Punaluu Black Beach in Hawaii - volcanic land
We are used to the fact that a beautiful beach is white sand and azure water. But, in fact, nature sometimes amazes with its color preferences. This time, she surprises vacationers in Hawaii. On the local Big Island, the ocean waters wash out volcanic lava onto the shore, but it has already frozen and crumbled. One of the rarest natural wonders stretches across the Hawaiian shores - the black sandy Punaluu Beach.
This beach is located between the Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park and the town of Naalehu.
This magnificent beach was formed when lava from two of the most active volcanoes in the world - Mauna Loa and Kilauea, spilled into the ocean and quickly cooled, breaking into small pieces that now make up "black sand". The black sandy beach with its smooth glass beads is always warm and soothing, and the wild tropical landscape makes this place irresistible. If swimming here becomes tiresome for you, then grab a net and join local fishermen to fish.
The black sandy edge of the beach is formed from volcanic basalt material that has entered the sea due to eruptions. This sand is volcanic lava polished by the waters of the ocean, safe and pleasant to the touch. It is forbidden to take sand from this beach as a souvenir. The locals even have a legend about a goddess who will unleash her anger on whoever does it.
The swimming area is very rocky and it can be dangerous to swim. There is also a large amount of underground fresh water flowing on the beach. This fresh water is very cold and looks almost like gasoline mixed with water. Legend has it that during a drought, ancient Hawaiians living in the area dived with a jug under the water to get fresh water.
This beach is loved not only by tourists, but also by marine inhabitants; here you can often see green sea turtles and biss turtles, which crawl out to warm their shells in the sun.
The name Punalu'u in the local dialect means "diver for spring water", it is believed that during times of drought, the locals dived to the springs with jugs to collect drinking water.
Tourists, however, come here not for swimming, but to see with their own eyes this incredible black sand under their feet, well, and, if they are lucky, turtles lazily spread out on the sand.
Black sand mixes with white and predominates significantly. This is an unusual soil, however, it is completely safe. Therefore, you can lie down here for sunbathing without fear. Who knows, maybe you will tan faster on this sand.