Puako Beach: A Hidden Bay with Stunning Views of Kohala Volcano
Why We Love Photographing at Puako Beach
Tucked away along the Kohala Coast, Puako Beach is one of the Big Island’s best-kept secrets. With calm waters, colorful tide pools, rugged lava rock, and a quiet shoreline, this hidden bay is the perfect place to slow down and experience Hawaii’s natural beauty. What makes Puako Beach especially unique is its breathtaking views of Kohala Volcano, and on clear days, you can even see the neighboring island of Maui across the ocean.
As Big Island photographers, we’ve spent many evenings exploring Puako’s coastline and have fallen in love with its incredible variety. Whether you’re visiting for an afternoon or celebrating a special milestone, Puako Beach is one of our favorite locations for capturing photos in Hawaii.
Whether you’re planning a relaxing beach day, hoping to snorkel with tropical fish, or searching for the perfect location for family photos, couples portraits, or even a wedding celebration at one of the nearby oceanfront vacation homes, Puako Beach provides a peaceful setting away from the larger resort beaches.
Getting to Puako Beach and Parking
Although Puako Beach feels like a hidden escape, getting there is surprisingly easy. Located within the quiet oceanside community of Puako, the beach is accessed from several public shoreline trails along Puako Beach Drive. Rather than one large beach entrance, you’ll find multiple access points leading to different sections of the coastline, each offering its own unique views and scenery.
Parking is free along designated areas of Puako Beach Drive near the public access trails. Because parking is limited and shared with the neighborhood, we recommend arriving earlier in the day, especially during weekends, holidays, and the busy winter travel season.
Most access trails require only a short walk to the shoreline, though some sections include uneven lava rock. Comfortable footwear can be helpful if you plan on exploring beyond the sandy coves or spending time around the tide pools.
If you’re joining us for a photography session, we’ll help choose the best access point based on the lighting, tide conditions, and the type of scenery you’d like in your photos, making your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Local Tip: At the last public beach access near the end of Puako Beach Drive, a scenic coastal trail continues south to Holoholo Kai Beach Park. It’s a beautiful shoreline walk that connects the two areas on foot, offering more lava rock coastline, tide pools, and ocean views along the way. Since the road beyond this point enters a gated private residential community, hiking the trail is the only way to continue south from Puako without driving back to the main highway. Visitors wanting to access Holoholo Kai Beach Park by vehicle can do so by entering through the Mauna Lani Resort near the Fairmont Orchid.
A Photography Location That Feels Different Around Every Corner
One of our favorite things about photographing at Puako Beach is how much variety we can capture without ever leaving the location. As we walk along the shoreline, the scenery changes naturally, allowing us to create a gallery that feels adventurous and diverse while keeping the session relaxed.
Some areas feature soft sandy coves that are perfect for family and couples portraits, while others showcase dramatic lava rock formations, tide pools, and sweeping ocean views that add texture and depth to your images. Depending on the season and the tide, we can also incorporate palm trees, reflections in the tide pools, and the colorful skies that often appear over the Kohala Coast at sunset.
Instead of photographing every image in one small section of beach, we’ll guide you through several unique backdrops that each have their own personality, creating a collection of photographs that feels both natural and intentional, creating a gallery that tells a complete story of your time in Hawaii.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND DURING YOUR SESSION
- Multiple beach access points with different scenery
- Sandy bay for clean, beach portraits
- Rugged lava rock that adds texture and contrast
- Calm shoreline that’s ideal for families and young children
- Tide pools that create unique foregrounds and reflections
- Palm trees and tropical greenery throughout the coastline
- Panoramic views of Kohala Volcano
- Views of Maui across the channel on clear days
- Beautiful golden hour light and colorful sunsets
This gallery showcases many of the landscapes that make Puako Beach one of our favorite photography locations on the Big Island. By exploring the shoreline, tide pools, lava rock, sandy coves, and the scenic coastline beneath Kohala Volcano, we’re able to create a gallery filled with a variety of natural backdrops that feel both adventurous and timeless. From playful family moments and romantic couples portraits to breathtaking scenic images, each part of Puako Beach adds something unique to the story we capture.
