The visitor center itself doesn’t have much just restrooms, a small selection of merchandise, and a very brief explanation of the area. We mainly went to see the sunset, and I recommend walking up the mountain in front of the visitor center for the best view. Just be prepared it’s windy and gets cold, so bring a jacket. We stayed after to see the stars, but you’ll need to wait around 45 minutes to an hour after sunset for it to get dark enough. There’s no designated stargazing area, so most people gather in the parking lot or nearby. The only downside is the car lights going on and off, which makes it a bit hard to fully enjoy the stars but they are absolutely beautiful!

We visited just before sunset and walked up to the viewpoint near the Visitor Center with our 4 year old. It took around 20 minutes at a steady pace and the track was manageable, even with a young child, though we took our time. Reaching the top was absolutely worth it. The views stretched right across the island, with the colours of the sunset spilling over the clouds and the mountain ranges. It felt peaceful, almost otherworldly, and gave us one of the most beautiful moments of our trip. As the evening set in we joined the free stargazing session. The night sky here is unlike anywhere else, the stars are so clear and bright you feel immersed in them. It was stunning to see constellations and planets with the naked eye and with the telescopes provided. Our child loved it too, which made it even more special as a family experience. The Visitor Center itself is welcoming with friendly staff, restrooms, a small shop and cultural displays that explain the significance of Mauna Kea. The team there gave us good advice on acclimatising to the altitude and on driving conditions. If you have the right vehicle you can continue on to the summit, but even if you stay at the Visitor Center the beauty, the views and the night sky make it an unforgettable stop that we highly recommend.

We stopped at the Visitor Center on our way to the summit for the recommended 30 min altitude acclimation. We used the restroom and refilled our water bottles. On our way out of the Visitor Center to go up to the summit to watch the sunset, the Rangers gave us a safety briefing. Everything went well. It was early August, and the summit temperature was in the 40s, very cold and windy. It was a beautiful sunset. Definitely worth the trip.

Both times we visited the island we stopped here. It's a beautiful place to watch the sunset above the clouds. After dark an astronomer gives a talk with a laser pointer showing you highlights of the night sky. If you have a vehicle that is 4x4, good health, and extra time; go to the top with the telescopes. If you don't have all of those, this is a great stopping point worth the trip to experience the dark sky and sunset above the clouds. If you're going to be there after sunset, bring warmer clothes. At an elevation of over 4000 feet, it's colder than the rest of Hawaii. If you are going to the top, you'll stop here for at least a half hour to acclimate. There is a gift shop here..

Absolutely breathtaking experience! The Maunakea Visitor Information Station is one of the best spots on the island for stargazing. The skies here are unbelievably clear, and you can see more stars than you ever imagined. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and they provide great tips about the mountain and night sky. It’s also a good place to acclimate before heading up to the summit. Highly recommend stopping here if you want to experience the magic of Maunakea and the stars above Hawaiʻi.

There are a lot of information signs to read during the day and a fantastic view of the sky at night. Even if you don't go up to the summit, you can enjoy the Milky Way from here plus more stars than you can imagine. Make sure to bring your credit or debit card because they don't accept cash for souvenirs.

Worth the drive! Breathtaking views! We went for sunset, it was beautiful! Then the night starry sky was a memorable experience. Feels like another universe.

AJ and John were great guides. Very informative about the various flora. The zip-lines were were very fun especially as the layout required minimal walking (helped my knee a bunch). The views were great when you looked down; zigzaging across the creek was wonderful. We wish there were more flowers but I blame that on the wrong time of year. Overall, Botanical World Adventures was great. After zip-lining we visited the maze which was fun also. What a beautiful location. Highly recommended!

Aloha, My sister is visiting from the mainland and we decided to do a zipline. We had the best time at this Botanical World Gardens. Our tour guides were so friendly, amazing and fun. I definitely would bring more of my guest for this zipline. ( I forgot to take a pic of their names) we booked the 1:00 pm tour. Much mahalos and keep up the great work and spirit. Aloha. CRoll.

We booked our adventure through Big Island Outdoor, and Botanical World Adventures absolutely exceeded our expectations! The setting is breathtaking, but what really made the experience unforgettable was the staff. Every guide and team member we met was professional, incredibly well trained, and went above and beyond to make sure we felt safe, confident, and ready for fun. They explained everything clearly, answered all our questions, and made even the more adventurous activities feel comfortable and exciting. You can tell they truly care about every guest and take pride in providing a top-notch experience. If you want to explore the beauty of the Big Island with amazing service and expert guidance, book through Big Island Outdoor and head to Botanical World Adventures — you won’t be disappointed!

