This Rare Green Sand Beach in the U.S. Is One of Only Four in the World-Here's How to Visit

"Papakōlea Beach isn't your typical beach. Commonly referred to as "Green Sand Beach," the stretch of shoreline on the Island of Hawaii (the Big Island) is said to be one of only four green-sand beaches in the world. It's also the only one located in the 50 U.S. states. To reach the others, you'll need to book flights to Norway, Guam (a U.S. island territory in Micronesia), and the Galapagos Islands."

"While you might assume the interesting hue comes from algae or some sort of plant, you'd be mistaken. The green color actually comes from something called olivine, known as the "Hawaiian diamond." Olivine is a mineral primarily found in igneous rocks (rocks created through the solidification and crystallization of molten rock) that are rich in magnesium and iron. Papakōlea Beach sits inside the Pu'u Mahana tuff cone, which was formed by the Mauna Loa volcano eruption around 49,000 years ago."

Papakōlea Beach, also called Green Sand or Mahana Beach, is one of only four green-sand beaches worldwide and the only one in the U.S. The sand's green hue comes from olivine, a magnesium- and iron-rich mineral found in igneous rocks, concentrated as the Pu'u Mahana tuff cone eroded after a Mauna Loa eruption about 49,000 years ago. Heavier olivine resists being washed out to sea, leaving varied green shades along the shore. Access requires a relatively strenuous hike; from Kailua-Kona drive 1.5–2 hours south on Highway 11, turn at mile marker 69 onto South Point Road, then drive about eight miles to the parking area and follow the sign down toward the beach.

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