About this spot
On the Big Island's Highway 11, locate the turnoff to South Point (Ka Lae, meaning "the point") between Mile Markers 69 and 70. Drive twelve miles down South Point Road, passing through wind turbine installations and open ranch terrain. This destination encompasses multiple areas: the boat hoist zone featuring cliff formations, historic archeological sites with origins traced to 300 A.D. (Hawaii's earliest known settlements), and Green Sand Beach (accessible via approximately one hour's hike from parking areas). South Point marks the nation's southernmost location. Near the boat hoist, multiple jump platforms provide 30 to 40-foot drops into deep, sheltered waters. The cliff base has 50-100 feet of water visibility. Metal ladders facilitate exit from the water, or climbers can use natural openings in the cliff face that create passage routes back to higher ground.