Green Sand Beach - Big Island
Green Sand Beach is a very special place. I have been there in October 2016. If you look at the name you will probably understand that it is a beach with a special sand which is green. And don't imagine a green sand like my husband's head (Shrek), it is more between beige and khaki.
Features :
As I said, the sand is green, there are very good waves to train for Surf, and there is a beautiful view you don't see everyday. One more thing : sometimes you can even see sea turtles in the waves.
How to go there ?
To go to this beautiful beach, it is kind of impossible to go there by car (or you will need a very strong pickup named Chuck Norris). So you will need to park your car far far away and walk between 2h and 2h30 to go and come back. I'll say 2 hours of fast walk or 2h30 for people who are more admiring. You can search the place on a map at Mahana Bay : In the South of the Big Island, Hawaii, USA.
What's the lever of the Hike ?
It is kind of easy, because it is mostly flat. It is only steep at the end, just before the beach. Beside that, you must walk 2-2h30 under a very bright sun and support the wind.
WARNING !
You must be careful, the water current is very strong. A lot of people disappeared because they swam too far away from the beach. --> My advice : Stay in group like a Sardines' school and swim close to the beach.
And you, did you like it ?
Some Anecdotes...
Sometimes, there is a local guy in a pickup who takes people for the way back for 15$ or 20$ in the trunk. It is for the people who are a little tired at the end of the day :) So take your monney with you just in case !
And "where is the best picture ?" you'll ask me : You can make a good panorama just before the stairs to the beach.
What I must take ?
- The wind is often present in this side of the island, so if the wind is strong : you MUST have glasses / sunglasses to have something in front of your eyes. And I would recommend some eye drops. It will make your pupils in a good mood.
- Sunscreen is very important, and good shoes because of the hike's steep end.
- And of course : a looot of Water, a cap, swim suit, a towel, and if you want a body board.
I really enjoyed this beach. We were a little scared at the moment we had to go down to the beach because it is very steep and because of the strong wind. When we went there, the waves were very high and the water current very fast. So it was really cool to try the bodyboard in this kind of place where there is no one who is surfing right next to you. By the way, the video camera was a must in the water to keep some cool memories of the day ! I think the thing I will always remember of this place is : the place was kind of magic (you know, it is one of the places which look like a fake because it is too good to be true), and the wind was so strong, we all forgot about the sun, that's why we all had very bad sunburns even if we had sunscreen on...
Why the sand is green ?
Because a volcanic rock which is green is present in the water in front of the beach. The waves of the ocean will change the rock in sand by errosion and will push everything to this beach. There is only 5 beach with green sand in the entire world. That's a cool information to tell during a dinner with friends :)
