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.
Side note!
Things to buy on Amazon for your adventures!
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- Lightweight quick-dry hiking shorts (comfortable shorts that are good for movement!)
- for women: hiking shorts | for men: hiking shorts
- Lightweight quick-dry hiking pants
- for women: hiking pants | for men: hiking pants
- capris for women
- Some of the best outdoor travel brands:
- When you fly: If you have an iphone, you can put an airtag tracker in your luggage so you can better keep track of it! Buy just one, or buy a pack of 4. (Read the reviews!) This also makes a good travel gift!
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!
🌴
Top Maui tours
Read the reviews at partner website Viator!*
- Road to Hana small group adventure tour
- Turtle town snorkeling tour (with photo and video)
- Lahaina ATV adventure tour
- Horseback riding tour with Hawaiian cowboys
Things you might want to pack for your Maui vacation
Read the reviews on Amazon! I'm an Amazon Associate.*
- For women: Search for a rash guard for swimming and you won't have to worry as much about putting on sunscreen!
- Search for a rash guard for men
- Water shoes for snorkeling if you won't be wearing fins, or just generally for the beach!
- Cheapo waterproof phone case so you can capture pictures of colorful fishies swimming underwater!
- I always have a camera float attached to my phone case that I put around my wrist
- Snorkeling set: mask and fins
- Fins allow you to propel further faster (aka see more in less time and energy!)
- Go cheap if you accept that you need to come up for air frequently: regular swimming googles. They are not as fashionable but if you get swimming goggles, make them the clear kind so you won't be seeing dimmed colors of the colorful fishies!
- If you are able, I recommend trying out the mask at your local lake (in summer) or pool so you will be good to go in Hawaii when there's actually stuff to see!
- Travel-friendly turkish towel for the beach (lightweight compared to regular beach towels)
- For women: Teva walking sandals (one of the best sandal brands for the outdoors, perfect for lots of walking around outside - that's not a lava field!)
- For men: Teva sandals
- For women: Merrell hiking shoes (one of the best outdoor shoe brands, perfect for walking over rugged terrain like lava fields!)
- For men: Merrell hiking shoes
- Moisture-wicking tech t-shirt for women perfect for hiking and hot days when you'll be outside a lot sweating
- tech-t-shirt for men
- For more ideas, do a search for hiking clothes or swimming clothes!
*As a Viator partner and Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission.
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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!
👇 Explore the Road to Hana map on google maps!
See the list:
- Road to Hana stops (for views!)
- Things to do on Maui (for views!)
- Things to do in Haleakala National Park
- Things to do on Lanai
There are affiliate links on this page. Among other partners, as an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission from this.
Top things to pack for your Hawaii vacation!
The ultimate beach towel for travel?!
Turkish towels are considered to be more absorbent and lightweight than your average beach towel. Be sure to check out turkish towels like these!The cheapo way to waterproof your phone
You can take underwater pictures with a simple waterproof phone case like this. Touch screen may not work well underwater - try the volume button to snap the pic instead!Get your suitcase more organized!
Packing cubes can make it so you're spending less time on your vacation looking for things! They are basically a form of drawers in your suitcase. Take a look at these packing cubes.Wear less sunscreen by wearing a UPF swim shirt!
Wearing a swim shirt means less skin that's exposed to the sun which means less sunscreen you need to apply! See about wearing swim shirts with UV protection like these when you're snorkeling.More for your Maui packing list
- How a cheapo waterproof phone case works
- Why wear water shoes for the beach
- Why a personal swim buoy is an essential for snorkeling and swimming in the ocean
- Essentials to pack for Maui
- Best shoes for Maui