YOUR SAILING AND SNORKELING ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE! BOOK YOUR TOUR TODAY!

Big Island Snorkling Tours Blog

We Bet You Didn’t Know This Small Town In Hawaii Is The Southernmost Town In America

Mahana Beach with green sand

Megan McDonald for Only In Your State on the southernmost town in Hawaii.  Join us on the Hoku Nui in the pristine waters off the west coast of the Big Island for the best snorkel or manta ray tour on the island.

Plenty of small towns in Hawaii have a claim to fame, but Naalehu’s is unique, in all of the United States. It is the southernmost town in America! Read on to find out what other spectacular things this tiny town on the Big Island can boast.

Naalehu, Hawaii is a small town on the Big Island full of charm.

Besides its endless panoramic vistas, and incredible black and green sand beaches, this town is also the southernmost town in America.

The small town of Naalehu has just over 1,000 residents.

The town is well known for its art scene, including art galleries, interesting shops, a bakery, restaurants, an old theater house, and a museum.

The most famous aspect of Naalehu, besides the honor of its southernmost town in America designation, are its beaches.

“Naalehu” actually means the volcanic beaches, and the ones you can visit while in town are breathtaking. Because of constant volcanic activity, you’ll find white sands and black sands on the island of Hawaiʻi.

The green sand beach, Mahana Beach, is a must-see beach of Big Island.

The green tint to the sand comes from green glassy crystals (Olivine) that make up most of the sand on this beach. Olivine is known on the islands as “Hawaiian Diamond.” It’s denser and tougher than ash fragments.

The green sand beach Mahana Beach (or officially named Papakōlea Beach,) is the main attraction of the area. Visitors are drawn in from all over the islands, and the world, to visit this rare and stunning beach born of Hawaiian volcanic activity. The eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano about 49,000 years ago is the source of these gorgeous green crystals.

If you’re looking for more than just jaw-dropping landscapes, Naalehu is also home to the Kau Forest Reserve.  Try your hand at golfing at the Discovery Harbor Golf & Country Club. Or visit the annual rodeo and hula festival at Naalehu!  If you have the chance to visit this small town in Hawaii, don’t skip it.

Share:

More Posts

Manago Hotel & Restaurant

The Manago Hotel & Restaurant

Only In Your State on the oldest restaurant in Hawaii, which is in the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. After your snorkel tour at the

Captain Cook Monument is famous and is located in Kealakekua Bay a famous snorkeling spot on the Big Island.

Ka’awaloa South Kona, Hawaii

Ka’awaloa was once a thriving town on the north side of Kealakekua Bay. During the last part of the 18th century, Hawaiian Royalty resided there

People on the Hoku Nui sailing to snorkel spot

Famous Kealakekua Bay

Hop on the Hoku Nui for a snorkel tour and feel the spirit of aloha with our amazing crew. As a visitor to the Island

Guests on the Hoku Nui

Morning Snorkel Tour

Join us on the luxurious Hoku Nui and sail down the beautiful Kona Coast to Kealakekua Bay to snorkel under the Captain Cook Monument.  The