Hawaii is absolute paradise — from stunning beaches and crystal blue water to majestic mountains, serene valleys, and breathtaking sunsets, the Aloha state has it all. And whether you’ve lived in the Aloha State your entire life or are enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, taking perfect photographs of Hawaii is a never-ending goal. Luckily, Hawaii is full of natural beauty, and taking a stellar photo of the islands is pretty easy, especially if you visit these fifteen places.

1. A walk along Waikiki beach will provide the perfect photo opportunity — a cityscape, beach, the beautiful Pacific, and Diamond Head in the background.
Andy/Flickr
2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a dream for any photographer. Where else will you get to experience such raw natural beauty?
Steve Dunleavy/Flickr
3. Lighthouses have always been popular photo subjects — and Kauai’s Kilauea Lighthouse is no exception.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
4. Beach shots are gorgeous, but unique black sand beach photos are even better.
Steve Cadman/Flickr
5. If you want to brave the steep climb to the top, the Pu’U’Ohulu Kai hike on Oahu’s leeward coast provides a pretty cool spot to take some stellar shots.
Megan Shute
6. I can only imagine seeing — and photographing — such an amazing sunset, taken from the summit of Haleakala.
Joe Parks/Flickr
7. There is no better photo opportunity on Kauai than Waimea Canyon…
Christian Arballo/Flickr

Related Stories

This Fairy Tale Campground In Hawaii Is Like Something From A Dream

This Fairy Tale Campground In Hawaii Is Like Something From A Dream

 The Magnificent Waterfront Airbnb In Hawaii That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

The Magnificent Waterfront Airbnb In Hawaii That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

 You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Purvé Donut Stop In Hawaii

You'll Never Look At Donuts The Same Way After Trying Purvé Donut Stop In Hawaii
8. Unless, of course, you can take a helicopter ride near the Na Pali Coast for some epic aerial shots.
Garden State Hiker/Flickr
9. Oahu’s Byodo-In Temple is a scale replica of a temple in Japan, and the perfect spot for some gorgeous and unique architectural shots.
Shubhika Bharathwaj/Flickr
10. The Big Island’s Waipio Valley is absolutely stunning — but almost doesn’t even look like Hawaii.
Hector Parayuelos/Flickr
11. Views from the Kula Lavendar Farm are almost too gorgeous to believe.
John Morgan/Flickr
12. Capture a piece of American history with a visit to any of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites on Oahu — this incredible shot is of the USS Missouri, or the “Mighty Mo.”
Melfoody/Flickr
13/ With so many stunning waterfalls to choose from, it was hard to pick just one. Hawaii Island's Rainbow Falls is definitely one of the cooler ones to photograph.
James Walsh/Flickr
14. This fence of surfboards on Maui would make a cool backdrop for some great portraits.
Jenny/Flickr
15. The Nuuanu Pali Lookout provides sweeping views of Oahu’s windward coast.
Sheraca/Flickr

So, tell us, where is your favorite destination to capture the beauty of the Aloha State. Whether you are a professional or just someone who likes to snap the occasional photograph, join our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group, and share your photographs of Hawaii. You might also enjoy checking out 15 Of The Most Hawaiian Photos Ever Taken.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Hawaii Photography

Megan Shute | October 19, 2020

Where should I go to take photos of Hawaii? 

The Aloha State is a photographer’s paradise, and while we love heading to the islands’ most famous lookout spots — think Oahu’s Pali Lookout, Waipio Valley on Hawaii Island, or Kauai’s Waimea Canyon — stunning natural beauty can be found all around you here in Hawaii — from the golden yellow leaves that blanket the trees of Oahu every year to the vistas you’ll encounter on Hawaii’s lesser-known trails like this one.

What are the most beautiful places in Hawaii?

From mauka to makai, the Hawaiian Islands are home to more jaw-dropping landscapes and natural wonders than we could possibly count. Even still, some landscapes certainly stand out in a crowd: for example, Hawaii Island’s Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Oahu’s remote and beautiful Kaena Point, or Maui’s majestic Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm.

What is the most beautiful drone footage of Hawaii? 

There is no shortage of gorgeous drone footage of the Hawaiian Islands, thanks in part to our towering mountain peaks and captivating coastline. In the past, we’ve shared some truly fantastic video, including this drone footage of Hawaii that features some of our most beautiful landscapes as well as surfing action shots. You might also enjoy this epic drone photography of Maui, which quickly proves that TripAdvisor was right when they called it the best island in the world.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Hawaii, USA