[2024 The Big Island (Hawaii island) Attraction] Travel Guide for Papakōlea Green Sand Beach (Updated Nov)
Beaches
Seashores
Address:
Naalehu, HI 96772, United States
Opening times:
Open year round, 24/7Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5-1 day
Phone:
+1 808-464-0840
Hawaii, the unique richness and diversity of the Big Island
The Big Island is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, with a large area and sparse population.
There is an airport on each side of the Big Island, east and west. To enjoy both sides, you can enter from Hilo and exit from Kona. There will be corresponding cross-city car rental fees.
The main attractions on the east side are the Volcano Park, South Point Park, black/green sand beaches, and waterfalls.
It is recommended to stay in Kupukupu in the Volcano Village on the east side. It is a two-bedroom detached villa. After booking on the official website, you will receive the passwords for entering the gate and the room. You can check in by yourself with the password. We never saw the landlord or the service person. Everyone is worry-free.
The room is located in a tropical rainforest in the village, and the air is really good. The gardens in the front and back are carefully arranged.
The entrance fee to the Volcano Park is valid for 7 days, which is a conscience price.
The two active volcanoes on the Big Island - Kilauea and Mauna Loa are considered the safest volcanoes in the world.
Every eruption increases the area of the Big Island. The cooled lava flows into the sea and forms a new piece of land.
If you don't catch the volcano eruption, there will be lava hiking, and you can also take a helicopter to see the entire east coast.
The most common sight on the Big Island is such a piece of land formed by cooled black lava. Witnessing destruction, creation, and rebirth with your own eyes can make you respect nature even more.
Such a wide expanse of black lava, naturally cooled into different shapes, occasionally sprouting green life, some are crispy when stepped on. Following this road on the left side of the park entrance to the end is the Sea Arch. Going straight, you can see the smoking volcano and smell the sulfur.
Star gazing at the top of the mountain is one of the most famous activities of Mauna Kea. The top of Mauna Kea is recognized as the best astronomical observatory site in the world. The top of the mountain is above 40% of the atmosphere and 90% of the water vapor, so it has exceptionally clear star images. In addition, the peak is above the inversion layer, and there can be 300 clear nights a year. At the same time, the low latitude of 20 degrees north latitude can almost see the sky of the northern and southern hemispheres.
So that night, we were completely shocked by the starry sky and the clear Milky Way.
Volunteers on the top of the mountain will bring out telescopes for everyone to watch. The starry sky that you can see when you look up is unforgettable.
The scenery on the mountain is also good, just like the scenery of the grassland. There are also some craters on the top of the mountain. Climbing to the top of the mountain, the clouds are under your feet, and you marvel at the magic of nature again.
The temperature on the top of the mountain is low, so you need to wear a down jacket. If you don't bring children and have a four-wheel drive, you can go to the higher mountain top to see the observatory.
Going to Kona, you will pass by the black sand beach, green sand beach, and South Point Park.
The scenery of South Point Park is also good. Along the way, you will pass through grasslands, free-range cattle and sheep, brave divers, and beautiful rainbows.
The main component of the green sand on the green sand beach is olivine. The locals say they are the tears of the volcano goddess.
If the sun is just right, the beach will be greener. It is said that there are now two green sand beaches in the world. You can only get there by local pickup trucks, a piece of primitive and undeveloped grassland scenery.
IgnatiusNocturne123*
Green Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii is one of the most famous attractions on the Big Island
Green Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii, also known as Papohaku Beach, is one of the most famous attractions on the Big Island. The uniqueness of this beach lies in its sand presenting a unique green color, which is due to the olivine minerals rich on the beach.
Green Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii is a very beautiful place. The beach stretches for 3 miles (about 4.8 kilometers), making it the largest beach on the Big Island. The seawater here is very clear, and you can see the coral reefs and tropical fish at the bottom of the sea. On the beach, you can enjoy the spectacular sea view and the distant volcanoes, and feel the unique natural scenery of Hawaii.
Green Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii is also a very suitable place for surfing and swimming. Due to its relatively undeveloped, the beach environment here is very natural and primitive. If you like outdoor sports, this is also a good place for hiking.
The uniqueness of Green Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii lies in its green sand, which is very rare. If you come to the Big Island of Hawaii, you must come to Green Sand Beach in Big Island, Hawaii to experience this unique beauty.
WandererWandering
The natural scenery of the Big Island of Hawaii will make you intoxicated
⭐Seattle, as soon as you arrive, you have arranged a very popular snorkeling spot, the marine life is very close to you, there are two almost sticking to my stomach. The downside is that it's really a bit cold to float on the sea for forty minutes, so take precautions against the cold
⭐Captain Cook's snorkeling is definitely my favorite activity on this trip and I want to come again! Board the ship at the port near Kona, snorkel off the ship when you reach your destination, the underwater world is eye-opening! Various colors of fish, various shapes of seaweed, wild dolphins and whales that go out to sea, it seems like the underwater mobilization I watched when I was young
⭐Cloud sea sunset and starry sky, because you must drive a four-wheel drive up the mountain, when the weather is good, the cloud sea is absolutely beautiful, the sunset is breathtaking
⭐Green beach, along the southern coastline will pass the green beach, the beach paved with tea powder! You need a four-wheel drive to get in. If you don't want to face the scorching sun, you can sit in the local people's pickup. The roller coaster-like experience on the pickup is quite interesting. The sand is blown on the body, spicy and painful, but it does not affect the joy of playing in the water!
⭐Volcano Park, because of the rain, the original plan in the Volcano Park can only be cancelled, we went directly to the black sand beach. When approaching the sea, the end of the world feels overwhelming, and the waves are surging. I inexplicably think of Miller's planet. There are not many beaches with sand on the Big Island. If conditions permit, you can stay in a hotel by the beach, which is also very suitable for surfing!
RoamingExplorer_22
The Big Island of Hawaii, the beauty of the wild
The Big Island of Hawaii, with its beautiful waterfalls, spectacular volcanoes, black sand beaches, and hidden green sand beaches. Here are the original forests, and more are the jelly seas of various levels, the sea water presents various blues and greens.
The Big Island's must-see:
1. The sea turtle family on the black sand beach
2. Swim with the devil fish at night, and the big mouth of the blood basin just passes by in front of your eyes
3. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the King's Valley, and hike on the black sand beach
4. Watch the stars all over the sky at night
5. Check in at various affordable and delicious local small restaurants
AdventurousNomad
Green Beach is also an attraction that is often abandoned by tourists but is particularly worthwhile. Located at the southern tip of the Big Island of Hawaii, even if you want to bump back and forth for forty minutes, you willingly! The sea is clear, the bay is relatively calm, and the sand is particularly delicate. It is very comfortable to swim in the sun.
Moreover, the green beach is really "green". The real thing is greener than the picture. The main component of the sand is olivine. The locals say that these olivines are the tears of the volcano goddess.
and the greenest sand is not in the beach just seen, but in the small sandstone area pointed by the local guide when returning, the sun is really golden, so beautiful!