The Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea Beach)


Green Sand Beach by Yves Rubin Green sand beach, Hawaii beaches, Big island hawaii

Love Big Island Home » 40+ Big Island Facts » Green Sand Beach [trivia] Green Sand Beach [trivia] Green sand beach gets its name from the green olivine crystals that make up the sand. The crystals come from the cinder cone next to the beach which was formed during an eruption 49.000 years ago.


Green sands beach, south point big island of Hawaii.. Livin' the life 😎 Green sand beach

The Green Sand Beach on the Big Island is located in the town of Naalehu, along the southern part of the coastline. It's located relatively equidistant from both towns that travelers usually stay on the Big Island: Kona or Hilo.


Green Sand Beaches, Hawaii Green sand beach, Hawaii beaches, Beaches in the world

"Papakolea," or Green Sand Beach Hawaii, is located in the southern part of the Big Island. You can take Highway 11 from Kona and turn to South Point between markers 69 and 70. It will take about 1.5 hours to drive here from Kona.


South Point, Hawaii’s Famous Green Sand Beach Photo by Donald MacGowan Green sand beach

Papakōlea Beach (also known as Green Sand Beach or Mahana Beach [1]) is a green sand beach located near South Point, in the Kaʻū district of the island of Hawaiʻi. It is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, the others being Talofofo Beach, Guam; Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island in the Galapagos Islands; and Hornindalsvatnet, Norway.


Papakolea, The Green Sand Beach Green sand beach, Hawaii beaches, Big island hawaii

Green Sand Beach, also known as Papakōlea Beach, is a beautiful and unique beach located on the southern coast of Hawaii's Big Island. Specifically, it is found in the Papakōlea area of Kaʻū district near South Point, the southernmost point of the Big Island and the United States.


The Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea Beach)

Best time to visit Directionsto Green sand beach (hiking + driving) Driving directions Hiking directions Important: driving all the way to green sand beach is illegal Green sand beach Trivia Green sand beach is one of the top attractions in the Kaʻu district, but not the only one!


Hawaii haiku — Green Sand Beach Poetic Champions

Over time, the ocean and winds turned these huge chunks into trillions of teeny-tiny pebbles which we refer to as sand. The Green sand beach is located in a giant cinder cone that is a southern rift of Mauna Loa, the biggest land mass in the world. Due to erosion, the cinder cone partially collapsed, creating an incredibly unique landscape.


Limited Edition, Green Sand Beach Everywhere Once

The Green Sand Beach (Papakolea Beach) is approximately 65 miles (about 104 kilometers) south of Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. The journey takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours by car, depending on the route and road conditions. Please note that reaching the beach may require a hike or a 4×4 vehicle ride from the nearest parking area.


How To Get To The Green Sand Beach On The Big Island Of Hawaii

Green Sand Beach Round Trip Mileage: 5.5 miles Elevation Gain: 275 feet Papakōlea Papakōlea beach is a geologic oddity among few in the world. It means 'plover flats,' after the Pacific golden plover. This hike travels to a green sand beach located in a bay cut into a side of Puʻu Mahana, a cinder cone that erupted about 50,000 years ago.


Green Sand Beach On Hawaii Photograph by Brendan Reals

The only green sand beach in Hawaii, and one of just a few in the entire world, it's a truly unforgettable place. We put together this guide with everything you need to know to visit Papakolea Beach. Papakōlea Beach is unquestionably the most unique stretch of shore on Hawaii's Big Island.


What to Expect at the Big Island's Green Sand Beach Papakōlea Beach Big Island Travel Blog

The beach in Hawaii with green sand is Papakolea Beach. So the famous green sand beach in Hawaii is on the Big Island! You also may hear this called the Papakolea Beach or Mahana Bay. Just how green is the green sand beach?! Well, if you're expecting arrive at the beach expecting an amazing colored green sand, you might be disappointed.


Papakolea Beach in Hawaii One of the Only Two Green Sand Beaches in the World Only In Hawaii

Papakolea Green Sand Beach 2,180 reviews #2 of 15 things to do in Naalehu Beaches Write a review About The big island of Hawaii's southernmost point features the Green Sand Beach. Duration: 2-3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show. Improve this listing Tours & experiences Explore different ways to experience this place. See options


Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach) of Big Island Lareina Ting

Papakōlea Beach (Green Sands Beach) is located outside Naalehu, a tiny town between Volcanoes National Park and South Point (the southernmost point of the United States). The beach is approximately 2 hours south of Kailua-Kona along Highway 11. It is easily recognizable by its green sand color.


What to Expect at the Big Island's Green Sand Beach Papakōlea Beach Big Island Travel Blog

Situated at the base of Pu'u O Mahana, the Green Sand Beach catches the eye with its unusual, olive sand. It consists of olivine, a semi-precious stone that was produced by volcanic activity. As the ocean pounds against the shore, the olivine erodes day by day, creating a beach of an attractive shade of green.


Spectacular Sand Beaches in a Rainbow of 10 Incredible Colors [43 PICS]

From Kona or Hilo, it will take about two hours just to drive to the Green Sand Beach parking lot. Once at the main parking area, it's a 2.5-mile hike each way to get to the beach. Some people also drive to the beach using a four-wheel-drive vehicle or pay about $20 round trip to have a local transport them. However, according to my research.


Papakolea Green Sand Beach (Naalehu) All You Need to Know

Green sand beach (Papakōlea) Green sand beach (Papakōlea) 32 reviews #42 of 119 things to do in Kailua-Kona Points of Interest & LandmarksScenic Drives Write a review What people are saying " 1 in 4 green sand beaches in the world. Enough said. Immaculate. " Nov 2023

Scroll to Top