This was so amazing! Our group of 3 young at heart (65+) had a fabulous time and the guides were so helpful, fun, and great at what they do. 8 Zips? What? All good but don’t miss #8. That waterfall! Thanks guys for a great time.

Zipping here was a truly amazing experience!!! In fact, I’ve done it 3 times with different people and each time I’ve learned something new and epic about the Big Island!! Make sure you don’t miss the “shy” leaves- they physically retreat when you touch them!!! Mayra and Ipo are the best guides. MAHALO!!!

This tour was amazing!!! The ziplines were so much fun and we learnt so much about the local flora and fauna thanks to our spectacular guides Reed, John, and Myra! They were so funny and engaging with everyone and made my mom and I feel super safe. We also got to eat the leaves and fruit of the plants that were on our way in between the lines which was so cool and they were all delicious! I would 1000% recommend this activity to everyone!

Jordan and Echo were sun fun zipline guides! They kept the energy goofy while also keeping us safe. We got to try tasty fruit picked right off the trees along the route. Lovely views.

Zip lining was super fun! Great crew and beautiful surroundings. The ride was short and the lines were strong. Totally hands free and they treated us well. One of my favorite activities we have done on the Big Island and I would highly recommend it.

We went ATV riding here. The course was awesome. There were enough ridges to make it challenging yet doable for many. The UTV allowed others who are not comfortable driving an ATV to ride along. The views were awesome. The course is over five miles, so it provided a long enough time to enjoy riding the ATV or UTV. There was a bathroom break and opportunity to swim in a stream by the waterfalls. Afterward, we got to go to the lookout on our own to see the grand view of the three-tier waterfalls. Awesome experience.

Fun place with so many different activities to do. We did the 9 route zip lines. Check in was great. I forgot her name but she was so friendly and helpful. Our guides were cool, fun, personable and professional. After zip lines we also did the lunch at the ponds. Nice little waterfall. Very peaceful. Kayaking and paddle boarding was included. We would do it again. Next time the ATVs. Highly recommend.

$10 per person to look a small fall. I don’t recommend. But there are a lots of strawberry guava. It’s so delicious.

My husband and I opted for the e-bike tour at Umauma and we throughly enjoyed it. We had two guides (Keely and Chandry, I hope I spelled their names correctly) and they had a weatlh of information to share. I love hearing the history and myth behind the different types of trees we saw. The motorized bikes were very comfortable and easy to use. The views we were able to see were stunning. In the middle of our tour, we were able to go to their private waterfall pond to take a swim. That place was magical and so serene. They had paddle boards and kayaks to use, if you didn't want to swim. Highly recommend this place.

The highlight of our Big Island visit — totally worth it for the excitement and the unforgettable memories! The guides are super energetic, friendly, and clearly know what they’re doing. The whole time it felt super safe and secure to do the zip lines. My six-year-old adventure-junky son loved coming back here for the second time. We appreciated that he got to go the first time as a five year old kindergartener. This time around, he had even more courage and tried some of the lines upside down — double the fun and thrills! We lucked out with perfect weather and got to ride all nine lines. The guides kept things lively with their humor and jokes throughout the experience. Soaring over 100–200-foot drops and gliding above the five-tier falls was truly otherworldly, with stunning scenery all around. I also loved the music the guides played over the speakers — it made the whole adventure even more fun and exciting. Delicious dole soft serve in the cafe after the adrenaline rush!

So much fun and gorgeous views! A couple of lines were closed but we got a discount for it. The crew was great!

A nice little hike that's paved. Beautiful tall waterfall and beautiful tropical surroundings. Kahuna Falls on the same trail couldn't be seen due to plant overgrowth. Must pay to park $10 and each person pay to enter $5/person. There are attendants there to help with the payment process. There are bathrooms near parking lot.

I loved all the tropical foliage and the Akaka waterfall was beautiful. The other waterfall was not visible when we visited. The trail is moderately difficult with many stairs. If you have trouble walking or climbing I would suggest going straight to the fall on your left and not right which takes you all the way around.

