━ Hawaii Black Sand Beach Wedding Locations · Big Island ━
Black Sand Beach Hawaii
Wedding Locations
Seven iconic Hawaii Black Sand Beach wedding locations on Big Island — from Punalu'u Black Sand Beach to MacKenzie State Recreation Area and Whittington Beach Park. Dramatic, otherworldly volcanic shores for unforgettable Hawaii ceremonies.
Hawaii Black Sand Beach Weddings
Where the lava
meets the ocean.
The Big Island of Hawaii is the only Hawaiian island still being shaped by active volcanism — and where lava cools and crashes against the Pacific Ocean, it shatters into the world's most extraordinary Hawaii Black Sand Beach shores. Each Big Island Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding location tells a different volcanic story.
From the ancient honu (sea turtle) sanctuary of Punalu'u Black Sand Beach to the freshly-formed shores of Pohoiki — born from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption — these are not just beaches. They are dramatic, otherworldly stages for one of life's most meaningful moments.
Kona Wedding Officiant® has performed ceremonies on every Black Sand Beach wedding location on this page — including Punalu'u, Kehena, Pohoiki, Kiholo Bay, Kaimu, MacKenzie State Recreation Area, and Whittington Beach Park. We know the right tide, the right hour, the right ceremony angle — and we obtain all Hawaii State beach permits on your behalf.
How To Browse
Each Hawaii Black Sand Beach below includes its location, ceremony notes, and what makes it unforgettable. Click any location to view its full gallery and plan your visit.
7
Volcanic Locations
2018
Newest Beach Born
100%
Volcanic Origin
Honu
Sea Turtle Visits
Our Seven Hawaii Black Sand Locations
Seven Hawaii Black Sand Beach
Wedding Locations.
Each Big Island Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding location offers a different ceremony experience — from the sea-turtle sanctuary of Punalu'u to the newly-born shores of Pohoiki, the dramatic lava cliffs of MacKenzie State Recreation Area, and the quiet Ka'ū coastline of Whittington Beach Park. Choose the volcanic shore that matches your vision.
Black Sand + Turquoise
Kona Side · West Big Island
A breathtaking contrast — Kiholo Bay combines deep Hawaii Black Sand Beach shores with luminous turquoise water and a backdrop of stark lava fields meeting the sea. The closest black sand beach wedding location on the dry, sunny Kona side, Kiholo offers a rare combination of dramatic landscape, frequent honu sightings, and reliable Kona-side weather.
Drive Time
~30 min from Kona
Best Light
Morning & late afternoon
Wildlife
Honu sightings common
Hidden Cove · Secluded
Puna District · East Big Island
A hidden, secluded Black Sand Beach Hawaii cove tucked beneath jungle cliffs along the Puna coast. Reached by a short hike down a path lined with naupaka and noni, Kehena Black Sand Beach rewards visitors with one of the most peaceful, intimate ceremony settings on Hawaii Island. Spinner dolphins are often spotted just offshore in the morning.
Drive Time
~2.75 hr from Kona
Access
Short hike down
Best For
Intimate elopements
Newest · Born 2018
Puna District · East Big Island
The newest Hawaii Black Sand Beach on the island. Pohoiki was created in 2018 when the Kīlauea volcano's lower East Rift Zone eruption sent rivers of lava into the ocean — and over months, currents pushed freshly-shattered volcanic glass into a stunning new black sand shore. Standing here is standing on the youngest land on Earth.
Drive Time
~3 hr from Kona
Best Light
Mid-morning
Permit
County park · Required
Lava-Formed · 1990
Puna District · East Big Island
Kaimu Black Sand Beach is a story of rebirth. The original beach was buried by lava in 1990, but a new shore has slowly returned — paved at first by raw pāhoehoe and now softening into a young black sand strand lined with coconut palms planted by the local community. Walking out across the lava field to reach the new beach is a ceremony in itself.
