Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
A one-of-a-kind adventure to start your new life together
A Hidden Gem
Having the distinction of being one of only four green sand beaches in the world, the secluded Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is the perfect wedding venue for an adventurous couple. The rare green sand is composed of olivine crystals that originate in the nearby Pu'u o Mahana cinder cone and are washed ashore by the ocean’s waves. Easily one of the most picturesque beaches in Hawaii, Papakōlea features jagged green cliffs rising from the sparkling sand that are frequently met with the magnificent, crashing waves below. This beach is only accessible by hike, but the dazzling photos alone make this beach well worth the trek.
An Adventurer's Wedding
For the explorer at heart, this wedding is a true dream come true. On the day of your wedding, you rise two hours before sunrise to set out on the first leg of the journey where you will be off-roading in a jeep in total darkness until the sun greets the island at dawn. The beach is a three hour drive from Kailua Kona, and the last few miles are only accessible by four wheel drive vehicles. To reach the beach, there will be a short but steep climb, so we recommend wearing hiking shoes and either packing your ceremony shoes or choosing a barefoot ceremony on the beach. We also recommend not wearing your wedding dress until we arrive at the location.
Important Notes About Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
Because this wedding is for vigorous couples up to a challenge, we ask that couples cap their guests at one to two people. We will begin very early in the day, and we are typically finished before the first tourists arrive around 9AM. We do not recommend expensive hair and makeup as you will be starting very early in the day, and it will almost always be windy at the beach. Because we must hike to the beach, we are able to provide a small table for the ceremony but no chairs. If you’d like to stay in the area, there aren’t any hotels, but you will find plenty of AirBnb options by searching South Point or Green Sand Beach.
| Green Sand Beach Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Wheelchair Accessible? | No |
| General Accessibility: | Difficult to access |
| Number of Guests: | Up to 2 |
| Parking: | No |
| Ceremony/Reception? | Ceremony Only |
| Island: | Big Island |
| Nearest Hotel: | None - AirBnB is Best Option |
| Shade: | No |
| Permitted Outside Items: | None |
| Map | https://goo.gl/maps/5LYy5tPsdoSZjZ6Y6 |
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