The 17 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In Hawaii That Everyone Should Visit
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Megan Shute
Author
From cascading waterfalls found within lush rainforests and pristine beaches in a variety of colors to incredible rock formations, magnificent caves, and the magical spot where flowing lava enters the ocean, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible natural attractions. With nearly 11,000 acres of natural beauty to uncover, we could write about a thousand fantastic natural attractions found across the Hawaiian Islands, but these 17 are some of our favorites. If you’re looking for breathtaking nature in Hawaii, these are the best places to go!
Pipiwai Trail, Hawaii 96713, USA
If you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian hike with some of the best views that Maui has to offer, all within a short, well-maintained trail managed by the National Parks System, look no further than Pipiwai Trail. The four-mile round trip trek will take you on quite the enchanting journey through a lush Hawaiian tropical rainforest to four absolutely incredible natural wonders: a towering banyan tree, a bamboo forest, and two gorgeous cascading waterfalls.
Read more about this gorgeous hike. Hawaii natural attractions don’t get much better than this.
Glass Beach, Hawaii 96705, USA
Tucked away in a Hanapepe industrial area, near Port Allen Harbor is Kauai’s Glass Beach, a brilliant beach covered with millions of sea glass pebbles in brilliant hues of aqua, blue and brown. The glass found at this beach was mainly created from broken bottles and auto glass that was dumped years ago, and subsequently smoothed by time and ocean tides.
Read more about Kauai’s Glass Beach, one of our favorite natural attractions in Hawaii.
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Kalapana, HI 96778, USA
There are very few places on this planet where you can watch flowing lava in person, and even fewer where you can walk right up to it. Kalapana is the safest and easiest to access. There are two paths you can take: one from the east at Kalapana and one from the west, near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Not only might you see flowing lava, but you’ll be walking along the youngest land you’ve ever set foot on - which is pretty unbelievable, if you ask me.
Read more about the Kalapana Lava Flows, easily some of the best nature in Hawaii.
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Kaneohe Sandbar, 47-86 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA
Situated off the coast of Windward is Oahu is a picturesque slice of paradise that is only accessible during low tide. The Kaneohe sandbar, located in the middle of Kaneohe Bay surrounded by the striking Ko’olau mountains, features crystalline turquoise waters, fine white sand, and plenty of fun. At high tide, you can comfortably stand waist-deep in the water, while at low tide, the sand is completely exposed.
Read more about the Kaneohe Sandbar, gorgeous nature in Hawaii.
Keahiakawelo?Garden of the Gods?, Lanai City, HI 96763, USA
Also known as Garden of the Gods, this otherworldly rock garden at the end of Polihua Road is located 45 minutes from Lanai City on a dirt path only advised for vehicles with four-wheel drive. Garden of the Gods can only be described as barren: the land is vacant of trees, shrubs, flowers, or grass, and perhaps reminiscent of something you’d find on another planet.
Read more about Garden of the Gods, an epic Hawaii natural attraction.
Kaihalulu Beach, Hana, HI 96713, USA
Located almost in the heart of Hana town, on the eastern coast of Maui, is one of the few red sand beaches in the world. The breathtaking Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach is one of the most incredible wonders you’ll see in your lifetime, and an absolute must-visit, as long as you are accustomed to navigating cliff edges with less-than-perfect footing.
Read more about this stunning red sand beach, some of the best nature in Hawaii.
M?k?lea Rock, Hawaii, USA
Located near Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Preserve on the beautiful Garden Island, these ancient lava pools, inlets, and coves carved into the shoreline by flowing lava are a must-visit if you’re interested in hiking. You see, the pools are only accessible via a three-mile slippery, rocky, and slightly treacherous hike along the coastline from the nearby Kahili Beach, often referred to as Rock Quarry Beach.
Read more about the Mokolea Lava pools, a stunning Hawaii natural attraction.
Mauna Loa, Hawaii 96785, USA
Mauna Loa has long been considered the largest subaerial volcano on earth in terms of both mass and volume. Its peak is only 120 feet lower than its neighbor Mauna Kea, and is approximately 18,000 cubic miles in volume with gentle slopes. The name Mauna Loa translates to "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian, an apt name for a volcano that accounts for more than half of Hawaii Island’s land mass.
Read more about Mauna Loa, one of the best natural attractions in Hawaii.
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Hanauma Bay Road, Hanauma Bay Rd, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
Dr. Beach, a professor from Florida who releases an annual list of the country’s best beaches, has named Oahu’s Hanauma Bay the greatest beach in America for 2016. Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, this marine life conservation district was formed from a tuff ring, and is perhaps the island’s most popular snorkeling destination for tourists and locals alike.
