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Green Sand Beach

3.7 (87 reviews)

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The green sand beach
Mike D.

Unique Green sand beach .. 30 minute truck ride over rough terrain to then have a 150 ft Down stairs and sloped path.. moderate -extreme intensity activity. For the right to say you have been to a green sand beach.. my rec is skipping and just buy the postcard.. it turned out to be a 3 hour deviation off our southern route to volcano nat park..

Kelly S.

One of the most unique beaches in the world, making the trek to the green sand beach in Maui is a must-do in my opinion. It's about a 5 mile hike round trip with gorgeous views of the ocean. You will have to climb down a rickety ladder to get to the beach, but it looks worse than it really is. We were rewarded with a spotting of a rare Hawaiian Monk Seal! The beach is an olive gold color, which is from the type of minerals that broke down from a volcanic lava flow into this cove. One my highlights from Hawaii. If you have the opportunity, please go!

Standing in the back of the local shuttle....before the bumpiness.
Katherine H.

Green Sands Beach is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, so it's a must-see! I'll admit, I imagined a brighter green, but the sand is more of a khaki color. Still, it's totally worth the trip and drive. There are a three ways to get there: 1. Hike: It's a 6-mile roundtrip that's hot, dusty, and has no shade. Make sure you are prepared with lots of water if you go with this option! 2. Drive: If you're thinking of taking a rental car, be prepared for a seriously bumpy ride. Unless you're comfortable with off-roading, this might not be the best choice. 3. Local Shuttle: We opted for the shuttle at $20 roundtrip, paid by Venmo. Riding in the back of a truck was such a fun way to kick off the adventure, and the driver stays with your group, so you're covered for the return. Choose whichever fits your vacation vibe and go!

So beautiful and green
Liz F.

If you're debating about doing this: do it. And hike, don't take the "shuttle" as those who live here share it's hurting the land, and having seen it firsthand, we have to agree. The hike is 2.7 miles each way, so yes, it's long. But it's not hard. Expect windy conditions, sun (no shade) and rocky terrain so wear sturdy shoes. Our family did the hike without issues (2 adults, 3 kids ages 17, 15, 10). Yes we were tired afterwards and our shoes were covered in sand from the wind, but I'd do it again on a heartbeat. The green sand at the end is amazing! Definitely green, we were not expecting it to be so green. We spent about an hour at the beach. Round trip took us 3 hours almost exactly.

Leah N.

Wow this is my first time at this beach. This beach is so pretty but so hard to get to, there need to have a sufficient 4x4 car to get there, or hike close to three miles or pay to sit on the back of a truck for $20 bucks a person. People that hike here seem to have the best view. However with driving two hours from Hilo then drive another two hours back, hiking for two hour total round trip and seeing the beach a sufficient time was not our option. The green sand beach here is one of four beach in the world with green sand. It was pretty. The waves are strong. The ocean waves will come all the way inside the beach area so don't be too comfortable sitting on a blanket in the sand, recommend watching the wave to know when to move. We went to this place today and it was not crowded, which is great. There is two ladders to get down to the beach, one ladder is longer but no missing steps, the other is shorter with missing steps.

Almost there!  One of the many paths and these are not the deep ruts.
Angie H.

What an adventure. The trailhead was easy to find. There are locals there offering a "shuttle" to the beach for $20. Otherwise its a 3 mile hike to the beach- yes it's 3 miles (not the 2 miles the book about the island tells you) We trusted the book and decided to hike in and although its fairly flat over lava rock and dirt paths, it's in full sun and it gets hot. So bring plenty of water - we did not. Once there you climb down a makeshift ladder to the beach. It's beautiful and when you realize it's made of Peridot it's even more mind blowing! Not great for swimming, the waves can be strong and we ended up pulling an older woman from the water after a wave knocked her over and started dragging her out. We ended up taking the "Shuttle" back- (you're riding in the back of a rusted up truck) ...and it was THE BEST! Not only did we not have to trek back in the heat - it was so fun! They drive slow and know what they're doing but still an adventure! Try it. I DO NOT recommend driving even a 4 wheel drive rental to the beach . The ruts are deep and it you take the wrong path, and there are many- your screwed. Pay the $20 and leave it to the locals to get you back safely with a whole lot of fun! This is not a place you want to get stuck!