Best Time of Day for Photos at Puako Beach
Puako Beach is beautiful throughout the day, but the lighting changes depending on when you visit. Because much of the shoreline is exposed with limited natural shade, we almost always recommend scheduling your session during sunrise or sunset for the most flattering light and the best overall experience.
- Sunrise is one of our favorite times to photograph at Puako Beach. The coastline is typically quiet, the ocean is often at its calmest, and the soft morning light beautifully illuminates the lava rock, tide pools, and turquoise water. It’s an especially peaceful time for family sessions, couples, maternity portraits, and anyone hoping to enjoy the beach before it becomes busier later in the day.
- Sunset brings warm golden light that transforms the entire coastline. The soft evening glow adds beautiful color to the lava rock, reflects across the tide pools, and creates a romantic atmosphere that’s perfect for couples and small weddings on the shoreline. On clear evenings, you’ll also have incredible views of Kohala Volcano and, in the distance, the neighboring island of Maui.
Whether you’re celebrating a family vacation, an elopement or small wedding, or simply this season of life, scheduling your session around sunrise or sunset allows us to capture Puako Beach at its absolute best.
Real Client Sessions at Puako Beach
The galleries below feature real photography sessions captured at Puako Beach throughout the year. From family vacations and maternity portraits to intimate wedding celebrations, these sessions offer a glimpse into what it’s like to be photographed at one of the Big Island’s most secluded coastal locations.
As you explore these galleries, you’ll see how each family and couple experienced Puako Beach in their own unique way. Whether it’s children exploring the tide pools, parents having a moment as a couple, or a bride and groom exchanging vows with Kohala Volcano in the background, every session reflects the natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere that make Puako Beach such a memorable place to celebrate life’s biggest moments.
Hawaii Family and Maternity Photos at Puako Beach
What our clients had to say about their Hawaii family and maternity photos.
“Booking with Hawaii Adventure Portraits was honestly one of the best choices we made during this pregnancy. We knew we wanted a maternity family session that felt natural and meaningful, and from the very beginning, everything was super easy and organized. When it came time for the shoot, our photographer, Christian, showed up with the best energy. She had such creative ideas and little prompts that felt fun and never forced, which made the whole experience feel really comfortable. We decided to add on custom florals for the session, and they turned out even more beautiful than we imagined. Christian used them so thoughtfully throughout the shoot, from the haku lei to the full floral piece, and made me feel so beautiful and celebrated. Our son had the best time just running around and being himself. He was laughing, hugging my belly, and genuinely enjoying the experience. Even my partner, who usually doesn’t love taking photos, said afterward how much fun he had and how easy it all felt. With baby arriving soon, we’re just so happy to have this time captured in such a real and heartfelt way. These photos mean so much to us already. It wasn’t just a shoot. It really felt like a memory we’ll carry with us forever.”
— Carolina and Family
Hawaii Elopements and Weddings Ceremonies at Puako Beach
Puako Beach offers a beautiful setting for couples dreaming of an intimate elopement and wedding ceremony. Whether you’re exchanging vows with just the two of you or celebrating with a small group of family and friends, Puako provides a relaxed atmosphere where the focus stays on your love story and the beauty of the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Puako Beach
We’ve answered a few common questions about Puako Beach so you know exactly what to expect. Once you’ve read through the details, we’d love to help you start planning your own Hawaii photos.
Is Puako Beach open to the public?
Is there parking at Puako Beach?
Is Puako Beach good for snorkeling?
Can you see sea turtles at Puako Beach?
Is Puako Beach good for family photos?
Is Puako Beach a good place for weddings?
Can you see Kohala Volcano from Puako Beach?
When is the best time to visit Puako Beach?
Book a Hawaii Island Photography Experience
Aloha, I’m Christian, your Hawaii portrait photographer. My team and I can’t wait to meet you and help capture your time in Hawaii in a way that feels meaningful.
Whether you celebrate a milestone, mark a family vacation, or honor something deeply personal, your story deserves to be beautifully captured, surrounded by the Hawaii you came to experience.
We’d Love to Help You Plan Your Hawaii Photos at Puako Beach
Once you’ve had a chance to explore our packages, fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours to confirm availability and share the next steps to reserve your session.
