Black Rock was formed from one of the last-gasp lava flows on this side of the island. It is a rocky outcrop at the far North end of Ka’anapali Beach and blocks off access (from the beach) to the lesser-known Ka’anapali Resort beach called Kahekili Beach Park. The Hawai’ian name for Black Rock is Pu’u Keka’a, and ancient Hawaiians believed that this was the place where their spirits went to jump off to join ancestors forever. Unlucky souls who could not be shown the way by their family ‘aumakua (guardian animal spirit), would wander and attach themselves to rocks in the area. This is likely where the “it is bad luck to take a Hawai’ian lava rock” superstition comes from.

This is also a popular spot for cliff jumping. If you are cliff jumping, swim to the far side of the rock and climb up from there. It's much more challenging and dangerous to reach the rock by click up it from shore.

Black Rock

Swimming with huge sea turtles is a huge draw to this site. I saw about 6 of them in total each of the three times I snorkeled here. The water can be rough, since you face open ocean. One day it was exhausting to swim against the current, but the other two days it was fine. Also, beware of the dumb tourists who climb the lava rocks and then jump into the water. They ignore the signs telling them not to climb the rocks. You can be swimming out to snorkel and have one land on you. Water was clear and conditions great each time.

Pat Borowiak's Dive Log

@pat_borowiak

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