Are There Hot Springs on the Big Island, Hawaii?
Hawaii is known for its beautiful beaches, stunning volcanoes, and lush rainforests. But did you know that there are also hot springs on the Big Island?
Actually, there’s only one left after the 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed some favorites.
And when I was living on the Big Island, I accidentally stumbled upon it!
Pohoiki Hot Springs is where you want to go to soak in some natural hot water ponds while you’re on the Big Island.
What you’ll find in this post:
- Are they hot springs or warm ponds?
- How to get to the last remaining hot spring (hint: it’s past the nudist beach)
- How crowded the hot spring gets
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Are There Natural Hot Springs on the Big Island, Hawaii
and What Makes Them Hot?
Technically, the Big Island has warm ponds or pools, not actual hot springs as the source of the hot water is not coming directly from the ground. Let me explain.
The east side of the Big Island sees a lot of rain, up to 300 inches (10 meters) annually. However, most of this water doesn’t flow directly into the ocean. It seeps down into the ground until it reaches a barrier made up of salt water, which is heavier than fresh water. The fresh water floating on top then slowly dissipates to the edge of the island and from there it flows into the ocean.
In the vicinity of the volcanoes, the salt water barrier is deep enough that the fresh water on top flows through rocks that are heated by magma. The now hot water travels underground towards the ocean, cooling down the further it gets from the magma.
By the time it reaches the coast, the water has cooled to a temperature comfortable enough for humans to have a warm soak if it has a place to be collected. Cue Pohoiki Hot Springs, the only known warm pool location left on the Big Island.
And because this fresh water is floating on the salt water near the coastline, the tides affect the pools by bringing in new fresh water and cleaning out the old water.
Where are Hot Springs on the Big Island?
Kilauea is the most active volcano on the Big Island, which began erupting in 1983 until 2018, then restarted in 2020.
In 2018, Kilauea had an unexpected explosion and did some major damage to the Big Island in the Puna district. One of the most noticeable losses were two popular hot springs:
1) The Kapoho Tide Pools were taken out by lava on June 4, 2018.
2) The other hot spring, the Ahalanui Warm Ponds, were taken out on July 11, 2018.
With these two hot springs destroyed, are there any hot springs left on the Big Island? The answer is YES!
One remains: Pohoiki Hot Springs. This hot spring is located in Isaac Hale Park near the eastern coast of the Big Island and is open to visitors all year round.
How Do I Get to Pohoiki Hot Springs?
Pohoiki Hot Springs is about 40-miles south of Hilo. You’ll take Hwy 130 until it hits Hwy 137, also known as the Red Road. And don’t be deceived by the title of Hwy 137, as it is not a highway at all, but a winding, narrow road that goes along the coast.
The Red Road drive is a beautiful scenic drive on the Big Island. The road winds through a lush tree canopy and also over fields of the recent 2018 volcanic eruption lava flows.
One major point of interest you’ll pass along the way is Kehena Black Sand Beach, a well-known nudist beach on the Big Island. If you’re not comfortable with nudity, it’s best to avoid this beach. However, if you’re not easily squirmish, the beach itself is beautiful and has the softest grains of all black sand beaches on the Big Island, imo.
For a more “family-friendly” black sand beach, check out Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
After meandering down Hwy 137 along the ocean for about 15 miles, the road basically dead ends at Isaac Hale Park. Again, because of the 2018 eruption, mounds of lava barricade what used to be a continuation of the road. You’ll turn right on Kalapana Kapoho Beach Rd and find an extensive parking at the end.
What to Expect When Visiting Pohoiki Hot Springs
The hot springs are not clearly visible right away. You will first see the park area with picnic tables, the remnants of what used to be a boat ramp but got cut off to the ocean by the newest black sand beach created by the 2018 eruption.
Along the tree line you’ll see some shallow pools. These are the first of the Pohoiki Hot Springs. These warm ponds were also produced when the new black sand barricaded the water in.
