Papakolea Beach: A Unique Adventure To Green Sand Beach Hawaii
If you’re dreaming of a family escape to the Big Island of Hawaii, and the allure of Papakolea Beach has captured your imagination, you’re in for a treat.
This rare green sand beach is perfect for bucket-list adventure lovers and those seeking out unique experiences.
As the only green sand beach in Hawaii and one of only four in the world, Papakolea Beach is one of the rarest beaches in the world.
This guide will take you through our family’s challenging and unforgettable journey to Papakolea Beach. We’ll share our tips, insights, and essential details to make your family adventure to this unique beach worthwhile.
‘Papakolea’ Green Sand Beach Facts
3-mile (4.5km) hike over uneven terrain.
2 hours round trip on foot
There are no facilities near the beach. Take plenty of water and sunscreen.
There is no shade & can get very hot with strong currents.
Papakolea Beach: Overview
Papakolea Beach is named after the area in which it is located. It is also known as Mahana Beach, after the tuff ring (pyroclastic cone) that created it. More commonly, this unique beach is called Green Sand Beach.
Papakolea Beach is a hidden gem tucked away on the southernmost tip of Hawaii’s Big Island. It is renowned for its vibrant green sands, and the adventure required to reach it makes it a truly remarkable place to visit.
Big Island has a mixture of pristine coloured sand, including white, black, red, yellow, and green. We recommend visiting this Green Sand Beach to any active family.
Why Is Green Sand Beach Green?
The distinctive green colour of the sand is due to the presence of a mineral called olivine, commonly found in the earth’s tectonic plates.
49,000 years ago, Mauna Loa, one of the volcanoes on the Big Island, erupted, forming a volcanic tuff called Pu’u Mahana. As a result of the eruption, green olivine crystals eroded from the tuff and were deposited on the beach for millennia.
The olivine crystals break down further and give the sand its characteristic green hue.
Green Sand Beach is a rare geological phenomenon that really makes it stand out among all the other Hawaiian beaches.
Where Is Green Sand Beach?
Green Sand Beach is located on the Big Island of Hawaii, USA. It is situated in a sheltered bay, near the island’s southern tip, close to Mauna Loa. It is easily accessed as a day trip from either Hilo or Kona.
How To Get To ‘Papakolea’ Green Sand Beach, Hawaii?
Due to its remote location and lack of facilities, getting to Papakolea Beach required some planning. However, it was ultimately well worth it, and the journey was part of the adventure.
There are no official tours or public transport in this remote area, so you will need to self-drive to its nearest car park. Hiring a car is safe and easy in Hawaii, and we took a 4 x 4 for a week-long road trip around the island.
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is located near South Point, the southernmost tip of Hawaii. From Kona or Volcano Village, take Highway 11 towards South Point, which is located between the 69 and 70 road markers.
It is a 64-mile drive from Kona and will take around 90 minutes. Hilo is slightly further, at 80 miles, and will take around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Tip: Papakolea Beach is not the best location for a picnic due to the distance from the car park and lack of nearby amenities. Take snacks and plenty of water.
Parking For Green Sand Beach
The car park is not well signposted, but the road splits as you drive towards South Point. Take the road to the left straight to the Green Sand Beach parking area. There is ample free parking at the end of the dirt track.
Tip: Shade is limited in the parking area; try to park under a tree – you’ll appreciate it when you return!
We drove 50 miles from Volcano Village, arriving at the car park at 1030. Quite a few people were already returning from their hike, but far more were taking 4 x 4 shuttles (illegal option), driven by locals charging around $20 for a return journey.
Please don’t encourage this activity by paying for a lift; the adventure to Green Sand Beach starts directly from the parking area.
Green Sand Beach Hike
We loaded up a couple of rucksacks with water bottles, snacks, suncream and beach towels before hiking. Remember to take everything you’ll require for the duration of your visit (potentially more than three hours) to get the most from your beach experience.
