Papakōlea Beach Green Sand Beach — Attraction in Hawaii

We thought this beach was very beautiful and worth the hike. We found the hike to be relatively easy. I would suggest staying on the narrower foot paths instead of jeep trails as they tend to be less sandy. Overall we found the trails to be more rocky than sandy. There's really no chance of missing a turn, just follow the general direction of all the trails, and there are many. We arrived at the parking area at 7:45 and there were only 2 other cars in the lot. It took about an hour and 10 min to get to the beach by foot. We practically had the beach to ourselves...until around 10:00. Then we saw a large group come over the ridge, then more from apparently local rides as when we got back to the top of the beach we saw 3 trucks and 2 four wheelers that had transported people. One couple brought by a local stayed for 5 minutes and left. Why would you do that? We were so glad we got there early as when we left at 10:30 on the way back, we just kept seeing people coming, by foot and by rides. It's a shame to see able-bodied people be lazy and pay to hitch a ride. You're probably aware of all those locals/regulations/environmental issues. I suppose if you have an accessibility issue or elderly in your group that's one thing, but thats's not what I was seeing. Hiking is not that much slower either. The jeeps end up traveling pretty slow. Anyway, the hike was rather enjoyable, flat for the most part, just a little rugged terrain. There's even a small green sand area about a mile and a half in. If hiking and staying close to shore, as you come up near the beach, you'll arrive at an overlook of the beach. This will probably be the best view of the beach...

The Big Island of Hawaii's Green Sand Beach is located at the southern tip, just west of South Point. This is nearly as far south as I can drive on the island — and is the furthest southern point in the USA when compared to the Continental-USA! Green Sand Beach is named Papakolea. The sand is actually a green olive color caused by eruptions from what was once a volcano. In fact, green sand beach itself is within what was once a cinder cone. Can you imagine that as you are actually swimming in an ancient volcano’s cinder cone with green sand! OH-YES!!!, You can, and it is a site not to be missed when traveling to the Big Island. This is truly a unique place and one of only two or four green sand beaches in the world. While there are no organized tours, this isolated beach is about 6 miles driving or hiking O&B. Keep in mind that driving to the actual beach is open to all, but it requires the most experienced of off-road drivers to get there. Instead, my advice is pay the $20 lift fee to a local driver. They are amazing, very nice, honest, experienced, and work hard for their living on this island. (And they saved us a ton of time). If you hike, most opt for a 2 1/2 mile hike each way along the wind swept trail of which 99% is exposed to the sun, and the dusty deep rutted jeep roads, but it is an easy walk. So bring a lot of water, snacks, good walking shoes, a hat, maybe an umbrella, lots of sunscreen, and a swimsuit. Although the sand is green, it is not a strong green as it is olive green, in crystal clear water. And it provides stunning views; it is now one of my favorite places to go swimming. I highly recommend a visit...

I recently visited this beach and wanted to share my experience. If you don't have a 4x4 vehicle, there is an option to go with one of the locals who offer rides in a beat-up 4x4 truck for $20. However, I must mention that the ride in the back of the truck felt unsafe and the condition of the vehicle was not the best. Furthermore, it seemed like the locals didn't want visitors, so be prepared for some unwelcoming vibes.

If you choose to go with the locals, please note that they only allow about 20 minutes in the water before heading back. This limited time might not be sufficient if you were hoping for a longer beach experience. Alternatively, you can opt to walk to the beach, but be ready for a challenging 1.5-hour walk. It's definitely not a leisurely stroll, but the surroundings are beautiful.

On the other hand, if you have a 4x4, there are multiple trails that lead to the beach. As long as the water is on your passenger side, you'll be on the right track. The road can be rough, but with some common sense, you can make it to the beach.

Once you reach the beach, the beauty of the area is undeniable. It's a stunning beach with a picturesque surrounding. I'm glad I drove to this beach and had the opportunity to explore the area.

Overall, I would recommend considering the transportation options and the challenges before visiting this beach. The ride with the locals can be unsafe and the limited time in the water might not be ideal. However, if you have a 4x4 and are up for an adventure, the beach and area are worth exploring. Just be prepared for a rough road and possible unwelcoming vibes...