Drive Time
~2.75 hr from Kona
Access
~10 min walk on lava
Story
Reborn beach
Most Iconic · Sea Turtles
Ka'ū District · South Big Island
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is the most iconic Hawaii Black Sand Beach wedding location of all. The jet-black volcanic shore is famous for the Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) and hawksbills that come to rest here daily. Coconut palms frame the beach, calm waves lap at the volcanic sand, and the sense of place is unmatched. A truly unforgettable Hawaii ceremony backdrop.
Drive Time
~1.5 hr from Kona
Best Light
Morning hours
Permit
State beach · Required
Lava Sea Cliffs · Ironwood Forest
Puna District · East Big Island
MacKenzie State Recreation Area is a 13-acre coastal Hawaii State Park along the Puna lava coastline — where dramatic black lava sea cliffs drop directly into the deep blue Pacific. Set within a peaceful ironwood forest, MacKenzie offers a different kind of Hawaii Black Sand Beach wedding experience: instead of black sand underfoot, couples exchange vows along a wild black volcanic coast with crashing surf and sweeping ocean views. Ideal for couples drawn to raw, untamed lava-coast beauty.
Drive Time
~3 hr from Kona
Best Light
Sunrise & morning
Permit
State Parks SUP · Required
Quiet Alternative · Ancient Fishponds
Ka'ū District · South Big Island
Whittington Beach Park (also known as Honu'apo) is a hidden Ka'ū-coast gem just minutes south of Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. With small pockets of black sand, ancient Hawaiian fishpond ruins, towering coconut palms, lava rock shoreline, and breathtaking ocean views — Whittington offers a quiet, less-crowded Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding location ideal for couples seeking privacy and a deep sense of cultural place. Honu sightings and humpback whales (in season) are common.
Drive Time
~1.5 hr from Kona
Best Light
Morning & late afternoon
Best For
Quiet, intimate ceremonies
RUGGED LAVA SHORELINE · sunsets
north kohala · Big Island
Drive Time
~3 hr from Kona
Best Light
Morning & Sunset
Permit
County
Kapaʻa Beach Park is a scenic coastal location in North Kohala on Hawaii's Big Island, offering a beautiful setting for intimate beach weddings. With its rugged shoreline, volcanic rock formations, and sweeping Pacific Ocean views, Kapaʻa provides a more natural, laid-back alternative to the resort beaches of the Kohala Coast. Ideal for couples looking for a quiet, authentic Hawaiian coastal setting.
Plan Your Black Sand Beach Hawaii Wedding
Choose your
ceremony style.
Whether you're envisioning an intimate elopement on the volcanic shores of Punalu'u, a private ceremony at Whittington Beach Park, or a dramatic lava-cliff vow exchange at MacKenzie State Recreation Area, we offer purpose-built packages for every Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding location on Big Island.
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement Packages
Intimate, romantic Hawaii Black Sand Beach elopements designed for couples and small parties. Perfect for Punalu'u, Kehena, Kiholo, Pohoiki, and Whittington Beach Park — where seclusion and drama deserve to be experienced quietly.
Family & Guests
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Wedding Packages
Full Hawaii wedding ceremony packages on Big Island's iconic Black Sand Beach wedding locations. Includes officiant, beach permits, and on-site coordination. Add photography, lei, hula, and conch shell blessing.
Just The Two Of You
Volcano Elopement Packages
Dramatic, otherworldly elopements at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, lava fields, MacKenzie State Recreation Area, Lava Tree State Monument, and the freshly-formed shores of Pohoiki and Kaimu. For the bold and adventurous.
Family & Guests
Volcano Wedding Packages
Full ceremony packages at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, MacKenzie State Recreation Area, and lava-formed venues. Includes National Park permits, officiant, and coordination — for couples drawn to raw, primal Hawaiian beauty.
Explore More Big Island Wedding Locations
Beyond black sand.
Big Island offers more diverse coastal beauty than any other Hawaiian island. Browse our other wedding location regions for white sand beaches, resort coast venues, lush waterfalls, and dramatic volcano settings beyond the Hawaii Black Sand Beach collection.
9 Locations · West Hawaii
Kona Wedding Locations
White sand, calm bays, and reliable Kona sunshine.
