Naalehu is a small town located on the southern tip of the Big Island. It’s not a big tourist destination like Hilo or Kona, but if you make the long journey down, you’ll discover some unique attractions and hidden gems that’ll make the trip well worth it!

Naalehu has a population of only 800. There’s not much in town other than a few places to eat, a post office, a church, and a small school. It’s a very local and rural town that will really give you the experience of “the real Hawaii”.

I lived in Naalehu for a few months while working at a bed and breakfast there, otherwise I never would’ve known this little town existed! I loved the small town vibe and the peaceful rural surroundings.

If you’re looking for a quiet and off-the-beaten path destination, Naalehu may be the perfect place for you to base your trip on the island.

Even if you’re just driving through, these are 9 attractions (that are all 30 minutes or less from Naalehu) that you’ll want to include on your Big Island itinerary.

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1. Punalu’u Beach

Punalu’u Beach is known to be one of the best black sand beaches on the Big Island! And it’s just a 12 minute drive from Naalehu. It is free to visit.

Punalu’u Beach has incredibly soft sand and tall, gorgeous palm trees lining the shore. It’s so picturesque.

This beach is also known for having Hawaiian Green sea turtles resting on the lava rocks and swimming in the shallow waters.

Snorkeling is allowed here, but in my experience, the surf can get pretty rough at times. The ocean floor is lined with lava rocks, and strong waves can push you into them. This can make snorkeling and swimming a little difficult and uncomfortable. However, there are lifeguards here if you do choose to get in the water.

And if you see sea turtles, whether in the water or on land, make sure to stay at least 10 feet away from them at all times.

2. Kalae (South Point)

Kalae, also known as South Point, is the southernmost point in the United States. It is a 28 minute drive from Naalehu and free to visit.

Kalae is a small coastal park that’s popular with locals for fishing and visitors looking to catch a beautiful sunset. Its location offers unobstructed views of the ocean, making it one of the best places on the island to watch the sunset.

There’s also a diving board off the cliff for those brave enough to take the plunge! Kalae is a well known cliff-jumping spot, but I’d recommend leaving it to experienced jumpers who are familiar with the conditions.

Even if you’re not interested in cliff jumping, the views of the rugged coastline are incredible. The park is especially beautiful in the evenings when the sun casts a warm glow over the lava rocks and Mauna Loa in the distance.

Visiting South Point is definitely one of the best things to do in Naalehu. For the views, and to say that you’ve been to the southernmost point in the United States!

3. Hike to Kawa’a Beach

Kawa’a Beach is another great black sand beach only a 10 minute drive from Naalehu. It is also free to visit.

This beach is much more visited by locals, as most tourists don’t know that it’s there.

An easy 1 mile hike is required to get there, but it’s quick and mostly flat. The trail leads you through a beautiful forest with abundant Ohi’a Trees, palms, and other tropical fauna. At the end your view will open up to the ocean and an expansive rocky beach. Note that the waters here are known for being pretty rough. It’s not recommended for swimming or snorkeling. However, it does seem to be a decently popular spot for the local surfers.

If you walk down the beach more you’ll come across a freshwater spring flowing into the ocean. This is where the small and secluded black sand beach is. The water here is shallow so it’s a good spot to cool off after hiking or to put a towel down and relax.

But the views of the coast and volcanic mounds you can see inland are really what made this destination stand out to me. The rock formations amidst the green plants and palm trees make for such a breathtaking landscape.

4. Punalu’u Bake Shop

🛑As of October 2026 Punalu’u Bake Shop is temporarily closed due to damage from Hurricane Lala. Check the shops website for updated information.

Punalu’u Bake Shop is known for their Hawaiian sweet bread. It’s a soft, moist, and slightly sweet bread made from a family recipe that’s been passed down for generations. It’s a very popular bread that’s sold at grocery stores all over the island, but this is where it’s made!

When you visit the bake shop you can sample different flavors of sweet bread (such as guava, taro, and macadamia nut) and purchase fresh loaves.

5. Papakōlea Beach (Green Sand Beach)

Papakolea Beach is an absolute must-visit on your trip to the Big Island. It’s home to one of the only green sand beaches in the world. And it’s just a 28 minute drive from Naalehu. I honestly think that this beach is what draws most people to this region of the Big Island. And it’s for good reason, it’s a very special place to see, and completely free!