Very cool waterfall. Definitely recommend doing the whole loop (counterclockwise) for a nice walk through some beautiful jungle. Street parking is free, but the parking lot and admission are paid before going down the stairs. Get there early before the tour buses arrive.

for someone younger and not very athletic, the walk/trail is paved with railings and A very doable walk. (was able to finsih walk in comfy walking flip flops! (flora is beautiful if your a plant person!)

First time to visit the falls. On an excursion form Carnival cruise. Beautiful park with all sort of exotic plants and water falls. It reminds me of a Jarassic park without the dinosaurs🤣🤣🤣

ʻAkaka Falls is a magical place. The trail winds through lush rainforest and leads to a truly spectacular waterfall. This is the real Hawaiian jungle, it might rain while you’re there, but the showers are short and only add to the atmosphere. The entrance fee is $5 per person plus $10 per car, though you can park just outside the gate to save the parking fee

We loved the Akaka Falls Park. We parked on the road and walked down. Entry fee is like 8 or 9 bucks a person. Very botanical garden vibes, we loved all the frogs and pathways leading you to the falls. Quite a bit of stairs going down, and then back up(very doable, we took my grandpa 78 very fragile and he did amazing! One step at a time.)

Beautiful walk around gardens. Fun to see the many textures and plants mixing with lava flow. There are benches in the shaded area. If you can coax the sun out, makes for great memories.

Very beautiful gardens. This place was amazing. 8 bus loads of people, but had plenty of space to wonder around without tripping on everyone. The gardens just happened to have a contest on flower designs. I tried to capture of of them , but it started to rain harder, then a light drizzle, so I made my way back to the bus.

Beautiful grounds without a Tea Garden (but 2 restaurant/grills on site.) High water levels did not permit access to all the features and the bridge was also "off limits." However, still a recommended spot for walking, banyan and other tree/flora appreciation.

Great place to spend some time walking around and enjoying the greenery. Has a bridge where one can walk to coconut island. However, the bridge recently collapsed and is probably under renovation. Has restrooms

One of the most beautiful amazing park befitting for a Queen! It was actually made for the last Queen of Hawaii. Definitely worth the time to visit

Beautiful peaceful park but often flooded when there has been lots of rain

Is a nice stop to have a picnic after getting plate lunches from across the street at either Siusan Fish market or Wailoa Grill. The park itself is serene and beautiful with many large banyan trees offering shade. There is one single bathroom building with 1 stall for the women’s bathroom and the heat can be uncomfortable around noon. Nevertheless, it is serene and a good place to rest.

Yes yes and yes. Everything one could want from a local market. Many many options all fresh genuine and local. Mangosteen, 🍯 honey, ☕️ coffee, 🥥 coconuts, 🍫 chocolates, rare fruits and vegetables they have it all. Also an AWESOME, craft and artist, creators market in tandem next door.

Had a great time exploring this little gem. Met some very cool artist and conscientious eco friendly minded advocates. A great visit to support the local vendors.

If you're going here to buy souvenirs, don't buy the souvenirs from the outside vendors. Go to the trinket vendor in the strip mall right behind the outdoor booths... You will see it can't miss it. Unfortunately, I felt like half of these booths were just selling Chinese made trinkets with the word Hawaii painted on it. Very few were handmade booths.

Visited on the big Wednesday Market. Overwhelming array of fresh fruits and vegetables, with a lot of items I have never seen before. Very friendly vendors and lots of handmade craft items. Highly recommended. There was even live music that realy sets the mood. Great location and plenty of free parking.

Our trustworthy driver brought us safely from Kona all the way to Hilo for our fun-filled day of sightseeing, and she wanted to check this place out and hopefully purchase stuff. ATMOSPHERE: The market is spread out over gravel lots in downtown Hilo under pop up tents, across the street from Mooheau Park. Parking is all street, or on a small gravel lot off of Beckley Street. There was also a small eatery within the grounds with outdoor seating full of people, but I didn't check it out. THE MARKET: Because we came on a Sunday at around 2pm, only 1 tent was occupied, and not even 50% at that. We were told the more bustling days were on the weekdays and Saturday. The maybe 10 or so vendors there were selling almost similar products, including vegetables, fruits, and crafts. One particular fruit that caught my eye was called "rambutan" which has a unique exterior similar to a protea flower, with the inside fruit tasting similar to a lychee but not as sweet, or so I was told. I was hoping to find fresh gandule beans in the pod but no one was selling them. My friend on the other hand, found fresh pohole ferns that were even cheaper than on Maui where we live. She lugged them back on the plane and eventually made her infamous pohole salad.

