Because South Point can be very windy, wear a hat that can’t blow away and avoid dresses or skirts that fly up easily. Now married and based out of a minimalist home in Chicago and campervan for our U.S. travels and photography, we’re still living and loving our nomadic dream together. I’m afraid of heights, so when we started talking about visiting South Point, I didn’t think I’d be jumping off any cliffs. Luckily, the drive time from Kona is just an hour and a half. All rights reserved. But whether you choose to face your fears and cliff jump here or not, this awesome geographical landmark next to Green Sand Beach is definitely worth adding to your Hawaii must-do list – even if only for grabbing a touristy selfie in front of the famous sign that confirms you’ve reached ‘the southernmost point of the United States. You can easily make a day of visiting South Point by starting at the cliff jump, going to the Southernmost Point sign, and then hiking to Hawaii’s Green Sand Beach! Please reload CAPTCHA. Accounts vary as to how high the jump actually is, but it’s safe to say that the South Point cliff jump height is anything between 40 and 60 feet (40 or 50 feet are the most common estimates). Be sure to subscribe and like us on Facebook so you don’t miss out on any action! I changed my clothes so I’d be ready if I actually built up enough nerve. You don’t have to take the ladder back up, just to the southeast of there is a rocky path where you can climb out, and scramble back up to the top. Not only is it the southernmost point, but it is also the coolest point in the country. South Point Hawaii Cliff Jumping (Big Island), Top 10 Things to Do in Ponta Delgada Azores (Sao Miguel island), Azores Weather: What You Need to Know Before Going, 10 Unique Things You Must Know about Hawaii’s Big Island, Papakōlea Green Sand Beach (Best Big Island Beach), 10 Amazing Places to Visit in Alberta, Canada, 10 Attractions You Can’t Miss In Las Vegas, Top 10 Must do’s in Vegas for First Timer’s. setTimeout( South Point is known for its powerful gusts of wind that sweep the spectacular stretch of coastline here, so prepare to hold on to your hat! The South Point cliff dive platform (map) is actually on the west side of the island. What’s more, it’s located right next to one of the world’s rare green sand beaches! Time limit is exhausted. South Point Cliff Jumping. The girl before us didn’t fare so well and ended up with huge swollen bruises on her hamstrings from landing her jump in a sort of seated position. When it comes to seeing a black sand beach in Hawaii, the Big Island can be a GREAT Hawaiian island to visit for your first trip to Hawaii if you want to see many really black-colored black sand beaches.. I just couldn’t control my flailing arms. :-) Baltra vs. San Cristóbal: Which Galápagos Island is best to fly into? One of the top Kona excursions, this rare beach is tucked away inside a collapsed cinder cone and is not all that easy to get to. I ended up with a superficial bruise on the underside of my arms from the smack. var notice = document.getElementById("cptch_time_limit_notice_75"); Exploring South Point on the Big Island for Cliff Jumping & More. Climbing the rock is very safe with natural steps all the way up and there are no rocks in the water to cause you any harm. I jumped once into a rock pool in Malibu… I think it was maybe only 15′ or so and it took me like half an hour of gathering up the courage. This looks insanely high!! South Point Hawaii is a destination that’s on many an adventurer’s bucket list. Locals told us it was 45′ high, but it sure seemed higher as the water is surprisingly hard when you hit it. Find out what you’re in for here! Tell me in the comments! If you need a snack, you’ll find locals selling all sorts of treats – from pineapples to chocolate and coffee – on the road down to Ka Lae. Oh man, that is great news! NOTE: Cliff jump at your own risk and only do so when conditions are great (calm seas, clear skies, good water visibility). Tell us, would you dare to cliff jump at South Point in Hawaii Big Island? The worst part of the whole thing was climbing up this ladder! Cliff-jumping into the Atlantic: Ireland's best coasteering spots ... nearly two dozen guiding companies provide coasteering tours around much of the island. Just follow our Google Maps pin above to the Danjug Cave Nature Park. He was the photographer for this adventure! Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano and one of two volcanic peaks that dominate the Big Island, spreads over half the landmass of the island. Your email address will not be published. We didn’t cliff jump ourselves, but we enjoyed watching the other people as they jumped into the frothing ocean below; it’s undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable Big Island adventures you’ll find on the island if you can brave the jump! }. My husband is from Alberta and totally has me drinking the Canadian Kool-Aid! Ahhh I could never do this! I watched one more person go — twice — and made my decision. Yes, the actual property was a little bit older, but was meticulously maintained and positioned in an awesome area. What you can’t see when you’re up on the cliff top is that you’re basically