Isaac Hale Beach Park

Big Island Guide Travel Guide

Isaac Hale Beach Park Overview

Located on the north eastern side of Pohoiki Bay in the Puna region, Isaac Hale Beach Park covers around 2 acres of rocky shore line. This beach carries the name of Isaac K. Hale, a Private in the US Army, who was killed during the Korean War.

Isaac Hale Beach Park Picnic Area before the 2018 Lava Flow

During the 2018 Kilauea Eruption this area was surrounded by lava flows, but was luckily spared. The flows stopped right at the edge of the park and poured molten lava into the ocean just to the north of the park. This created a huge black sand beach that covered the whole shoreline including the boat ramp. Isaac Hale Beach Park is now one of the best places to see the results of the 2018 eruption.

Isaac Hale Beach Park Picnic Area with 2018 Lava Flow in the Background

Activities at Isaac Hale Beach Park

The park has much to offer and is popular with locals and visitors alike. You’ll find heated pools, a huge black sand beach, and a variety of picnic areas and BBQ grills, great for family fun. Surfing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, camping and of course sunbathing are all popular activities to enjoy here.

Isaac Hale Beach Park New Black Sand Beach

Although there is a lifeguard on duty, Pohoiki Bay is known for its strong currents making snorkeling and swimming conditions variable and occasionally dangerous. When the ocean is calm, swimming is okay but watch for changing conditions if you are in the water. This is one of the primary surfing spots in the Puna area and you will often find local surfers braving the ocean’s intensive swells.

Isaac Hale Beach Park New Black Sand Beach with Coconut Palms Growing

This newly formed black sand beach is definitely worth a visit and is an incredible addition to Big Island Beaches. Time will tell if the sand will hold up against the forces of the Pacific Ocean, or get washed away as many newly formed beaches do.

Geothermal Hot Pools

This area is also known for it’s hot springs style heated pools. There’s a trail along the shoreline that leads to a collapsed lava tube with warm geothermal heated water, perfect for a relaxing soak. With it’s proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this pool takes advantage of the heat generated from volcanic activity to warm the groundwater that bubbles to the surface.

Isaac Hale Beach Park Boat Ramp after the 2018 Eruption

Isaac Hale Beach Park Boat Ramp

There’s the remains of a concrete pier stretching into the bay. As one of the few accessible shorelines on the Southeast edge of the Big Island, this was a very busy boat ramp before the 2018 Kilauea Eruption buried it in sand. Isaac Hale Beach Park was one of the main spots to head out for a volcano or lava viewing boat tour. There are occasionally reports of vehicle break-ins, so be sure to keep your valuables locked in your hotel room safe or with you, rather than in the car.