Overview
Ka'u is the largest district on the Big Island of Hawaii between Puna and Kona, consisting mostly of lava fields, grasslands and agricultural exports including Ka'u Coffee, macadamia nuts, and oranges. Volcanoes National Park lies both in the districts of Ka'u and Puna. South Point and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach are notable areas to travelers, as well as Kula Kai Caverns in Ocean View and the Punalu'u Bakeshop in Na'alehu.
Naalehu is the southernmost town in the United States.
4 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ka'u
Ka Lae
Papakolea Beach
Near the South Point, a somewhat steep walk leads to one of four green sand beaches in the world.
Punalu'u Beach
Beautiful mix of black sand and rocks. A good beach for sunbathing and scenery, but strong rip currents make it dangerous to swim too far from shore. There is a lifeguard tower at the beach. Because the sand is black, it…
South Point (Ka Lae)
The southernmost point in the USA. To get there, turn makai on the access road about 6 mi west of Na'alehu and head south 10.5 mi (the last 4-5 miles of this road are in poor condition so be cautious). There is cliff-div…
Ocean View Swap Meet
The Ocean View Swap Meet is a sight to see every Saturday morning! It's small, but friendly and free.
kau fellowship hall
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 74°F; winter lows dip to about 49°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- KOA Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole, Kailua-Kona — 53 mi away (major hub). Directions
- ITO Hilo International Airport, Hilo — 56 mi away. Directions
Highway 11 is the only available highway to take you all the way through Ka'u from South Kona to Hilo.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ka Lae, South Point (Ka Lae), Papakolea Beach
- Lunch Hana Hou Restaurant
- Afternoon Ocean View Swap Meet, Kula Kai Caverns
- Dinner Punalu'u Bake Shop
- Evening South Side Shaka's
Day 2
- Morning Punalu'u Beach
- Afternoon kau fellowship hall
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Highway 11 is the only available highway to take you all the way through Ka'u from South Kona to Hilo.
Go Kau fellowship hall
See
See Ocean View Swap Meet
The Ocean View Swap Meet is a sight to see every Saturday morning! It's small, but friendly and free.
See Ka Lae (South Point)
See Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach or Mahana Beach)
Near the South Point, a somewhat steep walk leads to one of four green sand beaches in the world.
See kau fellowship hall
Do
Do Kula Kai Caverns
The thing to do in Ocean View halfway between Kona and Volcano Village. It's not far from Highway 11, however you must call first for availability and reservations. Kula Kai Caverns offers lava tube cave tours for all ages with various levels of capabilities, ranging from a short walk that's OK for claustrophobics up to full-day personal guided adventures. Reservations are required and well worth planning ahead for.
Do Punalu'u Beach (Black Sand Beach)
Beautiful mix of black sand and rocks. A good beach for sunbathing and scenery, but strong rip currents make it dangerous to swim too far from shore. There is a lifeguard tower at the beach. Because the sand is black, it gets really hot where it's dry and beach sandals are recommended on sunny days.
Do South Point (Ka Lae)
The southernmost point in the USA. To get there, turn makai on the access road about 6 mi west of Na'alehu and head south 10.5 mi (the last 4-5 miles of this road are in poor condition so be cautious). There is cliff-diving just west of the parking area, and a green sand beach is another 2.5 mi east (walk or 4WD only). There is a parking lot and a shack which has been designated as a "visitor's center." If you park in this lot, there is a chance that someone will emerge with a clipboard and ask you to pay for parking. Several guide books make the point that this is public land and that you are allowed to park without paying any fee. While this may be true, some travelers have been harassed or even threatened for asserting their rights to park. A more promising alternative is to park at the boat launch, adding half a mile to your hike. Though the hike to Papakolea is relatively flat, it can be very hot and windy. The beach's sand is a precious gem called Olivine, produced by the surrounding cinder cone, Pu'u Mahana and is one of only two green sand beaches in the entire world, with the other located in the Galapagos Islands.
Buy
Interesting and cheap stuff at the Ocean View Swap Meet on Saturday Mornings.
Eat
Eat Hana Hou Restaurant
This fun, convivial place claims to be the southernmost restaurant in the U.S. The food is hit-and-miss and overpriced, but portions are large and the lemonade and desserts are tasty.
Eat Punalu'u Bake Shop
Has lilikoi malasadas to "broke da mouth!" and good salads and sandwiches. Clean restrooms and a great garden to walk around in.
Drink
Drink South Side Shaka's
Southernmost bar in the USA.
Nearby
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Park · 15 listings · 29 mi away
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Park · 5 listings · 30 mi away
Volcano Village
City / town · 9 listings · 34 mi away
Captain Cook
City / town · 8 listings · 34 mi away
Kailua-Kona
City / town · 50 listings · 46 mi away
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Park · 49 mi away
Pahoa
City / town · 4 listings · 50 mi away
Hilo
City / town · 70 listings · 55 mi away
My experience
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