This market has a tonne of great vendors! It’s mostly fruit and jewelry. I wish that the vendors were set up in time though, as it was listed to start at 7am but didn’t actually start until after 9am. That’s my only complaint. Otherwise it was great!

Wednesday and Saturday are the best days of the week to go. Those 2 days each week have the most vendors. It's the best place to shop! Lots of bargains!! They even have the best shaved ice! All natural! It's called Kulas!

Lovely home to the most popular macadamia nut companies in the world. Huge expansive acreage of macadamia nut trees with a lovely visitor center with a wide variety of macadamia nut products. Huge assortment of flavors combined with souvenirs makes this famous nut factory a must stop on the big island.

Nice gift shop! They have one section devoted to local businesses with great Hawaiian made products. The staff was very friendly and helpful. And the samples are always fun! Lovely gardens too.

The macadamia “experience” was lacking, with just a very short video (raising more curiosity than answering questions). However, the small garden behind the building was fantastic. I loved seeing native floral and fauna in such an accessible way! Worth the stop.

Had such a great time here! They met us at the door with samples and told us all about the farm. We took a small nature walk around and got to look in on the production window. Everyone was super friendly and the merch was awesome! Lots of different flavors of macadamia nuts to try and buy. It was a fun visit!

Not really worth the stop as there isn’t much to do here. It’s essentially just a store. The nuts are much cheaper at the grocery stores in town so make sure to buy them there! The ice cream was definitely amazing though!

Once i heard that Mauna Loa Macadamia Nuts is located in Hilo, Hi, i put it on my calendar to go to during vacation. By far my favorite Macadamia Nuts from Hawaii. We stopped by the Visitor Center on vacation. They had a few samples at their counter. My favorite was the Matcha Macadamia Nuts, sold by Hawaiian Host. I highly recommend if you’re a fan of Matcha, like myself. I definitely will be going back on our next trip to the Big Island

Very nice shop. Clean and orderly. But pricing is expensive. I only bought a 2-pack, because the prices were too high. I'll go buy them at Costco, thanks. However the nature walk out back was great!

Beautiful water pretty much in town. Can pull up and see it from different points near the parking lit or climb up some stone steps and view the falls and the river from above. Best first thing in the morning, very serene! Highly recommend, makes a great quick stop before heading over to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park if you're staying in Hilo.

Beautiful place to visit in Hilo, Hawaii. There is not a lot of parking so you may have to wait for a parking space but it does not take long to get a space since the falls is a viewing area that people leave pretty quickly but it is worth seeing.

Totally worth a visit - fairly easy and well groomed trail - good for families. The upper falls view has 3 view points. Don't miss the steep steps down to the viewing platform (it looks steep but worth it - trust me). Note that this is different than the lower falls sign which points to the left which path goes another 0.6 miles to another smaller falls view (not really worth it in my opinion). Enjoy the falls - good lunch spot

Awesome waterfall from a waterfall junkie!!! The two observation spots are perfect for different views of the falls. The <5 min walk up to to see the banyan trees and top of the waterfall is worth it. Rainbow Falls stayed true to its name with beautiful rainbows. For those with accessibility concerns, you can see the waterfall from the parking lot. Bathrooms were available. We visited around 1 PM on a weekend in November and it wasn't crowded. We stayed around 30 min. 10/10 would recommend.

Quick stop to see a waterfall in the town of Hilo. Best to see rainbow in the morning. Can view waterfall from level ground steps away from parking lot or you can take uneven, natural rock steps to view waterfall from above.

Great waterval near Hilo. You can just drive to it and parm 100 feet away. If you go in the morning you may see the rainbow the falls were named after.

Beautiful waterfall that is almost visible from the parking lot! Super easy to get to and enjoy. We wanted to see more waterfalls so we are heading over to Akaka Falls state park. I hear there is a nice .4 mile walking trail where you see three different waterfalls. It is located about 30 min from Rainbow falls

Kapoho Tide Pools no longer exists. It was buried by lava flow in 2018. Google needs to fix this and many other problems with Google Maps.