This beach gets its unique sand from a green mineral called olivine, which formed during volcanic activity on the Big Island over 50,000 years ago. Over time, waves slowly eroded this volcanic cone, breaking apart the rock and releasing tiny green crystals. Because olivine is heavier than most of the other volcanic material, the waves washed away much of the lighter sand, leaving the green crystals behind. Resulting in the very rare green sand beach that we see today.

To get to the beach, it does require a 6 mile round trip hike.

However, the terrain is fairly easy with moderate elevation gain. It goes by pretty quick and I’d say it’s very doable for the average hiker.

The views along the way are insane. You can see Mauna Loa off in the distance, and it really feels like you’re walking on a different planet. It’s truly a one of a kind hike. The toughest part is that the trail is fully exposed to the sun. So make sure to bring proper sun protection with you.

There is a short and narrow wooden staircase required for the descent down to the beach, but this isn’t too difficult. Once you get down to the beach you can swim in the water if it’s a calm day, relax and enjoy the unique coastal views. Even if you can’t make it all the way down to the beach, you’ll still get great views looking down at the striking green sand.

6. Naalehu Farmers Market

If you happen to be in Naalehu on a Wednesday or Friday morning, then you’ll definitely want to stop by the farmers market. Even though it’s only open for a couple days, I still wanted to include it on this list because it was one of my favorite things to do each week while I lived in Naalehu. It’s a great way to get out in the community.

The Naalehu Farmers Market has their main market on Wednesdays from 8 AM-2 PM and they have a smaller market on Fridays from 10 AM-3PM.

The Wednesday market is a lot larger with more vendors selling everything from fresh produce, crafts, foods and drinks.

If you’re looking to try some unique tropical fruits grown right here in Hawaii, shopping at the farmers market is a great way to support local farmers.

My favorite fruits to buy at the market were starfruit, ice cream beans, lilikoi, apple bananas, and mangoes.

7. Hike the Pu’u o Lokuana Loop

For a short and quick hike that’s only 15 minutes from Naalehu, you won’t want to miss the Pu’u o Lokuana Loop Trail. It’s just a 1.5 mile round trip.

This hike is technically located within Hawaii Volcano National Park boundaries, just not in the main area of the park where the lodge and Kilauea is. So you don’t have to pay or use an entrance pass to hike this trail.

It’s part of the Kahuku Unit, a more remote section of the park that’s not very well known by visitors. This area of the park used to be home to a large cattle ranch, but it was impacted by a major lava flow from Mauna Loa in 1868.

This trail takes you through a mix of grassy pastures, old lava flows, and forest before climbing the Pu’u o Lokuana Cinder Cone where you’ll get panoramic views of the surrounding rural land and ocean in the distance.

Although the hill is covered in green grass, it has a deep red interior that can be seen from below. This red is caused from iron oxidation in the volcanic cinders. It’s a such an interesting lava formation to view.

The Pu’u o Lokuana Loop is a great trail super close Naalehu where you’re sure to find some peace and quiet out in nature.

8. Whittington Beach Park

Whittington Beach Park is a small coastal park less than a 10 minute drive from Naalehu. It’s free to visit.

Instead of a sandy beach, at Whittington Beach Park you’ll find a rugged shoreline made of lava rocks, tide pools, and the remains of an old pier.

It’s a nice place to stop and take in the ocean views, explore the tide pools, or enjoy lunch at one of the picnic areas. Think of this more as a community park. Not a traditional beach destination for getting in the ocean like Punalu’u Beach. Whittington is not a safe park for swimming.

There’s large grassy areas for kids to play and run around, or for laying a towel down in the grass and watching the waves endlessly crash onto the shore. It’s another popular fishing spot for locals.

9. Honua’s Coffee House

Who doesn’t love a cute little coffee shop? Honua’s Coffee House is Naalehu’s one coffee shop in town. Even if you’re not a coffee drinker, Honua’s offers a variety of teas, smoothies, and pastries.

I loved stopping in in the mornings before going out hiking or on a road trip with my coworkers. My favorite item on the menu was the blueberry smoothie. I really appreciated that they had options with dairy-free milks! The interior is also nice and I think this is totally an Instagrammable spot!

Honua’s is definitely worth stopping at once or twice for breakfast while you’re traveling through Naalehu.