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Southernmost Point in the U.S.: Ka Lae on Big Island, Hawaii

Where is the southernmost point in the U.S.? You might say Key West, Florida, where an anchored concrete buoy (the Southernmost Point Buoy) marks the spot. But that attraction actually marks the southernmost point in the continental United States. To find the real southernmost point in the U.S. you have to travel across the country, and the Pacific Ocean, to Ka Lae on Big Island, Hawaii.

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

Ka Lae (which in Hawaiian means “the point”) is the southernmost tip of the Big Island, of Hawaii, and of the 50 states. Also known as South Point, it’s an essential stop on a Big Island road trip for beautiful Pacific Ocean views and bragging rights.

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

Registered as a National Historic Landmark District, KaLae (under the name South Point Complex) is believed to be the area of the first Hawaiian settlement, where Polynesians first landed in the islands on their way from Tahiti as early as 750 A.D.

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

The area is known for its great fishing opportunities, breathtaking landscapes of ocean water and coastal cliffs, and strong currents and winds. This is great for the nearby Tawhiri Power’s wind farm, but a detriment for swimmers.

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

Warning signs on site heed caution for would-be dippers and divers… though many visitors ignore the cautions and go cliff jumping at their own risk. A deadly current, known as Halaea Current after a swimmer who didn’t listen to the warnings, is strong and can drag swimmers out into the great waters.

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

How do you get to Ka Lae South Point?

To get to Ka Lae, take Route 11 (Mamalahoa Highway) and turn south on South Point Road. From there it is about 11 miles to the visitor parking lot, follow the signs for Ka Lae/South Point. If you’re using a GPS or Google Maps on your phone, plug in South Point Park, Ka Lae, or South Point Heiau.

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

What else to do in the area:

  • View the sacred Kalalea Heiau fishing shrine and cultural relics along the coastline.
  • While visiting the Southernmost tip of the United States, the closest towns to explore are Nāʻālehu (Naalehu), Pahala, and Ocean View.
  • Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is one of two green sand beaches in the United States and features green crystal sand in a 49,000 year old cinder cone made from the Mauna Loa volcano.
  • Punaluu Bake Shop and Visitor Center is known as the “Southernmost Bakery in the USA” is a fun stop for gifts, coffee, local delicacies, and their famous Hawaiian Sweetbread.
  • Eat at Hana Hou Restaurant, the Southernmost restaurant in the U.S.A., which features Hawaiian-style comfort food.

More photos of Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii:

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii
Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

Ka Lae, the Southernmost Point in the U.S., on Big Island, Hawaii

Location: Kalae, Hawaii 96772
Cost: Free to See


Pin this Hawaiian Attraction:

Ka Lae (“the point” in Hawaiian) on Big Island, Hawaii is the Southernmost Point in the U.S. See the Pacific Ocean at South Point on a Big Island road trip. Add this Hawaiian attraction to your travel bucket list of things to do in Hawaii, travel checklist, and Hawaii travel itinerary.  #HawaiiRoadsideAttractions #HawaiiRoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #HawaiiRoadTrip #HawaiiBucketLists #BigIsland #HawaiiRoadTripMap #HawaiiRoadTripItinerary #HawaiiRoadTripBucketList
Ka Lae (“the point” in Hawaiian) on Big Island, Hawaii is the Southernmost Point in the U.S. See the Pacific Ocean at South Point on a Big Island road trip. Add this Hawaiian attraction to your travel bucket list of things to do in Hawaii, travel checklist, and Hawaii travel itinerary.
Ka Lae (“the point” in Hawaiian) on Big Island, Hawaii is the Southernmost Point in the U.S. See the Pacific Ocean at South Point on a Big Island road trip. Add this Hawaiian attraction to your travel bucket list of things to do in Hawaii, travel checklist, and Hawaii travel itinerary.  #HawaiiRoadsideAttractions #HawaiiRoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttraction #RoadTrip #HawaiiRoadTrip #HawaiiBucketLists #BigIsland #HawaiiRoadTripMap #HawaiiRoadTripItinerary #HawaiiRoadTripBucketList
Ka Lae (“the point” in Hawaiian) on Big Island, Hawaii is the Southernmost Point in the U.S. See the Pacific Ocean at South Point on a Big Island road trip. Add this Hawaiian attraction to your travel bucket list of things to do in Hawaii, travel checklist, and Hawaii travel itinerary.

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.