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Although there is a lot of volcanic activity in Hawaii, the islands do not have traditional hot springs. Places of warm springs and tidal pools replace those. On occasion, you can find this one-of-a-kind warm mineral water pool just by the seafront. Ingenious! This new take on an old favorite is great fun! An enjoyable alternative to a plain old hot water soak.
The most amazing hot springs in Hawaii are unlike any others since volcanic lava heats them. There is a removal of subsurface magma because of the influx of freshwater into the mountains. Because of this, a few hot springs can emerge from the ground and provide hot water for human consumption.
That massive volcanic eruption in 2018, unfortunately, damaged most of Hawaii’s most famous hot springs. Please don’t waste the chance to enjoy the hidden gems on this list; you might not see them again.
ISAAC HALE BEACH PARK
13-101 Kalapana Kapoho Beach Rd Pahoa, HI 96778
Hidden on the northeastern side of Pohoiki Bay, Isaac Hale Beach Park is home to a stunning stretch of black sand. Isaac Hale Beach Park, named after a fallen soldier in the Korean War, is a 2-acre haven of dark lava rocks.
In 2018, during a volcanic eruption from May to August, a major lava flow struck this beach, transforming it into a magnificent sight. The cherished Ahalanui Warm Pond was among the neighboring monuments that the lava ruined.
The lava flow destroyed hundreds of houses and other buildings in several Puna district neighborhoods. When the volcano erupted, it spewed molten rock into the ocean, which eventually cooled into a beautiful stretch of black sand beach within the park.
Off the coast, you’ll find a lava tube which is now a blazing hot spring. The geothermal hot pools, fed by hot water from volcanoes, are the perfect place to relax after sightseeing. Kilauea Caldera, the world’s most active volcano, is nearby. The shoreline in Isaac Hale Park is sandy in the east and stony in the west.
This pool uses the geothermal energy from volcanic activity nearby Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to heat the groundwater that rises to the surface. This resort has many heated pools and picnic spaces with barbecue grills, making it ideal for family vacations.
Among the many enjoyable pursuits available in the region are surfing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, barbecuing, camping, snorkeling, and sunbathing. On a first-come, first-served basis, you can use the pavilions, which feature picnic tables and grills. The park has bathrooms and showers near the picnic shelters and benches. Portable toilets are also available.
You swim at the beach at your own risk; there are strong currents the best time is when there are no waves. The thermal ponds behind the beach and the lagoon at the boat launch are full of stagnant water and bacteria, so avoid them if you have any cuts or open wounds.
You can see Hawaiian green sea turtles, a large variety of coral and other marine life, and beautiful tropical fish from close range on the reef. Visit Isaac Hale Beach Park on the Big Island if you’re seeking a quiet spot to swim and sunbathe or if you want to get up close and personal with some incredible marine life and of course, the most amazing hot springs in Hawaii.
POHOIKI WARM SPRING
13-5579 Kalapana – Kapoho Rd, Pāhoa, HI 96778
The volcanic eruption of 2018 developed and remodeled Pohoiki Hot Springs. Many hot spring pools appeared alongside the beach park after the 2018 events. The warm springs are in the Puna region of Hawaii’s Big Island.
In the Spring, guests can enjoy a black sand beach and a relaxing dip in the thermal water. It’s one of the island’s easier-to-access black sand beaches and has a breathtaking panorama. It’s about 30 miles from Hilo to Isaac Hale Beach Park, where you may access the beach via a paved road.
There are two thermal ponds, one closer to the parking lot and the other warmer, further out in the bush, offering tourists the necessary shelter and seclusion. The hot springs have an ideal temperature range of 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, making them great for unwinding and getting a new lease on life.
Because the landscape is forever shifting due to the effects of the tides and volcanic activity, visiting Pohoiki Hot Springs is a must. The landscape may seem very different when you come back, and the hot springs close. It is billed one of the most amazing hot springs in Hawaii for these reasons and more.
You should avoid the Spring if you have open wounds or cuts since bacteria thrive in warm water. Aside from surfing, other popular pursuits at Isaac Hale Beach Park include fishing, sunning, swimming (for the more seasoned), and even volleyball (experienced only).
Guests can explore the jungle path on the landward side of the main pool or traverse the rocky coastline on the seaward side to get to the smaller pools. This park has no drinking water facilities, so bring along some if you plan to soak in the hot pools. Thus, you should check out this beautiful beach.
AHALANUI PARK/ MILLIONAIRES POND/ PUALAA
Hwy 137 14-5363 Kalapana-Kapoho Rd Pahoa, HI 96778
The heated spring-fed swimming area in Ahalanui Park is a hybrid of nature and artificial design. Compared to the rest of Hawaii’s Big Island, Puna has a shortage of authentic beaches. The Puna coast is mostly lava rock, with sand patches dotted here and there.
