Our family really enjoyed this green sand beach (one of four in the world apparently) while we were on 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. read more

As a photographer who has been all around the United States, capturing the beauty of our country this 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. read more

Highlight of our trip so far. Strongly recommend the shuttle to get to the beach. Strongly recommend the $25 per person well spent money. The water is ruff and fun waves to play in. Do not try to take your own car. read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - The Green Sand Beach - Beaches Near Me

Green sand beach? Say no more. I'm in. You're going to get dirty. It's windy and dusty. Bring sunglasses or something to protect crap from getting in your eyes. There are parts that are so dry and dusty that it's like dirt trap and my whole foot sinks ankle deep into fine dirt. There is no shade, so bring sun protection. It took us 52 minutes to walk one way. It's a bumpy road with slight incline, so not strenuous, but also not exactly easy. It's pretty steep to get down to the beach, but there are two (kinda janky) stairs to get down the first part, then some fissures along the side that almost act as stairs, so you won't have any issues climbing down. It's so worth it if you're at all enamored by seeing a green sand beach. My pictures are a bit filtered to emphasize the green color, but it's definitely green, unlike some of the other underwhelming pics. I was worried that it wouldn't really be green, but about halfway there, you'll start to see the olivine in the dirt, then definitely will notice the green of the beach at the end. *Note: There are trucks who apparently will drive out and back for a fee. We left Hilo at 6AM to get there just before 8AM and didn't see that option on the way out there. My initial plan was actually to hike out there, then maybe do a one-way back, but it wasn't an option since nobody was out there yet. We finally started seeing some trucks go out when we were almost back at the parking lot. In retrospect, it wasn't bad at all to walk, and some online articles are saying it's actually illegal and bad for the protected landscape. read more

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Buckle up, this one's a doozy. We drove to the green sand beach with very open minds. I had a book and read about the green sand beach and how difficult it is to get there. We pulled into the small parking lot and started walking over to this small group of people. On one side you had the parking lot, on the other side were a bunch of trees and pick up trucks. Like I said earlier, I had a book and read about this. These trucks were locals, and they were offering to take us down and back to the green sand beach. Since I had already prepared myself for this hence by reading the book, I knew I could trust these random strangers that were telling me they would take me there for a price. This main guy, told us it's a 3 mile trip, it takes an hour and a half to walk, and it's all in the sun. We arrived around 10am and it was already hot out. I looked at him and said can you break a $100? He laughed at me and said sure thing. 6 other strangers climbed into the back of this man's pickup truck with my boyfriend and I. We sat on this wood bench he had created for his truck and sat on cushions. In case you haven't caught on, this guy does this for a living! He maneuvered his truck through some really rocky and sketchy parts of the beach for about 20-25 minutes until we got to the beach. He then offered to take all our pictures in front of the green sand beach. He waits at the top for you and your party to come back. This is an option for those who want to spend about 30-60 minutes at this once in a lifetime siting. On our way back he asked us if we wanted to see where the greenest sand is. Of course we said yes and let me tell you I am glad we did. The green sand beach is green, but this little pit stop has greener sand. It was gorgeous. We arrived back at the parking lot and paid him. He currently is charging $20 a person. He told us his name, for privacy and safety reasons I won't share. Some people are upset at these locals (and visitors who rent a 4x4) for driving on these paths as it is ruining the terrain. He has a nickname. It all clicked at this moment. This man's name was in that book I read! I was so happy we randomly stumbled upon him as it added to the very comical story I was bringing home. Definitely bring lots of water and wear sunscreen, I burned SO bad on my shoulders and thighs. This was an unforgettable experience, seeing 1 of 4 green sand beaches in the world, and I got to do it with complete strangers in the back of his pick up! read more

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This was one of the highlights of our Big Island trip. I'm glad I made the last minute decision to do this hike. We did this on our first full day in Hawaii, on a Tuesday. Arrived in the parking lot around 10, got there at 11, and had almost the whole beach to ourselves for about 45 min. The only other people there was a family of four, and there was plenty of room to spread out. The green sand glittered in the sun, and pictures don't do the beauty of this beach justice read more

