We visited the Big Island of Hawaii in November 2021. Check out my itinerary here!
My mom loves beaches, so when deciding what we were going to do in Hawaii, I knew we needed to visit as many beaches as possible. I’ve never seen a beach that didn’t have the classic brown sand, so I needed to see what this magic green sand was. From researching, the green sand on the beach was formed from an eruption long ago that spewed olivine-rich lava, leading to the formation of olivine crystals. It’s only one of four green sand beaches existing in the world.
A lot of research I found said that driving to the beach is illegal, but I saw many trucks and vans transporting visitors from the parking area to the top of the cliff where you have to climb down to the beach. None of these trucks or vans sported any tourism group, so I assume it is illegal or frowned upon. I think the best way to respect the land and enjoy the experience is to hike it! Keep in mind that there are no facilities once you pass the parking area.
The hike is relatively flat. I would rate it moderate since it is almost 6 miles round trip. Remember to bring your hiking essentials, but I cannot stress enough the importance of water! We passed many groups that didn’t bring any water at all. I definitely recommend getting there early to beat the rush and the sun.
Most of the hike to the beach is a fine, yellow sand, so be prepared to sink with each step and be absolutely filthy when you come back. There look like there are many trails, but don’t worry. All roads will lead you to the beach. If you’re unsure, stick to the trail closest to the water. You’ll also get the best views this way!
I wore my hiking sandals, Chacos (recent convert from double-strap toe-strap to single-strap no-toe), on the hike and had enough support and traction there and back. There’s a picnic table at the top of the beach that is a nice spot to rest and have a snack before or after you head down to the beach. Waves on the beach can be pretty rough, so beware if you’re going swimming. Don’t forget to take a closer look at the sand when you’re there. You’ll start to see flashes of it as you get closer on the hike.
rocky at the start 
fine, yellow sand throughout 
down at the beach
HiYa, I like your travel website. 👍
Thank you for your sharing, wish I can visit the Big Island in the near future! 🙏