The locals enjoy the warm water of the Ahalanui spring in a stone pool. The water depth rarely exceeds shoulder depth, and there is little current, making this a relaxing area to swim and work up a sweat.
Volcanic activity often releases sulfur into the atmosphere, leaving a subtle odor in the water of natural hot springs. Besides being a popular picnic spot, the Warm Pond (or Millionaires Pond) also features a bathhouse and a shower.
This hot Spring stays between 93 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit all year round. Due to its proximity to the coast, the water is salty, and saltwater fish may even be in the pond. There are strolling routes through the oasis, and vegetation surrounds the water. There is a restroom building with showers and a picnic area.
The 2018 Kilauea Eruption destroyed the Ahalanui Hot Pond. The area is now off-limits to the public because of the flooding lava from Fissure 8. The hot pond was a thermally heated, spring-fed swimming pool with a cement barrier separating it from the ocean’s crashing waves, artificial walkways, and ladder entry.
The water temperature ranged from warm to lukewarm with the changing tides. Unfortunately, volcanic activity wiped out Pualaa County Park, as it was a popular tourist destination. The vast ocean and coconut palms at Ahalanui Beach Park made for a peaceful and beautiful setting.
Visitors could swim in relative calm here, a rarity on the Big Island, famous for its pounding surf and powerful currents. Water heated by the volcano eventually makes its way to the surface of some areas of the Big Island.
KAPOHO TIDE POOLS
14-4984 Waiopae Rd Pāhoa, HI 96778
In many locations around the Puna Coast, spas use Kilauea’s steam to maintain a comfortable temperature. The Puna Coast has a continuous series of beaches for 12 miles, and the tidal pools there get rather toasty in the summer.
Kapoho, which refers to the morphology of the tide pools, means”the depression” in Hawaiian. It’s about a two-minute drive north of the Ahalanui warm pond. Hot springs enthusiasts and vacationers to Hawaii flock to the tidal pools at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Nearly every travel guide lauds the Kapoho tidal pools as a fantastic place to go snorkeling, even though they are notoriously difficult to access. The warm water that seeps from the lava rocks into the ponds is a welcome addition.
Unfortunately, in the 2018 volcanic eruption, 60 feet of volcanic rock covered the tide pool. And other than while soaking there, the only way to recall it is in a beautiful memory. As luck would have it, there are other attractions to Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park.
Witness the stunning beauty of rock falls, craters, lava lakes, and more. A basalt ridge close off the coast keeps the tidal pools safe from the ocean’s swells, and the pools get refreshed by the incoming tide twice daily. Discover a labyrinth of tide pools hidden within this natural wall.
Kapoho tide pools have one of the highest and most diverse coral coverings in east Hawai’i reefs because of the favorable conditions there. Animals as diverse as sea turtles and octopi frequent the coral reefs. Kapoho is home to many plants and animals; thus, it’s best to avoid its waters if you have open wounds.
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, 96785
The big island of Hawaii in the far south pacific is home to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which features some unique environments in the national park system. Large, active volcanoes sculpted this country, which features a volcanic coastline, cave-like lava tunnels beneath the surface, and verdant tropical vegetation.
On the island’s southern coast, the park extends from the Pacific Ocean to the 4,000-foot-high peak of Kilauea National Park. Throughout its 333,000 acres, the park features a variety of landscapes, including a desert, a tropical rainforest, and countless craters.
Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park is home to towering volcanoes, beautiful oceans, and bizarre lava rock formations. The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a fantastic destination at any time of year.
Prevailing pleasant and occasionally warm conditions prevail. But bring a hooded raincoat or an umbrella, as showers are possible. Begin your explorations at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Overflow parking, the best places to see the lava flow, and a park map are all available here.
Visit the Halema’uma’u Crater, which has been erupting intermittently for centuries, at the overlook next. The rangers recommend doing this at night so you can view the lava flow’s light.
Depending on which way you travel along Chain of Craters Road, you can see lava flowing from several vents.
See the white steam and vapors coming out of the several active steam vents and banks on the approach to Halema’uma’u Crater. The Volcano Art Center is a gallery featuring the work of local artists near the Volcano Hotel.
The Thurston Lava Tube is a popular destination for park visitors. The lava flow through the tunnel has created a long, sizable cave. The lava flowed through this tunnel at one point. The Kilauea Iki Trail is a great place to go hiking.
As far as hikes go, this is among the best on Hawaii’s Big Island. Cairns marks the trail over the crater’s cement bottom. For the entire loop, you’ll travel nearly three miles down into the Kilauea Iki crater.