Read more about the best beach in America at this Hawaii natural attraction.
East Molokai Volcano, Hawaii 96748, USA
The island of Molokai was formed from two distinct shield volcanoes: the east and west Molokai volcanoes. The East Molokai Volcano suffered from a catastrophic collapse approximately 1.5 million years ago, forming the impressive sea cliffs you’ll find today. Towering at more than 3,500 feet on Molokai's northern shore are these impressive sea cliffs inaccessible via land, making this one of the most remote natural wonders in the world.
Read more about Molokai’s sea cliffs, a stunning Hawaii natural attraction.
??ao Valley State Monument, 54 S High St, Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
Located just south of the West Maui Forest Reserve and near Wailuku is Iao Valley State Park, a lush, 4,000-acre valley with miles of hiking trails, stunning vistas, and the famous Iao Needle. The fern covered lava formation rising 1,200 feet from the valley’s floor was formed from millennia of erosion of the softer rock surrounding the peak, and is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture.
Read more about Iao Valley, some of our favorite nature in Hawaii.
Makauwahi Cave Reserve, 1571-4 Poipu Rd, Koloa, HI 96756, USA
This relatively unknown archaeological site is home to Kauai’s largest limestone cave that was formed when the once fossilized sand dune collapsed. After you squeeze through the mouth of the cave, you will be rewarded with stunning views of a spacious open-air amphitheater.
Read more about Makauwahi Cave, a Hawaii natural attraction.
Punalu?u Beach, Hawaii, USA
Nestled on the shoreline between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Naalehu town on the Big Island, Punalu’u is perhaps the world’s most famous black sand beach, and an absolute must-visit for anyone living on - or vacationing to - the Big Island. With striking black sand, towering coconut palms, and crashing blue waves, there is little more jaw-dropping than the stunning Punalu’u Beach.
Read more about Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, some of the best nature in Hawaii.
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Kaena Point, Hawaii 96763, USA
The northwestern tip of Oahu is home to Kaena Point State Park, a magical place full of hidden gems, including heart shaped rocks, tide pools, stunning cliff faces, and a natural reserve area created to protect nesting albatrosses, Hawaiian monk seals, and the fragile native vegetation. According to ancient Hawaiian lore, Kaena Point is the "jumping off" point for souls leaving this world.
Read more about Kaena Point, one of the coolest natural attractions in Hawaii.
Molokini, Hawaii, USA
Located just 2.5 miles off the shores of Maui's Makena State Park is Molokini, all that remains of an ancient cinder cone that last erupted more than 230,000 years ago. Divers and snorkelers from around the world flock to this beautiful islet to experience its crystal clear waters and plethora of vibrant sea life. Because Molokini is rock, and not soil, there is nothing to wash into the water and inhibit visibility. In fact, you can often see more than 150 feet into the ocean.
Read more about this epic snorkeling spot: nature in Hawaii.
Polihale Place, Polihale Pl, Honolulu, HI 96825, USA
Found at the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway on the island of Kauai, Polihale Beach is not only the largest stretch of sand in the state, but one of the most remote and underrated beaches as well. Known for its seven-mile long - and 300 feet wide - stretch of pristine sand, and hot, cloudless days, Polihale is also the most western publically accessible areas in Hawaii.
Read more about Polihale Beach, a Hawaii natural attraction.
‘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 short stroll leading through a jungle of banana plants, towering bamboo groves and lush orchids.
Read more about Akaka Falls. We love this nature in Hawaii!
Have you visited nature in Hawaii at any of these incredible spots? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
Be sure to add these 17 magical spots to your Hawaii bucket list, along with these 12 man-made wonders.
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More to Explore
Nature In Hawaii
What kind of geography does Hawaii have?
Hawaii has a very varied topography, which makes for some really cool nature in Hawaii. You’ll find everything from volcanoes, snow capped mountain peaks, jungles, and plenty of coastline. There are misty plateaus, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” bamboo forests, and tropical coastline. In the very same day you can surf the gorgeous coastline and then go snowboarding on a snowy mountain peak. Hawaii’s topography truly offers the best of all worlds to explore.
What type of geological feature is Hawaii?
The Hawaiian islands are actually built up from the ocean from from volcanoes. Hawaii’s volcanoes help build the actual islands. There is a “hot spot” beneath the ocean floor that contributes to the many volcanoes that exist across the Pacific archipelago. In fact, the youngest island Hawaii is still growing! It’s two active volcanoes Mauna Loa and Kilauea (some of the most active in the world) continue to grow this Hawaiian island.
Why is Hawaii so mountainous?
Because the Hawaiian islands were built from volcanic activity, you’ll find that its mountain ridges are knife sharp instead of rounded fluid mounds.
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