Tip: Wear hiking boots or trainers to make the walk more comfortable. Our feet quickly became covered in thick, orange dust.
It was hard to get lost as we followed the coastline for about 3 miles (4.5km) to the beach. We were also not the only hikers!
Our kids enjoyed watching the shuttle 4 x 4’s battle with the steep, dusty tracks that ran alongside us.
After an hour, we approached Papakolea Beach. We were impressed with the panoramic birdseye view from the cliffs and the unusual green hue of the sand.
The terrain is not particularly difficult, but the heat and lack of protection from the wind and sun make it much more challenging. Our tween and teens enjoyed the family trek, but it may be too much for younger children.
Green Sand Beach ‘Unofficial’ Shuttle
Driving directly to the beach, whether in your own vehicle or as a passenger in one of the shuttles, is illegal and damaging to the delicate ecosystem.
An unofficial shuttle service is operated by local people. 4 x 4 vehicles, shuttle tourists from the car park to Green Sand Beach for money. We were told it costs $20 USD per person return. Not only are you adding to damaging the areas, but your time on the beach is also limited to how long the driver will wait.
The vehicles are often unsafe, with too many people being transported standing up in the back of the truck over bumpy terrain. In addition to being unlawful, there is a serious risk of injury. The route was parallel to our hike, although it only took 20 minutes to reach Green Sand Beach by shuttle.
Access Down To Papakolea Beach
The volcanic rock is incredibly slippery with sand. There is only one safe access point to get down onto the beach via the central steps.
We had to wait in line for people to access and exit the beach. The steps were narrow, and we made our way onto the sand once the path was clear.
The beach had a constant flow of visitors, some staying longer than others, but it was not crowded. Our kids played in the waves to cool down while we took in the unique volcanic landscape and green sand before our return hike.
Tip: Exercise caution when in the water as Green Sand Beach has no lifeguards and is known for having strong currents.
It is important that you leave no trace of your visit to this special place. Remember, removing sand from the beach is prohibited.
Best Time To Visit Green Sand Beach, Hawaii
You can access Green Sand Beach any time, day or night. Temperatures are consistent year-round on the Big Island, 25°C-30°C (78F-85F), with the driest months being May and October.
On a fine day, we think the best time to visit Papakolea Beach is early in the morning or late in the afternoon. We recommend starting your hike early, to avoid the heat of the midday sun (1100-1500hrs), and you might be lucky to get the beach to yourself.
Tip: Avoid the mid-day sun; hike early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Things To Do At Papakolea Beach
- Marvel at the rare green sand
- Explore the volcanic rock formations
- Relax on the beach with family
- Go for a swim (Be cautious)
- Watch for wildlife like turtles, dolphins and Pacific golden plover.
Tip: Don’t wear flip-flops or sandals, as the terrain can be challenging. Trainers or hiking footwear will offer more protection from the sand and rocks.
Is It Worth Visiting Papakōlea Green Sand Beach?
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is a unique and beautiful place, but the answer depends on your level of interest and willingness to navigate to its remote and challenging location.
Many, like our family, find its unique green sand and the geological phenomenon captivating, making it a worthwhile visit for those seeking off-the-beaten-path unique experiences.
The views were impressive, whether standing on the tuff ring or on the beach. The sand’s green hue changes depending on the light and shimmers when the sun shines directly on it.
We’ve encountered green sand along the shores of Hornindalsvatn Lake in Norway, although it is not officially a beach. As Europe’s deepest lake, its sandy green shores result from ancient glacial deposits. In our view, the Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is considerably more impressive!
Despite the stunning views, you may wish to consider an alternative activity if it is windy, cloudy, or rainy. The sand looks at its greenest when the sun is shining. The 3-mile hike may not be suitable if you have limited mobility or young children.
Things To Do Near Papakolea Beach
There are other things to do near Papakolea Beach, whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation, or discovery.
