Halapē

Halapē is a small sandy beach and primitive backcountry campsite on the park’s south coast, with tent space beside coconut palms and a three-sided shelter. Come for a true wilderness overnight and the coastal setting; this is not a casual beach stop. A backcountry permit is required, and the site allows up to 16 hikers per night for three consecutive nights.

The listed approaches reach camp from Hilina Pali Overlook (8 miles), Maunaulu via Keauhou Trail (8.5 or 9.2 miles), or Puʻuloa via Puna Coast Trail (11.3 miles). Expect steep, rocky, exposed ground and as much as 3,000 feet of elevation change. Stone cairns can be hard to follow in rain or mist and impossible to see in the dark. The park advises avoiding coastal hikes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; visitors also describe the hot approach and return as strenuous.

There’s a three-sided shelter for shade, a composting toilet, and a roof-fed rainwater tank. The tank may be empty, and collected water must be treated; there are no streams nearby. Bring at least four quarts of water per person per day plus a treatment method, and carry in your meals. Pack out all trash.

The beach sits among black lava, shallow tidepools, coconut palms and a steep coastal slope. From the shore, the pools make a strong foreground for a view back toward the palms and cliffs. The open ocean is a poor bet for swimming: high surf and strong, unpredictable currents are common, and sharp lava and sea urchins make wading hazardous. Don’t camp in posted turtle-nesting areas.

On November 29, 1975, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on Kīlauea’s south flank lowered the coast at Halapē by about 9.8 feet, submerging a large stand of palms. The resulting tsunami reached 20 feet here. If you feel a strong earthquake while on the coast, move to high ground immediately.