Quick answer
You can drive paved Hwy 11 and South Point Road to the South Point parking lot in our 12-passenger or 15-passenger van. You cannot drive the rough 2.5-mile cinder track from there to Papakōlea (Green Sand Beach). Three options for the last leg: walk it (about an hour each way, fully exposed), pay a local 4WD shuttle driver (~$20/person round-trip), or skip the beach and enjoy South Point itself.
4
green-sand beaches on Earth
2.5
mi cinder track, each way
$20
typical shuttle, round-trip
0
shade along the track
The route to South Point
From Kona: Hwy 11 south for about 75 miles (1 hour 30 minutes) to the South Point Road turnoff. From Hilo: Hwy 11 south for about 65 miles (2 hours). The turnoff is at the 70-mile marker if you're coming from Kona; it's well-signed.
South Point Road is 12 miles of paved single-lane through rolling pasture. Trade-wind-generators line the ridge. The landscape feels like the Scottish highlands reimagined in the tropics. Our vans handle it without issue, though you'll meet occasional oncoming traffic and will need to slow and find a pull-off.
The road ends at a gravel-and-dirt parking lot with a few local vendors, sometimes a shuttle queue, and on a windy day, waves slamming 30-foot cliffs a hundred yards away.
- CostFree~$20 pp$0
- Time2–3 h RT~45 min RTStay at South Pt.
- ShadeNoneNone in truck bedN/A
- Kid-friendlyHardYesYes
Option 1: Walk the 2.5 miles
The track to Papakōlea follows the coastline eastward from the parking lot. It's rough cinder and volcanic rock, braided with multiple vehicle ruts (this is the track the local shuttles use). The ground is uneven, not rock-scramble difficult. The hard part is the sun and wind. There is zero shade the entire way.
- Distance: 2.5 miles one way, 5 miles round-trip.
- Time: about 1 hour each way at a normal walking pace.
- Gear: closed-toe shoes (cinder will shred sandals), at least 1 L water per person, hat, reef-safe sunscreen.
- Reality check: people underestimate this. Kids, grandparents, and anyone not comfortable walking 5 miles in heat should take the shuttle or skip it.
At the end, you descend a steep trail, basically hand-over-foot in spots, down into the eroded cinder cone. The beach itself is small: a football-field-length arc of olivine sand at the base of a half-circle of reddish cliff.
Option 2: Pay a local 4WD shuttle
At the South Point parking area, local drivers operate 4WD pickups as informal shuttles. Typical pricing: around $20 per person round-trip. They wait at a drop-off above the beach while you descend, then bring you back. Cash-only is common.
This is the pragmatic option if you have kids, limited time, or a group with mixed mobility. It is not a formal NPS or state-run service. It's local residents monetizing a need. Prices and availability vary. The shuttles run until late afternoon; don't start after 3 p.m.
Worth noting for rental drivers: this service exists because the track is off-limits to rentals. Do not try to shortcut by driving it yourself.
Option 3: Skip the beach, stay at South Point
South Point itself (Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States) is arguably the more dramatic site. A 40-foot basalt cliff with a ladder some visitors use to jump into the surging Pacific below (we won't formally recommend this; we also won't tell you it doesn't happen). A small wind-battered heiau sits nearby. The views are open ocean all the way to Antarctica.
For a lot of groups (especially a van group tired from Volcanoes NP the day before) stopping at South Point and skipping the Green Sand Beach walk is the honest best call.
What to bring, regardless
- At least 1 liter of water per person. More if you're walking.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Full exposure.
- Closed-toe shoes or sturdy sandals with straps.
- A windbreaker. The wind here is relentless.
- Cash in small bills for shuttle drivers or parking attendants.
- Snacks. Nearest food is 25 minutes back north at Nāʻālehu.
Sequencing with the rest of the island
South Point is a natural stop on the Volcanoes → Kona leg of a week-long trip. See the full plan in our 7-day Big Island itinerary (day 6 is the South Point + Papakōlea + Punalu'u run).
Pair it with Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on the drive back, 30 minutes north on Hwy 11. Green turtles frequently sleep on the black sand; stay 10+ feet away.
Mini-FAQ
- Can you drive to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach?
- Not in a rental vehicle. The paved road ends at the South Point parking area. From there, the 2.5-mile track to Papakōlea is rough cinder and loose rock, crossing cattle pasture with no maintenance. It's prohibited in every major rental contract, including ours.
- How do you actually get to Green Sand Beach?
- Three options. (1) Walk the 2.5 miles each way on the cinder track, about an hour each way, fully exposed, bring water. (2) Pay a local driver with a permitted 4WD pickup, usually $20 per person round-trip; they wait at the lot and park at the cliff above. (3) Skip it; the beach is small, and there are easier beaches on the island.
- How far is Papakōlea from Hilo?
- About 2 hours by van from Hilo to the South Point parking area via Hwy 11. Add another 2 to 3 hours for the round-trip walk or shuttle to the beach itself. Plan a full day if you're day-tripping from Hilo.
- How far is Papakōlea from Kona?
- About 1 hour 30 minutes from Kailua-Kona to the South Point parking via Hwy 11 south. Still plan for 5–6 hours total with the beach-access portion.
- Is the Papakōlea hike hard?
- It's not technical, but it's exposed and cumulative: no shade, coastal wind, and 5 miles round-trip on rough surface. Bring a liter of water per person, a hat, and closed-toe shoes. Plan 2–3 hours round-trip including beach time.