WHERE LAVA MEETS THE SEA, Exploring Hawaii’s Tide Pools

Tide pools, Kona, Hawaii

When visiting the Big Island of Hawaii, one is constantly reminded of both its volcanic past and present. In many places, vast fields of black rock—once molten lava—cover the landscape. Here and there small plants are taking a foothold. Along the coast, where lava once reached the ocean and hardened into rock, waves pound the shore, creating cavities for tiny animals and pools for fish and crabs.

Sea urchins.

On our recent trip to the Big Island, our hotel in Kona (The Royal Kona Resort) overlooked the sea. Along the edge of the sea was a rocky ledge. Wearing sturdy shoes and taking care where I stepped, I ventured out onto the rocks to get a closer look at the creatures that were making their homes in the tide pools. 

At the outer edge of the shore, a constant stream of water washes in and out of the pools as waves break. But at low tide, the water of the inner pools is still and clear. In some I saw tiny fish dart from crevice to crevice. In others, sea urchins clung to the rocks, their spiny exteriors making them look like living pin cushions.

Sea cucumber.

As I peered under an overhanging rock, I spotted several sea cucumbers, their tentacles spread at the end of their long bodies. Tiny crabs skittered across the rocks above, but as soon as they detected my shadow they disappeared into cracks. The crabs are preyed upon by birds, who leave their empty exoskeletons behind. 

Crab remains left on a rock.

I had hoped to see sea turtles swimming or resting near the shore, as I had on previous trips, but this time none appeared. However, the variety of creatures that I did discover were reward enough and yet another example of the myriad ways that life exists on our planet.

Bright yellow seaweed (Ahnfeltiopsis coccina) is called Limu Aki Aki in Hawaiian.  Common in Hawaii, it is edible.

Note: Public access to Hawaii's shore is marked with signs at various places along the coast. I explored the tide pools near my hotel (The Royal Kona Resort) following the signed walkway to the beach at the point where Kahakai Road turns inland.  For a guide to the best tide pools near Kona, click HERE.

A colony of helmet urchins (Colobocentrotus atratus).

Chunks of coral, bleached and rounded by waves, stand out against the black lava.

View of the reef near the Kona airport, as seen from the plane window shortly before landing.