Really wasn't that great. It's hard to get to and honestly not that green. It has a slight tinge but mostly just looks like regular sand. To get there it's either a 6 mile round trip rocky/windy hike or $20pp to stand on the back of a "shuttle" pickup. Also a fairly steep walk down to the actual water. I'd suggest skipping and spending your time at the black sand beach instead. Much prettier and a lot easier to access, plus more sea turtles to see (just make sure you keep your distance). If you do end up going to this beach be careful of the parking lot. Some deep drop offs where multiple people get stuck and have to be towed out. read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Beaches Near Me

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#TakeMeBackTuesday Papakōlea Beach is one of only four green sand beaches in the world so, yeah, I want to be taken back to this beautiful location. It's a 3-mile hike from the South Point parking lot, but there are plenty of illegal "shuttles" operating there. Satellite views from iPhone/Google Maps would reveal how badly the terrain has been damaged by vehicles driving through. Tourists with 4X4 rentals contribute to the mayhem as well. The sand is green due to the denser olivine crystals that are left on the beach as opposed to the rest of the volcanic ash that gets swept away. It is not overly green, but it does have a green hue. The beach is secluded and the view is fantastic. The hike (or ride) can be brutal especially on a windy and/or hot day. It is one of our Big Island highlights for sure, but my hope is that something gets done to improve the hike trail (markers would be great) and close the area to vehicular traffic. Maybe the ruts can heal over time and help preserve the uniqueness of the place. Here's me hoping... read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - One of only four green sand beaches in the world... - Beaches Near Me

If you're feeling adventurous then Papakolea is the challenging beach for you. The drive to get to the 'parking lot' is a long and dusty one (coming from Kona). From there you have to hike to this beach and it's 5.5 miles round trip. If you want to go to the beach but don't want to put in the effort, you can pay one of the handful of local drivers that have an off-road type vehicle to take you. Price range from $20-30 per person round trip. I guess you could haggle with them. On the morning we went (Aug '22), it was particularly windy AF! Like sand flying everywhere and hitting you like very very tiny baseball bats all over your exposed skin. It was like a sand storm fareal. I had to limit talking to prevent from eating sand. I mean, it was hard to predict how windy that part of the island was or else we wouldn't have gone. But since we were already there to decided to hike it. There's no clear trail for hikers but there's multiple paths for the vehicles. When vehicles pass through the nearby pathways would get super sandy and dusty. For the most part, the trail is flat with some incline and sandy/dusty parts. There's no shade at all, so the sun will really get you if you don't lather up with the sunscreen. My friends and I tried to stay along the coast and keep moving forward. I should've timed our hike there but it was at least an hour before we finally got to a view of the beach. The beach wasn't completely green but had more of an olive tone. It was cool but not amazing. My face felt gritty and I was all sweaty. Wasn't a good mix, lol. I made my way down to steps to the beach. It was still windy, but not as sandy. People did go in and swim. There was a small ledge with shade where people were sitting. We didn't spend a lot of time there, because one of my friend's didn't come down and we didn't want to leave her alone up there. During that time, she asked a local lady if we could get a ride back instead of hiking since the wind was still pretty brutal. Honestly, it was the best $15(per person) every spent because we saved time and energy. We were luckily able to sit inside the truck whilst 6 people had to hang out on the back of the pick up and eat sand. The driver lady felt bad for a mom and her toddler (strapped to her back) getting ready to hike back so she ended up telling them to get on free of charge. The ride was rough and bumpy but better than walking back in the sandy windy heat! Whilst off-roading we saw 2 adults and 2 kids hiking back, I felt so bad for them, why put your kids through that! Anyways, we got back to the parking lot within 15 minutes. Overall, it was an okay beach. I wasn't blown away, except from the wind and sand. I wasn't wowed by the green sand but glad I saw it. It's one of the 4 beaches in the world that have the green tone. The others are in Guam, Galapagos Island and Norway. It's a one and done type thing, I wouldn't hike this ever again. read more

Bring proper shoes, water, sun screen and snacks to prepare for the hike (2-3 miles). Or Locals offer a ride down (25 min ride) instead for $25 per person for 1 hour only, then they bring you back up. I had a group of 9, $225 for one hour wasn't worth it for us. So just come prepared to walk for more time to enjoy the beach. read more

It was well worth it to get here but once your here, it's just beautiful. The landscape is breathtaking and the sand is green, remember this is 1 of 4 in the world! read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Papakolea Beach (Green Sands) - Beaches Near Me

