Whether you are a frequent visitor to the Big Island of Hawaii or on a once in a lifetime vacation, you could not pick a more picturesque place in the world to visit. From black to white sand beaches, lush tropical rainforests, an active volcano, breathtaking waterfalls and more you will be awed by nature’s beauty. Here are some of the top attractions that you will not want to miss.
Akaka Falls
This magnificent 442 foot waterfall is located just 11 miles north of the city of Hilo. While you will be able to photograph this spectacular site until your heart is content, there unfortunately is no way for visitors to get near this nature’s beauty.
Rainbow Falls
While not as tall or as breathtaking as Akaka Falls, Rainbow falls gets its popularity from the beautiful rainbow hues seen through the mist of its falling waters. Visitors can no longer swim in the water below the falls as they could in the past. For the best rainbow views make a trip to the falls early in the morning.
Hawaii Volcano National Park
Home to two active volcanoes this park can be amazingly spectacular. The park is located 30 miles from Hilo and 96 miles from the Kona area and definitively worth the trip. The park is home to Kilauea Crater that offers amazing views of the lava from the two active volcanoes. A short day visit offers guests the option of driving along Crater Rim Drive, an 11 mile stretch of road that offers scenic stops and short hiking opportunities along the way. For those wanting a more in-depth look at the park, you can explore the area by foot.
Before planning your visit to the park make sure you check to see if any areas of the park are closed. Closures do happen frequently especially when the volcanoes are active.
Punalu Beach Park
Punalu black sand beach is the most popular and easiest to access on the Big Island of Hawaii. This breathtaking beach is popular and family friendly. Visitors come to explore the soft black sand, snorkel, swim, picnic on the beach, laze in the sun and observe the endangered green sea turtles.
Waipi’o Valley
Waipi’s Valley is nature’s true beauty at its finest. This breathtaking area is approximately one mile wide along the coast and six miles deep. It is the largest of the valley’s located on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains. The cliffs on either side offer splendid views of cascading waterfalls among lush tropical scenery. The valley ends at the coast where you can find an inviting black sand beach.
Pacific Tsunami Museum
The Tsunami museum is often referred to as a living memorial for all those who have perished in tsunami events on the Hawaiian Islands. Although there has not been such devastation since the 1960’s, at any moment in time the Islands could be hit again. The Islands of Hawaii are more prone to serious natural disaster events like volcanoes, hurricanes and earth quakes than the mainland. More devastation and death however, has been caused by nature’s tsunami’s hitting the islands, especially in the Hilo area.
Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
Visitors to the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center are welcomed with by a road lined with macadamia nut trees. At the center you can learn how the nuts are grown and harvested. Mauna Loa harvests over 35 million pounds of these nuts each year and visitors can purchase them right in the visitor center. Harvesting of the nuts takes place in the summer and fall months.
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Thanks, Debbie, for sharing your list with us!