Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Address: Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Kau, Big Island Hawaii

Hours: Morning to Sunset

Directions: Head down south point road as of headed all the way down to south point. At the fork stay to left and park up ahead where you will see parked cars and locals will to take people on their trucks rather then hiking to long trek.

Additional resources and information for Green Sand Beach (Papakolea):

Love Big Island - Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Big Island Hikes - Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Trip Advisor - Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

Wikipedia - Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)

The hike alone is not for the faintest of heart. However, when you actually make it there it is beyond worth it. Best approach to take is to go on the back on a truck of the many guides that are willing to drive you to and from the beach. A most ever stunning green sand beach that will leave you completely mesmerized. Carved into a 49,000 year old cinder cone belonging to Mauna Loa, the beach itself gives off a most magical feeling of enchantment. One of only 4 green sand beaches in the world. In addition to having the most unique olive green sand on the planet, Green Sand Beach is located on the the southern tip of Big Island. This green beach in the United States is known as "Papakolea Beach," and it is one of only two beaches like it in the world. Olivine is a semi-precious stone similar to a diamond. A small cone of green volcanic stones have been found here in this area, probably originating from the littoral cone surrounding the small bay. These stones are eroded by the ocean and crushed into fine sand. There is too much fine sand to consider the beach gemstones, but beaches like this are not plentiful. Therefore, it's almost as if one were walking on gems. Papak*lea Beach is a favorite destination for both locals and tourists. Waves crash down on the shoreline, and when they do, they disperse tiny grains of sand which end up all over the beach. In order to make the most of your visit to the beach on a weekday before noon, we recommend you arrive before noon. Weekends can be a bit crowded due to its popularity, so we recommend you arrive before noon on weekdays. As a result of the cooler temperatures, hiking early in the morning will be more pleasant, and you will be able to avoid some of the weekend crowds by staying away on the weekend.

Papakolea's beaches are difficult to reach. To get to the southeastern tip of the country, you will need to drive to the southernmost tip of the country. However, it is worth the effort! Because it's so remote, you may be able to enjoy the beach all to yourself if you arrive early in the morning. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. Through a short trail from the parking lot to the beach, you can access many culturally significant places located in the land between them. On a 4WD road to the beach, both the road and the landscapes are damaged. Thus, vehicles are not allowed on the beach since vehicles are owned by the landowner (DHHL). All car rental companies on the Big Island prohibit drivers from driving on the road to green sand beach.

Despite the fact that swimming is possible along the green sand beach, the surf at the notorious southern shore can be severe. The beach does not have a lifeguard. Neither the trailhead nor the beach offer any services, so it is critical that you plan ahead before you go. Food and water are not available at the trailhead or along the trail. The hike will involve you walking across lava fields. Wear sturdy footwear that can withstand the terrain. Even though it is the fourth most popular green sand beach in the world, it is still home to a variety of small coves and stretches of olivine sand mixed in with lava sand found throughout the area, making the entire vacation experience even more spectacular. In fact, there are swathes of green olivine in large areas on the trails leading up to the beach. While most Hawaii's Big Island's beaches are green sand, Papakolea Beach is the largest green sand beach. You are going to find a beautiful and rare place on Hawaii's Big Island if you are interested in seeing something different and unusual. A rare and enjoyable place will be discovered by you.

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