Alternative named Papakolea Beach and Mahana Beach, the Green Sand Beach is one of only a few in the entire world.
Set at an isolated bay with turquoise waters, the beach gets its color by the waves eroding the landscape which has the presence of the colored olivine mineral in it and depositing that mineral onto the sandy shore. Set near South Point in the island's Ka'u district, the beach is set in a bowl-like area amidst the cliffs. Once reaching the beach, visitors must walk down a wooden ladder and scramble down a slick rocky surface.
The beach itself is sandy and enclosed by those cliffs. It can get crowded on weekends and during the tourist season.
While swimming is permitted, the surf here can often be hazardous. It may be best to take in the beach from the sandy shores and not risk the rough currents in the narrow bay.
There are no lifeguards or amenities at the beach, and there is no shade.
Reaching the beach is its own adventure. The beach lies 3 miles from the nearest parking paved parking area. The only legal way to visit is to hike in, however locals driving lifted 4WD trucks often offer to shuttle visitors in and out for a fee.
Comments
Sign In and share them.