South Point

The southernmost point in the USA

South Point is USA's southernmost point, and one of the most beautiful but barren places on the island of Hawai'i.

Travelling down the 11 mile road to South Point takes you through dry farmlands and leads to a windswept lookout where the only trees which can survive are bent by the force of the wind.

View of the southern coast of the Big Island
South coast, Hawai'i (February 17^th, '08)

A new foal along the road to South Point
South Point, Hawai'i (April 13^th, '08)

Horses and wind farms along the road to South Point
South Point, Hawai'i (April 13^th, '08)

Windswept trees
South Point, Hawai'i (April 13^th, '08)

Wind mills used to generate electricity litter the southernmost areas, most no longer functioning and jutting out of the landscape like alien propellers.

The cliffs of the southern coastline and the wind farms
South Point, Hawai'i (April 13^th, '08)

A timeworn wind farm
South Point, Hawai'i (April 13^th, '08)

Despite rich clear waters teeming with fish, the strength of the waves and the strong currents made fishing and boating hazardous for Hawai'ians. The lava rocks atop the cliffs still show the mooring holes used to secure fishermen's canoes.

It is possible to snorkel here (I did it!) but entry and exit is a bit tricky. The waves move the water level up and down by a couple of metres at a time, so you have to time things carefully. Once you are in the water, though, it's quite fun to ride the surge (the waves don't tend to move into the rocks too much, but you should still be cautious) and you have to keep an eye on how far you stray from shore so as not to get caught in a current. Getting back out is another story. You have two options, risk getting dashed on the rocks as you try to climb back out, or haul yourself up a set of rusty, loosely lashed together ladders for 40 ft. I took the second option, but think carefully about where you are going to put your flippers before you start climbing!

Getting sprayed by the waves
South Point, Hawai'i (April 13^th, '08)

The power of the ocean
South Point, Hawai'i (May 20^th, '08)

Waves crash at the most southern point in the USA
South Point, Hawai'i (May 20^th, '08)

Mooring hole used by Hawai'ian fisherman to secure their canoes
South Point, Hawai'i (May 20^th, '08)

Mum at the shoreline
South Point, Hawai'i (May 20^th, '08)

Exploring the tidepools
South Point, Hawai'i (May 20^th, '08)

Dad takes a break while enjoying the late afternoon sun
South Point, Hawai'i (May 20^th, '08)