Don’t miss the black sand beach sea cave in Hana at Waianapanapa state park! 🌋 Waianapanapa lava tube 🌋 Maui Hawaii travel blog

ALOHA!

 

So if you’re doing the Road to Hana drive on Maui, then chances are that you will be stopping at Waianapanapa State Park.

That’s because this is the location of Maui’s famous black sand beach.

Well, when you’re here, be on the lookout for the small lava tube that’s located right next to the beach! This formation is said to have formed because of lava flows.

 

 

It can be a quick visit, and it’s super cool, I think!

I actually missed seeing the lava tube on my first visit to Waianapanapa State Park as I didn’t know to look out for it.

But now you’ll know that it’s there… so don’t miss it!

 

 

 

🌴

 

 

 

So…

How to find the Wainapanapa black sand beach lava tube

The lava tube is actually pretty easy to find… if you know about it!

But it’s also very easy to miss if you’re not looking for it!

Consider it a hidden gem on Maui… hidden in plain sight!

You might see a few people coming out of it to know it’s there, but otherwise…

 

Where to find the lava tube at the black sand beach?!

So after you get to the main overlook to see the black sand beach from above…

 

 

You’ll then take the stairs that will take you directly down to the black sand beach.

 

 

Right after you get down, facing the ocean, look directly to the right of the beach.

And you’ll see a cave looking thing!

 

 

And walk into it!

This is a lava tube, and it is one that you can see the opening on both sides.

Within a few steps of walking into the cove, you’ll see the opening at the other end, and you’ll walk 5-10 seconds to get to the other end.

 

 

And then, you can stand there and watch the waves come crashing in!

 

 

 

It’s a very short activity so it can be worth making a stop at this Waiananapapa lava tube at Pailoa Bay!

 

 

You can stay overnight at Waianapanapa State Park!

If you want to break up your Road to Hana drive over 2 days (or more!) then you can stay overnight at Waianapanapa State Park!

There’s camping (around $20 per night) and cabins (around $90 per night). Both require permits, and the cabins may be hard to come by (they book up). See more info here.

See more campgrounds on the Road to Hana.

 

See more about planning your trip to Maui:

• More beaches on the Road to Hana
• More things to do on the Road to Hana
• More black sand beaches on Maui
• How to make it a perfect 3 days on Maui

 

HAPPY SEEING A LAVA TUBE IN MAUI NEXT TO THE WAIANAPANAPA BLACK SAND BEACH!