This was quite an experience! We showed up around 10:30. We were offered a ride from a man with a truck. lol. Seemed like the best plan for $20 per person. What a crazy rough ride out there. We were in the back of the pick up truck with about six other people. Our driver asked us how long we needed to enjoy the beach and he waited the hour on top. He gladly took our picture. The way down to the beach was pretty interesting. We squeezed through to make it down the green sand beach. It was extraordinary. The waves were pretty rough and no one seemed to get in. Strong pull as soon as you stepped near the water. The views were incredible. I sat in the truck on the way back. So happy we did this. What an experience!! If you plan of hiking down to the beach- it's all in the sun with winds and no shade. Lots and lots of dust on the road. Highly trafficked. Beautiful views. read more

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Before we set out on this hike I had read the not so great reviews on here. We approached it with an open mind. My husband and I had our two kids (9 & 11) with us. It is a long drive out to the place with very little along the way. When we got out of the car we were asked if we wanted a ride by some locals. We politely declined and they didn't push it on us. In fact, they were kind and answered a few questions about the hike. We brought plenty of water, loaded up with sunscreen and comfortable shoes and were on our way. I agree that the one area about halfway there had greener sand than the actual "Green Sand Beach". In my opinion, the beach was still amazing. The setting is absolutely gorgeous. I don't hike all the time, but I found this hike to be moderate. Much of it has been driven on so it's smoothed out. The kids had no problems either - even getting down to the beach. I would suggest bringing a snack, a good pair of sunglasses and wear dark clothing because you will be very dusty! Our feet were dirty even with socks and sneakers on! If you like sea glass the first area with green sand has lots of it (move some rocks around)! read more

Definitely not worth coming to as it's a complete hassle unless you have a Jeep or 4x4 capable vehicle. If not you'll have to hike the 3 miles or ride in the back of a janky pick-up truck as some of the locals offer "shuttle" service for about $10 each way per person. If you decide to hike, make sure to bring hiking shoes or at least sneakers. We didn't know it would be such a far hike and we only had flip flops on. Bad choice as the trail is super rocky! As we finally got to the beach, we noticed it wasn't even really green colored! More like a different shade of brown. Because it was starting to rain and got super windy as we arrived we didn't climb down to the water. If you choose to do so, you have to climb down a rickety looking ladder and then hike down. Since it was raining we decided to catch a ride with one of the locals that said he was taking people back soon. The ride is super bumpy since the terrain is super rocky. The whole time you're riding on a 2x4 in the bed of a pick up truck! I'm surprised no one gets thrown out of these vehicles because at times we felt like we would fly out if not for holding on!! Overall we didn't have a very great experience, and if you are really dying to come here I'd recommend renting your own Jeep, truck, or 4x4 capable vehicle. read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Beaches Near Me

This is a one of a kind green beach. It's definitely worth checking out at least once. Pretty hard to get to though in bad weather conditions. It's a 3 mile hike and can be dangerous depending on the weather. It rained and I ended up walking there in about an hour. Heavy winds are possible in this area as well. There are people that will take you up though for $20 per person round trip or $15 per person one way. It's quite worth it just to ride once because that drive is an absolute ride like an amusement park. read more

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I can't say the beach itself was bad... amazing green sand, outstanding views, and the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience such a natural wonder. HOWEVER, the scam that is to get people there is an anathema to the spirit of aloha! I wish I had reviewed the trip prior to our day, my mistake. The people who "ran" the shuttles were rude, condescending, and just down right awful. $20 per person to DESTROY the natural landscape. And, to take a harrowing 25 minute crawl in the back of a pick up truck with 12 other saps. As soon as we arrived to the "beach", and unaware of the beach's access, we were guided to park our car by an unofficial "guide" and we were accosted with "well, you can hike the 3 miles it takes to get there, or you can take the shuttle." Not wanting to turn down the experience, we agreed. This trip was horrifying with 45 degree angles in ditches- not to mention that if we had tipped over, we had zero recourse. Once there, if you are not in somewhat athletic shape, don't bother. It's a 4 point scramble both on the way down to the sand, and back up. After an hour, once you crawl your way to the "lot" you climb back in a pickup with 20 other saps. Because there was little room in the way back, my husband and his friend decided to hike it to let the women have the ride. I told the driver we would negotiate the new price since there were two less in our party. Unbelievably, he mimed with his hand me "yapping" screaming at me, " That's not the price we agreed on! You will be charged $20 per person whether they ride or not! ALL YOU TOURISTS ARE ALIKE!" I was dumbfounded and because there were children present, I refrained from responding. If you get the chance to go, hike it. read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Green Sand Beach - Beaches Near Me

It was amazing, peaceful, not totally impacted by humans, and green. :) worth the hike out.