Green Sand Beach Hawaii

This is an awesome experience if you visit the Big Island. One of four green sand beaches in the world, so it is bragging rights. Don't believe the drivers are scammers, that is total baloney. They are islanders trying to make a living. And feed their families just like all of us. We rode with Dangerous Don (or Dan, he answers to both...it's a joke). He's not dangerous, he a great person and his name is Don. He has padded seating, in his truck but expect the ride will be bumpy regardless of the cushions. I can appreciate the people who want to walk, but if you are not in great shape, or lazy like me well, take a ride of $20 round trip. Don waits at the beach until everyone is ready to go back. The roads, well those were created when the area was a military base, so the damage was done long ago with tanks. So everyone needs to make their own decisions basted on their convictions. You can walk it and get a ride back for $15. The beach is green/olive and it is cool to see. The entry to the beach is steep, totally doable if you take your time. Unless you are a strong swimmer I would not recommend going swimming. This is a bucket list item, nature is not perfect, enjoy it for what it is.

Nicole F.

We knew going into this that it would be close to a 3 mile each way hike/walk to the Green Sand Beach, what we did not know is that we would be walking through a desert with no shade and the finest orange dirt the whole time. I got sick afterwards from inhaling so much dirt, my black sneakers were orange by the end of it. Thankfully we did have plenty of water and hats. Make sure you wear hats or even bring an umbrella because there is NO shade this entire walk. There is a bit of a breeze thankfully because you are near the ocean. If you did not want to walk you can opt to pay a local $20 per person to drive you out there about 40 minute drive each way. The "roads" to the beach are not paved and very uneven so it will be a very bumpy drive. An area of concern that we saw with one of the drivers, loaded up about 8 or 10 young adults into the bed of the truck, they all had to stand and the bed of the truck was rigged with added handle bars but very easily people could of fallen out which would have been a great issue/lawsuit. The Green Sand beach is not as green as you would picture it. It is lightly green. The cove it is in was pretty and people were swimming. We read online that the waves were choppy and not save to swim, the waves at the time we were there appeared calmer - at least a lot calmer than when we were swimming at the Black Sand Beach in Maui. We were not overly impressed with the beach, we saw it, stayed for 10 minutes and began the miserable 2.75 mile walk back. Overall we did not have fun and did not think it was worth our time or effort. It took most of our day getting here, its about 3 hours to Kona and 2 to Hilo and then the walk on top.

Katelyn L.

This place is a must see! I couldn't believe how beautiful it was. My friends and I decided to do the hike which wasn't too bad at all. A couple of small bills but a lot of flat land. When you get to the green sand beach, you have to navigate some rocks down but it's so worth it.

Green sand beach
John C.

It was quite a chore to actually get here. 90 minutes drive and then paid a driver in a pick up truck to take us to the actual beach. $20/person round trip and he waited until the front and back of the pick up were totally full before making the trip. The path there was really wild like serious 4x4 off roading. Saw quite a few people doing it by foot and didn't look fun. The driver said it is best to get there at 10am to see the sparkles from the sand and beach. The sun was going down and we had to be quick. All in all it was worth the trip and glad we got to see it.

When you're here, you better make the most of it
Sammy B.

