Waipi'o Black Sand Beach — Attraction in Hawaii

You can only get down here if you are experienced operating a 4x4 vehicle and know what you are doing as far as utilizing pullouts and are patient to wait for uphill traffic as there is only room for 1-way and meeting someone around a curve may turn into an impossible situation. MUST HAVE A VALID HAWAII ISLAND ID. you will only be allowed down if you are local. Due to theft and illicit activity in the valley, you will be watched like a hawk. Ultimately you should have a valid reason for being down in this very sacred area and understand how to respect the place before entering it.

Do not try to go down in your Subaru or Prius or try taking a trailer. Don't bring any foreign material like firewood or plant matter that can harbor fire ants or other pests. If you're reading this and don't understand what I'm talking about you probably shouldn't be going there. IF YOU ARE A TOURIST you should be going with a local guide who will make sure you understand what is pono and not ok to do. It would also support them financially while keeping everyone safe and respected.

Every time I am there I see tourists at the lookout with a low 2wd car trying to enter, lying to the ranger or trying to sneak down when they aren't looking. YOU WILL DIE. There is a pile of cars at the bottom. Please don't add...

Plan on a 1/2 day for this experience. Due to steep grade you need to either hike down or have a proper vehicle with 4 wheel drive, like a Jeep. Wear good shoes and bring water. Hike down is on a narrow paved road with a 25 percent grade. It will do numbers on your calves...at the bottom you can go 2 directions. Road to the left has a nice waterfall, you cannot get super close but it's a nice walk, just stay on the road and don't go on locals property. If you go to the right at the bottom of the descent, that path will take you to the beach. Water was ok temp but it's very wavy, saw a surfer or two. Nice area to have a picnic lunch. We did about 4 1/4 miles that day, we did both paths left and right. Mileage was=1 mile down, 1 1/4 mile path to the left to the waterfall, 3/4 mile path to the beach, 1 mile back up. The paths at the bottom are pretty flat, thank goodness. The beach path can get really muddy. If you see mud, look to the right, in the woods, there is a small path people walk through that will drop you at the beach. Take breaks as needed going back up that mega hill. Your body will thank you! Just stay to the side to allow...

This has to be a highlight of our trip, and hopefully yours.

Waipi’o valley is the only valley that’s not commercialized amongst the islands. And you can tell they are trying to keep it that way as you hike down and seeing bumper stickers on trucks that read “protect Waipi’o”. There’s something respectable and precious in it.

If you have a true 4x4, you can tread down (and up) the steep hill leading to the beach. Otherwise, it will be an hour or so hike one-way up/down the slope.

Depending on the weather, expect your shoes to be in mud and puddles. Folks who were in flip flops were not having a happy time in the wet parts of the trek.

At the end of the road though, is your reward. A pristine, undeveloped beach with cliffs on both sides. Locals and visitors alike sit at the beach and watch people learning to stand on their surf board, the waves lapping on the beach, and waterfall dropping hundreds of feet into the sea.

The rawness of the beach was... exhilarating. If you are looking for a place to contemplate the meaning of life or something like that, this would be it.

Sit, read, and reflect.

Life...