Green Sand Beach Hawaii Hike

Papakolea Green Sand Beach

www.hawaii-guide.com
4.4/5
(2.2K) · Hiking area in Naalehu, United States
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If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, you must visit Papakolea beach. It has a fascinating history and is one of the only four green sand beaches in the …

Reviews

Tripadvisor
4.4/5 · 2,203 reviews
5-star
47%
4-star
29%
3-star
11%
2-star
3%
1-star
10%
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Apr 23, 2025
To start off, the beach itself was AMAZING. Getting there was a little more challenging, considering you only have the options of hiking a dreadful 3-mile trail with no shade or taking the shuttle. W…Full review by Pioneer00978657898
Mar 30, 2025
Absolutely worth it! Beautiful green sand and blue water. Locals will drive you down (the hike is roughly 3 hours round trip) SO glad we paid for the ride. Dangerous Don was our driver and he was aw…Full review by Lisa R
Feb 21, 2025
I am a shuttle driver and yes unlike other people who believe that we are ruining the roads,if u have seen what I've seener the past idk 29 years then you would understand why we do wat we do..it's n…Full review by Saydii L
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Questions & answers

Q:
Where exactly is the green sand beach? Google Maps shows it NE of the southern most point, while Bing shows it Just …
Q:
Where exactly is the green sand beach? Google Maps shows it NE of the southern most point, while Bing shows it Just North of the southernmost point? Hoping to surprise my wife when we go.
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I honestly don’t remember how we found it. It’s confusing because there is not a road anywhere near. You follow the signs to it… then you walk a very very long way or let a local …
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I honestly don’t remember how we found it. It’s confusing because there is not a road anywhere near. You follow the signs to it… then you walk a very very long way or let a local take you in the back of a pick up truck off roading. I had friends who paid the $20 cash for the ride and it was worth it!
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Answer by Linda D · Jul 27, 2023
Q:
Hi! Are locals still offering rides to Papakolea Green Sand Beach? If so, are they already there as early as 7:00 am?
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We started our hike around 6:30 am. No one on the trail and only a few on the way back. The locals started transporting around 9. It’s a pretty easy hike. No elevation and about …
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We started our hike around 6:30 am. No one on the trail and only a few on the way back. The locals started transporting around 9. It’s a pretty easy hike. No elevation and about 45-50 minutes each way.
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Q:
Hi, Can someone confirm that the shuttles are still an option as of 2/9/2020? I have a torn ACL and can't do the beach if I …
Q:
Hi, Can someone confirm that the shuttles are still an option as of 2/9/2020? I have a torn ACL and can't do the beach if I can't get a ride in. Please let me know!
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When we were there in November, shuttles were still running. However, access to the beach is down a steep set of stairs/path and may not be very easy to navigate if you are still …
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When we were there in November, shuttles were still running. However, access to the beach is down a steep set of stairs/path and may not be very easy to navigate if you are still recovering from ACL surgery. Its worth it though if you are into out of the way places not everyone gets to see. Good luck
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Q:
Anyone see any signs of a break-in at the parking lot? Locals warn about parking, but I haven't heard any visitors …
Q:
Anyone see any signs of a break-in at the parking lot? Locals warn about parking, but I haven't heard any visitors mention having their cars broken into.
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We were warned about breaks ins by people we spoke to in Kona restaurants, so changed our plan by dropping luggage and valuables to the hotel in Hilo and drive back all the way …
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We were warned about breaks ins by people we spoke to in Kona restaurants, so changed our plan by dropping luggage and valuables to the hotel in Hilo and drive back all the way again with just water & food and anything that we can just carry on us. Best to keep any valuables out of plain sight esp luggages. However, the car park was really busy and populated when we were there.
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Q:
If a local drives you to the green sand beach, how long do you get to stay for before they take you back?
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The answers we got when we asked questions were vague. It seems they go by truck loads so it’s by group consensus on when you are ready to leave. When we arrived by foot …
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The answers we got when we asked questions were vague. It seems they go by truck loads so it’s by group consensus on when you are ready to leave. When we arrived by foot there were four trucks there, the driver we spoke to made it seem that there was always a vehicle at hand to take people back. However, when we were ready to leave there was only one truck there and he had just arrived and he told us they only run when their trucks are full so most likely we’d be waiting 45 minutes or so to ride back. There are no facilities of any kind out there except one picnic table so keep that in mind if you’re waiting to ride back. Worth the adventure and time tho:)
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