110 Best Sights in Big Island, Hawaii

A must-do on a south–southeast–bound trip to the volcano, this easily accessible black-sand beach is backed by low dunes, brackish ponds, and tall coco palms. The shoreline is jagged, reefed, and rocky. Most days, large groups of sea turtles nap on the sand—a stunning sight. Resist the urge to get too close or disturb them; they're protected by federal and state law, and fines for harassment can be hefty. Removing black sand is also prohibited. Extremely strong rip currents prevail, so only experienced ocean swimmers should consider getting in the water here. A popular stop for locals and tour buses alike, this beach park can get busy, especially on weekends (the north parking lot is usually quieter). Shade from palm trees provides an escape from the sun, and at the northern end of the beach, near the boat ramp, lie the ruins of Kaneeleele Heiau, an old Hawaiian temple. The area was a sugar port until the 1946 tsunami destroyed the buildings. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: walking.

The 420-acre National Historical Park has the best preserved puuhonua (place of refuge) in the state, and an aura of ancient sacredness and serenity still imbues the place. Providing a safe haven for noncombatants, kapu (taboo) breakers, defeated warriors, and others, the puuhonua offered protection and redemption for anyone who could reach its boundaries, by land or sea. The oceanfront, 960-foot stone wall built over 400 years ago still stands and is one of the park's most prominent features. A number of ceremonial temples, including the restored Hale o Keawe Heiau (circa 1700), have served as royal burial chambers. Bring a picnic to the back of the park, where there are tables and bathrooms.

Quite simply, this is one of the most historic and commanding sites in all of Hawaii: here, in 1810, on top of Puukohola (Hill of the Whale), Kamehameha the Great built the war heiau, or temple, that would serve to unify the Hawaiian Islands, ending 500 years of warring chiefdoms. The oceanfront, fortresslike site is foreboding and impressive. A paved ½-mile, looped trail runs from the visitor center to the main temple sites. An even older temple, dedicated to the shark gods, lies submerged just offshore, where sharks can be spotted swimming, usually first thing in the morning. A museum displays ancient Hawaiian weapons, including clubs, spears, a replica of a bronze cannon that warriors dragged into battle on a Hawaiian sled, and three original paintings by artist Herb Kane. Rangers are available to answer questions, or you can take a free audio tour on your smartphone. Plan about an hour to see everything.

Not all volcanic soils are ideal for the cultivation of grapes, but this winery grows its own grapes and produces some interesting vintages. The Macadamia Nut Honey Wine is a nutty, very sweet after-dinner drink. The Infusion Tea Wine pairs estate-grown black tea with South Kona's fermented macadamia nut honey for a smooth concoction perfect for brunch through early evening. Though this isn't Napa Valley, the vintners take their wine seriously, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Wine tasting and flights are available; you can also enjoy wine and cheese inside or in a shaded picnic area. A gift store carries a selection of local crafts.

An easily accessible access point to see the beauty of the Waipio Valley, this lookout offers a stunning view of the valley and the high cliffs that surround it. Not surprisingly, it's a popular spot, but there's plenty of parking to handle the cars on most days; Hawaii County maintains the park at the top. A treacherous paved road leads down (Big Island car-rental companies don't allow their cars to be driven down because it's so steep, but you can walk down if you wish, though it's 1,000 feet back up). Your best bet for seeing the wonders of the valley floor is with a guided four-wheel-drive tour.Due to repair work, Waipio Valley Road going down to the valley was closed at the time of writing for all but essential uses. Check ahead and confirm with outfitters.  

In Kapaau, browse through this longtime gallery's collections of local art, including glass, woodworks, bowls, fine art photography, and paintings. There's also a small café and gift shop a couple of doors away.

More than 50 enormous banyan trees with aerial roots dangling from their limbs were planted along the road, mostly during the 1930s but also after World War II, by visiting celebrities. Names such as Amelia Earhart and Franklin Delano Roosevelt appear on plaques affixed to the trees. A scenic loop beginning at the Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo ( 93 Banyan Drive) makes a nice walk, especially in the evening when thousands of mynah birds roost in the trees.

Four separate streams fall into a series of circular pools here, fed by Peepee Falls just above, and the resulting turbulent action—best seen after a good rain—has earned this scenic stretch of the Wailuku River the nickname Boiling Pots. Swimming is not allowed at Boiling Pots or anywhere in the Wailuku River, due to extremely dangerous currents and undertows. The falls are 3 miles northwest of downtown Hilo off Waianuenue Avenue; keep to the right when the road splits and look for the sign. The gate opens at 7 am and closes at 6 pm. You may want to combine a drive to this site with a visit to Rainbow Falls, a bit closer to downtown.  You may be tempted, as you watch others ignore the signs and climb over guardrails, to jump in, but resist. Swimming is prohibited and unsafe, and people have died here.

