United States
Hawaii (HI)
Island of Hawaii
Pahoa
Things to Do in Pahoa
Isaac Hale Beach Park
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Isaac Hale Beach Park

See all things to do
See all things to do
Isaac Hale Beach Park
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Top ways to experience Isaac Hale Beach Park and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
205 reviews
Excellent
78
Very good
81
Average
36
Poor
7
Terrible
3
Rampage2149
Los Angeles, CA8 contributions
Transitions
Sadly the baths and the surf breaks are gone, but a new black sand beach has been created. Its worth noting that the beach is 100% open to the public even beyond the extend of the beach park. The local government has allowed the owners of the adjacent land to post illegal signs and a structure on public property, saying no trespassing, but all of the beach's in Hawaii are the people's land and don't belong to those greedy owners. Come see the beautiful new black sand beach and be prepared to take a long walk along the coast.
Swimming is dangerous and would only be for expert watermen. Very rustic beauty.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Love2Cruise2gether
Anchorage, Alaska20 contributions
Worth seeing
I've read reviews about this Park that were negative and definitely do not agree with them.

There is so much to see going to the Park and once you arrive. The drive to it is quite interesting, through a forested area (we saw wild boar), over the 2018 lava flow (yes, you drive over the lava flow), and on to the Park. Once there you will discover the true effects of Mother Nature from 2018. Lava closes off roads and trails (picnic table survived and great for snack... wonderful picture opportunity) and walking down to the beach you will see how the lava flowed into the ocean. There was a life guard on duty but the beach is not for swimmers or snorkelers. Being on the windward (east side) of the island the wave action was quite rough (beautiful to photograph).
Written October 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
msa23_2000
Chino Hills, CA1,197 contributions
Great place to sit in rocks, not to go swimming
Solo
It was not crowded so I was able to sit quietly and listen to the waves crash. There was a life guard on duty, which I found odd because the beach is so rocky and the waves crashed right on the rocks, I couldn’t imagine how anyone could swim there. This is a place more to just sit and meditate and listen to the waves, not go play in the waves.
Written April 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
orswitz
Portland, OR24 contributions
Long drive for beautiful view.
Family
Since the 2018 eruption, not much to do or see here.

New black sand beach is cool but no swimming, dangerous surfing and no boating makes it a long drive.

Beautiful no doubt but features, not many.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
staci l
6 contributions
Thermal ponds are 106 degrees
Couples
We asked the lifeguard about entering the thermal pools, he said it was fine unless you have an open wound because the bacteria levels are higher. We enjoyed the warm pools. The LG also said they lost their sand in March 2021 but he hopes it will return this summer. Definitely recommend to anyone over age 5
Written April 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Speedypoodle
Salt Lake City, UT48 contributions
Cool, newly created beach!
Couples
We loved seeing this newly created beach! It’s a black sand beach that has been created just since mid 2018, due to a lava flow from the volcano. The surf is very rough and not a beach for swimming (you’d get beaten to death by all the loose, sharp
lava rock being ground in and under the crashing waves!) But, it is well worth seeing. It’s amazing to see the power that the lava flow had and how it pretty much decimated everything in its path. You can see where it crossed the road in several places. You can also see where locals have planted coconuts and seeds in the lava rock to help regrow the area. There are a couple of warm, thermal spring fed ponds to swim in, but we didn’t swim in them. Apparently before this area was hit by the lava flow, it was a really nice place for snorkeling, swimming and even had a boat launch ramp (which you can still see leading down into one of the ponds but was closed off my the lava flow.) Overall, we enjoyed seeing this “new” beach and it was kind is amazing to be there and think that it was all created a little over a year ago.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike H
Phoenix, AZ1,972 contributions
Amazing
The beach has been totally changed by the lava flows that happened. The lava is 15 to 20 tall at the place where the beach was. Now a new beach is further to the south. The boat ramp is now isolated fromt he ocean bt 300 feet of black sand beach. Mother Nature can change things quickly.
Written June 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leslie M
Kailua-Kona, HI24 contributions
Beach Park With New Black Sand Beach From Kilauea Volcano Eruption In 2018
The Isaac Hale Beach Park is a marvelous example of the power of nature, specifically the 2018 volcanic eruption of Kilauea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. This beach park was only barely spared by the lava flows, with one flow coming into the park from the left side about 20 feet tall, and the former boat launching site being closed off into a pond. There is a new black sand beach which is quite beautiful, and it is semi-circular on the entire ocean side of the park. To get there, go South from Pahoa on Highway 130, and then left onto Highway 137 along the coast. You will pass. over three high volcanic flows, with the road being rebuilt;t to go over each of the volcanic flows. It is truly amazing!
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ChrysalisTravel
California222 contributions
Worth seeing the newest Black Sand Beach on Big Island
Big Island's newest black sand beach. Fine black sand, pounding surf, and thermal pools make this a very interesting beach indeed. The boat ramp is untouched from the lava flow, but is unusable for boat traffic. Lava has covered access roads, so plan for longer drives. As of October, there were no facilities. No fresh water = only port-a-potties at the beach.
Written November 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cindy H
Alameda, CA1,551 contributions
Awesome!
This is the newest most recent black sand beach made by the latest volcanic eruption in 2018. It's a little out of the way place and there are signs that warn you to park at your own risk, but that wasn't an issue. The walk out to the ocean on this area is really nice. It can be very warm with all that lava around and the sun reflecting off of it but it is a very interesting place to see. Looks like they've planted some palm trees that are growing along this way. As you walk out to the ocean, you can see the power of the lava all around and how it spared this little community. It's not a beach that you can go into the water with. It's very rough and unpredictable but worth seeing. There's also a little area that's like an outdoor fair where you can buy different kinds of food and it looks like an area set up for entertainment for the locals and tourists alike although nothing was happening when we were there.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Isaac Hale Beach Park (Pahoa) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Isaac Hale Beach Park
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