The Big Island Insider's Guide: Shipman (Ha'ena) Beach Hike

You know you wanna!

The Shipman (Ha'ena) Beach hike is a fun, easy hike to do. It will only take half a day and it's something that the kids may be able to do. It is an approximately 2-hour round trip hike. The hike is over lava rock and through forest.

Shipman Beach can be found on the Puna coast. To get there, drive south down Highway 130 towards Pahoa. Make a left on Kaloli Drive. Drive to the end of the road and make a left. Park your vehicle at the dead end. Find the trail head most mauka (mountain side). Anytime you encounter a "fork in the road," stay mauka. If not, you will end up trail-less and boulder hopping along the coast. If you get caught in this situation, don't worry. There is no way to get lost, the hike will just take twice as long. It's impossible to miss the beach when walking along the coast.

Sink hole!

Shipman Beach is an enclosed bay and is located in front of the Shipman property. The beach is relatively small and the water is cool. It is a sandy beach; the sand consists of a mixture of white and black. There are also sink holes that can be found throughout the sandy beach. Don't worry, the sink holes are probably only a maximum of two feet deep. This might be a problem if you are a small child or dog (as my dog learned). Shipman Beach is a beautiful place to hang out and enjoy. If you are lucky, you might even spot an endangered Green Sea Turtle or Nene Goose.

Although Shipman Beach is great place to enjoy the beauty of the Island, it is not the greatest place to swim. The water is relatively shallow, depending on the tide. Also, there have been reports of people being sucked out by the current and into the deep blue. How this happens, I am not sure, but supposedly if you go out too far, the ocean current can catch you and sweep you out through an opening in the rocks. I have not personally seen it, but it happens frequently. Most recently, a high school boy drowned. Moral of the story is to use caution if swimming here.

You don't want to end up boulder hopping.

Tips and rules for hiking to Shipman Beach:

1. Stay on the most mauka (mountain side) trail.

2. Bring bug spray. The forest part of the hike is usually wet and loaded with mosquitoes.

3. There are no restrooms or showers.

4. Keep dogs leashed as so they do not disturb the endangered Green Sea Turtles or Nene Geese.

5. Use a sturdy pair of shoes as you will be hiking over lava rocks, through mud, and over slippery tree roots.

6. Don't swim too far out into the bay.

7. Respect private property.

8. Yes, there is a way to drive to the beach, but it is through private roads and property. The roads are not open to the general public.

9. Do not disturb or go near the endangered wildlife.

10. Don't go if it's raining or has recently rained. It will be SUPER MUDDY!