5 Resort Beaches
Kohala Coast Locations
Hapuna, Mauna Kea, Waikoloa, and resort coast luxe.
7 Locations · East Hawaii
Hilo Wedding Locations
Lush waterfalls, gardens, and tropical jungle ceremonies.
5 Volcanic Venues
Volcano Wedding Locations
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and lava-formed venues.
Top Beach Settings
Recommended Wedding Locations
Our top picks for a ceremony spot across Hawaii Island.
Why Couples Choose A Hawaii Black Sand Beach Wedding
Volcanic shores offer something white sand simply cannot
-
Truly Unique
Black sand beaches exist only where volcanoes meet the sea
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Dramatic Photography
The contrast against white dresses and ocean is unmatched
-
Sea Turtle Sightings
Honu rest at Punalu'u, Kiholo, and Whittington year-round
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Less Crowded
Most are far quieter than Kona's busy resort beaches
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Cultural Significance
Connected to Pele and the Hawaiian creation story
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Lush Surroundings
Most are framed by coconut palms and tropical jungle
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Living Geology
The youngest land on Earth — at Pohoiki and Kaimu
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Permits Handled
Kona Wedding Officiant® manages every detail
5-Star Verified Reviews
★★★★★
Real Reviews From Black Sand Beach
Hawaii Couples
Kona Wedding Officiant® is rated 5 stars on The Knot, WeddingWire, Google, Yelp, and Zola — and is BBB Accredited. Below are real reviews from couples who exchanged vows on Big Island's Hawaii Black Sand Beach wedding locations.
★★★★★
"A heartfelt aloha — our black sand beach wedding with Deanna was genuinely magical."
From our very first interaction to the final "I do," Deanna embodied the true spirit of aloha. Her thoughtful attention to detail truly set her apart — every detail that mattered to us mattered to her. She guided us through writing our vows with insightful advice, and on the day of the ceremony she was genuine, fully present, and incredibly engaging. Tara Tuttle, our photographer, captured every moment beautifully. If you're looking for an officiant who will pour their heart into making your wedding day perfect, look no further.
Black Sand Beach Wedding Couple
Big Island, Hawaii · Officiated by Deanna DiMichele
The Knot · Verified
★★★★★
The reviews are 100% accurate — Deanna gave us a ceremony we'll remember forever."
My husband and I live on the east coast and decided we wanted to get married in Hawaii for our ideal ceremony. Deanna's business was the top result with awesome reviews, and I can confirm those reviews are 100% accurate. She was incredibly responsive throughout the process and gave us a lot of help with the marriage license, which reduced our pre-wedding stress. Deanna was so genuine throughout our ceremony. She also coordinated photography and flowers in advance, and helped with a videographer extremely last minute when we had a change of plans. I would recommend Kona Wedding Officiant® a million times over.
East Coast Couple
Big Island Destination Wedding · Officiated by Deanna DiMichele
The Knot · Verified
★★★★★
"Compassionate, caring, and always willing to help — even from the mainland."
We found Kona Wedding Officiant® by doing a search online. We got married in April 2025 and could not have pulled this off without them. Deanna is amazing — compassionate, caring, and always willing to help. She even calmed our stress of organizing this special event from the mainland. Her photographer Shannon has an incredible eye and vision for photos, and we now have some magical moments saved forever. Mahalo and much aloha, Deanna and Shannon!
April 2025 Couple
Big Island Wedding · Photography by Shannon
WeddingWire · Verified
★★★★★
"Deanna was amazing to work with from the beginning through the actual wedding."
Deanna was amazing from the beginning all the way through to the actual wedding. She was very professional and on top of everything, making planning our ceremony very simple. She had great ceremony script options and was a warm, engaging, and organized officiant. Our guests loved the ceremony and it was a perfect fit for us as a couple. I am confident the other services offered by Deanna and Kona Wedding Officiant® would be just as top quality.
Allison & Isaac
Big Island Wedding · Officiated by Deanna DiMichele
Zola · Verified
★★★★★
"You watched the YouTube of Kahu Tom — and we were sold."
