for a Michigan gal, but the beach area had some beautiful trees and land that was just too interesting to pass up during our additional visits to this Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. You’ll see a lot more pictures of this beach by viewing my other post. There are sea turtles, a pond, and so much more to enjoy while here. If you ever make you way to the Big Island of Hawai’i, then you want to be sure to visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, you will not regret it. Especially if your timing is right and you get to see the sea turtles!

What’s the most interesting sand you’ve seen? What beach/area was it at?