How To Get To The Green Sand Beach On The Big Island Of Hawaii

UPDATED FEB 2020. Today we have another addition to the Big Island bucket list with the Papakolea green sand beach. Not only is the Big Island special in the sense that you can see gold, black and green sand beaches in one visit, but it is an extra special treat because this green sand beach is one of only four in the world. Here’s a practical guide on how to get to the green sand beach and I hope it can help you plan your own adventure.

How To Get To The Green Sand Beach On The Big Island Of Hawaii

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FAQ for visiting the Green Sand Beach

Where is it located?

Big Island, about 90 minutes drive from Kona or 1 hour and 45 minutes drive from Hilo.

Is there a cost?

It’s free if you hike to the beach. For the shuttle, it costs $10-$20USD – bring cash.

What skill level is required?

Beginner though it can be a long hike in the sun if you chose to hike.

What should you bring with you?

• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Lightweight towel
• Water bottle (I use a Hydro Flask or this big jug)
• Sunglasses
• Underwater camera (I always use my GoPro and this floaty selfie stick)
• Good hiking shoes if you plan to hike (I use the New Balance Minimus)
• Snacks or energy gels
• A travel journal to document the adventure (here’s the one I created)

Where to park

You can use ‘Green Sand Beach Trailhead’ in Google Maps to get you to the parking area.

S Point Road will end and become a small dirt parking lot, once you reach this parking lot you will be met with a few choices.

How to get to the green sand beach from the parking lot

Option 1: Hike to the beach

You can park in the lot and then make your journey to the beach itself on foot. The 3-mile hike is fairly simple in terms of skill so would be easy enough for most people to do.

The biggest thing to be aware of with the hike is that there is no shade along the trail. It’s important to be careful if choosing this in hotter hours of the day as you are exposed to the elements the whole time so make sure you have plenty of water and sun protection.

I recommend against wearing any white clothes as well because you’ll get sprayed with the dirt of all the trucks that drive by.

Option 2: 4WD to the beach

If you have a 4WD you could drive the rest of the way which takes about 30 minutes.

Not only do you need a 4WD, but you also need to have experience actually using it.

The track is rugged and steep in sections making it suitable only for an experienced 4WD-er.

Option 3: Take a shuttle to the beach

Lastly, there is the option to take a ‘shuttle’. I use the inverted commas deliberately because it is actually a group of entrepreneurial locals that have spotted an opportunity to make some money out of us tourists that go visiting the beautiful beach.

The kid who drove us looked about 12 and we thought ‘why not‘ and took the shuttle with him.

For $10-20, you can ride in their truck and they drive you over the rugged terrain to the beach access spot.

Their business plan is solid because they also sell drinks and snacks in the parking lot.

What to expect on the trail

The drive itself was a really fun experience and watching the smiles on everyone in the truck as we cruised the track with the wind in our hair is a memory I hold dear.

To the driver’s credit, he was probably more skilled than most adults on the roads, myself included, and we arrived at the beach safe and sound.

From there, we walked down the small hike to reach the olive, sandy ground.

What to expect at the beach

The bay, which is nestled inside an old crater, is a beautifully scenic spot.

You’ll have some time to check out the unique sand, take a swim, and of course, get a bunch of photos before you head back but you probably won’t need more than an hour or so.

If you take the shuttle you will negotiate how much time you want with the driver and they will pick you up for the return trip.

What else to do nearby

While you are in the area you can also check out the South Point cliff jump and even jump off it if you’re an adventure seeker.

Be sure to check the surf conditions before jumping to make sure it’s safe and use your best judgment to decide if it’s suited for your skills.

Even if you don’t jump, it’s worth checking out the South Point area to see the Heiau (temple) and see the southernmost point in the United States.

You could also combine this day with a visit to the Black Sand Beach.

Here’s my guide on things to do on the Big Island for more ideas.

Where to stay on the Big Island

During my visit, I stayed with family but if I was choosing a hotel, I would stay in Waikoloa Village and stay at the Hilton Waikoloa Village or the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa.

I went down there a few times to look around and it’s like a less busy Waikiki, with that ‘I’m on holidays in Hawaii’ vibe.

If you prefer guesthouses or want to stay somewhere else I recommend checking out Booking.com because that’s what I use to book accommodation and I can usually find a good deal on there.

I hope this post on how to get to the green sand beach has been able to help you plan your own adventure.

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