Overview

Hype:

Papakolea Beach (also known as Green Sand Beach or Mahana Beach) is a green sand beach located near South Point, in the Kau district of the island of Hawaii. One of only four green sand beaches in the world, it gets its distinctive coloring from olivine sand eroded out of the enclosing volcanic cone.

Trail Condition: Class 2 (Trail may have tree roots or rocks jutting out. Navigation skills may consist of following rock cairns and choosing turns at junctions. Elevation gains may be more substantial.)

Time: 3-5 hours

Length: 5.8 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 100 ft

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

0-3
4-11
12-19
20-49
50-69
70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Features:
  • No Drinking Water
  • Ocean
  • Marked Trails
  • Beaches
  • Road Access is Paved
  • Access Road is 2WD Accessible
  • Viewpoint, Overlooks, Vistas
  • Hiking Trails
  • Swimming - Outdoor
  • Swimming
  • Beach Access

Links: en.wikipedia.org

Getting There

Navigate to 18.921574, -155.672910.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Big Island, Hawaii

Coordinates: 18.921574, -155.672910

Interactive Guide Map

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June 4, 2018 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye, Tara Dye,

Story

We started hiking out to Green Sands Beach at about 11:45. We got to the beach by 12:45 and had lunch. We made a sand castle then had a little competition to see who could dig the deepest hole in the sand. Of course the sides kept collapsing in, but it was still a lot of fun. After playing on the beach for an hour or so, we hiked back to the parking lot.

Pictures

More Trip Reports from Hawaii 2018

Monday, May 28, 2018

Polihale State Park

Polihale State Park Camping

Polihale Beach

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Puu Hinahina Viewpoint

Waipo'o Falls Trail

Kokee Natural History Museum

Puu O Kila Lookout

Pihea Trail

Alakai Swamp Trail

Waimea Canyon Lookout

Waimea Roadside Waterfall

Russian Fort Elizabeth Interpretive Trail

Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Spouting Horn

Moir Gardens

Poipu Beach Park

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Opaekaa Falls

Poliahu Heiau

Makaleha Falls Hike

Ho'opi'i Falls

Lydgate Park

Wailua Falls

Glass Beach

Kokee State Park Camping

Friday, June 01, 2018

Awa'awapuhi Trail

Nu'alolo Cliff Trail

Nu'alolo Trail

Kalalau Lookout

Saturday, June 02, 2018

Makauwahi Cave Interpretive Trail

Makauwahi Cave Reserve

Kauai Museum

Nounou Mt West Trail (Sleeping Giant)

Kealia Beach

Sunday, June 03, 2018

Kona Lava Tube

Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve

Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site

Puukohola Heiau Visitor Center

Puukohola Heiau Loop Trail

Waipio Valley Lookout

Wailuku River State Park

Rainbow Falls Lookout

Monday, June 04, 2018

Punaluu Black Sand Beach

Papakolea Green Sand Beach

Ka Lae (South Point)

Manuka State Wayside

Manuka Nature Trail

Tuesday, June 05, 2018

Mokupapapa Discovery Center

Pacific Tsunami Museum

Lyman Museum and Mission House

Akaka Falls Loop Trail

Akaka Falls State Park

Kaumana Caves

Wednesday, June 06, 2018

Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

Hale Ho'okipa Visitor Contact Station

Ala Mauka Makai Trail

Ala Kahakai Trail

Hulihee Palace

Puuhonua Trail

Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Honaunau Bay

Thursday, June 07, 2018

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument

USS Arizona Memorial Program

USS Bowfin Submarine

USS Bowfin Museun

Polynesian Cultural Center

Saturday, June 09, 2018

Universal Studios Hollywood

Sunday, June 10, 2018

Six Flags Magic Mountain