The ancient lava rock highlights a stroll through the jungle that covers the crater floor. You’re in luck if you want to spend the night beneath the sky. This national park does have a few campsites available. The park has two different campgrounds that campers can access via their cars.
POOLS OF OHEO
Haleakalā National Park, Hana, HI 96713
Magnificent mountains, lush jungles, magnificent beaches, and stunning sunsets are just a few of Maui’s many natural beauties that have helped earn the worldwide island renown for its aesthetic magnificence. Hawaiians have revered the island’s seven sacred pools for millennia.
These waters, just 15 minutes south of Hana, are stunning and believed to have medicinal and spiritual characteristics. Waterfalls and deep freshwater pools make up the ‘Ohe’o Gulch valley, surrounded by lush vegetation and tropical woods.
Oheo Gulch, on the lower slope of the dormant volcano, is home to the Oheo Pools. Seven pools in a staggered arrangement call tiered tubs to mind. All the time, freshwater flows in and fills them up.
The pools stay warm all night because the igneous rocks beneath them trap the sun’s heat.
The severe rain causes the pool to overflow into the ocean, making it dangerous and slippery. Before setting out, ensure the tides allow you to safely enter and exit the water.
The Pipiwai Trail is a well-known, 4-mile-long trail that starts right across the street from the Pool of Ohe’o and ends at the Waimoku Falls. Deep green bamboo surrounds the falls, which are Maui’s tallest at 400 feet. Mud is inevitable, so bring sturdy shoes.
The Kipahulu campground is close to the Pools of Oheo and is perfect for tent camping. They have a ranger station, barbecue grills, clean restrooms, plenty of parking, and a large lot. This campground is drive-up only, first-come, first-served, and does not need permits or reservations.
The two smaller pools are for bathing only; swimmers should exercise caution. There are many sharp rocks in the water, and the temperature is very low. It’s not a good idea to dive or jump into the ocean when jumping off cliffs, as there are many hazards. The best time to visit this famous destination, which draws both locals and visitors, is in the morning.
CHAMPAGNE POND
14-5047 Kapoho Beach Rd, Pahoa, HI, 96778
To this day, Champagne Pond remains one of the Big Island’s most visited tourist destinations. You may drive right to the pond in the middle of Hilo. Champagne Pond is easily accessible via the Hilo Bayfront Highway. This road highlights the pond and its natural setting.
The high concentrations of dissolved carbon dioxide are responsible for the bubbly, sparkling water in champagne ponds. The pH of the water in champagne ponds is only about 3.5, making it extremely acidic. The plentiful fish and turtles don’t seem to mind the bubbling.
Several warm springs bubble up from the ground in a bay on the eastern side of the Big Island, resulting from the island’s volcanic past. At its warmest, the water reaches a comfortable 88 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for a long soak. The clear seas make this an excellent spot for snorkeling as well.
This gorgeous cove is in a residential area; thus, several pools are off-limits to the public. In June 2018, lava flowed from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano, destroying a unique hot spring. The Ahalanui Hot Pond was the area’s focal point due to its thermal heating and spring water supply.
WAILUA FALLS
Mahalo Rd, off Hwy 580, Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii.
Wailua Falls is a must-see on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It’s a stunning waterfall, but you will only spend a little time there because there is little to do but make the short journey from the parking lot to the cliffside lookout.
If you only visit one waterfall on Kauai, make it to Wailua Falls. The Wailua River drops 80 feet in a double waterfall before it reaches the ocean. This spectacular waterfall, located past Hana Highway Mile 45, plunges an impressive 80 feet.
Wailua Falls on Maui is a beautiful attraction year-round, although its volume changes depending on the quantity of rain. Because of the spray from the waterfall, rainbows can appear at any time of day. It’s easy to see why Wailua Falls is also known as Fantasy Island Falls.
Once upon a time, tourists could travel a primitive trail from the parking lot to the base of the falls, but that path is now blocked. Despite the shutdown, people continue to make the treacherous, muddy climb to the falls’ base in the dozens every day. Stopping at Wailua Falls to breathe fresh air and admire nature is a must for anybody driving the Road to Hana.
The mist from the waterfall, when you get closer to it, will feel invigorating. As well as being one of the most photogenic waterfalls on the island, Wailua Falls is one of the more easily accessible ones. However, this waterfall is easily accessible from a roadside viewpoint, unlike many of the island’s other waterfalls, which need a climb.
Final Thoughts about the Most Amazing Hot Springs in Hawaii
Despite its geothermal nature and abundance of volcanoes, Hawaii lacks the classic hot springs that one might expect. Warm springs and tide pools are what you’ll discover instead. Sometimes you can find these unique mineral water pools just by the shore. Both are popular with the residents and provide a welcome respite.
