Black Sand Beach — Attraction in Maui

This was my first trip to Waianapanapa in 20 years - It used to be this far-flung outpost on the other end of the Road To Hana, a scenic and welcome reprieve from the winding twisting journey one takes to get there. But its popularity has caused several changes – fortunately none of which take away from the rugged and singular beauty of this marvel of nature. You can’t just drive up and visit - you need a reservation (they will NOT let you in without one - two cars in front of us got turned away). Reservations are easy to get online on the Hawaii Stae Parks website, $5/person (plus $10 for parking). Reservations are good for a 3-hour window to visit, you just have to arrive within a half-hour of the time your window starts. There’s a lot more concrete walkways and stairways than they’re used to be- that’s probably a good thing, with the number of tourists that went tumbling down the narrow cliff walkways before. It was nominally crowded but still definitely enjoyable, especially if you take time to just soak in and enjoy the beauty of this rare place. Pathways/walking paths branch off either side of the beach, some really spectacular views in either direction. The water was too rough to swim the day we were there (the rangers at the gate will let you know about swimming conditions when you arrive). We were OK with that because the ocean was putting on a show the day we were there, smashing into the black cliffs with impressive force. For those with the patience to get there and the presence of mind to treat this amazing place with respect, the visit is...

We had no indication on any blog or bulletin that a reservation is required to enter this state park and Black Sand Beach. Found this out when we tried to enter the park. After spending time elsewhere in Hana, we decided to try again and see if they would at least let us take a few family photos at the end of the day when most folks were leaving the beach. The person working the gate had no personality or understanding for the situation. We drove over 3 hours one way to see this beach, offered to pay full daily rate for parking and access to the beach just to take a few photos (not use the beach) so we could build some memories of our family vacation which we may never experience in Hawaii again, at the time when most people were already leaving the park. The response I got from the guy at the gate - “you are paying to take those photos and you need reservation to take them”. So disappointed with the way they handled this and shame on the Hawaii’s state park organization for having folks like this interact with guests of Maui and support their tourism. I also found the entire road to Hana experience overblown and overrated and got impression that local folks in and around the town of Hana did not care much for or wanted tourists there, but let’s leave that for...

The black sand beach on Maui is located at Waiʻānapanapa State Park near Hana, along the famous Road to Hana. It’s called Pailoa Beach, and the black sand is the result of volcanic activity, where lava flow met the ocean and rapidly cooled and fragmented into tiny black pebbles and sand.

Here are some key highlights about the black sand beach:

• Location: Waiʻānapanapa State Park is about a 2-hour drive from the main parts of Maui, along the scenic and winding Road to Hana. • Features: The beach itself is relatively small, with striking black sand and dramatic cliffs. The area also features sea caves, lava tubes, and blowholes, making it a great spot for exploring. • Swimming Conditions: The surf can be rough, so swimming is not always recommended, but many people enjoy wading in the water or walking along the shore. • Other Attractions: Nearby, there are hiking trails, a blowhole, and native Hawaiian cultural sites, including ancient burial sites and pictographs.

Waiʻānapanapa is a state park, so you may need to make reservations ahead of time, as access can be limited due to its popularity. It’s a unique and beautiful spot that showcases Maui’s...