Punalu’u Black Sand Beach Hawaii

Punaluʻu is made from basalt sand formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava hitting the ocean water then shattering into tiny fragments. The lava continues to be broken down and the waves push the glassy sand back to shore forming a beach. This creates a beautiful, jewel like, shimmering beach. The black shore is often peppered with large Green Sea Turtles (honu) and Hawksbill Turtles (honu’ea) warming themselves along the sand. Source: https://bigislandguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/turtles-punaluu-black-sand-beach-1.jpg