Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
After visiting Rainbow Falls, we headed south of Hilo, Hawaii to Richardson’s Beach to see one of the Big Island’s famed black sand beaches.
The black sand is the result of the volcanic activity on the island. Lava flowing into the ocean cools rapidly and can fragment. The volcanic rock on the shorelines are also eroded by the waves.
George Richardson was Chief Detective on the island in the 1920s. He helped the Malo family, who owned this land, get to the hospital when they were stricken with typhoid fever. In gratitude they gave him a parcel of their property so that he could build a house.
Today, that house is Richardson’s Ocean Center and the beach is a public park with lifeguards on duty. It contains a marine conservation area with tide pools, spring-fed ponds and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
We enjoyed swimming here. Should you visit this or any other black sand beach, be warned that the sand is extremely hot because it absorbs the sun’s rays just like asphalt does. Bring water shoes and your feet will thank you.
Hilo Posts:
- Volcano House
- Steam Vents
- Kīlauea Iki
- Chain of Craters Road
- Rainbow Falls
- Richardson’s Black Sand Beach
- Mokuola (Coming Soon)
Location: 2279 Kalanianaole Ave, Hilo, HI
Designation: Public Beach, County Park
Date of my visit: April 16, 2019
Hawaii looks beautiful
It is 😊
My favorite photo: The tree stump and the rocks. –Curt
Thanks 😊. I like that one too
I went to a black sand beach in Iceland. They are very cool to see.
Indeed😊
I remember as a child how enthralled I was with the black sand beaches. That they were formed directly from lava enchanted my mind, as I was then in love with all things volcano!
Thanks 😊. It is exotic 💜
Hawaii will always feel like home, tho lived there for short 4 years as a college student. The nature and landscape is majestic! Keep those posts coming ❤️
The beaches we went to in Guatemala were black sand – oh how scorching they could be!! I used to dig at waveline for black sand dollars.
Black sand dollars…cool!
I loved The Big Island. The black sand beaches are hot. I was warned and wore shoes. It was a good thing too. It’s been a long time since I was there.
This was a year ago. Would love to go back someday 💜
It’s been since 1984 since I was there. Someday I’ll get back there. 🥰
This place is definitely a holiday-in-making….the Sun, the sea, the sandy beach. What else could one ask for more? 👍
Thanks! It was a lovely holiday 💜
The photos are beautiful! That is definitely something I’d plan to see in Hawaii. Black sand beaches!
Thanks! It was a beautiful visit 💙