Naalehu (Na-Ah-Ley-Hoo), Hawaii is a small town on the Big Island with a population of only 800. However it is the biggest town on the southern part of the island with not much more than a few places to eat, a post office, and a small school.

The closest airports are in Kona and Hilo which are both an hour and a half away so that means if you’re in the vicinity of Naalehu, you must’ve gotten there by car (or bike, or foot). And if you’re there, might as well explore the area as much as you can!

It’s one of those towns you’ve probably never heard of until you’re in it. Naalehu totally has the small town local vibe that I love so much in Hawaii.

The southern part of the Big Island has some unique scenery that is very much worth your time. If you find yourself driving through Naalehu, keep reading to find out the best things to do that are all within a 30 minutes drive of the town.

Punalu’u Beach

Punalu’u Beach is the closest public black sand beach to the town of Naalehu. It’s just twelve minutes away, it’s free, and is a great place to relax in the soft black sand and soak up some sun.

This beach is known to have sea turtles resting on the sand and lava rock. When I visited I saw three turtles, however they have cones around them about 10 feet on each side ensuring that people don’t get too close.

You are still able to view and take photos of the turtles but for their health and safety you must keep your distance. 

There are trails that run along the coast of the beach on lava rock if you feel like exploring. I wandered a little ways on the trail but it got hard to follow at a certain point and was super rocky so I decided to turn around.

Some points of this trail (this goes for any trail on the island that runs along the coast) were very close to the rocky coastline. The waves were breaking and splashing very far up on the rocks.

It is important to never turn your back to the ocean. Especially on the east and southern coasts of the island (where this beach is located) the waves can get intense quickly so always be careful hiking in places like this.

The waves at times make this beach not the best for swimming but there were still plenty of people out in the ocean viewing underwater life and enjoying the refreshing cool water.

Sea turtles are likely to be swimming around you so be on the lookout and try your best not to touch them or swim too close.

There is also a lifeguard on duty so that put some worry aside for me before getting in the water. 

Kalae

Also known as South Point. Just like its name implies, Kalae is the southernmost point in the United States.

This is a small area of the island people visit frequently to go fishing, watch the sunset, and take in incredible views of the coastline.

There is even a diving board for those who are brave enough to jump and take the plunge into the ocean. Since it’s facing south you’ll get the most amazing sunsets over the ocean with nothing blocking your view.

It’s also pretty cool to say that you’ve been to the southernmost point in the United States!

Punalu’u Bake Shop

If you’re into baked goods and pastries you’ll have to check out the Punalu’u Bake Shop. This shop is famous in the area bringing people from all parts of the island down to Naalehu.

They are most known for their sweetbreads made from a recipe passed down for generations. They come in all different flavors. They also have coffee, cookies, and various other pastries to enjoy. There is outdoor seating which makes this a perfect spot to relax in the Hawaiian sun and enjoy some sweet treats.

Papakōlea Beach

If there’s one beach you HAVE to visit while you’re on the Big Island, it’s the green sand beach. Also known as Papakolea beach, this is one of only four green sand beaches in the world.

And it is less than a half hour drive from Naalehu. If you’re wondering, the green sand is made from a mineral called olivine which is found in the lava from an eruption of Mauna Loa which is said to have happened almost 50,000 years ago!

You must hike 3 miles to get to the beach however it is a very flat hike and most people have no trouble.

The 6 mile round trip goes relatively quickly and it’s nice to hangout at the beach for awhile before you start heading back. You can take in views of the Mauna Loa Volcano on a clear day and the surrounding ocean on the way. It is truly a beautiful hike and a one of a kind destination. Click here to view the trail.

Naalehu Farmers Market

If you happen to be in Naalehu on a Wednesday morning, then you’ll definitely want to stop by the farmers market. I still want to include this on the list even though it’s only open for one day because I really enjoyed going each week while I lived in Naalehu.

It’s so cool to see local crafts and products that people have made while stocking up on some farm fresh fruits. If you’re looking to try some unique Hawaiian fruits and are interested in supporting local farmers, this’ll be your place!

Everything from starfruit, ice cream beans, mangoes, lilikoi, apple bananas, and papayas all can be found at this farmers market. Sometimes it depends on the day and what vendors are there but you’ll also be able to find small local food trucks, lemonade, and coffee for purchase.

There is even a professional ukulele player who comes and plays for the duration of the market for some nice Hawaiian background music while you brose the vendors.

Whittington Beach Park

Whittington Beach Park is a small free park less than a 10 minute drive from town. There’s large grassy areas for kids to play or for anyone else who wants to have a moment of solitude while watching the ocean.

There’s all kinds of outdoor amenities like showers, bathrooms, and picnic tables. Many people like to do some fishing here so if you’re into that Whittington Beach Park would be a great place!

You aren’t really able to swim here because of the rocky coastline but it still makes for a beautiful backdrop for a day spent at the park. There are also camping sites for tents only that you are able to reserve here.

Honua’s Coffee House

Who doesn’t love a cute little coffee shop? Even if you’re not into coffee like me, Honua’s Coffee House has a variety of teas, smoothies, and pastries to offer. I enjoyed a blueberry smoothie when I went and they had several vegan options. The interior is nice and I think this is totally an instagrammable spot!

Thank you for reading! If you find yourself on the southern side of the Big Island, make sure to check out these awesome spots!