Sometimes a beach has to be visited simply because it is strange. With sand the color of money, or algae, frogs, leaves, lettuce, lima, with sand that is green Papakolea Beach is just one such beach.

Located near Ka Lae (South Point) on the island of Hawaii, this secluded beach gets its dusky emerald-colored sand from the presence of a green, semi-precious stone named olivine (called peridot when the stone is of gem-quality). The cliffs above the beach contain this stone, and with the continual erosion of the cliffs by the waves of the ocean miniscule extracts of olivine are deposited onto the sand. 

Of course green sand does not come easily. Visitors must hike a rugged 2-mile dusty trail of ruts and trips down a giant bowl-shaped cinder cone.  The hike is so ragged that visitors might be tempted to question if it is worth it, but bear in mind: Papakolea is one of only two green beaches in the United States, the other located on Guam.

Please note: There are no facilities at the beach and little shade. Swimming is not recommended as the water is treacherous and there is no lifeguard on duty.

Photo credits in order of appearance: M + J’s Adventures, Weathermandale, both photostream’s via Flickr.