Kehena Black Sand Beach

Set below Highway 137 near mile marker 19, Kehena is a narrow cove between coastal greenery, black lava and the open Pacific. Keep it on your drive for the dark shore and bright surf; the rough, steep route down is a real commitment, so the road-level lookout can be a good stop on its own. A small mapped parking area sits above the beach, though its current capacity and roadside rules are unclear.

The approach is short, but it drops over uneven lava rock and roots. Wear sturdy shoes and descend only if your footing is secure; the last step can be close to incoming waves, especially at high tide. The path is not wheelchair accessible, and some visitors turn around at the top. The road-level viewpoint avoids the scramble.

Waves can be powerful and unpredictable, and there is no lifeguard at the beach. Treat this as a place to look at the ocean rather than a dependable swimming beach. Stay off low lava when surf is reaching the shore. There are no formal beach restrooms or showers and no dependable services, so bring what you need and pack out rubbish.

Kehena has a mixed, clothing-optional atmosphere. Nudity is common, though many visitors stay clothed, so this can catch families and others by surprise. It is useful to know before deciding whether to go down to the sand.

Kīlauea's 1955 East Rift Zone eruption sent lava to the coast and created Kehena's black sand. The 88-day eruption included four phases, and one flow reached the ocean and destroyed coastal homes. Kehena is one of the few remaining beaches on a stretch of Puna where lava has covered other shoreline and settlements.

From the roadside lookout, frame the narrow dark beach between the green coastal edge and the open water. From the sand, black pebbles, white foam and the low lava-rock point show the cove's shape; stay well above the wave line when choosing a photo position.