Papakolea Green Sand Beach

On the top 10 things you should do in big island! Unless you have a jeep or a truck with 4wheel drive id recommend paying the locals to bring you down to the beach. (10 – 15 dollars round trip) it says it’s a 3 mile hike to the beach one way but it seemed longer. Make sure you bring water and sneakers if you hike it.
Once you get to the beach you have to climb down stairs and you will see the green sand (dark green) our driver however went out of his way to show us beautiful light green sand at a different location. Our driver was Amazing and funny (don’t know his name but this is his truck) doesn’t look like the most reliable truck but he drove us there safety and made sure we all had a good time).

Driving the jeep to the beach
Our little video sums up the ride!

Okay — beware — it’s not like Kermit the frog green. There is definitely a green tint to the sand. And being that this is 1 of 4 green sand beaches in the world? Come on, how could you not. If you have the time, just to say you were there and saw it and took pictures, it’s worth the trek. There used to be another area next to it that had greener sand, but our local told us that with every high tide, the white sand washes in and now it’s just not as green anymore.
But here’s the thing. It’s at minimum a 3 mile hike in one direction with no set trail with no shady areas and that’s after you drive in for about 30 mins from Highway 11. Or you can pay a local $ 20/​person to 4×4 you in to the top of the hill where the beach is which takes about 15 mins each way. From there, it’s an easy climb down since there is a ladder for the really steep part.
The locals don’t really start their driving until about 8am, but we had a hard time convincing them to take us at 8am because they wait for you at the beach while you are there. So while they are waiting for us, they aren’t making any money so they try to take in as many as they can at one time. But luckily we had a girl (she couldn’t have been older than 15) take us, and it was probably the easiest $ 40 she made in less than an hour (we had a plane to catch).

PASS!
First of all, not green. Or at least not a green to get excited about. Second, far… Takes 45 min off the main road to get thee then you have 30 min round trip if you drive yourself or pay for the ride.
Do not try to walk to the beach. Long dusty road no shade looked like the worst idea you ever had.
As for having to pay $ 30 round trip for a ride — 2 people — anyone complaining about that should calm down. Are taxis free? This is not the tram at the airport. Things cost.
Anyway… Avoid. Waste of time and it’s not like Hawaii has a shortage of beautiful beaches.

Before you decide to go, know that the beach isn’t really THAT green. You will either have to hike, have a 4-​wheel drive, or pay the family-​owned business there $ 15 for a ride (cash only). The hike takes (I’ve heard from the people there) 3 hours, and the family-​owned business «shuttle» takes about 15 minutes to get there. Just to let you know, a 13-​year old drove us in a truck, and this was not legal at all. I wish I knew before I got on, because I paid for something illegal. It was safe and we got there properly etc, but… well, the law is the law.
Anyway, the ride reminded me of a ride through the safari; imagine the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland but much rockier. And dustier. It’s very, very, very rocky and there’s grassland and dirt on both sides. One side has the ocean of course.
The beach itself was basically a typical Hawaiian beach with really nice water colors and a beach with sand slightly tinted green. I don’t think it’s worth the ride nor the hike to come all the way out here to look at this beach.

This is one of the beaches you have to struggle to get to, but it’s worth it! It’s located near south point on the island of Hawaii. It is one of four green beaches in the world! I cannot stress enough to just pay the locals once you park your car to get there. It ranges from 15 – 25 bucks per person round trip.
Most people are visiting and are using rental cars or 4 wheel jeep wranglers. Unless you are a skilled jeep driver you could flip over, have an accident in the vehicle or be lost. You are liable for any damages depending on which company you rented from if they don’t cover off road travel. So keep that in mind and read the small print.
It’s a good 25 – 30 minute ride over the uneven rocks and sand dunes. I suggest Dramamine if you have sensitive stomachs because the ride is intense and rugged. If you decide to hike it that could be almost a good hour with sand blowing in your face, and even more when cars pass by. Once parked you need to have good mobility climbing down to the beach. The reward would be swimming with your friends, family, and loved ones in calm waters.
The green sand beach was worth it to us. We took our photos and waded our feet in the water. What a magnificent view. The formation of rocks forming the cinder cone was also great to admire. It would’ve been even more awesome if we had a picnic here. Romantic, beautiful, and fun!!! What a journey it was!!!

Sorry to say but we were not blown away by this beach — way too much hype!
After an unsuccessful attempt to find this beach back in 2008, this year we were determined to reach our goal. And we did. The lava rock has this mineral called Olivine which remains behind when lighter sand grains are washed away by strong ocean waves … creating a GREEN BEACH!
The last 7 years have seen many locals reaping the benefits off tourists who are not prepared to reach this beach themselves. And where there is demand…
As you pull to the parking area, people will approach you for a «shuttle ride» to the beach & charge anywhere from $ 10 — $ 20 for single or round trips. We thought it was hysterical that they’ve deemed themselves a «shuttle» when this is no formal business, company or city-​sponsored service. They’re the Über of the Green Sand Beach — just a regular Joe who’s found a revenue source
Takes about 25 min for their large, jacked-​up, 4×4’s to reach the beach & these are the only trucks I’d trust to navigate the roads — VERY uneven & rocky & no way my little 4×4 would have made it
The Mr & I however, did not indulge in the truck ride as we wanted to earn our beach — so we hiked 1 hour each way, through the multitude of truck pathways & dusty, sandy roads to find the green treasure…’cause there’s no signage or trail markers — just follow the coastline & you’ll be fine
Although it’s an easy hour walk, it seemed longer due to the little-​to-​no entertaining scenery along the way. After being totally covered in dust & thinking we’d never get there, at the 3^rd or 4^th hill crest, we finally see the cove w/​the famous green sand… you will also see more locals asking if you’d like a «shuttle» back… we did not.
Climb down the cliff, into the cove — the green sand is pretty cool & the water currents were kind of strong. You’ll want to be careful about tides & whatnot. Also, since this is not a state-​sanctioned beach, there are no bathrooms or trees or any outlets for freshening up & unless you brought any snacks or drinks down the cliff with you, you’re outta luck
I was kind of saddened to see so many people on the beach — I had hoped for a secluded getaway spot that hadn’t been ruined by all these «shuttles». But it is what it is
So after frolicking on the beach for a spell, we made our way back up the cliff, were approached a 3^rd time for a «shuttle», declined, & then made the 1 hour trek back to the car. Our beach experience was utterly & completely earned & that’s what made it all worthwhile

I get it, it is a hiiiiiiiiiiiike. not so rough terrain, just lengthy and windy and you had better have a good idea in advance about how tolerant you are going to be when you hear «how much longer away are we, do you think?» for the 8^th time from your companions… but the trek is worth it to see this little curiously green cove from above and then scoot your way down to the actual beach itself.
Beautiful, serene, and I bet pretty cool to camp near. Keep canine friends up top looking over the inlet, though will ya? (think on that for a bit and you’ll get what I mean)
Practical tips 101:
Pee before you start the hike. Actually, pee before you start the DRIVE to get to the place to start the hike.
Bring water.
Wear your sunglasses or a hat and keep your mouth shut— even on a not-​so-​windy day the sand whips around like crazy in gusts and smacks sand all around — - and you want to enjoy the rest of your trip, right?