Hakalau Bay

Hakalau Bay is a scenic East Hawaii cove north of Hilo, with black sand, stream-fed murky water, old sugar-era ruins and a rugged shoreline setting.

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Hakalau Bay

Hakalau Bay, Big Island

Located on the Big Island’s eastern shore, about 13 miles (21 km) north of Hilo, Hakalau Bay is mainly a place for photos and shoreline views rather than swimming or snorkeling. The small bay has deep offshore waters, and dangerous water conditions develop during times of high surf.

The ocean bottom drops off quickly here, and rip currents often run from the bay into the open ocean. However, the bay is sometimes used by surfers. At the head of the bay, Hakalau Stream flows into the ocean, so the inshore waters are always murky. The beach is composed of black sand and fine pebbles.

The town of Hakalau was once home to a thriving sugar industry and an important stop for local transport. Remnants of its sugar-era past can still be seen in the old railroad bridge that leads to the bay and the long-defunct plantation towers you can see from the road. Also located on the shoreline are the ruins of Hakalau Mill, which was destroyed in the tsunami of 1946.

If you’d rather stay out of the water, you can check out the nearby Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. This 33,000-acre (134 sq. km) area is home to a large collection of native flora and fauna. Some are rare and can only be found here. The refuge was also the first national wildlife refuge in the U.S. established specifically for the protection of forest birds.

Key Features

East Hawaii cove north of Hilo
Black sand and fine pebbles at the mouth of Hakalau Stream
Stream flow often keeps nearshore water murky
Quick drop-off and rip currents can make the bay hazardous
Old railroad bridge stands above the bay
Sugar-era mill ruins remain near the shoreline
Hakalau was once connected with the island's plantation economy
The 1946 tsunami destroyed the old Hakalau Mill
Road descends into a gulch below the large steel trestle
Visitors should treat the bay as a scenic shoreline and history stop

Daily Activity Picks

Featured Big Island Activities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should visitors allow?

Many visitors allow 20 to 45 minutes for photos, shoreline views, the bridge area and a look at the old sugar-era setting.

Why is the water often murky?

Hakalau Stream flows into the bay, so rain, runoff and stream movement can keep the nearshore water cloudy even when the ocean looks calm farther out.

What is the shoreline like?

The beach is made of black sand and fine pebbles, with a rugged stream-mouth setting rather than a soft, wide swimming beach.

What remains from Hakalau's sugar era?

Visitors can still see the old railroad bridge above the bay, plantation-era structures from the road and mill ruins near the shoreline.

When is Hakalau Bay better for photos?

Clearer weather and lower surf usually make the bay easier to photograph, especially when the bridge, stream mouth and dark shoreline are visible.