It’s not a public place. You need to park your vehicle and walk quite a mile to get to the pool. Don’t worry, there are arrow to guide you there. Make sure you read the information board, respect the environment and the neighborhood. You can rent the snorkel tool near Hilo farmer market. The pool looks simple but there are quite a good view there. You shouldn’t miss this place. Have fun and be careful.

Hilo is a frequent rainfall and this natural pool is cold when it rains. We wanted to see turtles and lots of fish, but the water was so cold and there were not many fish. I was disappointed because it was a snorkeling spot and there were lots of stones so it was hard to walk.

So sad we snorkeled there this past January one of the most beautiful snorkeing spots on the big island that the residents so gracefully shared with all that were willing to walk from the parking area. So sad the tidepools and homes are all gone...does anyone know of a group to donate to to help the residents of Kapoho?

No public access since 2018 - unless someone knows how to hike there from the end of the road. Let me know. ❤️🥺

Sadly, the area has been reclaimed by Kilauea and covered in lava.

The Kapoho Tide Pools were by far the most amazing cool place I have ever been to snorkeling, this place was beautiful, it was so way cool here . The fish in the water were unbelievable they were so pretty and they were everywhere. I will never forget this place . I would love to go there again. I'm glad I was able to see this beautiful place . It was heaven on earth . I love this place . #love

Warm spring water mixing with cool ocean water. Just make sure to wash off at the shower area there before you leave. There are a few fish in the pool so you can snorkel and take pictures. Weekends are pretty crowded.

Great place to visit in almost any weather. My group went during an evening with light rainfall and the warmth of the pool made us forget that it was a little chilly! There are some fish here, not a huge variety but it's good for a little snorkeling.

Neat little park. It takes about 20 minutes to walk through on the paved path. The lava trees are fascinating especially if you love geology. The locals were having a musical jam session when we were there. Remember it is the rainy part of the island.

I saw ‘Io (Hawaiian Hawk[Buteo solitarius]), I think he or she lives there, if you come to the park during nesting season you might can see more thank one, even the little one. This place is really good for kids, quite and close to nature~

A short hike on a paved walkway offers wonderful views of the lava trees. Be sure to look for flowers, lizards, and other natural phenomena!

Small but beautiful park with numerous, well-preserved lava trees. The trail only takes 20-30 minutes max to walk around, so it’s much more of a pit stop or place to kill a bit of time than a standalone attraction. It is cool to see though, and I appreciated the informational signs explaining what lava trees are and how they are created. While it’s not a must-see by any means, it’s a great way to start or end a day of exploring the Big Island!

Nice little stop to see some lava trees. Short loop around a flat trail.

Beautiful short walk around paved pathway and lava encased trees.

Well worth the time spent if you like history.

One of the best things to do on the Big Island! The Maunakea Summit at sunset is absolutely breathtaking. Watching the sun dip below the clouds from over 13,000 feet is an unforgettable experience. The sky lights up in incredible shades of gold, pink, and purple, and being above the clouds truly feels like standing on top of the world. I will definitely go again—it’s easily one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen!

Great place for sunrise and sunset views. Definitely recommend to visit at 14000 ft. I did visit both morning and evening, noticed that evenings are generally cloudy so less chances of getting a good 360 view of the island. However, mornings are clearer and had good sunrise views. Also a lot less crowded in the mornings than in the evenings. When you come down, your break temperatures are checked, and needs to be less than 300 F otherwise you would need to spend a few minutes at the visitor center check in for the breaks to cool off. You break more often in the evening because of the crowd and end up with heated breaks requiring to stop on your way back. Altitude sickness is generally not much of a concern but one has to be cautious if any prior healt concerns exist. One would need to be at leat 1 hour at ahead ( 30 minutes at the visitor center to acclimate to the altitude and then another 30 minutes drive to the top). If you use a jeep 4X4 , they recommend to keep your drive train at 4LWD up and down, however, there are spots where there is a thar road and in those spots going at 4HWD is also fine and no problems if the weather is dry. Definitely worth a visit

It was a place to go once but if I have the chance to go again with snow on the mountain would. I do have asthma and did okay so just beware if you have it. It was fun to see the top of the clouds and the visitor center was nice, especially since you have to wait there for 30 minutes for your body to adapt to the altitude. The people who work there are very nice and have a great sense of humor as they tell you what and how to drive the car up there. You do need either a 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive they say but it would be best to have the 4 wheel drive. All in all it was worth going once just to say you did it.

