Hawaiʻi Island, often called the Big Island, is defined by its extreme diversity of landscapes. Its sheer size encompasses 13 of the world’s 14 climate zones, ranging from polar tundra atop its highest peaks to tropical rainforests along the eastern coast. This variety allows travelers to experience walking on recent lava flows, relaxing on a black sand beach, and stargazing from a mountain summit all in a single trip.
Volcanic Wonders and Celestial Views
The island’s geological heart is Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Visitors can walk across landscapes that were molten rock just decades ago. The Chain of Craters Road is an 18-mile drive from the summit area down to the sea, passing through vast, hardened lava fields and ending at the Hōlei Sea Arch.
The Kīlauea Iki Trail is a 3.2-mile loop that descends through a rainforest before crossing the floor of a crater that was a lava lake in 1959. The Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku) is an accessible feature, offering a 0.4-mile loop walk through a 500-year-old tunnel formed by flowing lava.
At night, the Halemaʻumaʻu crater, located within Kīlauea’s summit caldera, often displays a glow from its active vent. This glow is visible from various overlooks along the crater rim.
Mauna Kea offers a high-altitude experience, culminating in some of the world’s clearest celestial views. The summit, at 13,803 feet, is home to international astronomical observatories, and the extreme altitude requires careful planning. Visitors should stop at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station (VIS) at 9,200 feet for at least 30 minutes to acclimate before proceeding higher.
Driving past the VIS to the summit requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle with low-range capability due to the steep, unpaved sections of the road. The VIS itself is a prime location for sunset viewing and stargazing tours, which often provide telescopes and knowledgeable guides. Due to the risk of altitude sickness, children under 13, pregnant women, and those with certain health conditions are advised not to travel above the VIS.
Unique Beaches and Marine Adventures
The Big Island’s coastline features beaches with sand colors that range far beyond the typical white, a result of its volcanic origins. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is the most famous example; its jet-black sand is created when hot basaltic lava flows rapidly cool and shatter upon hitting the ocean. This easily accessible beach is a frequent resting spot for the endangered Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle (honu), which basks on the warm sand to regulate its body temperature.
A more adventurous coastal trek leads to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, one of only four green sand beaches globally, located near the island’s southern tip. The sand’s striking olive hue comes from olivine crystals, a mineral eroded from a nearby volcanic cinder cone. Access requires a strenuous 2.5-mile hike each way across exposed terrain.
The Kona coast is renowned for its clear, calm waters, making it a premier destination for marine activities. The Manta Ray Night Snorkel or Dive uses powerful lights to attract plankton, drawing massive, gentle manta rays to feed just inches below snorkelers. Kealakekua Bay, a protected Marine Life Conservation District, offers some of the island’s best snorkeling near the Captain Cook Monument. Access to this pristine area is typically by boat tour, kayak, or a challenging 3.9-mile round-trip hike down the steep Kaʻawaloa Trail.
Lush Landscapes and Waterfalls
The island’s eastern side, particularly the Hilo and Hāmākua Coast regions, receives abundant rainfall, creating a contrast to the dry, volcanic landscapes. This tropical environment is home to Hawaiʻi’s most impressive and accessible waterfalls. Akaka Falls State Park features a short, paved 0.4-mile loop trail that leads to a viewpoint overlooking the 442-foot Akaka Falls, which plunges into a deep gorge.
Closer to Hilo town is Rainbow Falls, an 80-foot cascade over a natural lava cave, easily viewed just steps from the parking area. The falls are best visited in the morning when the sun is positioned to create a rainbow in the mist, giving the site its Hawaiian name, Waiānuenue. The scenic Hāmākua Coast drive connects these natural wonders, winding through lush valleys and past old sugar cane fields.
Along the Hāmākua Coast, the Hawaiʻi Tropical Bioreserve & Garden showcases the island’s tropical flora. This 40-acre nature preserve, situated in the Onomea Valley, features over 2,000 species of tropical plants, including palms, heliconias, and orchids. Further north, the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout provides a panoramic view of the “Valley of the Kings,” a deep, fertile valley flanked by 2,000-foot cliffs. Access to the valley floor is currently restricted to residents and permitted tours, but the lookout remains open for visitors.
Taste, History, and Local Culture
The island’s cultural and culinary scene is rooted in its agricultural and historical past. The Kona district is recognized for its premium coffee, which thrives on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa in the region’s unique microclimate. Visitors can tour one of the many Kona coffee farms to learn about harvesting and milling the beans before sampling the smooth, rich product.
Historical sites provide insight into ancient Hawaiian life and traditions, most notably at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, the “Place of Refuge.” This sacred site served as a sanctuary where those who had broken a kapu (sacred law) could seek absolution from a priest. The park features reconstructed temples, fishponds, and the massive Great Wall.
The Hilo Farmers Market serves as a vibrant hub for local commerce, offering a wide array of tropical produce, flowers, and locally made crafts. This market is an excellent place to sample the island’s diverse culinary offerings, including fresh, locally sourced poke, a raw fish salad. For a refreshing local dessert, shave ice vendors often use syrups made from locally grown fruit.