Big Island GREEN SAND BEACHES

GREEN BEACHES OF HAWAI'I

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GREEN BEACHES OF HAWAI'I

The Hawaiian Islands is home to many kinds of sand. On the Big Island not only can you find the light, more traditional types of sand including white sand but you can also find volcanic black sand as well as Papalokea Beach, a unique green sand . At the southern end of the Big Island, just east of South Point (the southern most point still within the boundaries of the United States is an unusual beach called, appropriately enough, Green Sand Beach. The sand really is a sort of deep olive looking green with black sand particles mixed throughout the sand.

Take Hwy 11 south. Between mile marker 69 and 70 watch for the sign that says “South Point.” This is an interesting area in and of itself since there are windmill farms and high cliffs overlooking the ocean here so be sure to take a look at the area here as well. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you can drive the 2 ¼ miles to it from Kaulana Boat Launch at South Point. If not, bring water and wear sturdy shoes and hike to the beach. Follow the shoreline and the road ruts for 2 ¼ miles and you will come to this most interesting and unusual beach.

There are also two other green sand beaches that are interesting but you will absolutely not get to them without a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The dirt access road is 6 miles long from around mile marker 80 but the going is extremely slow due to the huge ruts and bumps you will have to avoid. If you go here during the week, you will probably be the only car on this road so if you break down or get stuck in this area, good luck! There is one very large beach and then one smaller cove but both have an abundance of verdant green sand just waiting for you.

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