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Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach) Review

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Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach)

Address: 2½ mi northeast of South Point, off Hwy. 11, HI | Map It

Category: Beaches
Location: Kau

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Fodor's Review:

Tired of the same old gold-, white-, or black-sand beach? Then how about a green-sand beach? You'll need good hiking shoes or sneakers at the very least to get to this olive-green crescent, one of the most unusual beaches on the island. It lies at the base of Puu o Mahana, at Mahana Bay, where a cinder cone formed during an early eruption of Mauna Loa. The greenish tint is caused by an accumulation of olivine crystals that form in volcanic eruptions. The dry, barren landscape is totally surreal. The surf is often rough and swimming is hazardous due to strong currents, so caution is advised, but a dip in the clear, turquoise water, surrounded by green sand and gray cliffs sculpted into Gaudí-like shapes by the wind, may well be the highlight of your trip. Take the road toward the left at the end of the paved road to Ka Lae (South Point) about 12 mi off Highway 11. Park at the end of the road. Anyone trying to charge you for parking is running a scam. Hikers can follow the 2-mi coastal trail, which will end in a steep and dangerous descent down the cliff side on an unimproved trail. Although hikers can cross the private Hawaiian Home Lands without a permit to get to the beach, those wanting to take a 4WD vehicle along the rugged coast trail are supposed to first contact the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in Hilo (808/974-4250). However, there is very rarely anyone around actually checking for permits. There is no guarantee of open access to 4WD vehicles, and sometimes the trail is closed even to foot traffic. Though the simple gate blocking the trail is not exactly a huge deterrent, it may be locked for a good reason—dangerous surf, a rock slide—so it's a good idea to check before going around it.

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