An early morning and breakfast had me out headed towards the south of the island before 7am. My first goal, before it got very hot was to do the walk to Papakolea Green Sand Beach. I arrived at the start at 08h30. The walk is not difficult- it is all flat but the wind is pretty strong and picks up the loose sand/fine dust and gets it in the eyes etc. You can walk along any of the 4WD tracks. I chose the one closest to the sea to get some views. The coastline is rough lava and the waves breaking on it is pretty dramatic. There are only four places in the world with green sand beaches: here, Galapagos, Guam and Norway.
You can see the top part of the caldera which is where the sea broke into and created the green sand beach. The sand is green from a high concentration of olivine- which is olive green. You can walk down the old crater edge with the help of a ladder and āstepsā cut into the soft rock by many peopleās feet.
There were only 4 other people when I was there- which was great.
After the hike I travelled down to South Point- the southernmost point of Hawaii and also USA. There is also a cliff diving area here. With loads of signs forbidding it. However, there is a ladder and a 1st aid station as well as jumping platform. There were no ātakersā so to speak when I was there though. Lots of fishermen here as the strong currents here bring in great catches apparently.
On my way towards Volcanoes National Park I took a diversion and stopped by Punaluāu Black Sand Beach. It was a different sight altogether (I have been to one black sand beach before, close to Auckland, NZ). What was also great were the seven sea turtles that were resting on the beach. It is interesting to note that black sand beaches can be created instantly when lava flows into cold ocean waters and cools at such a rapid rate that it creates crystals which become the sea sand.
3 replies on “South Coast”
Ish, czarna i zielona plaza. To musi bys niezapomniane przezycie, No i South Point!
Jo, your travel photos are magnificent! Thank you for taking us all around the world with you! These pictures are the first time I’ve seen green sand, or black, and the ocean is so so blue! Glad the turtles were there – they must be shy usually. Have a great continuing trek and thanks again for letting the rest of us tag along!
Lucky you to see these turtles, other photos also great