The bottom of the pools are rocky and don’t go much deeper than knee high. But they are good for sitting in without having to get you whole body wet if you don’t wish.
While the pools are technically on the beach, due to the uncurated pile of black sand you don’t have a view of the ocean as you soak in the warm waters.
Now if you didn’t know better, you would assume that these pools were all are to the area, but there is more.
You’ll find a trail leading into the trees from these hot pools. Follow the trail in a few hundred feet and you will find the “O.G.” Pohoiki Hot Springs.
This pond is technically a collapsed lava tube that has filled up with water by a natural, fresh water spring. It is about 4ft deep with temperatures that get just over 100F.
The area has recently been cleared away of the once luscious canopy, so the pond is now more exposed to the sun and less tropical-like. However, it’s still a refreshing natural spa.
Tourists and locals alike come to soak in the steaming hot waters and because the pond is so intimately sized, you will undoubtedly start talking story as you share the afternoon in the pool together.
The hot springs don’t really get crowded. I think the day I saw it with 6 other people would be considered a busy day.
The Pohoiki Hot Springs are a unique experience on the Big Island and definitely a worthwhile stop if you can include it on your itinerary.
Where to Stay Near Pohoiki Hot Springs
As Isaac Hale Beach Park and the Pohoiki Warm Springs are in an isolated corner of the Big Island, there isn’t much in the way of places to stay nearby; Airbnb and VRBO will be your best options.
The cottages directly across from Kehena Beach (the nudist black beach) are a popular and favorite place to stay. Book a spacious One Bedroom Oceanview Cabin with a fully equipped kitchen HERE!
Pohoiki Hot Springs is only about an hour from Hilo, so it’s also easy enough to stay in Hilo and daytrip to the warm ponds.
Are the Pohoiki Hot Springs Safe?
While I wouldn’t categorize the hot springs to be dangerous, you should be aware of in the potential for bacterial infections in Big Island hot ponds (or any fresh bodies of water).
You will find signs by the ponds labeled:
“Notice
Enter at own risk
This natural thermal ocean pond is not disinfected
Do not enter if you have open wounds due to risk of bacterial infections“
Leptospirosis is the most common bacterial infection found in Hawaii that can affect both humans and animals. However, common does not mean a lot. The Hawaii State Department of Health says that the United States sees about 50-100 cases a year, most of them in Hawaii.
You can get leptospirosis if you enter the infected water with any broken skin or through the soft tissues on the insides of your mouth, nose, or eyes. You can also get it by coming into contact with urine, blood, or tissue from an infected animal. However, leptospirosis cannot be spread from person to person.
Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, sweating, muscle pain, painful eyes, and vomiting and can last from a few days to a few weeks. In extreme cases, it has been known to cause acute liver and kidney failure resulting in death.
A doctor can prescribe you antibiotics if needed.
So, should you avoid the hot springs because of bacteria? Not necessarily. Just be aware of the risks and take some simple precautions
Continue Reading About Other Volcanic Sites on the Big Island:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Mauna Loa Scenic Drive
Final Thoughts on Big Island Hot Springs
So, are there natural hot springs on the Big Island, Hawaii? Yes, just not as many as there used to be and technically they are warm ponds and not actual springs.
Pohoiki Hot Springs in the Puna district is definitely worth a visit to experience warm, freshwater ponds by a new black sand beach and under the boughs of tropical foliage.
Nearby cottage are available to rent if you want to stay nearby or the warm pools are an easy daytrip from Hilo.
🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺
🚨 Should I buy Hawaii travel insurance?
YES — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car on the Big Island?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive on the Big Island. And unless you plan to chill by the resort pool the entire time, renting a car is pretty much a necessity on the Big Island! Jeep rentals are popular. I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental, as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work on the Big Island?
PROBABLY — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island. For example, I always lose service driving through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Big Island accommodations?
For Big Island hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking for an Airbnb condo with a kitchen and more space, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Big Island flights?
I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Hilo is cheaper than flying into Kona.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Hawaii is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to the Big Island?
Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack.
