Puna Region Sights, Tours, & Information
Things to Do & Visitor Tips for Puna on Big Island Hawaii
East and south of Hilo is the Puna district and the funky little town of Pahoa (often called Hawai'i's outlaw town). This is an diverse area of rain forests, lava fields, and rugged coastline.
One of the major attractions in Puna is the Lava Tree State Park. In 1790 a lava flow passed through a forest of ohia trees, and today the molds of these trees are all that remain; it's a unique attraction to visit.
For coastal stops, check current park access and posted warnings. Plan this outing around shoreline viewing at Pohoiki, leaving swimming, wading and pool entry out of the itinerary. DLNR warns that the natural thermal ponds are not disinfected and may contain elevated bacteria or other pathogens.
Explore Kalapana and Kaimū Beach in our destination guides.
ERUPTION UPDATE FROM 2018:
Kīlauea's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption began in Leilani Estates and destroyed communities including Kapoho Vacationland and Lanipuna Gardens. Ahalanui's warm ponds and Kapoho's tidepools were destroyed. Historical descriptions of those swimming spots do not establish a usable alternative today.
Historical lava flows and past viewing areas are not evidence that a place is open or safe to enter today.
See our Where is the Lava Located page.
Puna Top 5 Things to Do
Best Things to See & Do in the Puna Region
MacKenzie State Park
#5 Rated in Puna on the Big Island
People don't come to MacKenzie State Park for swimming, but instead, it's the dramatic scenery and excellent fishing make this attraction worth a quick visit.
This portion of Puna's coast is jagged lava fingers and leaning palms. The ocean often punishes these low cliffs, so steer clear of the edge. There is a picnic area perfect for a nice lunch.
Just north of the parking area are some old lava tubes which might be worth exploring. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight.
'New' Kaimu Black Sand Beach
#4 Rated in Puna on the Big Island
In 1990, a river of lava flowed from the volcano, reaching the shoreline, burying the original Kaimu Beach under 50-70 feet of lava and destroying the entire community of Kalapana and nearby subdivisions that were in its fiery, molten path.
For several months, a waterfall of lava flowed into the ocean, beginning the rebirth of new land as the lava-filled the bay close to the shoreline. Now, more than 20 years later, the slow sculpture of new land is, at last, forming a stretch of sand that may once again become the playground it used to be.
It’s quite astounding to see an entirely new beach forming here – New Kaimu Beach at Kalapana (coming up next).
Kalapana
#3 Rated in Puna on the Big Island
Sometimes it is very easy to forget amid the vast beauty of the Big Island that deep below the surface a primal force is at work. A force so powerful that it can create new land and new life while simultaneously destroying what humans have so carefully built.
Unfortunately for the residents of Kalapana and its neighboring villages in the Puna district, this was a very painful realization. In 1990, Pu'u O'o began sending rivers of molten earth their way until eventually the area was buried in 50-75 feet of lava, leaving only small pockets of land "kipukas" untouched. What used to be neighborhoods, schools, businesses and sacred places are now just a sea of jagged black lava.
Chain of Craters Road used to run along this coastline until Madame Pele took up a paving project of her own and wiped it out. Now the only portion of the road you will see will be from within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Lava Tree State Park
#2 Rated in Puna on the Big Island
A loop trail will guide you through an impressive jungle of vining plants, orchids, and bamboo. Along the trail are bulbous black stumps partially covered in small green plants. These are the lava trees.
In 1790 a lava flow from Kilauea engulfed this rainforest with pahoehoe (smooth) lava over 10 feet deep. As the fast-flowing lava moved through the forest it completely surrounded the moist ohia trees. The lava cooled on the outside as the tree was incinerated on the inside leaving a lava shell in the shape of the tree. While some of the molds will reach several feet high, others will be merely stumps or even depressions.
The park has restroom facilities and a ragged-looking picnic pavilion.
Isaac Hale Beach Park & Pohoiki Black Sand Beach
#1 Rated in Puna on the Big Island
Pohoiki’s black-sand beach grew from lava fragments created during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and carried along the coast by waves and currents.
Plan this outing around shoreline viewing at Pohoiki, leaving swimming, wading and pool entry out of the itinerary. DLNR warns that the natural thermal ponds are not disinfected and may contain elevated bacteria or other pathogens. Stay well back from breaking waves and follow posted warnings. A calm-looking surface does not establish safe water entry.
Check the County park-closure calendar before driving. It lists Isaac Hale closures on November 19 and December 17, 2026, with reopening scheduled for 9 a.m. the following day. A scheduled reopening is not a day-of access confirmation.
DLNR reported on October 23, 2025, that the channel cleared earlier that month had filled again with sand, cobbles and lava rocks. Do not treat park access as confirmation that the boat ramp is usable; check DLNR before planning a launch.
All Puna District Attractions
Categorized by Type
Puna Region Sights
Top Puna Region Sights
If you like new things, you’ll simply love the Puna region and its sights and attractions. Coastal land here is so young that the earth's crust is probably younger than you in several places.
Puna Beaches
Top Puna Beaches
Kehena is a black-sand beach beside Highway 137 in Puna. Plan a shore visit; do not swim or wade here. Stay well back from breaking waves and wet rocks, and follow posted warnings. For water activities, choose a beach with a lifeguard on duty and ask about current conditions.
- Kehena Black Sand Beach
- New Kaimu Black Sand Beach
- Isaac Hale Beach Park & Pohoiki Beach - #10 Best Beach on the Big Island
Puna Hikes
Top Puna Hikes
Recommendations in Puna
Where to Eat in Puna
Top-rated restaurants closest to Puna, ranked by traveler reviews.
Photo: DanPahoa Fresh Fish
Photo: Rachel Jia (rachel)Pele's Kitchen
Photo: Jason ReedKaleo's Bar & Grill
Photo: jesusUnder the Bodhi Tree
Photo: The Burger Bus
