Pohoiki Warm Ponds (Isaac Hale Beach Park)
- Free
- Roadside
Warm, geothermally heated ponds at Isaac Hale Beach Park in Puna, formed when 2018 lava flows filled the old Pohoiki boat harbor with black sand. State tourism lists the park with lifeguard, parking and portable toilets, and warns that bacteria may be present because the warm water has no known circulation. The surf at the beach itself is for experienced swimmers only.
Park reopened Nov 11, 2025 after dredging closure; full lava-damage restoration deferred to 2028. Check county notices before going.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Pahoa
- Hike (one way)
- Roadside
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Hours | Park hours 7am-8pm (county, Nov 2025) |
|---|---|
| Season | Open year-round |
Tickets & booking
| Price |
|
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Land manager | County |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with county before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
What's here
- warm pond(s) formed in the old boat harbor after the 2018 eruption
- new black-sand beach
- lifeguard
- portable toilets
- no drinking water
Getting there
| Elevation | 19 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Trail | Short walk along the shoreline from the boat ramp area |
| Parking |
|
Things to do near Pahoa
MacKenzie State Recreation Area
Low lava-cliff coastline with an ironwood grove and an old Hawaiian coastal trail; daylight hours, no fee.
Lava Tree State Monument
0.7-mile loop past lava tree molds near Pahoa. Closed for storm damage as of Nov 2, 2026.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Kilauea summit, craters and lava-field drives, about 27 miles west.
Nearby springs
Esalen Institute
A retreat center on the Big Sur cliffs whose hot springs baths sit above the Pacific, fed by springs that emerge at about 119F. The baths have four communal stone tubs, individual claw-foot tubs and an upper-level tub with a lift, and they are clothing-optional. They are open only to overnight guests, and Esalen's public night-bathing reservations are currently closed.
Orr Hot Springs
A small clothing-optional resort on 27 acres at the headwaters of Big River, about 12 miles west of Ukiah on Orr Springs Road. The bathhouse has private and communal tubs, a swimming pool, sauna, steam room and cold plunge, and guests cook their own meals in a shared kitchen because no food is sold. Day use runs noon to 9pm by reservation, and there is no cell service or WiFi.
Sykes Hot Springs
Backcountry hot springs beside the Big Sur River in the Ventana Wilderness, reached on the Pine Ridge Trail from Big Sur Station. The Forest Service notes that several river crossings are required and can be impassable in winter high water. The trail and trailhead have been closed since August 2026 because of the Timber and Plaskett Fires.
Esalen Institute: 2316 mi · Orr Hot Springs: 2317 mi · Sykes Hot Springs: 2317 mi
Sources (8)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.
- Official site: Pohoiki beach
- hawaiitribune-herald.com
- yahoo.com: Big island park close temporarily 224323226
- hawaiitribune-herald.com: Council urges restoration of isaac hale park
- hawaiicounty.ehawaii.gov: All,details,57794
- dlnr.hawaii.gov: Mackenzie state recreation area
- dlnr.hawaii.gov: Lava tree state monument
- nps.gov: Index