This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Hawaii Island Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
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Megan Shute
Author
Measuring in at more than 4,000 square miles, Hawaii Island is not only the largest island in Hawaii, but it is also home to some of the greatest natural wonders found throughout the islands, from active volcanoes and majestic valleys to colored sand beaches and cascading waterfalls. With so many breathtaking spots to choose from, we found it difficult to narrow our choices down to just 10 of Hawaii Island’s most magical natural wonders. But after some serious deliberation, we curated the perfect road trip to Hawaii Island’s most breathtaking natural wonders – a 290 mile, 7.5 hour trek around nearly the entirety of the Big Island.
Mauna Kea, Hawaii 96720, USA
Mauna Kea measures in at 13,796 feet above sea level, the highest point in the state of Hawaii. In fact, when measured from its oceanic base deep in the vast Pacific, the mountain measures in at more than 33,000 feet tall – that’s higher than Mount Everest. The summit is also home to one of most-well known observatories in the world.
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Kaumana Cave, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Thurston Lava Tube gets all the credit, but Kaumana Cave, located near Hilo, is certainly worth the visit. The skylight entrance drops into two miles of pitch-black caves, complete with stalactites and stalagmites, as well as vines and roots falling from the cave’s roof.
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Wai?nuenue Falls, Hawaii 96716, USA
A short trail from the parking lot offers views from the waterfall’s summit, and if you visit on a sunny morning, you might experience how Waianuenue Falls got its name – "waianuenue" means rainbow in Hawaiian.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96785, USA
Whether you have lived on Hawaii’s Big Island for your entire life, or this is your first time visiting, you absolutely must explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. A trip to Hawaii Volcanoes isn’t complete without a visit to the Kilauea Caldera, a trip down the Thurston Lava Tube, a walk through the lava fields, a drive down the Chain of Craters Road, and, of course, as much hiking as you can handle.
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Punalu?u Beach, Hawaii, USA
Nestled between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Naalehu town on the Big Island, Punaluu is perhaps Hawaii’s most famous black sand beach, and is a popular haven for honu to relax.
Papak?lea Green Sand Beach, Naalehu, HI 96772, USA
There's no place in the world quite like Papakolea Green Sand Beach, a striking stretch of sand and shore that's, well, green. On the southernmost tip of Hawaii Island is Papakolea, a green sand beach so unique that you will only find one other spot with this iconic sand on the planet. The green hue comes from olivine, a mineral and common component of Hawaiian lava. Because olivine is denser than other minerals, it accumulates on the shoreline naturally, creating a green hued beach.
The stunning beach is only accessible via four-wheel drive, or a 3-mile hike, but trust us, the experience is entirely worth it.
The stunning beach is only accessible via four-wheel drive, or a 3-mile hike, but trust us, the experience is entirely worth it.
Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii 96704, USA
Hawaii Island’s beautiful reef-filled Kealakekua Bay is one of the state’s most historic bays, and a known dolphin hangout. The bay is also home to the famous Captain Cook monument, and crystalline waters.
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Keawaiki, HI 96740, USA
In the middle of a massive lava field, on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, is this pair of freshwater pools, home to a thriving population of golden algae that gives the pools a luminescent glow. What a beautiful Hawaiian hidden gem!
Waipio Valley Lookout, Kukuihaele, HI 96727, USA
The sacred Waipio Valley was once the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I, and is an important site for Hawaiian history and culture. But history aside, "The Valley of the Kings" certainly appears as though it was made for royalty – the valley is full of tropical vegetation and surrounded by 2,000-foot tall cliffs.
‘Akaka Falls, Hawaii 96720, USA
Cascading 442 feet into a lush, tropical jungle is perhaps Hawaii’s greatest waterfall. Located on the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast is Akaka Falls, a place of pure paradise flowing from the Kolekole Stream. To view the falls, visitors take a half-hour paved trail leading through a jungle of banana plants, towering bamboo groves and lush orchids.
Be sure to check out the Ultimate Terrifying Hawaii Island road trip, as well as this phenomenal road trip to Oahu’s greatest attractions, and Maui’s epic waterfall road trip.
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More to Explore
Hawaii Natural Wonders
What are some other natural wonders in Hawaii to explore?
Hawaii is a big, wonderful, bucket-list destination for many, and there are so many places to explore, it would take a lifetime to see them all! If you're looking for a solid foundation for your adventures in the Aloha State, check out these spots:
- Mauna Kea. Mauna Kea measures in at 13,796 feet above sea level, the highest point in the state of Hawaii. In fact, when measured from its oceanic base deep in the vast Pacific, the mountain measures in at more than 33,000 feet tall – that’s higher than Mount Everest. The summit is also home to state-of-the-art observatories, with more than a dozen telescopes funded by 11 countries. At approximately one million years old, Mauna Kea passed the most active shield volcano stage hundreds of thousands of years ago. But don't worry about it spewing any fiery ash: the volcano last erupted 4,000 to 6,000 years ago, and is now considered dormant.
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Maui’s Road to Hana is perhaps the most popular scenic drive on the island – and possibly all of Hawaii. This infamous 64.4-mile highway that stretches from Kahului to Hana is popular not for the destination – Hana Town – but for the incredible journey it takes to get there. The Hana Highway was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, and you should allot approximately two and a half hours to make the 60-some mile journey, and that’s if you don’t make any stops at the incredible parks, beaches, waterfalls, and snack stands you’ll find along the way.
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Haleakalā National Park. Just 27 square miles short of equaling the entire size of Oahu, Mount Haleakala is a gentle giant – a dormant volcano that has inspired those who make the journey to its summit for centuries. Translating to “House of the Sun,” Haleakala rises more than 10,000 feet above sea level, comprises 75 percent of Maui Island, and is home to desert-like conditions, rainforests, and everything in between.
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Ka'anapali Beach. Once the vacation retreat of choice for Hawaiian royalty, today Ka'anapali Beach is one of the island’s most popular expanses of white sands, surrounded by luxury hotels and resorts.
- Pearl Harbor. The December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor triggered the United State’s entry into World War II. You may not have known that Hawaii was put under martial law until the end of the war. Today, Pearl Harbor houses a variety of historical sites, and is home to more than 160 commands. If you only see one thing while visiting Pearl Harbor, it has to be the famous USS Arizona Memorial.
- Waimea Canyon. Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon is certainly a thing of immense beauty. Unlike many similar canyons, Waimea Canyon was not formed solely from steady erosion, but also by a catastrophic collapse of the volcano that created the island of Kauai. At 10 miles long, a mile wide and approximately 3,600 feet deep, it is home to plants and trees of all shapes and sizes – giving it a more dynamic landscape than its more famous canyon cousin. For anyone planning to visit this natural wonder, we urge you to consider exploring the neighboring Koke’e State Park for some less interrupted views of the canyon.
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Na Pali Coast. This piece of rugged Kauai coastline is said to be one of the most unspoiled natural beauties in all of Hawaii: thousand foot cliffs are eroded to create vaulted valleys and hidden beaches.