standing on top of a sea cave, so there’s actually less risk of getting slammed into the cliff when you jump than you might think. .hide-if-no-js { It attracts tons of tourist for it being the most southern point in the United States as well as an ideal cliff jumping spot with the beautiful Hawaii coast line & mountains as your scenery. Required fields are marked *, Prove you're not a robot! However, that isn’t all there is to do in the South Point area. While the US does have territories that are further south, Ka Lae is the southernmost point (in an actual state) in the United States, while Florida’s Key West (that many people mistakenly think holds the title) is actually only the southernmost point of the continental United States. They live in Waimea if that helps. Most of the things you will hear about South Point (Ka Lae), on the Big Island of Hawai’i, have to do with Cliff Diving. Whether you go for the thrill of a cliff jump, the right to say you've stood on the southernmost piece of land in the United States, or just to enjoy the breathtaking view from the end of the world, South Point Hawaii is a worthwhile destination on the Big Island and an unforgettable memory. He was supposedly swept away when he jumped and never seen again. I’m planning to do more thrill seeking adventures in the near future. Basic Driving map of the Big Island . It can be reached with a six-mile round trip hike (most reviews say five, but it’s longer), a 4×4 drive, or you can pay to get a lift from a local for about $10 each way. Exceptional scenery aside, Ka Lae – which means ‘the point’ in Hawaiian – is also a popular spot for cliff jumping daredevils, who throw themselves five stories into the roaring Pacific Ocean below. We watched a few other brave souls go, with no intention of jumping ourselves. If you’re one of the few courageous (or, equally, stupid) people who want to jump or swim at South Point, there are metal ladders that allow you to climb back up afterward. Before traveling to Hawaii, make sure to read my Hawaii Packing List guide so you can know exactly what you need to bring on your trip to The Big Island. Bias alert! “Oh F#@%, what have I done?” (Here’s where I started screaming. On the way, however, I knew I had to make a pit stop for the hike to the Papakolea Green Sand Beach and cliff jumping at South Point. Even though it’s a top hotspot on all Hawaii Big Island tours, South Point is not always as touristy as you might think. Traces of these early inhabitants are still visible today, so keep an eye out for ruins of an ancient Hawaiian temple (a ‘heiau’), a fishing shrine, and canoe mooring holes carved into the rocks at Ka Lae still used by local fisherman. So if you do decide to go cliff jumping Hawaii Big island, it’s at your own risk! notice.style.display = "block"; I’m so excited! Homepage > Adventure > Trips > Hawaii > The Big Island > South Point/Cliff Jumping South Point Cliff Jumping . You’ll also have time for snorkeling, allow you to view more than 50 species of fish and join in for adventurous activities like cliff jumping. Hopefully I’ll be able to pull through with it and jump. Paddle along a section of the island known for its abundant marine life as you scout for local Hawaiian Spinner dolphins. On sunny days, rainbows appear in the mist of the 80-foot falls, making for some pretty magical views. My brother jumped, and then I reconsidered. South Point, or Ka Lae, is located along the southern coast of the Big Island and is the southernmost point of the United States. A quick kayak trip led us straight to the cliff jumping area. I bet you could do it! Props to my brother for jumping first. Located at the southernmost point of Big Island Hawaii, Ka Lae – also known as Kalae, South Point or South Cape – is also the southernmost tip of the United States . Learn how we got started in just 7 steps and subscribe to our newsletter for tips to help you along the way! So the list below focuses on black sand beaches on the Big Island. At the "end of this trail," you will find a cliff side jump area with a height of at least 30 feet. All rights reserved. That’s helpful to know! After walking the long trail to cliff jumping, we realized that if you go to the Point Picnic Area parking lot- not the beach/ boardwalk, you can walk about 30 steps to the rock to jump from. Do you know if you could get to Papakolea Beach from here easily? A friend who had been on the dive team in school did it feet first to test it, and see if he could dive head first a second time. Many tracks have been created by 4x4s venturing down over the years, but you can take any pathway you find as they all lead to the beach. What to Pack? NOW Chicago, writing about the Galápagos Islands #stayhomeLATER Family Reunion, Sweden, Moab, and Death Valley. After an exciting two days on the eastern side of the Big Island in Hilo and Volcanoes National Park, it was time to head to Kona on the west side of the island for the second part of my island hop adventure. . He was identified as William H. Holman of Auburn, Washington. Heading to the Big Island to visit my family, any good places for cliff jumping? There’s a slimy, rusty ladder (which is supposed to be for fishermen) that you use to climb back