Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea)

Papakōlea, the green sand beach, is just east of South Point, Ka Lae, at the southern tip of Hawaiʻi Island. Its color comes from olivine crystals that erode out of the old lava of Puʻu Mahana, the worn cinder cone that wraps around the beach; the heavier green grains stay behind when the waves carry the lighter sand away. Puʻu Mahana is usually translated as warm hill. The National Park Service says the beach can be reached by vehicle or by hiking along the shoreline. It also says the currents around South Point are powerful and swimming is not advised, so enjoy it from the sand.