Pa'iloa Black Sand Beach - Maui, HI
Posted by: 
silverquill
N 20° 45.777 W 155° 59.619
5Q E 188278 N 2298801
Pa'iloa Black Sand Beach is found in the 122-acre Wai'anapanapa State Park near Hana on the island of Maui. It is too steep with undercurrents to be a good swimming beach, but it is picturesque and there are nearby caves, blow holes and arch.
Waymark Code: WM5Z9J
Location: Hawaii, United States
Date Posted: 03/06/2009
Views: 13
From the Park Web Site (
visit link)
Remote, wild, low-cliffed volcanic coastline offering solitude and respite from urban life. Lodging, camping, picnicking, shore fishing and hardy family hiking along an ancient Hawaiian coastal trail which leads to Hana. Excellent opportunity to view a seabird colony and anchialine pools. Other features include native hala forest, legendary cave, heiau (religious temple), natural stone arch, sea stacks, blow holes and small black sand beach.
From Hawaii Web
This 122-acre state park encompasses a lovely black sand beach, dramatic sea caves, natural stone arch, campground, hiking trails, and remnants of the first road built around the island, the old King's Highway.
The black-sand beach is lovely but dangerous for swimming due to strong currents and a rocky reef. Black sand is the result of lava flowing into the ocean and shattering when it comes in contact with the cool water. The volcanic pieces are then smashed against each other and the shoreline with each wave, thus creating the black sand. There is a stone bridge, and, a short hike away, the huge smooth volcanic tubes or caves.
*Grassy, tent-only camping areas are available by reservations only.
* Rustic cabins that accommodate up to 6 people are also nearby and are by reservations only
* Shore Fishing Hiking Trails
* Freshwater, spring-fed caves
* Heiau Blowholes Natural Stone Arch
* Pa'iloa Beach (black sand beach)
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Coordinates for this beach are at the park entrance.
For the adventurous geocacher: Explore one of the freshwater caves to find a geocache that involves swimming underwater into a cave room to find a cache on a ledge. Refreshing swim, but we and others came away with a DNF.
The natural arch, blowholes, ancient cemetery, the black sand beach all make this a worthwhile stop when visiting the Hana side of Maui.