- South Point (Ka Lae) is popular for cliff jumping up to 40ft into the ocean. Unfortunately, we did not have time to visit as we were hungry after our hike to explore Green Sand Beach!
- Punaluu black sand beach is another unique beach formed from volcanic rock, this time giving it a black appearance. No hiking is required to access it and turtles are often seen basking on the sand in the afternoon sun.
- Kula Kai Caverns are centuries-old lava cave and tube systems. Once used for shelter & water collection, it is now an underground playground for families. You need to book a tour in advance, where you will learn about the science of the caves.
Other Things To Do On The Big Island, Hawaii
There is a huge range of things to do in Hawaii for families that could easily fill an itinerary for a few weeks. Here are a few of our favourites:
Explore Volcano National Park
The park is home to the world’s most active volcano. You are likely to witness lava erupting from Kīlauea. We don’t feel one day is enough here as there is plenty to see and do, including hiking lava fields, searching for petroglyphs and seeking out lava tubes. Our (free!) guide really brought the park’s history to life, making sure we didn’t miss a thing.
Waterfalls
There are hundreds of waterfalls to explore. Some have hikes through rainforest, like Akaka Falls whilst others can be seen from the roadside. We recommend Rainbow Falls if you are with kids, as it is easy to reach. Rainbows are seen early morning due to the sun’s angle through the water.
Snorkelling
You are spoilt for choice with dozens of top family snorkelling locations on Hawaii’s Big Island. Our favourite spot was Kealakekua Bay (also known as Captain Cooks Bay). Within the protected bay, we saw a kaleidoscope of sea life.
Take A Family Hike
Hawaii’s Big Island has almost endless hiking options. If you are looking for stunning rainforest views, Pololu Valley on the North Kohala Coast is one of our favourite family-friendly trails.
Explore a lava tube
Can you really visit Big Island without exploring a lava tube? We don’t think so! You can do this in the National Park, but there are plenty of others across the island.
Look for petroglyphs
Various places on the island, including Volcano National Park, feature traditional rock carvings of animals, people, and other things.
Stargazing
On a clear night, there is a good chance of seeing stars outside of most cities on Big Island. The observatory on Mauna Kea has impressive telescopes for stargazing tours.
Papakolea Beach: FAQ
Our frequently asked questions will help you get the most out of your unforgettable visit to this unique destination.
Green Sand Beach, also known as Papakōlea Beach, gets its distinctive green colour from the presence of olivine, eroded from the volcanic tuff ring called Pu’u Mahana on the Big Island of Hawaii. The constant weathering and erosion of olivine crystals give the sand its unique and vibrant green hue.
While Green Sand Beach in Hawaii is one of the most well-known, there are three other green sand beaches in the world: Talofofo Beach in Guam, Punta Cormorant, Galapagos Islands and Hornindalsvatnet in Norway. The green colour at each of these is also attributed to the presence of olivine.
The hike to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach can be challenging as it involves a 3 mile (4.5 km) hike each way over uneven terrain, often in direct sun, making it strenuous for some visitors. It’s recommended to be prepared with proper footwear, sun protection, and sufficient water for the trek.
You can drive near Green Sand Beach, but driving the route to Papakolea Beach is illegal. The legal way to get there is to hike the 3 miles (4.5km) from the parking area. However, there are unofficial locals who provide illegal shuttles, causing environmental damage to the terrain.
You can swim at Green Sand Beach, but be cautious of strong currents and potentially rough seas. There are no lifeguards. Exercise proper safety measures when swimming at this unique beach on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Final Thoughts: Papakōlea Beach
The journey to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is an activity that promises adventure for the entire family. Although a hike is required, we feel it is worth the effort. With only four green sand beaches in the world, visiting Papakolea Beach makes for a unique experience.
Whether you only have a few hours to spare or a whole day to fill, you should add Papakolea Beach to your itinerary.