We used Kona Wedding Officiant® after finding them on a Google search and reading their outstanding reviews. We watched their YouTube video of Kahu Tom and we were sold. They made the entire process flow seamlessly — we didn't have to worry about a single thing. Kahu Tom made our wedding day incredibly special, and you could tell he genuinely cared and was honored to be a part of our day. Our photographer spent over an hour with us after the ceremony and the photos turned out amazing. We are beyond happy.
Big Island Couple
Hawaii Wedding · Officiated by Kahu Tom Fernandez
The Knot · Verified
★★★★★
"So glad we chose Deanna for our elopement — she made the whole process easy."
So glad we chose Deanna for our elopement! She has such a calm demeanor, and it made all the difference when we were nervous about our special day. She was very helpful from the beginning to the end. We really liked that she provided a list of different make-up artists, beaches, restaurants, and places to visit while in Kona. Our day was just perfect and we couldn't be more grateful. Definitely would recommend 100% to anyone who's thinking of eloping on the Big Island!
NgocMen & Christopher
Big Island Elopement · Officiated by Deanna DiMichele
Yelp · Verified
Together, our team has performed thousands of wedding ceremonies across Hawaii Island. Read more 5-star reviews from real couples on:
The Complete Guide to
Hawaii's Black Sand Beach Wedding Locations
The Big Island of Hawaii is the only place in the Hawaiian Islands with multiple, accessible Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding locations. Each one — Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, Kehena Black Sand Beach, Pohoiki, Kiholo Bay, Kaimu, MacKenzie State Recreation Area, and Whittington Beach Park — is the result of an extraordinary geological event: molten basalt lava flowing from a Hawaiian volcano, exploding upon contact with the cold Pacific Ocean, and shattering into millions of pieces of jet-black volcanic glass that became sand over time.
How a Hawaii Black Sand Beach Is Formed
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is, without question, the most famous Hawaii Black Sand Beach in the entire Hawaiian Islands chain. Located in the Ka'ū district about 90 minutes south of Kona, Punalu'u is a sweeping crescent of jet-black volcanic sand backed by coconut palms and cooled by freshwater springs that bubble up beneath the sand. Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) and hawksbill turtles haul out daily to bask on the warm sand. State and federal law require visitors to remain at least 10 feet from resting honu, and our team strictly observes these rules during every ceremony.
Pohoiki: The Newest Black Sand Beach in Hawaii
Pohoiki Black Sand Beach in the Puna district is the newest Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding location of all. Created during the 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea, Pohoiki's black sand was deposited along the previously rocky shore of Isaac Hale Beach Park as currents pushed freshly-shattered lava glass against the coast. For couples drawn to ceremony locations with deep meaning — the youngest land on Earth, born of fire and the sea — Pohoiki is unforgettable.
Kehena Black Sand Beach: A Hidden Puna Cove
Kehena Black Sand Beach is one of the most beloved hidden gems on Hawaii Island — a jungle-fringed cove of soft black sand reached by a short, lush hike down a path lined with naupaka and noni. The intimate scale of Kehena Black Sand Beach makes it ideal for a private Black Sand Beach Hawaii elopement, and spinner dolphins are often visible just offshore in the early morning hours. Located in the Puna District on the east side of Big Island, Kehena rewards couples seeking true seclusion and a serene, ceremonial atmosphere.
Kiholo Bay: Black Sand Beach on Hawaii's Kona Side
Kiholo Bay is the closest Hawaii Black Sand Beach wedding location to Kailua-Kona — just 30 minutes north along the Queen K Highway. What makes Kiholo Bay truly special is its rare combination of deep black volcanic sand with luminous turquoise water and a backdrop of stark, raw lava fields meeting the sea. Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) are commonly spotted here, and the reliable Kona-side sunshine makes Kiholo Bay perfect for both morning and late afternoon black sand beach weddings.
