Hawaii has a small handful of naturally heated soaking pools, the Ahalanui and Pohoiki warm ponds on the Big Island, and it is the only US state where hot springs are heated by active shield-volcano geothermal activity along the East Rift Zone of Kilauea. Hawaii's soaking landscape was permanently changed by the 2018 Kilauea lava flow, which buried the beloved Ahalanui warm pond under fresh basalt, therefore the pools at Isaac Hale Beach Park (Pohoiki) are the primary remaining publicly accessible thermal pools. Additional small thermal seeps exist along the Puna coast but are informal, and access changes with each eruption cycle. Water temperatures typically range 90-100°F, moderated by mixing with ocean water. Land ownership is Hawaii County parks and state land; access is drive-up when open. Best season is year-round, but check Hawaii County Parks and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory for current volcanic activity before travel. Gateway airport is Hilo for Big Island access. Swimwear is expected. There are no true hot springs on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the other islands, all naturally heated soaking is on the Big Island's Puna coast. Reviewed and updated June 2026. See individual pool pages for current status as sites open and close with each volcanic event.
