Punalu’u is one of the more popular places to visit on the Big Island. For one thing, it’s a black sand beach that’s easily accessible. It’s also a great place to see Green Turtles and sometimes Hawksbill Turtles. There’s picnic tables and restrooms, you can camp there, and it’s a beautiful stretch of coastline to wander along.
On my most recent visit, I was happy to see that the area where the turtles tend to rest has been more obviously identified with a rock wall and signs. This is part of the ongoing efforts to deter the ‘Let’s get a picture of little Billy riding the turtle’ crowd. Oh yes, they exist and, sadly, they’re nowhere near as endangered as the turtles. There is one turtle in this photo, but it looks like a rock.
Here’s a closer look.
And a close up (with a zoom lens), getting some much needed rest.
I really like Punalu’u, especially early in the day as this was. Later on, it can get very crowded.
Graham's Island 
Like Brian, I’m glad of the close ups. I couldn’t find the turtle even after you’d shown it. What a big beauty. Oh the things we humans do before really thinking and changing our ways. Sometimes it’s a wonder that we’re the animal with the best brain.
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Maybe we’re the ones with the biggest brain, but not necessarily the best!
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I am glad you showed the zoom image Graham, I saw too many rocks that looked like turtles 🐢 Do people actually sit on them? That is a case of where’s my pellet gun when you need it, not to kill or maim just to give the bastards a good stinging
On a brighter note I am so glad that they are there and there are attempts to protect them as best as possible.
Is black sand like other sand and gets everywhere?
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People do pose right next to them and have been known to sit children on them for a cute photo! These days, most people know this is not the right thing to do and will speak up sharpish! And yes, black sand gets in all the little nooks and crannies that regular sand does.
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Sand will be sand by the looks of it 😂
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Always much better to have a beach to yourself but a turtle or 2 is a definite bonus, Graham.
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I love seeing turtles, on land and in the water.
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🤗💕
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Wonderful to see the turtle there!
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They can usually be seen there. It’s a good haul out place for them on that stretch of coast.
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That’s great.
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This was perhaps my favorite place on our first trip to Hawaii. I read about it during our planning and knew I had to see it. I saw so many turtles! And I also saw people standing too close despite the signs. I don’t know what I would have done if I saw someone touching on sitting on a turtle! I speak out about such things and I’m not sure it would have ended well.
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These days, I think a lot of people do speak out, but there are still those who must get a photo of themselves right next to a turtle to post on social media!
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