This was my favorite discovery on the big island this time around. It's not an easy beach to get to. If you have 4 wheel drive, you can drive there. We did not though. This meant it was about a 2.5 mile hike (one way) out to the beach. It's pretty flat, so it's not a hard hike, but the 30 mile per hour winds didn't help. The wind is common on the southernmost point down here. It was all worth it for how pretty this beach was. It was a little rough getting sand whipped at you, so if you can find a less windy day, do that. The sand has a green hue, but it isn't overly green. The bay is gorgeous though. Even though it's a long walk, it was absolutely worth it to me to see this view. read more

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It's okay with great views. From the parking area it's 3 miles away to get to the green sand which you need a 4x4 to get there. There's local that want $20 a person to take you there. No thanks!! Not worth the 10 to 12 miles to get to from the main road in my opinion. read more

Honestly going to the beach & swimming there is an experience in itself. If you're looking for calmness, this is NOT the beach for you. If you're looking for adventure & down for it, this is perfect spot for you. As some of the reviews mentioned, the sand is not GREEN GREEN. It's like a darker shade of brown but on the green side. You can NOT take sand home. There's a sign at the bottom near the shore not to take the sand home & I suggest you don't. So let's start from the beginning... WALK OR TAKE A LOCAL TRUCK: it's half half. It is 3 miles walk ONE way & we decided to pay the $20 RT (for each person) to take us to the beach. We did not feel like walking & wanted to use our time wisely. Some people take the walking route but it is long & the sun is just shining on you like crazy. When we were there, we tracked another couple that decided to walk. By the time we got there, swam, took pictures and walked back up to take our ride back to the parking lot, they finally got to the beach so I thought it was worth to pay it. Now the ride is BUMPY because you are driving over rocks, up & down hills so HOLD ON. This isn't some Uber comfort ride. But again, that itself is an adventure. THE BEACH: the driver WAITS for you too btw so the group that you rode in with is the same group you will ride out with. You decide as a group how long you want to stay there (30 mins, 1 hour, 2 hours). We decided to stay 1.5 hours. once the car parks, you walk down some steep stairs & through the lava flow rocks to get to shore. The waves were rough! (April 2021). But so much fun. We had to time it right to run in before we got hit by a wave. I think after 4 waves, I was done. THE TOP: other than swimming, a lot of people also walk along the lava flow rocks to see the top of the beach and appreciate nature's beauty. We got a little bit of time left & got to see the beach from the top & just see how the lava formed the way it did. & it was a nice way to dry off before hopping back in the truck. We probably were there for about 3 hours so time your trip wisely. You have to consider the time to either walk or ride in & out. Again, if you're looking for calm and relaxation, this isn't the beach for you. But if you want to explore & go on an adventure, then this should definitely be on your list! read more

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The real deal, MUST READ! Beautiful place but be ready for the hike or to pay $25 each for a bumpy ride in the back of a truck. About a 3 mile journey across sand, rocks and minimal inclines. We are in decent shape and love to walk so chose to walk out there and it was pretty brutal. Blazing sun and HEAVY winds blowing sand in your eyes and getting caked over everything. It was pretty bad. Your socks will be ruined and shoes nasty. Once you get to the beach, you will have to climb down a steep incline. They have a ladder but is sketchy. Beautiful beach, olive colored sand. We close to ride back because the walk out there really took it out of us. They charged us $15 each. Best money ever spent. My kid made a funny comment to me on the ride back, "They say money doesn't buy happiness, but this time it sure did". If you're still up for it, make sure you take suntan lotion, water, shades or eye protection from blowing sand, and a towel. You'll need wet wipes to clean up after, we got FILTHY!! I would never do it again. Go to the southern most point of the United States nearby. We enjoyed that WAY more. Absolutely beautiful beach with AMAZING amounts of crushed coral!! read more

