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. The Big Island Green Sand beach is near the southern tip of the Island, about an hour from our rainforest resort Volcano Inn. How was the Green Sand Beach formed? The reason why there're only 4 green sand beaches in the world is because it takes a special, rare type of volcanic lava eruption.
The Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea Beach)
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. 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! This Green Sand Beach is located about 3 miles (5 km) east of Ka Lae (South Point) in Hawaii's Kau district. Papakolea was once a cinder cone volcano, which erupted and spewed lava rich in olivine (an abundant mineral in found volcanic rock). Years of erosion and daily weather slowly eroded the lava rocks until only the olivine sand left behind. 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.
South Point, Hawaii’s Famous Green Sand Beach Photo by Donald MacGowan Green sand beach
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 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. 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. 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.
All You Need To Know About The Green Sand Beach in 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. The many names of Hawaii's Green Sand Beach Officially known as Papakōlea Beach because of the kōlea bird that frequents the area, Hawaii's green sand beach goes by many names. including, of course, "Green Sand Beach," a name which needs no explanation.
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 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.
Papakolea, The Green Sand Beach Green sand beach, Hawaii beaches, Big island 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. "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.
