Isaac Hale Beach Park
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Description:
Known to locals as Pohoiki (Po-hee-kee), Isaac Hale Beach Park lies on the Puna coast along Highway 137 and encompasses two acres. Activities at this park include swimming, snorkeling, body surfing, board surfing, camping and picnic tables, a warm pond, and a playground.The beach consists of small lava rocks and black sand. High surf often deters swimmers from entering the water on the north side known as Shacks, but the south side where the boat ramp is, known as First Bay, offers a mellow swimming area right on the boat ramp. This is the only boat ramp in this region of the island.
Weekends are usually a busy time at this park with locals spending the day at the beach. Snorkelers should enter the water at the boat ramp, and the area is generally fit only for very experienced surfers. The whole area usually has a strong current, so use your best judgment and don't swim out far.
The portable toilets have recently been replaced with "real" restrooms and showers. There is a new lawn and picnic tables that can be a good place to take a break from a long drive. People generally like to sunbathe on the pier due to the lack of sand. There is a small warm pond on the First Bay side if you walk past the boat ramp through a trail along the edge of the jungle. The play ground is located on the Shacks side of the park, you can't miss it.
Follow Highway 11 (Volcano Road) southward to Keaau. A short distance past Keaau bear right on Highway 130 (Keaau-Pahoa Road). Follow this into Pahoa. Shortly after passing through Pahoa proper the road splits. Follow the left fork, which is Pahoa-Kapoho Road. This will bring you to the Nanawale Forest Reserve. After passing the reserve and the entrance to Lava Trees State Park, bear right, following Pohoiki Road. This will bring you to Isaac Hale Beach Park.
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