up from the water. South Point itself can be found just past the lighthouse, right next to Green Sand Beach and near Punalulu Black Sand Beach. Enough to get the heart racing anyway. It was NOT on a beach, but it was right on the water and rocky shore that was beautiful to walk along and watch the sunset. It's a spot at Ka Lae (South Point) on the Big Island where brave adventurers jump off a 50 foot tall cliff… I just wanted to see the southernmost point of the U.S. Having your own transport means you can discover the nearby Kona activities and attractions and stop whenever and wherever you want (including a stop at South Point and Green Sand Beach!). As you drive down the narrow 12-mile road, you’ll pass rows and rows of enormous windmills that take advantage of the gusty wind and turn it into electricity. Kids have died there. The dramatic cliff tops and windswept coastline are Hawaii’s version of Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher and are an astonishing sight to see on Big Island getaways. When we went, there were actually only a few people there, as other hotspots around had been slammed. }, Subscribe to our email list and get FREE access to our Ultimate Road Trip Printable Packing List! Green Sand Beach Is One of the Rarest Kona Beaches on Big Island Hawaii: Guide on visiting the Green Sand Beach. Leap of Faith. It provides a beautiful view out over open pacifc and perhaps the chance to meet some fisherman. In fact, the water is so clear during the summer at Waimea Bay jump rock that you can often spot turtles below the surface while hanging out on top of the rock. Here’s what you should know: Located at the southernmost point of Big Island Hawaii, Ka Lae – also known as Kalae, South Point or South Cape – is also the southernmost tip of the United States. Thinking of trying cliff jumping yourself? And I can totally understand your friend not wanting to dive in. Cliff diving from Ka Lae is just not smart. But all is not lost; there is a perfectly safe swimming area on the western side of South Point called Green Sand Beach, or ‘Papakolea’ in Hawaiian. Contrary to many other reviews, you don’t need to be driving a 4×4 to reach the cliff top; we didn’t have one, and we got there just fine. I relived it again after reading this . ); Pack a picnic as you won’t find any facilities at South Point. How We Backpacked Light in Europe (2 months, 12 countries, 1 bag), How to Fly from the U.S. to Europe for < $200, 8 Simple Ways to Prepare Yourself NOW for a Full-Time Traveling Future. Paddling Kona’s clear, pristine waters since 1994, Ocean Safaris Kayak Adventures has introduced countless visitors and kama’aina (island locals) to the fast-growing sport of kayaking. Oahu and Big Island are known for their epic cliff jumping spots. Situated at the end of South Point Road, a 12-mile paved yet narrow road off of the Hawaii Belt Road (State Route 11), Ka Lae Hawaii is about an hour and a half’s drive from Kona. This article is about the famous area know as "South Point" on the Big Island of Hawaii. Splashdown (and a big nose full of water)! But Green Sand Beach is totally worth the free walk; it’s one of only four green sand beaches in the world! It was absolutely terrifying. There are actually two platforms – one with a height of 10 meters and another one with a height of around 7 meters.  =  The current is actually christened after a Hawaiian chief that learned the lesson the hard way. If jumping from a 10-meter high platform isn’t scary for you, then you have to try cliff jumping at Salagdoong Beach. That is so awesome that you did that. We focus on small groups of adventurers, making safety and fun our top priority. Do NOT jump if you don't think it's safe for any reason or if you think you can't climb back up. . ), Before the splash at South Point (still screaming…). Hey everyone! The 12-mile road leading down to South Point is quite narrow, but it’s not too bad. Cliff jumping is for the brave at heart – those people who are unafraid to take a leap of faith and jump off the edge. The signs warn people NOT to jump at South Point because there have been accidents before. The best part of South Point isn’t the point itself but rather the cliffs leading up … Most waterfalls can be found on the slopes of the Mauna Kea volcano close to Hilo and on the Hamakua coast. Granted, I was trying to dive that time, so I went in at an awkward angle. Where do you think I should jump next? The water looked a bit rough, and some of the ladders looked a bit rusty, but the people we watched seemed to manage just fine. “Don’t look down. Believed to be the landing place of the first Polynesians on Hawaii Big Island in 750 AD, Ka Lae is rich in age-old history and registered as a National Historic Landmark. And I actually had a similar experience to yours in Malibu before this… but embarrassingly enough, it was at the Malibu Community Pool’s high dive, and it was maybe only 10′ up. Do we have to hike a ways to that South Point cliff diving spot? But don’t dismiss this post... © avenlylanetravel 2020. List of waterfalls. function() { This is one of the safest and most accessible cliff jumping spots on Oahu. I’m going with my brother and sister in 2 weeks and I’m so excited!!