Very cool! We went on the way back to Waikoloa from the volcano. Give yourself enough time to make sure you get back to your car before sunset! Plan for at least 3 hours for this activity (more if you walk). DEFINITELY worth paying $20 per person to get the ride from the parking lot to the beach. Both cars we rode in broke down, and we ended up walking about 1/8 of the way there on the way to the beach and maybe 1/6 of the way back, so we just paid $10 per person. Still worth it! The ride is super bumpy, so if you're fragile, this probably isn't the best activity for you. However, walking is way worse--there's no shade and it's a far walk (we've heard it's 1.5 hours each way). Be aware that once you get there, it's a steep climb down to the beach. The sand isn't a vibrant green; it's more of a forest green mixed with brown sand. The coolest part is the area that the amphitheater-esque area that the beach is in. If you're able, highly recommend! read more

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If you were meant to drive here, there would be a road. This beach is such a special place - the tiny olivine crystals that give the sand its green color are a treasure to see in person and photos won't do it justice. However, it's so sad to see how this land is abused by vehicles illegally shuttling people along the shoreline. You can literally see the erosion of the beach every time a truck drives past. Arrive as early as possible to avoid the heat and be prepared with water, sunscreen, good shoes, and a hat. If you can get to the parking lot by sunrise, you will be rewarded with a chill one-hour hike and this beach all to yourself :) read more

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HAWAII 2018 The hike to this beach is a trek, but well worth it! As they say, the joy is in the journey. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian scenery along the way. I recommend walking instead of getting lift from the locals, unless you have a health issue and can't hike. First of all, on our drive out, we stopped by a small local farmer who sold honey, macadamia nuts. They also had a small art gallery where they sold Hawaiian paintings as well as parrots, dogs, and further up the road, horses (see my review). The hike to the Green Sand Beach took us about an hour each way. There are lots of rock formations, waves crashing against black rock, trails through sawgrass that are like a maze. These were formed by the jeeps and four wheelers going back and forth to the beach. Be careful, they may not see hikers, so hike on the edges. Once we arrived to the beach, it was like we found an oasis! Although the sand wasn't emerald green that day, it was still spectacular. The color was closer to golden olive green. The waves were great! Be careful not to lose your belongings! I lost a pair of sunglasses when one came crashing in. Don't be daunted by the climb up and down. If I could do it (a 63 year old woman), anyone could. We didn't even get a ride back. It was much easier going back because that day, we were walking with the wind. I have included several pictures from our way there by car and by foot. Enjoy!! read more

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5 stars for for the views and visiting one of four green sand beaches on earth, but 1 star for the journey getting there and the less-than-accurate descriptions of the experience... which gets us that 3 star average. TL;DR - glad I saw the beach and sand up close, but not sure the journey there was worth it. The biggest problem is the wind and sand. I think we were there on a particularly blustery day, but it can't be THAT much better on average. Because of all the erosion (from all the vehicles driving on the path when they shouldn't be) there are stretches where the sand kicks up like a legit desert sandstorm. It stings when it hits you and it'll get in your eyes and mouth if you don't cover your face. My girlfriend was forced to hold a shirt over her head just for shelter, which worked somewhat but also slowed our pace. The hike is almost 6 miles round trip and takes about an hour each way. While it is flat and not too hard to navigate, there are sections (especially early) where the footing can be unstable. So if you're prone to rolling your ankle be careful. You're also going to dust up the hell out of your footgear because of the eroded sand sections. Getting to the beach also requires descending a steep, not very sturdy ladder, and the rocks aren't a breeze to climb down either. If you're someone who isn't comfortable scaling those surfaces you prob won't get to the beach - you can sit at a picnic table above and look at the view. You might want to time your visit so it's not high tide when you're there. We hiked out early to beat the heat but the tide was in (about 10am) so there wasn't much beach to enjoy. If the tides are coming in there is very little space to lay out on the beach. ALSO - the green of the sand is most visible on the dry areas of the beach, which means low tide is better to really take it in. If you do make it to the beach, seeing the sand is very cool. The green is much more visible on the dry areas and you can see the crystal-like glitter when you hold it in your hands. We didn't go in the water because of the wind and choppiness, but everything we've heard is that it's very rough and you have to be mindful of the riptide. We felt awful for the people we saw on our way back because we knew what a miserable journey they had ahead of them and it was getting hotter and hotter. I will say that the way back was slightly better because the wind is at your back and you can enjoy some ocean views. You will be occasionally dodging trucks or jeeps carrying people to the beach, because they aren't going to give you the right of way. It is unfortunate that there are so many locals running shuttles for $20 because it's leading to the erosion and destruction of the area - it's a viscous cycle: people want to get to the beach, many don't want to hike (prob bc of reviews like this), locals have an opportunity to make $, so the technically illegal shuttling will continue. Ultimately it's the land that suffers, but it doesn't seem like anything will change soon. read more

