Waikoloa Anchialine Pond Preservation Area (WAPPA)
Waikoloa Anchialine Ponds-
WAPPA -
Anchialine ponds -
Info sign -
Info sign -
Overlooking Kolea complex -
Perfect home for small fishes -
Popular Waikoloa attraction -
Scenic trail -
Trail leads to the ocean -
Scenic trail -
Shallow brackish water pond -
Shallow anchialine pond -
Located at Waikoloa Beach Resort -
Brackish water lava pools -
Brackish water lava pools -
Sunset over anchialine ponds -
Sunset over anchialine ponds
Waikoloa Anchialine Pond Preservation Area, Big Island
Located within the Waikoloa Beach Resort, the Waikoloa Anchialine Ponds (view panorama) are an easily accessible natural attraction. This series of brackish water lava pools are home to various small fishes, tiny red shrimp and crustacean mollusks. A trail leads from the roadside parking area to the ocean. It is a nice 5-minute stroll with up-close views of the ponds. The Waikoloa anchialine ponds are managed for research and educational uses by the University of Hawaii.
A sign at the entrance to the Waikoloa Anchialine Pond Preservation Area reads:
"Anchialine ponds are brackish water ponds formed by depressions, crevices or lava tubes that extend into the groundwater table. These pools were termed anchialine pools after the Greek word anchialos, meaning near the sea. Although landlocked and occurring some distance from the sea, the pool exhibit tidal fluctuation because of the subterranean connection with the sea and the groundwater movement through the highly porous lava."
Waikoloa Anchialine Pond Preservation Area Overview
- Located between the Kolea complex and the Hilton Hawaiian Village
- Nice place for a stroll with views of crystal clear shallow water fishponds (view panorama)
- Visitors are asked to stay on the trail and out of the ponds
