ʻApua Point is 6.6 miles from the Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs trailhead and along the south-facing shore of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The trailhead is about 140 ft above sea level and the trail gradually makes its way down to the ocean, mostly over smooth pahoehoe flows. Once you reach the sea you will pass an old goat corral/trap. The stone walls there may be your only chance for shade. From the corral you have to hike about two miles to ʻApua Point. These last two miles will take you along the coast over more pahoehoe flows, a couple hundred yards of aʻa flows, and through sandy dunes overgrown with naupaka. ʻApua has a small stand of coconut trees under which you may pitch a tent. Some of the tent sites have stone walls to shelter you from the wind.
There is NO DRINKING WATER at ʻApua. You have to carry in whatever water you will need (at least 4 quarts/liters per person per day). The closest water catchment tank is at Keauhou, 3.1 miles down the coast.
The ocean at ʻApua has strong rip tides. There are some shallow areas where you can lay in the water to cool off, or you can swim in the cove at high tide. Be warned that swimming in the ocean here may be a deadly activity.
The campsite may be accessed from two trailheads. 1) Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs via the Puna Coast Trail - 6.6 miles, 10.6 km (accessed via Chain of Craters Road). 2) Mau Loa o Mauna Ulu via the Keauhou Trail and the Puna Coast Trail - 9.9 miles, 15.9 km (accessed via Chain of Craters Road).