Kaimu Black Sand Beach: A Beach Reborn from Lava
Kaimu Black Sand Beach tells a powerful story of rebirth. The original beach was buried by lava in 1990 during the long Pu'u 'Ō'ō eruption, but a new black sand strand has slowly returned — paved at first by raw pāhoehoe lava and now softening into a young black sand shore lined with coconut palms planted by the local community. Walking out across the lava field to reach the new Kaimu Black Sand Beach is a ceremony in itself.
MacKenzie State Recreation Area: Lava Sea Cliffs of the Puna Coast
MacKenzie State Recreation Area is a 13-acre Hawaii State Park along the wild Puna coastline. While not a sand beach in the traditional sense, MacKenzie is part of the larger volcanic Black Sand Beach Hawaii coast — featuring dramatic black lava sea cliffs that drop directly into the deep blue Pacific. Set within a peaceful ironwood forest planted in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, MacKenzie offers a different kind of ceremony experience for couples drawn to raw, untamed lava-coast beauty. A Hawaii State Parks Special Use Permit is required, and Kona Wedding Officiant® handles all permitting on your behalf.
Whittington Beach Park: A Quiet Ka'ū Coastline Alternative
Whittington Beach Park — also known by the Hawaiian name Honu'apo — is a hidden Ka'ū-coast gem just minutes south of Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. With small pockets of black sand, ancient Hawaiian fishpond ruins, towering coconut palms, lava rock shoreline, and breathtaking ocean views, Whittington offers a quiet, less-crowded Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding location ideal for couples seeking privacy and a deep sense of cultural place. Honu sightings are common, and humpback whales are frequently spotted offshore from December through April.
Black Sand Beach Hawaii Elopement vs. Wedding: Which Is Right For You?
The choice between a Black Sand Beach Hawaii elopement and a full wedding ceremony comes down to guest count, ceremony scale, and the beach itself. A Hawaii Black Sand Beach elopement is ideal for couples and parties of up to 10 — perfect for the smaller, more intimate beaches like Kehena Black Sand Beach, Kaimu, and Whittington Beach Park. Larger Black Sand Beach wedding locations like Punalu'u (which has more space and accommodates bigger guest counts) and Kiholo Bay (with its broader shoreline and easier guest access) work beautifully for full ceremonies. Both elopements and weddings are honored with the same Hawaiian cultural respect, professional officiating, and full permit handling at every wedding location Black Sand Beach Hawaii couples choose. View our dedicated Black Sand Beach elopement packages or Black Sand Beach wedding packages to choose the right ceremony for you.
Cultural Respect & Hawaiian Tradition
Hawaii Black Sand Beach shores hold profound cultural meaning in Hawaiian tradition. They are physical evidence of Pele — the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and creation — and her ongoing work shaping the island. Kona Wedding Officiant® approaches every ceremony at these locations with deep cultural respect, and we are happy to incorporate Hawaiian blessings, conch shell ceremonies, and lei exchanges into your wedding when desired.
Permits, Logistics & Wildlife Protection
Most Big Island Black Sand Beach wedding locations require a Hawaii State beach permit for commercial wedding ceremonies. As your Big Island wedding officiant, Kona Wedding Officiant® handles all permits and insurance — included in every package. We also strictly observe all wildlife protection guidelines, including maintaining the legally required 10-foot distance from resting honu (sea turtles) and 50 yards from Hawaiian monk seals.
Booking Your Hawaii Black Sand Beach Wedding
Ready to choose your Black Sand Beach Hawaii wedding location? Schedule a free planning consultation with our team. We'll walk you through Punalu'u, Pohoiki, Kehena, Kiholo Bay, Kaimu, MacKenzie State Recreation Area, and Whittington Beach Park — and help you choose the perfect Hawaii Black Sand Beach for your date, group size, and ceremony vision. View all Big Island beach locations or browse our Hawaii elopement packages and wedding packages.
Ready to Get Started?
Find Your Perfect
Black Sand Beach Hawaii
Schedule a free Big Island wedding planning consultation and we'll help you choose the perfect Hawaii Black Sand Beach wedding location for your ceremony — Punalu'u, Pohoiki, Kehena, Kiholo, Kaimu, MacKenzie, or Whittington. No pressure, just Aloha.