We visited Mauna Kea about a week ago, and it was an incredible experience! Be prepared — it gets very cold at the top, around 2°C at just over 4,000 meters, so warm clothes are a must. The view, however, is absolutely breathtaking — you can see above the clouds, and the sunset is truly unforgettable. There are quite a few tourists, so you won’t be alone, but it’s still worth every moment. A useful tip: check online beforehand to see if the road to the summit is open, as it can sometimes be closed due to fog, snow, or safety conditions. Overall, an amazing and unique experience — highly recommended for anyone visiting Hawaii!

Unbelievable experience, the view is like no other. I was short of breath for a few minutes while my body acclimated to the change in oxygen level and it was 38 degrees farenheit ar the summit whereas it was 80 at the beach, layer up or bundle up. 😂. We stayed there till night and got some amazing photos

Must visit when on Big Island. We visited for Sunset. Keep 60 mins before Sunset for the drive up. They make you acclimate for 30 mins at the visitor centre before the drive up. No visitors are allowed up with 30 mins left for sunset so don't be late. It is 0c at the top so go prepared. Need a 4x4 to go up, the road is really tough terrain.

By far one of the coolest experiences of my life. I love the stars and space and getting above the clouds and learning what the observatory looks for is so cool. The show put on by the visitor center is great and getting to the top of the mountain was amazing. Bring a jacket!

Go early. We arrived an hour prior to check in station and missed the actual sunset by 3 minutes. Long line to drive up, people asking rangers too many questions and the process was slow. Many tourists cannot drive in 4Lo and that slows us all down. Worth the trip up. Go early!

Our tour guide, James, provided us with an exceptional experience. The stargazing activity was truly remarkable, and the provision of hot cocoa and thermal clothing was highly commendable for ensuring our comfort in the cold.

Wow! An experience of a lifetime… be prepared for the dizzying heights, cold temperatures, and spectacular views. After sunset, head back down to the visitor center for a presentation by a ranger with a laser pointer for some incredible stargazing!

Visiting Mauna Kea is an unforgettable experience — the views are breathtaking, and the observatories are incredible. At nearly 14,000 ft above sea level, the skies are some of the clearest in the world, perfect for stargazing and astronomy. 🌌🔭 That said, this is not recommended for children under 13 or for anyone sensitive to high altitude. The air is very thin, and you can easily feel sick — in rare cases, altitude sickness can even be dangerous or fatal. We had to stop for almost an hour just to let our lungs adjust before going higher. If you go, take it slow, bring layers (it gets very cold), and respect that this is also a deeply sacred place for Native Hawaiians.

Highest mountain on earth! Cold clean air, above the clouds. Spectacular views.

It is the top destination in the entire Hawaii. The are more wishing stars here than anywhere and they are bigger. Mauna Kea Summit is the tallest on the Earth when it is measured from the base of the mountain. At 33,500 feet (10,210 m) Mauna Kea is taller than Everest with its height at 29,029 feet (8,848 m). Plus it is much cheaper than Nepal adventure. The world’s summit is just across from the University of Hawaii Telescope. According to the “Hawaii the Big Island Revealed” guidebook, it is complete OK to cross the fence from the road to walk a few hundred feet. The warning signs were put here when Hawaiians organized the protests to stop their sacred place being covered by the Thirty Meter Telescope. For now the place is all left for you while scientists are looking for the inspiration on the top of the Canary Islands. For obvious reasons they dropped alternative locations in Chille or India. How to step the foot on the tallest mountain on our home planet: 1. It is a sacred place. The Goddess of Snow Poliahu lives here. Enter with pure heart and gratitude. 2. AWD or 4WD is a must with the close to the full tank is required. They check it at the entrance by the visitor center. The drive will make you remember “shake it up” song. 3. Gloves, hat, and a warm jacket it is the only place on island where it is almost a must. 4. Don’t drink before shortly before you come here, even if they offer an umbrella on your glass to ward off those headache spirits. The altitude is intoxicating. 5. Kids below 13 are discouraged (not banned) from coming to the top for the good reason. Some lose conscience. Even at the visitor center small children cry all the time because of the physical discomfort. 6. If possible, combine it with the sunrise or sunset. 7. Finally, it is awesome. There is no even bad word with the sexual context to describe it. It must be lived to know how it feels.

