Road Trip Again

Grocery day made fresh smoothies the breakfast choice I made today, yummy. We packed up and were off by 10 again for a road trip south today. On our way out we swung thru a few local hotel areas then off to stop #1, back to Captain Cook area. This time we stopped at Napo’opo’o beach in Kealakekua bay, this is where captain cooks monument is across the bay.

A short drive to Manini beach, found a spot to park and in we went. S got his snorkel gear and gave it a go but his report is no great, lots of fresh water cold spots and not as many fish. We did not stay long and were on the road again south.

that is S right in the photo center

Next stop was the real painted church, St Benedict’s catholic, very fitting for a Sunday.

Pointed south again we took the loop by Honaunau, the parking was full at 2 step so onward to Ho’okena beach. This is a really nice grey black beach. Parking was an issue seeing we were there right after noon but we found one spot eventually. The grey/black sand is HOT but the water was nice, S snorkeled and listed I’d as #4 on his list so far.

Getting out of that area was a bit of a juggle as people park everywhere but soon we were on our way. We decided to skip Pebble (no beach), Miloli’i (book says locals fill it on w/es) and Honomalino (20 min walk to it) beaches and try for the Green Sand beach.

Following the Hawaii Revealed book info we turned of mile marker 80 to the Road to the Sea, a best kept secret and real gem. The 6 mile long lava rock dirt road is HARSH... 4WD for sure only and once we reached the beaches almost an hour later it was highly disappointing. For us we would say skip this gem all together!! Crazy enough there are homes along the way.. WTH would you live here for when this island has so many gorgeous places.

Back to the highway 1 1/2 hours later and being 3:30 pm we were torn as to try for the actual green sand beach 10 miles south down the highway and then another 12 to south point, the most southern point of USA.

The 10 miles on the highway brought rain and cooler temps but as we got closer to south point on another road it warmer and cleared up. At the Green Sands parking area (about 4) we were met by the folks selling rides to the beach ($20/person). We however decided to give it a try and holy cow, this is ATVing at its best. it is a 2 1/4 miles to the beach and you can walk but I would NOT recommend it. It is across prairie with no shade or facilities but there were folks doing so and some with kids.

look at this wore down trails

 We made our way across the multi trailed prairie and checked it out quick not wanting to get stuck doing the drive back in the dark. We learned the high side closest to the fence line was indeed the least craziest route and once we arrived at the beach it was so worth it.

first you have to scale your way down to the beach below

The golden hour sun made the green sand an amber color in this picture but it was really green, did you read what makes it green?

It is a mineral called Olivine which is in the area and the lava and water crush it to form the "sand"

now to climb back up and out

We were some of the last ones to leave

The drive back into the sun had a few stops to be cautious. We drove it in about half the time it took to get there.

A stop at the boat launch to wash my feet and we started back home. We detoured off the road not long after to watch the sunset and have a refreshment. 

Clouds caught the actual sunset so we set off for home.Of course back up in the mountain roads we hit rain for most of the crazy Mario drive home right after S stopped to read this road side info overlooking the lava fields below. Look the sunset was visible here!

6:45 we made it back to the condo, whew another 100 plus miles put on in our 9 hour adventure. Time to get that steak and lobster on the barbecue and a salad made with frosty drink, yum. S of course had to hit the pool to cool off. Time to relax and catch up with the blog notes and news.