Our Adventure to South Point – Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea)

Green sand beach, also known as Papakolea, was formed thousands of years ago and gets it’s green color from olivine crystals that mix in with the sand. No, it is not green like grass. The sand has almost a yellow, brownish green hue. But not only is it cool to say you have been to one of only a handful of green sand beaches in the world, the vastness of the beach is reward enough for the excruciating hike. 

Let’s discuss the hike, because it really is no joke. I read in a travel book that it was 2.25 miles, but seems much longer. We had mentally prepared for a long hike, but when we arrived, the locals said it was 3 miles. Three miles really didn’t sound like much for us. We had our 9 year old and 6 year old with us and didn’t think much of it. But, it is a challenging hike. I think part of the problem was the rolling hills. I would play a game and think that after the next hill, we would see the beach. But, the hills became continuous like a sick joke and I was tired of playing it’s game. To be honest though, by the time we got to the beach, I had forgotten the 1:15 hour hike. 

The beach comes out of nowhere. You have to be at the edge of the cliff to see the beach. (For example, as we left, a man and his son were 60 feet away from the beach cliff and asked us where it was. Keep your eyes peeled for trucks and jeeps sparked together.) We stood there for a while just in awe of its size. I know you probably hear all the time that a picture just can’t do something justice, but I am here to tell you that it is the truth with these photos! 

We hiked down a rickety stair and down the rock wall onto the beach. Zach jumped in the water and I held the boys’ hands in ankle deep water. The current is STRONG down there. On more than one occasion we were washed off our feet by the waves. I would recommend not swimming down there, but if you do, please be super safe. It only takes one rogue wave and you are gone. 

After we played in the water for a little while, we climbed out and almost caved into riding back in a local’s truck (*see side note below). After blisters, stripping off one of our kids’ clothes, and some tears, we finally made it back to our car. Even though it ended up being a very difficult hike for us and our kids, it was our favorite place we visited on the Big Island. 

*Side note, locals can drive you down to the edge of the beach’s cliff in their 4×4 trucks for a steep fee. You stand in the back of their pickup with other people who paid. You can take your rental 4×4 jeep, but make sure you go only if you have insurance. The divots in the road go so deep, we saw more than one jeep scrape the bottom of the car on rocks. Some roads are driven so much that they are 6 feet deep. Watch out for hikers and other vehicles around the corners. Drive at your own risk.

We highly recommend giving this beach a visit. And if the hike scares you, bring some cash and hitch a ride. 

Have any questions for us? We would love to hear from you!

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Mahalo,

The Fabulous Life of an RV Wife

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