Kaihalulu — Red Sand Beach — is one of the more unusual beaches in Hawaii. Tucked into a cove below the eroding red cinder cliffs of Kauiki Head, the small beach has vivid rust-red sand formed from iron-rich volcanic debris, sheltered swimming in a natural pool enclosed by a lava shelf, and an atmosphere so dramatic it feels slightly unreal.
Getting there requires a narrow, eroding path along the cliff edge behind the Hāna Community Center — wear shoes with grip and be cautious when wet. The beach is not visible from the road, which keeps the crowds down despite its fame. The water inside the lava breakwater is usually calm; outside it, the surf is heavy. The beach has a naturist tradition; both clothed and unclothed bathers coexist without drama.