Cliff Jumping South Point and Hiking to Green Sand Beach | Big Island Hawaii

Cliff jumping at South Point was easily one of the highlights from living on the Big Island! The jump is around 30 feet high, and with the powerful ocean below and strong winds whipping across the cliffs, it’s an adrenaline rush from start to finish. The spot sits right next to the southern tip of the island (also the southern most point in the United States), making it not only an epic place to leap into the Pacific but also one of the most unique places to cliff jump in all of Hawaii.

After getting our fill of jumps, we set off on the hike to Green Sand Beach (also known as Papakōlea Beach or Mahana Beach). The trail is about 5.5 miles round trip from the parking area and follows some deeply rutted sandy jeep roads, with plenty of ocean views and a decent amount of wind. The green sand—created by tiny olivine crystals—makes this beach one of only a handful of green sand beaches in the world. After a short steep decent down to the beach, we spent a few hours body surfing and playing in the waves. I even spotted a sea turtle gliding through one of the breakers, which was an amazing surprise!

This adventure combined everything I love about the Big Island: thrilling cliff jumps, wild coastal scenery, rare geology, and a good dose of hiking. If you’re looking for an unforgettable way to experience the southern coast of Hawaii, South Point and Green Sand Beach are hard to beat.