Ka Lae - South Point

Our February 2014 visit to the Big Island continued with a stop at Ka Lae or South Point.  This is the southernmost point in the United States. To reach South Point from the intersection of routes 19, 190 and 11 in Kailua-Kona, drive south on route 11 for 52.7 miles.  While still in Kailua-Kona, the road name changes from Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway to Kuakini Highway and then to Māmalahoa Highway.  This route is also known as the Hawaii Belt Road.  Turn south on South Point Road between mile markers 69 and 70.  Drive 10 miles on South Point Road before turning right on an unnamed road to the South Point parking area.  There are several potholes at the end of the pavement, so having a spotter outside the vehicle is helpful if you are driving a sedan instead of an SUV.  South Point Road descends about 1900 feet in the 10 miles.

The parking area is on the west side of the point on a bluff about 30 feet above the water.  Near it are several platforms for mooring boats that are often used by visitors to jump into the ocean.  A ladder provides a path to climb back up.  Please note that jumping into the sea from a bluff anywhere is risky, but especially so with the currents and winds around the point.  Death is a very real possibility.  In fact, the current is called the "Halaea Current" after a Hawaiian chief who was swept out to sea.

About 30 feet north of the parking area is a hole that opens to the sea below.  There are no signs or barricades to warn of the dangers at South Point.  Each visitor is responsible for their own safety.

South of the parking area is a U.S. Coast Guard day beacon and light.  A concrete sidewalk near the light leads to the actual point.  Beyond the point to the east, the bluff fades into a gentle descent down to the rocky shore.

Parking area

Rock wall and wind turbines

Seventy-five foot high Pu'uhou is four miles from South Point

Hole open to the sea below

A visitor jumps off the small boat hoist platform

West side cliffs

Submerged rock along the base of the cliff

Cliffs south of the parking area from South Point

Looking east from South Point

First inlet east of South Point

Lava field

Pu'u Ali'i

Lava flow frozen in time

A wave flows in the small inlet...

...and crashes over the rocks...

...before being drawn back out to sea

U.S. Coast Guard day beacon and light

Four-wheel drive road heading east toward Kaulana Bay

A wave crests...

...begins to break...

...and heads for the shore

Sea spray blows off a wave...

...as it pounds into the rocks

Waves roll in on the rocky shore

Another view of the Coast Guard day beacon and light

The is no entrance fee at Ka Lae.  Portable toilets are located at the parking area.  A picnic area is located at the end of South Point Road about ¾ mile past the turnoff to South Point.  A trail leads from the picnic area down to Kaulana Bay.

There is no website dedicated to Ka Lae (South Point).