Best Attractions in Puna, on the Big Island of Hawaii

If you are looking for the real Hawaiian experience, then you have to visit the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii called Puna. South of Hilo, this hidden little gem has some of the most inviting and fascinating pieces of nature found in all of Hawaii. Listed below are the best attractions in Puna on the Big Island of Hawaii.

At the end of Highway 132 south of the Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse you will find a 4WD lava road that leads to Champagne Pond. This pond is a calm, protected inlet of the clearest water you have ever seen, perfect for viewing fish and turtles. To make this pond even more inviting, and the reason it is one of the best attractions in Puna on the Big Island, it is heated to about 90 degrees by the lava that flows underneath, a great place for swimming and snorkeling. This is a very popular spot with the locals and can get crowded on weekends and holidays, it is best to visit this spot during the week.

A few miles south of Champagne Pond off of Highway 137 is a natural lava swimming pool. It is a bit of a walk to get to, but the clear water perfect for snorkeling is well worth the hike. The best part about this pool is that it is normally empty.

Take Highway 137 south to Kapoho-Kai Road and follow it to the end to Wai'opae Pond. This is a great area for those just learning how to snorkel. The pools are usually very calm and well protected. Toward the back some of the pools are a little warmer, heated by the volcano. These pools are very busy on the weekends with locals and are best visited during the week to avoid the crowds.

Continuing on Highway 137 at mile marker 10 is Ahalanui, a spring and ocean-fed pool. This pool is well protected by a man-made wall and an inlet; it is also well shaded by palm trees. But the best part about this pool is that it is heated by the volcano to a very toasty 95 degrees. This is a great place to relax and enjoy your vacation. Unfortunately, this is a very popular destination, so it may be busy on any given day.

The Big Island has a lot to offer the traveler, from snow and surf to volcanoes and rainforests. The eastern side of the Big Island is often unexplored, visitors tend to not go any further than Kilauea, but Puna has many relaxing, hidden gems that are well worth the trip over.