South Point to Hookena Beach Park

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I am sleeping in my tent and hear voices. It is super early. I look at the time, it is 6:15am. It is Michael and Sally. They are fellow travelers that are headed to South point. The most southern tip of the U.S. They told me that they wanted to watch the sunrise.

The backpackers that we are staying at is in the “South Point” area. It is 8 miles from the southern tip. I decide that I want to check it out to! There is also “green sand beach” which is a beach that is 3 mile from South Point via dirt road.

I slam some breakfast and bike down to South Point. The road is narrow and bumpy in areas. You pass through pastureland and it can be really windy. It is all downhill and uphill on the way back… I decide to check out green sand beach first.

Green Sand Beach

This is where having the mountain bike comes in handy. The dirt road is technical in some parts but a great ride. I am able to stay with a Jeep that is headed there too. There are also some runners that I pass. It is the best mountain biking thus far! I make it to the beach and walk down to it.

 

The sand is actually green. The runners that I pass go swimming. The beach is in a small protected cove. I stay for a little bit and then head back. The biking back to south point was spectacular! It was great.

There were dirt ramps and other natural features. I make it back to south point and run into Michael and Sally. They enjoyed the sun rise and were headed to green sand beach. I told them about the trail and what to expect.

We talk for a while and I chat with some local fishermen that are fishing off the point. There is also a 30ft cliff jump that Sally and Michael encourage me to do. I chicken out. I saw a big sea turtle off the point and the fishermen said there was a humpback yesterday! Wow!

I need to put more miles on the bike today and am headed to Hookena beach. I have to climb back up the 8 miles to the backpackers. Fortunately, I do not have the trailer with me, otherwise it would be a lot more challenging.

The climb is really windy with a strong side breeze off the ocean. There is also a lot of traffic headed to Southpoint. I make it back to the backpackers in an hour, roughly. It takes me a while to pack up and I talk briefly with Jimbo, the owner.

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He brought us some baked goods from the bake shop that I had been to yesterday. Nice! I get on the road at noon and Michael and Sally had just returned too. They managed to hitch a ride back up, perhaps a smarter decision. They are headed to Volcano. Up the 20 mile hill that I had cruised down the previous day. 🙂

I get moving and have to climb yet again to the hwy, about 2 miles. Yuk. And… I’m back on the highway. Yet again. I have 35 miles to go today. There is not much between Southpoint and Hookena beach. No restaurants, no grocery stores, only the open road.

Nothing but pastureland and homes. I was hoping to load up on some more food. Dang! Then I pass a fruit stand that is not manned by anyone. There is a money box and everything is priced accordingly. I buy some oranges and oatmeal cookies to get me through the day.

I ask a local if there is any place to get some food before the beach. Umm… No. I guess my bagels and honey will have to last. I make it to the turn-off for the beach. It is a 2 mile descent to the ocean. Sheesh. I make it down super quick. Thank you hydraulic disc brakes.

Hookena Beach

There are already many tents set-up on the beach. I had made reservations but could not find them on my phone. Uh oh. I am able to get a spot and pay the $5. I set-up my tent next to a couple from Germany.

They are really great to talk to and have been all over the U.S. After getting situated with my things I scope out the beach. There are alot of locals that are BBQ’ing and hanging out. The beach is relatively small with a rocky section on the right and a sandy section on the left.

Some people are boogie boarding on the sandy side of course. I decide to go for a swim and that is really refreshing.

The rest of the afternoon I spent relaxing. I met another couple named Alexie and Allison that invited me over to their camp and we talked and enjoyed some cold beverages. Alexie sautéed some yam and onions.

I tried some and they tasted great! We talked well into the evening and I shared some of my stories and places to check-out. Also, earlier the German couple went to the grocery store and offered to get me something. I appreciated the offer but declined.They brought me back a Corona beer! Nice!

Overall, it was a great day and super eventful! Can’t wait for tomorrow!