Just off the highway, this garden park on more than 300 acres of former sugarcane land has wide views of the countryside and the ocean; it's also the place to see the beautiful Kamaee waterfalls. During a visit you can follow a walking trail with old-growth tropical gardens including orchids, palm trees, ginger, hibiscus, and heliconia; visit the 10-acre arboretum, which includes a maze made of orange shrubs; explore the river walk; ride the relatively small zipline; and take the only off-road Segway adventure on the island. You can tour the garden only for a nominal fee, which is waived if you take the zipline or Segway. If you skip the zipline, you can see it all in a few hours. This place is 3 miles north of Honomu. 

Even if you're not staying here, make time to stroll through the expansive lobby of this Kailua-Kona fixture to view impressive displays of Hawaiian artifacts, including feathered helmets, capes, ancient hula instruments, and battle weapons. Portraits of Hawaiian royalty adorn the walls. You'll also see mounted marlin from Hawaii International Billfish tournaments (Kailua Pier used to be the weigh-in point). These "grander" marlin weighed 1,000 pounds or more. One of the best collections of works by Hawaiian artist Herb Kane is on display in the breezeway. Activities in Hawaiian arts and crafts are conducted regularly by on-site cultural staff, and there are nice gift shops within the small mall. 

A paved pathway takes visitors across a barren lavascape strewn with chunky cinders that descended from towering lava fountains during the 1959 eruption of nearby Kilauea Iki Crater. The easy 1-mile (round-trip) hike ends at the edge of the Kilauea Iki Crater. This must-see view of the crater could yield such memorable sights as white-tailed tropic birds gliding in the breeze or a rainbow stretching above the crater's rim after a sunlit rain shower. Easy.

Constructed in 1859 by New England missionaries, this church is known for its services in Hawaiian and for the choir, which sings hymns in Hawaiian. In 1902, Hawaiian musical legends Harry K. Naope Sr. and Albert Nahalea Sr. began the choral traditions still practiced by their descendants. The church, with its iconic yellow spire, has an interesting history that dates to 1824 when it was a thatched structure.

Located off Highway 11 at mile marker 70.5, the Kahuku section of the park takes visitors over many trails through ancient lava flows and native forests. Ecological wonders abound in this beautiful but isolated region that encompasses more than 116,000 acres. Guided hikes with knowledgeable rangers are a regularly scheduled highlight.

This stone platform, once an impressive temple dedicated to the god Lono, was built by King Kalaniopuu. When Captain Cook arrived in 1778, ceremonies in his honor were held here. It's still considered a religious site, so visit with respect and do not walk on the platform. There are small pathways nearby, and the heiau is tended to by lineal descendants of people who lived in the area.  

With all the buzz about Kona coffee, it's easy to forget that estate-grown coffee is produced throughout the rest of the island: the Hilo Coffee Mill, on 24 acres in lush Mountain View, is a pleasant reminder of that. In addition to farming its own coffee on-site, the mill has partnered with several small coffee farmers in East Hawaii in an effort to put the region on the world's coffee map. You can sample the company's efforts, tour the mill, and watch the roasters in action. They host a farmers' market every Saturday from 9 to 2.

While mostly rocky topography makes swimming and snorkeling a bit difficult here, this little park is still scenic and relaxing. Take the short trail over to the petroglyph trail; interpretive signs will guide you. There are showers, picnic tables, and restrooms; public parking is limited

There is a lot going on at this USDA-organic-certified coffee farm and processing facility, from growing the beans to milling and drying. The processing plant next door to the farm demonstrates how the beans are roasted and packaged. A flock of 50 geese welcomes visitors and "provides fertilizer" for the plantation at no charge. Holualoa also processes beans for 200 coffee farms in the area. Enjoy a cup of their finest as you peruse the gift shop after the tour. 

One of the most consistent places on the east side to catch a wave, Honolii is popular with the local surf crowd. The beach is a mix of black sand, coral, and sea glass, with plenty of rocks. A shady grassy area is great for picnics while you watch the surfers. Note that the presence of surfers is not an indication that an area is safe for swimmers: winter surf is very rough. A pond just to the north is good for swimming, but it's deep and there is a drop-off. There's limited parking on the narrow roadside. Walk down the stairs and veer left over the rocks. Amenities: lifeguards; toilets. Best for: surfing.

The 2½-mile road to this secluded little gem feels like you're venturing off the beaten path, through an area rich in history. Remnants of an old steamship pier testify to its former role as a thriving port town, complete with (now gone) post office, church, and stores. Today, though much quieter, it's still an active Hawaiian fishing village, beloved by residents and tended to by a county-community partnership. The beach has a soft mix of dark brown and gray sand and is backed by steep emerald embankments and a dramatic sloping pali (cliff) that make for picturesque tropical vistas. The bay is usually calm, tranquil, and clear with small surf. The park caretakers oversee beach concessions, camping permits, and security. You can rent equipment, beach chairs, and umbrellas. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

On a walking tour of this working coffee farm (by advance reservation only), visitors can witness the workings of a small plantation, pick and pulp their own coffee beans, watch a roasting demonstration, and savor a tasting. The gift shop carries whole beans and logo swag including bags, T-shirts, and mugs. Coffee brewing workshops and one-on-one tours with a master roaster are also offered.

