Ka Lae — cliff jumping spot in Naalehu, Hawaii
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Ka Lae

Naalehu, Hawaii
Photo: jonny-mt / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

About this spot

Ka Lae, the southernmost point in the United States, sits at the end of South Point Road, a 12-mile drive off Highway 11 near Naalehu that passes wind turbines and open pastureland. The known jump is an old boat hoist bolted atop roughly 40-foot lava cliffs; jumpers typically climb back out via a swaying, chain-hung wooden ladder. Water below is reportedly around 20 feet deep, but the real hazard is the Halaea Current, a strong offshore flow that has swept swimmers out to sea. No formal jumping ban exists. Nearby but separate attractions include the roughly hour-long walk to Green Sand Beach and ancient Hawaiian archaeological sites.

Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.

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