Whenever we travel, we lookout for iconic beaches to enjoy. Salt water is magical on its own, but add to that gorgeous water and stunning views, and we are there. We visited Hawaii in 2018, and discovered the awe-inspiring green sand beach on the Big Island. Read on for details of our Hawaiian adventure!
Budget Travel Flight Tip
We spent a week on the Big Island during Thanksgiving in 2018. While this is usually a very expensive time to travel, we found a budget travel hack. Instead of paying the >$2,500 ticket fare for US airlines, we drove up to Montreal and flew through Canada instead. This saved us nearly $1,500 per ticket! We were living in Vermont at the time, so the drive was easy, and this may not work for those who live further south. But for those who are close to our Northern border, keep this in mind.
Green Sand Beaches
Back to the green sand beaches! There are only four in the world: Talofofo Beach on Guam, Punta Cormorant on Floreana Island in the Galapagos, Hornindalsvatnet in Norway, and Papakōlea Green Sand Beach in Hawaii. The sand is green due to the mineral olvoline, which is found in lava and deposited on the beach.
Papakōlea Beach on the Big Island
Papakōlea Beach is located at the Southernmost point of the Island (and the US). We stayed in Hilo and drove the ~2 hours to start this adventure. The drive was well it, as it took us through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and past the Kapapala and Ka’u Forest Reserves.
We drove to South Point between Kona and Volcano Village where we parked in a lot. There were locals parked here who offered rides to the beach for $20 per person each way. For those who aren’t up for hiking, this is a great option that still showcases the stunning views. For those of us who are more adventurous, it is a 2.5 mile hike to the beach, which took us about an hour. Note that there is no protection from the sun or coastal winds, so we recommend sunscreen, hats, and long sleeves. Beyond dealing with the elements, the hike is pretty accessible to all levels willing to walk that distance on sand.
The end of the hike features jaw-dropping views. Papakōlea Beach is in a cone formed by the 49,000 year old Mauna Loa Volcano. Walk down a path in the lava cliffs to access the beach. Swimming is allowed but the waves can be rough so use caution!
When to Visit
We visited this beach on Thanksgiving Day, and there were still a good amount of people. We recommend going early and on a weekday to avoid the crowds. We brought a packed lunch, which we enjoyed at a picnic table on top of the cliffs overlooking the beach. Afterwards, we hitched a ride back with some locals and other visitors.
This was one of our favorite Thanksgivings ever, made possible by the stunning landscapes of Hawaii. Please remember to leave no trace and respect the locals if you do choose to visit!
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We hope this helps you plan your perfect budget-friendly whale watching adventure! Feel free to reach out if you’re planning to get out there!
Summer & Jackson
OutThere Travels
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