Highlights of this stunning church, which was established in 1832 and rebuilt in 1857, include a gleaming, restored koa interior and unusual wooden calabashes hanging from the ceiling. Be careful not to walk in while a service is in progress, as the front entry is behind the pulpit.

It's thought that the first Polynesians came ashore at this southernmost point of land in the United States, also a National Historic Landmark, and today people travel here for the views and access to Green Sand Beach. Old canoe-mooring holes, still visible, were carved through the rocks, possibly by settlers from Tahiti as early as AD 750. To get here, drive 12 miles down the turnoff road, past rows of giant electricity-producing windmills powered by the nearly constant winds sweeping across this coastal plain. Bear left when the road forks, and park in the lot at the end. Walk past the boat hoists toward the little lighthouse. South Point is just past the lighthouse at the southernmost cliff. You may see brave locals jumping off the cliffs and then climbing up rusty old ladders, but swimming here is not recommended. Don't leave anything of value in your car. The area is isolated and without services. Green Sand Beach is a 40-minute hike down the coast.

Shallow and easily accessible, this salt-and-pepper beach is one of the Big Island's most popular swimming and snorkeling sites, thanks to the fringing reef that helps keep the waters calm, visibility high, and reef life—especially honu (green sea turtles) and colorful fish—plentiful. Kahaluu was a favorite of the Hawaiian royal family, too. Because it is so protected, it's great for first-time snorkelers. Outside the reef, very strong rip currents can run, so caution is advised. Never hand-feed the unusually tame reef fish here; it upsets the balance of the reef. 

Experienced surfers find good waves beyond the reef, and scuba divers like the shore dives—shallow ones inside the breakwater, deeper ones outside. Snorkel equipment and boards are available for rent nearby, and surf schools operate here. A community group has provided reef-safe sunscreen dispensers on-site. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: snorkeling; surfing; swimming.

Though most fishing boats use Honokohau Harbor in Kailua-Kona, this pier dating from 1918 is still a hub of ocean activity where outrigger canoe teams practice and race, shuttles transport cruise ship passengers to and from town, and tour boats depart from the docks. Along the seawall, children and old-timers cast their lines and hope for the best. For youngsters, a bamboo pole and hook are easy to come by, and plenty of locals are willing to give pointers. September brings the world's largest long-distance outrigger canoe race, and in October, nearly 2,000 elite athletes depart the pier to swim 2.4 miles in the first leg of the famous Ironman World Championship triathlon.

A bronze statue in this park, the central town square for more than a century, depicts King Kalakaua (1836–1891), who revived the hula and is the inspiration for Hilo's Merrie Monarch Festival. Erected in 1988, the statue depicts the king with a taro leaf in his left hand to signify the Hawaiian people's bond with the land. The park is surrounded by civic buildings and a war memorial. It has a huge, spreading banyan tree and small fishponds but no picnic or recreation facilities. According to local tradition, families of military personnel often leave leftover floral displays and funeral wreaths along the fishpond walkway as a way of honoring their loved ones.

This beach is where King Kamehameha spent his final days—the replica of the Ahuena Heiau sits on a platform across from the sand. Adjacent to Kailua Pier, the scenic crescent of white sand is one of the few beaches in downtown Kailua-Kona. The water here is almost always calm and the beach clean, making this a perfect spot for kids. For adults, it's a great place for swimming, stand-up paddling (SUP), watching outrigger teams practice, or enjoying a lazy beach day. It can get crowded on weekends. Snorkeling can be good north of the beach, and snorkeling, SUP, and kayaking equipment can be rented nearby. There's lots of grass and shade, and free parking in county lots is a short stroll away. Amenities: food and drink; showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; swimming.

People take this short hike, 1.6 miles round-trip, to see faded human footprints, fossilized in hardened volcanic ash. Easy.

Thanks to Hilo's abundant rainfall, this lava tube is lush with plant life. Concrete stairs lead down to the 2½-mile-long tube, which has no lighted areas. The ground is uneven and damp, so wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight, and explore as far as you dare to go. There are restrooms and a covered picnic table at the cave, and parking across the street. Heed all warning signs when entering the caves. 

Buildings here have been restored to their original 1920s and '30s vintage plantation styles. Although most shopping is along Kamehameha Avenue, the ambience on Keawe Street offers a nostalgic sampling of Hilo as it might have been decades ago. 

On the northernmost stretch of the park's coastline, this lovely beach fronts an absolutely beautiful bay with crystal-clear, deep aquamarine water. It's peaceful in summer, but the park's paved entrance, amenities, and parking lot make the beach very accessible and, as a result, often crowded. Fine white sand sits in stark contrast to old black lava flows, and there's little shade—bring umbrellas. Rocky shores on either side protect the beach from afternoon winds and offer some fabulous snorkeling spots. Gates open daily from 8 to 7. In winter, surf can get rough, and often the sand washes away. Amenities: parking (no fee); showers; toilets. Best for: surfing; swimming.