Hawaii Travel – Big Island – Green Sand Beach
How to Get to Papakolea Beach and Southern Tip of the U.S.
Sep 26, 2009
Hawaii's Big Island is a varied landscape, with deserts, beaches, mountains, and rain forest. Among the most spectacular sites on the Big Island is Papakolea Green Sand Beach. This beach is the result of the erosion of a 49,000 year old cinder cone from an ancient eruption of the Island's Mauna Loa volcano. The cinder cone contains a large amount of olivine, a green crystal (known as peridot when of gem quality) made of iron and magnesium. When the olivine in the cinder cone is broken up by the waves crashing against the cliff, it forms sand made of the tiny green crystals.
The green crystals make the sand of the beach a spectacular olive green. This beach, although gorgeous, is extremely remote. It is located near South Point, the southern most tip of the United States. South Point itself is not easy to access, and once there, the winds and large waves make it a difficult place to enjoy a lovely day at the beach. The lack of shade also keeps the beach from being an optimal all-day excursion. However, for spectacular views and interesting geology, it cannot be beat.
Getting to the Green Sand Beach - South Point
Getting to the Green Sand Beach can be very difficult. It requires a four-wheel drive vehicle (although, if not well-versed in the terrain or driving such a vehicle, the chances of being stuck are still quite high) or a 45 minute to 1 hour long hike.
To get there, begin by driving to South Point. From the Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 11), which circles the Big Island, turn south onto South Point Road. South Point Road is located near Volcanoes National Park. There are not many landmarks near by, and the road is not large, so keep a close watch for it. The best option is to have a GPS-enabled map. Once on South Point Road, follow until it forks at a dirt road. The last few miles will be extremely rough and the pavement will narrow to one lane (for both directions), which requires stopping to let oncoming vehicles pass.
When the road forks, and the left stays pavement, take the dirt road to the right. It is called Ka Lae Rd, but there are no real signs. There should be a sign that points towards South Point. Follow those signs. At this point, there should be a dirt parking lot where the fisherman who visit South Point Park there cars.
Getting to the Green Sand Beach - Hike or Drive
For those wishing to visit South Point, park there and walk to South Point. If uncomfortable driving on the pitted dirt road, proceed to Papakolea Green Sand Beach on foot (which will probably take roughly 90 minutes from that point). However, there is a parking lot closer to the beach which should shave some walking time off of a hike. The second parking lot is off of a dirt trail that leads from the first parking lot towards the east. It is called Ka Lae Trail, but again, there are no signs.
Once reaching the second parking lot, unless traveling in an all-terrain vehicle, it is roughly a 45 to 50 minute hike along deeply pitted trails with no cover and blasting winds. There is a local who drives a red pick up truck, and he ferries visitors to the beach back and forth for donations. If choosing to drive this final distance, be warned that it is extremely pitted with sharp angles that require experience with hazardous driving conditions. Please do not attempt this drive without a jeep or 4-wheel pick up truck and experience driving on very bad trails. Attempt to find the local with the red pick up truck, because it is recommended that travelers ride with him, unless they enjoy hiking.
Making Your Way onto the Green Sand Beach
Those choosing to walk should head east along the trail, which starts out as lava. After roughly a half a mile, the trail turns into a dusty pasture area. Be sure to wear sturdy, close-toed footwear that can get full of orange dust. Follow the trails along until reaching the cinder cone. The trail will take you up to above the beach, and it is an excellent place to photograph the beach, but be sure to follow the trail around to the back of the cinder cone to climb down to the beach.
There is a trail and even some steps leading down into the beach from the top of the cinder cone. This trail is steep at first, then there is a short ladder. After the ladder, bear right as and step down into the cone. There will be a series of steps worn into the cone. Take those down to the beach.
Make sure to bring water, towels, and plenty of sunscreen or headgear. Also, be sure that the tide is low when climbing down to this beach, because when the tide rises, it covers the entire beach and is very dangerous. Most of all, enjoy one of the only two green sand beaches in the United States!
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