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This is a hiking destination. Bring water and be ready to walk. There are a bunch of locals with pickup trucks charging twenty bucks a head to ferry people back and forth. It's unregulated, uninsured and DANGEROUS. We were in a severely overloaded truck (fourteen people, including children in the bed alone). The owner was unpleasant and combative when it was pointed out that since they had added people for the ride back, there were not enough places to hang on to for the ride... When two members of our party decided to walk back, the driver still insisted on the full price being paid, and at one point during the conversation, the gentleman offered me his keys and said "you wanna drive?" It IS a scam. When you arrive, they guide you to parking (you know, like it's official) and then they start working the lot trying to get people on their trucks. It didn't take long to realize that this was simply a local endeavor to rip off tourists. Go to hike (and the beach is a pretty hairy climb up and down lava rocks, so be prepared), but avoid the potential death-rides. read more

My experience at the Green Sand Beach was just okay. First of all, it's annoying that some of the locals keep hounding you and asking if you need a ride for $20 a person (can you say SCAM?). Even if you decline at the parking area, they will later drive up next to you on the trail and ask again. I have two legs and I plan to use them. Thank you, next! There are absolutely no trail markers so you kind of have to guess where you're going and follow the coastline / footprints. The trail itself isn't difficult. It's pretty much a sand / dirt trail that's relatively flat. However, there's no coverage and it was soooo windy. I had to wear sunglasses to keep the sand somewhat out of my eyes and my hair was dreadlocked afterwards. Definitely bring plenty of sunblock, water, and sun protection. There are also no restrooms or drinking water at the parking lot or anywhere on the trail. It's about a 45 min - 1 hour walk over to the beach depending on which trail you take (again, it's unmarked so taking a different road can add a few minutes). There's a ladder where you can climb down into the sand. The sand was more of an olive green. You can't really swim there and it's not somewhere I can imagine chilling by the ocean. More of a "stop for 10 minutes" and then walk back. Meh, been there, done that. Probably not coming back. read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Olive green - Beaches Near Me

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It's quite a hike: about 2.8 miles each way per my pedometer. Mostly flat, dusty in spots and rocky in others. Nice views for most of the trek. The green sand beach is actually an olive shade but stunning nonetheless. You actually see some of the sand which has been wind blown during the walk. A not-too-hard scaling of a rock wall to get down to the water. read more

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I thought American's were lazy but, after reading some of these reviews, American's are apparently all encased in Matrix-like-cocoons, immobile, subsisting on intravenous soylent, and feeding energy into our robot overlords. "Brutal" hike? Seriously? You can't walk 3 miles with no elevation gain? Our species is DOOMED. Folks, you're on vacation, you're eating a lot, the least you can do is walk and enjoy some beautiful ocean views. Or is the Hawaiian weather too much? High of 80, low of 60 everyday can be pretty brutal! Anyway, the sand here might not be as green as you're expecting, and it's notoriously difficult to photograph. BUT, it's well worth it. It's a hidden little beach nook that appears into view out of seemingly nowhere. It feels like you're on your own private island, with a bunch of friendly strangers. Now that I think of it, I'm grateful that there isn't a paved road here. The place would probably be overrun by careless tourists. The 4X4 road* makes for a great deterrent! Swimming is great, as is the body-surfing. Too choppy for snorkeling, leave the gear in the car. I've you're the daring type, there are some interesting rocks to scramble on. *Seriously, this road is rough. Unless you have BOTH high clearance AND 4WD, do not attempt. You'll owe the rental car agency some money after taking your vehicle up this axel-scraper. read more

