Local Style Black Sand Beach, Volcano & Ka'u Coffee

OVERVIEW

Gain a deeper understanding of how volcanoes have shaped Hawaii’s dramatic landscape and continue to express their often unpredictable power. After a brief stop at America’s southernmost bake shop, you will behold the beauty of Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Its jet-black sand is volcanic in origin and extraordinarily photogenic, especially if green sea turtles are basking on the beach. The island’s volcanic soil is ideal for growing coffee as you will discover at Ka’u Coffee Mill. After dining on a bento box lunch, you will travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. While gazing out over this otherworldly terrain from Steaming Bluff, you will feel the hot water vapor as it rises from steam vents in the ground. You will also pause at the Thurston Lava Tube, a cavernous tunnel that was filled with molten lava 500 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snap photos of a volcanically formed black-sand beach that sea turtles often frequent.
• Tour Ku’a Coffee Mill and sample a cup of its uniquely flavored coffee.
• Behold the eerie, somewhat hellish landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• See – and feel – hot water vapor rising out of the ground from vents known as fumaroles.
• Stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, through which a river of hot lava flowed centuries ago.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.