This beach is one of the most unique beaches in the world. Being one of two of the only green sand beaches in the US the trek to get here is the reason it makes this adventure worthy. How to get here - Driving instructions Let's talk about how to get here when driving. This exclusive beach is far away from any city. It is one of the most southern beaches in Hawaii. Luckily, you can easily find the parking lot on Google maps. Whilst driving down a few country roads you will see some handmade signs that help point you in the right direction and reassure you that Google maps isn't just trying to lead you to your death. The parking lot itself isn't very large and only has a few parts of it that look like it might've had pavement at one time. You will often find a snack tent so you can get food and drinks in this parking lot before you start your hike to the beach. In this parking lot you will also find vehicle shuttles that will take you over the rough terrain to the beach directly but what fun is that. There are porter potties here and it will be the only bathroom you'll find in a huge radius. Bring hand sanitizer and grit to use them. The Hike - 2+ miles of EPIC ADVENTURE (one way) If you are a lover of scenic hikes with mild to moderate difficulty this is the hike for you. If you are not that and don't hike very often it's okay this hike is still for you. However, there are a few things you should know before you take this hike on. First, it will be windy. As you are hiking next to the coast with sandy plains and rocky lava coastline know you will be pelted with both sand and minute pieces of rock from time to time. Bring sunglasses or goggles to protect your eyes, a mask to cover your face, and a snug hat to cover your brow. Secondly, know that you will get dirty. If the accumulation of dirt was an achievement your reward is to receive a whole layer of red clay when you finish your hike. It is a badge to be worn with pride and literally something you'll take back home with you. That shower is going to feel so good when you get home. Lastly, though the hike isn't difficult it is a bit long. The wind will be pushing you sideways and it can take up to 40 minutes to get to the beach, one way. Be mindful of this so you can plan your timing accordingly. You go too late and you'll only be able to enjoy the actual green sand beach for less than an hour. The Beach - Olive Green and your photos are horrible forms of evidence As you can see in most photos the sand at the green beach is hard to tell. Photos do no justice to the pretty, almost mute green colors of the sand. It is soft and leave unique footprints as you walk through it. The walls are high on both sides so to get down to the beach itself you'll have to traverse an almost 80 degree decline. There is one rickety staircase right at the start of the descent. Otherwise you're plopping down the different layers of sand and lava stone. The water down here isn't tranquil but it's not violent either. A good amount of shade is given naturally by the cliff side when after mid day so you don't have to bring an umbrella with you if you decide to spend the afternoon here. Otherwise, grab your camera, your best poses, and take those IG shots. Conclusion - A Hearty Conquest Overall, the beauty of this beach is the journey to get here and back. With good company you'll share lots of great stories, complaints about the sand in your eyes, and mutual awe once you get to the beach. Alone you'll get to truly experience the splendor of Hawaii's raw beauty and a hike with just the right amount of difficulty. Be prepared for the elements, use the bathroom before arriving, and time your adventure accordingly. You're going to have a blast.

The walk down...
Joseph T.

I used to live in Kona And recently returned for a visit with friends and family. We decided to walk down to green sand beach for revisit. The locals who are there offering pickup truck rides (now $20 p/p Cash in the back bed of an old truck!) may try to Intimidate you to let them drive you down saying it's a 2 1/2 hour walk each way, which is totally false for a somewhat healthy person. It is however almost 3 miles each way, so if you're not used to walking over very sandy and semi-rough terrain, that could pose an issue. Bring good walking shoes that you don't mind getting trashed and plenty of water. The sand is like baby powder fine and is tan/red in color (So it gets into everything) that is until you get down to the green sand beach itself. The walk is beautiful along the lava rock beach line. The beach is not large so don't large so don't expect something several hundred yards long. The water is a bit rough as well so also be careful if with little ones as there is no medical assistance out there. All in all it's a must see, so 4 stars for that, as I am told there are only 2 beaches like this in the world.

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absolutely gorgeous and a must see if visiting the big island in HI (1 of 4 in the world).

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Ask the Community - Green Sand Beach

We'll have a baby with us. Should we skip this adventure?

Yes, skip it when you have a baby with you. You'll need a 4WD vehicle high off the ground with no step bars attached. Or, you can drive to the parking lot and have the guides drive you down in their vehicles in the open air for about $15 per person,… Read more

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Review Highlights - Green Sand Beach

If you want to visit an amazing beach with unique sand then this is the beach for you.