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Hiked in at sunrise and just beautiful!! Truck ride back was full of aloha. Mahalo to the OHANA at the head of the trail!! read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Aina!! - Beaches Near Me

We went around 3pm, took the local truck, they charge you about $20 a person. Let me tell you, IT IS WORTH IT! Such a fun experience to ride in the back of the truck with your whole family. It makes it a whole experience. They take you, will wait about an hour for you and take you back. So fun and such an amazing beach to visit. It is worth the drive from waikoloa or Hilo. read more

Supposed to be one of 4 green sand beaches in the world. We opted to hike the almost 3 mike's each way. Lots of dust and mustard colored sand coated our shoes. But totally worth it. Other option was the $15 per person truck ride in. The steep climb down to the green sand beach looked worse than it was. Pretty strong waves so be ready for a strong under currents and waves-but so fun play in. The sand is green but kore olive colored. The hike in took about one hour. Lots of different paths but they all lead to the same place. Totally worth the trip. read more

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According to Wikipedia, Papkolea Green Sand Beach is one of four green sand beaches in the world. If that statement alone isn't reason enough to visit, I don't know what is. Papakolea is an adventure to get to. You can either take a 2.5-mile hike or ride to the beach (ask one of the locals; they charge $10 each way per person). If you choose the hike, it's mostly flat BUT it's hot, so be sure to pack lots of water, sunscreen, and snacks. Anticipate getting your shoes very dusty too. The beach itself is gorgeous. If you're thinking that the sand will be pigmented a really bright green, it's not. It's more like a muted yellowish-green. Still cool, though! There are no bathrooms at this beach and the riptide will suck you in if you're not a strong/confident swimmer. Combine this visit with South Point, and you're set! read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Beaches Near Me

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This is a must see if you're up to the 3 mi hike...one way. Its not too bad if you take your time and bring plenty of water. Don't rush and take in the scenery! The wife and I did the trek early afternoon, lucky it was a bit cloudy with a slight drizzle so we were able to stay cool throughout. Another recommendation is to wear comfortable shoes that you don't mind getting dirty because it will! If you really want to see the green sand beach and don't feel like doing the 3 mile hike, you can always hire one of the locals with 4X4 to drive you down to the beach. I believe they charge $10 per person for a one way trip. Its really too bad because the area is designated as no vehicles and yet many tourist and locals drive through with their 4X4 and it really just ruins the land! So sad... read more

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Do not even try to off-road to the beach unless you are a beast at off-roading. Locals and tourists both flip, and we almost did ourselves. Next time we will 100% pay a local to drive us to the beach, even at $20 a person it's worth safely making it to a once in a lifetime experience. The green sand was unreal, and so was the view from the top, even walking down was fun, but the drive to and from the beach is NOT worth the anxiety and stress. Plus driving through damages the local ecosystem which we did not know at the time. read more

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We had done our research so knew to expect a hike but there were definitely some surprised tourists when we arrived. As others have mentioned for a fee you can get a ride to the beach instead. We love hiking so it was an easy choice and a nice hike (flat with beautiful views) but there is no shade and lots of sand so come prepared with plenty of water. At times the path can be a bit confusing but we made sure to stay close to the shore and it was immediately obvious when we'd arrived because of the stunning view down into the cove. The sand isn't quite as bright green as I expected but it is distinct from other sand I'd seen. I think what makes the beach so beautiful is less about the green sand and more just the overall composition of the cove with the bright blue water contrasted with the sand and rocky cliffs. Down on the beach it was VERY windy so not necessarily great for sitting and reading but my husband had a great time frolicking in the (pretty aggressive) waves. He still refers to it as one of his favorite spots of our whole trip to the big island! read more

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First of all. Don't think that your rented jeep will get you out here! The trail out to the green sand s crazy! You will need a 4x4 and you will need to already know the trail. It's a 3 mile hike out there and 3 miles back. Do your self a huge favor and pay the locals for a ride out. The trip out there is crazy bumpy and buncy. The was really fun and crazy. The drive I was with, his name was david. He was a really funny guy. Talked a lot made jokes and wait for us. Asked everyone how long we wanted to say and just sat there. The seating in his van was defintally not OSHA approved! But potentially dangerous situations like this, just make me more excited. The beach is self was pretty amazing. I mean the sand was not super green. I was expecing it to look like crushed emeralds. I guess I can laugh at that. There is a nice hike down the cliff. Careful, it is really slippery. Once your at the bottom it's wonderful. It's a private cove surrounded by cliffs on both sides. The rock formations are awesome looking. From the beach when you turn around you can see the green sand breaking down from the rocks and slowly sliding down the the beach. This stop is a must! You most likely will never see green sand ever in your life again. This beach is 1 of 2 in the entire world! read more

