Ka Lae Light
Ka Lae Light
4.5
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4.5
19 reviews
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jjluke
Calgary, Canada2,047 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
The road to South Point is a very scenic 12 mile drive off the main circle route with breathtaking terrain and wind farms. Once you get to a fork in the road, you can turn right to check out the cliffs and the southernmost point of the USA, or turn left to the Papakolea Green Sand Beach. It is worth spending a few hours (time permitting) to check out both.
The South Point has some really nice cliff views as well as a spot you can cliff dive with a ladder to climb back up. Note that due to the presence of windmills that this area is largely windy. You may find it nice to spend half an hour here walking down to the South Point, which is actually behind the white pole and not at the lift. If you do not have 4WD, park on the road and walk in as the lot itself has many potholes and not good for your low riding 2WD.
Please indicate if you found this review to be helpful as it will allow me to better focus my future review efforts. I am a consistent contributor to TripAdvisor and your quick clicks of thanks keeps me motivated to do more reviews! Safe travels!
The South Point has some really nice cliff views as well as a spot you can cliff dive with a ladder to climb back up. Note that due to the presence of windmills that this area is largely windy. You may find it nice to spend half an hour here walking down to the South Point, which is actually behind the white pole and not at the lift. If you do not have 4WD, park on the road and walk in as the lot itself has many potholes and not good for your low riding 2WD.
Please indicate if you found this review to be helpful as it will allow me to better focus my future review efforts. I am a consistent contributor to TripAdvisor and your quick clicks of thanks keeps me motivated to do more reviews! Safe travels!
Written 23 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karavans
Boerne, TX204 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Consider taking the time to visit South Point as you make the southern circle tour of the Big Island. Walk all the way out to the light. Enjoy the incredible views of the open Pacific on clear days and feel the brisk winds from across the ocean. Take a few minutes to talk to the local fishermen and learn about the extraordinary way they 'cast' their lines out to the deep water.
Over the past few years, young trill seekers have added diving from the cliffs to their South Point stop.
Nearby Green Sand Beach is also a worthwhile side trip.
Over the past few years, young trill seekers have added diving from the cliffs to their South Point stop.
Nearby Green Sand Beach is also a worthwhile side trip.
Written 25 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
too_few_trips_1
Irvine, CA937 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
The southernmost point in the U.S. is certainly a great goal in itself, but the trip is worthwhile too. The terrain is mostly flat from the road that circles the island. Once you get near the bottom, you need to walk a bit to get to the Ka Lae Light. The waves crash into cliffs (where people jump) and rocks at the most southerly point. You can turn your back on the rest of the country and enjoy the ocean view.
Written 2 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
daqattaq
Fort Wayne, IN844 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
If you are at the Green Sand Beach or the cliff jumping be sure to stop at the light. The light is not that big of a deal but the views are. And you are at the southern most part of the U.S.A.
Written 17 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
INEZ M
Mississauga, Canada3 contributions
Sept 2018 • Couples
Breathtaking and a must see when in Big Island. Not suitable for kids. Best seen in a sunny day. Close to Punalu'u Beach.
Written 5 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
moncoer
Peterborough, Canada528 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
My wife and I stopped here during big island touring. The nearby cliffs are jaw dropping, especially in watching daredevils jump from them. The wind is amazing and it’s effect on the tree growth/shape
Very pretty and different.
The only drawback which apparently is chronic, is the presence of a group of locals attempting to extort money for parking and transit to nearby green sand beach. This needs addressing
Very pretty and different.
The only drawback which apparently is chronic, is the presence of a group of locals attempting to extort money for parking and transit to nearby green sand beach. This needs addressing
Written 6 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriele S
Tampa, FL341 contributions
May 2017 • Family
This light house is the modern version of the 1906 Pakini Nui which was a rare wind-powered light house of about 34 ft in height. The current model is a solar powered one and stands its solitary watch in the middle of a field enclosed by a lava rock wall. While it's not a visitor bureau's idea of a tourist attraction, there is not keeper's house, it certainly serves the southernmost point of the archipelago and the United States -- a sentinel at the confluence of Hala'ea Currents and driving winds.
Written 5 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
QuickWhitTravel
Washington DC, DC3,778 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
The true South Point is in front of this landmark. Stand with your back to it, looking south, and there you are! Not to be confused with the viewing area and cliffs that people jump from just up from here.
Written 1 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane J
Brownsdale, MN44 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
If being able to brag that you have been to the most southern most part of the United States, South Point is for you. If you want to see cliff diving South Point is for you. Depending on the ocean conditions, and the day of the week, we should state you may see cliff diving. The area is pretty and scenic but nothing more then any other part of the big island in this area. If not important for you to say that you have been to the most southern part of the United States, and time is limited. In our opinion you could leave this spot off your list of things to do. Yes, it is close to the green sand beach and that is the biggest reason to do it.
Written 17 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jlharp
Nanaimo, Canada236 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
We made the 12 mile drive off the main highway to see South Point and it was so worth it - breathtaking views of the coast and crystal clear water below the cliffs. There was no one jumping when we were there but lots of fishermen who were friendly...lots of history here. We were on out way to the Volcano Park so didn't stay as long as I would have liked to.
Written 6 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aloha, were going to green sand beach tomorrow and it seems to be in proximity to Ka Lae but I can't seem to find out where to go from Green Sand Beach or If its a differrnt path. Thanks!
Written 5 February 2020
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