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Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Views along the hike

Papakolea Green Sand Beach

4.2(276 reviews)
4.6 km

Our family really enjoyed this green sand beach (one of four in the world apparently) while we were…read moreon the big island. We paid $20 per person to one of the locals for a round ride to the beach (a 3+ mile hike each way otherwise). Our kids really enjoyed the bumpy ride in the back of the truck, which they treated as an adventure. It took about 30 mins each way and we were allowed to spend an hour at the beach. Once there you will notice the sand has a subtle dark olive green color with gold mixed in. It really is very beautiful, but better appreciated in person than in photos. The beach is surrounded by cliffs with some interested striated erosion patterns. The waves were strong that day and our kids enjoyed jumping them until it was time to leave. This beach was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.

As a photographer who has been all around the United States, capturing the beauty of our country…read morethis was my first trip to a Hawaiian island. I am sad to report that I had a very bad time at this location. The locals who run a shuttling service down to the beach, which is a 3 mile hike Are very unfriendly, rude and threatening. They threatened to throw rocks at my car. They threatened me with bodily harm. This vendor should be removed from this location. He is dangerous and rude. I am certain he will hurt someone in the future. The officer disregarded the fact that this person held up a large rock and threatened me with it. There is no excuse for threatening anyone in this country whether you're Hawaiian native or a visitor. I have never had an incident like this anywhere, including Native American locations, where I have been to plenty and always had a pleasant experience I will never come back to Hawaii again after what I have experienced. The local government needs to do something about this location and about this vendor. If Hawaiian natives don't want us to come visit and spend our money on their island that's fine. We can find somewhere else to go.

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Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Papakolea Green Sand Beach - My shoes used to be black

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My shoes used to be black

Manini Beach

Manini Beach

3.8(12 reviews)
65.8 km

Manini Beach was a fun short beach trip when we were in the Captain Cook area. Note that this beach…read moreis located in a neighborhood so you have to do a bit of walking from where you park. It's small but clean and they have good snorkeling. It is located next to homes so be respectful, don't litter and don't overstay. On our trip, we even saw a sea turtle for a while and did not get in the water to give it plenty of space since it was near the shore. Don't harass locals and respect their space. There's a ton of lei flowers on the trees for great pictures, but do not pick flowers, they do not belong to you. It's a beautiful spot for a quick stop or dip in the water. It has. Grass and rocky areas and a few picnic tables for guests. There was a lady at the entrance, I believe a resident welcoming people and telling us the rules. She was super nice and gave us oranges! We stayed for maybe an hour or two to ensure we left room for other visitors. We did not bring many items except towels, snorkeling gear and our towels so we had no trash to throw away. It was incredible to see this hidden gem but it's definitely not a beach where you can linger or spend all day. There are no bathrooms or places to get water or eat so make this just a pit stop and be sure to respect the space of locals. DO NOT block their driveways or homes. This beach is also more suitable for adults than kids since it can be wavy and is very rocky.

In driving around Captain Cook area, we found Manini beach. This is a true find and the park only…read moreallows 50 people in at a time. There is area to eat at picnic tables and grass area to sit and enjoy the beach along with one entry point to go in the water. Snorkeling is said to be good, although we did not get in the water with our visit this time, but will definitely next time we are here. the tide pools are also super cool to look at. There is a short path that takes you another end of the beach, where you can sit and watch whales if it is the right time of the year or just enjoy a good book in the sun. There is a small parking lot that you can park in for free, with maybe 10 spots. I also so loved the small stand that you could buy cold water, fruit and snacks. They have one port-a-potty located at the park. There was a person that greets people and tells you the rules of the park as you come in and gives you lots of information.

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Manini Beach
Manini Beach
Manini Beach

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Green Sand Beach - beaches - Updated May 2026

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