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CHEAPASS-O-NOMICS 505A: Ride or Hike? By Professor Chun P Depending on your health, it'll probably take you about 3 hours to hike the 3 mile path and back...a path that is dry, windy, shadeless, with lots of dirt kicked up by the 4X4s, under the hot, sweaty, humid, and skin-cancering Hawaiian sun... Some reviewers complained about the locals charging $15 for rides in a 4X4, which takes about 45 min round trip...is it worth the $15? You'll save about 2.25 hours of time and a lot of pain... Let's say you make... $7.5/hour X 2.25 = $16.88 -$15 = $1.88 savings $30/hour X 2.25 = $67.50 -$15 = $42.50 savings $50/hour X 2.25 = $112.5 -$15 = $97.50 savings So even if you're making federal minimum wage, its still worth saving at least $1.88 worth of your time, and not suffering through a long hot hike. And thats 2.25 hours of more daylight to enjoy Hawaii. What if you have kids? None of these locals are forcing you to buy the ride, nor did they force you to bring your kids, more or less have kids in the first place. Kids are effing expensive. Anyways, so take the ride and enjoy the little green beach. Water was nice, but it might be a bit rough for kids, and the weak. Its a remote beach = no facilities whatsoever. It was very pretty overall, but the sand isn't really all that "green". One local said too many selfish tourists are stealing the green sand faster than it can naturally be replenished, so its not as green as it used to be...probably the same ignorant tourists who deny Global Warming...so for FUC's sake...DON'T STEAL ANY GREEN SAND! read more

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Tip: DON'T WEAR YOUR BRAND NEW SNEAKERS! I made the mistake and now my shoes are F! They are a weird color now =( Tried cleaning it and it's not coming off! Ugh! Located off Hwy 11, Papakolea Green Sand Beach is a must see and visit! It's one of two Green Sand beaches in the World! It gets its green coloring because of the mineral olivine found in the enclosing cinder cones. Awesome right? I'm so glad I made the trek here. It was so worth it! It's about a 5 miles hike roundtrip. Overall, it's a pretty easy hike. You will have to walk on and climb down some rocks but it's mainly all dirt. I saw this girl hiking in her flip flops, crazy! It gets really windy so remember to bring your sunglasses unless you like sand in your eyes. http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=yhdwc7zvDAUwDxMxKWIluw http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=50v7kOSo2h5a3-RBGNEn-Q&userid=yhdwc7zvDAUwDxMxKWIluw Along the way, you will see locals with trucks asking if you want a ride to the beach for a price. I believe it's $20 pp...no thanks! It was an easy hike...Easy Breezy! The beach was beautiful! The sand was soft and green, omg green sand, I was amazed! Ha! =) http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=7vDrsy9nrdZd2LSVXW0n7A&userid=yhdwc7zvDAUwDxMxKWIluw http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=25S9WaDBCn0u5-f8InbiMQ&userid=yhdwc7zvDAUwDxMxKWIluw Enjoy, Happy Hiking! =D read more

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Yes, we trekked to Papakolea Green Sand Beach at South Point again, but this time we were met at the parking area by friendly locals that ask if you'd like to catch a shuttle to Green Sand Beach or if you're going to hike there. We were pressed for time, so opted to take the shuttle there and back this time. And we were so happy that we did! In less than1/2 hour we were there, took a swim and had enough time to stop at another unknown green sand beach on the way back. This little beach had GREENER sand than Green Sand Beach as well as the actual olivine visible in the volcanic rock on the beach! And we saw lots of whales and porpoises jumping and playing in the ocean on the way to Green Sand Beach and all the way back! Mahalo to our driver and guide, who made the trip comfortable, safe and most enjoyable! Woo hoo! read more

Papakolea Green Sand Beach - Olivine from which comes the green sand of Green Sand Beach! - Beaches Near Me

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