Mauna Kea is one of the most incredible places I’ve ever been. The sunset at the summit feels unreal, and after that you head back down to the Visitor Center for stargazing. Seeing the Milky Way with your own eyes is unforgettable! A tip not everyone knows: you don’t have to book a tour to go up. Anyone can go to the Visitor Center, but to drive all the way to the top you must have a 4x4 vehicle—otherwise, you won’t be allowed past the checkpoint. Highly recommend this once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Safe place!!!

(Translated by Google) They don't charge for parking. And there is a van that takes you to where they rent bicycles and/or vans that take you as close as possible to the volcano. If you go with children it is recommended, with said rental they give you water and flashlights (Original) No cobran por estacionar. Y hay una combi que te lleva hasta donde alquilan las bicicletas y/o camionetas que acercan lo más posible al volcán. Si van con chicos es recomendable, con dicho alquiler te dan agua y linternas

Cool lava tube, not too busy! Would have loved to have seen it at night too. The loop is nice, stairs down and somehow you end up above it when you come out. Restrooms near the entrance/exit of the loop - one of the few with running water so take advantage!

We went after dark so we had to use the flashlight from our phones up until we got to the actual tube. Very nice short walk. Beautiful scenery leading up to the very well lit tube. Walkable for little ones. I had my two second graders with me. Very cool experience to add to our volcano visit! 🥰🌋

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Volcano Tubes – An Unforgettable Experience in Hawaii Visiting the volcano tubes in Hawaii was truly one of the highlights of our trip, and I can’t recommend this stop highly enough. The entire hike leading to the lava tube is absolutely beautiful — a perfect blend of lush rainforest scenery, cool shaded pathways, and that peaceful Hawaiian atmosphere that instantly slows your pace and makes you appreciate every step. The trail is well-maintained, accessible to most visitors, and filled with vibrant greenery, birdsong, and the kind of natural beauty that feels straight out of a postcard. The real centerpiece, of course, is the incredible lava tube itself. Walking through it feels like stepping into another world. The cool air, the soft echo of footsteps, and the natural volcanic formations lining the walls make it a one-of-a-kind experience. The lighting inside is just bright enough to show the tube’s details while still preserving that mysterious, awe-inspiring ambiance. It’s amazing to stand inside a place formed by molten lava thousands of years ago and imagine the power that shaped it. Whether you’re a nature lover, hiker, or someone seeking a memorable adventure, the volcano tubes are an absolute must-see. As a Local Guide, this is exactly the kind of spot I love highlighting — unique, accessible, and unforgettable. Highly recommend!

Really cool experience and a beautiful, easy walk. Parking was limited - we were lucky to get a parking spot on a Friday at 130 PM. Otherwise, you have to walk a bit from the overflow parking down the road. Bathrooms are a plus. Overall, highly recommend!

Parking spaces were available around 9:30 am and when we hiked back here around 11 am it will as packed with many busses on the side too. The walk is pretty quick and it is a dark tube that gets lit up between 8 am and 8 pm but if you have trouble seeing in the dark or want to see more then bring your own flashlight. The walk is short but getting down to the tube can be steep for some. Be careful. It's a very short walk for the loop.

Nāhuku Lava Tube – Big Island An incredible natural wonder worth visiting! Walking through the lava tube feels like stepping into another world — cool, mysterious, and full of history. It’s an easy stop inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and a great way to experience the raw power of nature up close. Definitely a must-see on the Big Island!

Got there at like 8.30am I think and had the tube to our self. Felt so cool being inside, great experience. Drove past later in day and it was packed, couldn’t get a carpark. Definitely go early if you have the time

Good hike. Not too bad and very interesting to see the crater. The uphill is extremely difficult and it is not for everyone at the end of the trail. Going down into the crater was fun and there were mini short cuts you could take downwards. Make sure to apply sun screen and do it when rain isn’t expected (no way out if it starts to rain). Drink tons of water and be responsible while on this trail. Keep in mind you are literally going down hundreds of feet into the previous lava filled crater. Even some vegetation exists here. But overall, I recommend at least doing it once if staying in the area like the Volcano House.

We hiked clockwise and took the easy path down. The lush green forest is beautiful and the weather was cooperating when we went. The crater was surreal. Follow the rock piles and stay on the trail. Now, crossing over to finish the loop was a challenge. You have to hike up lava rocks that het steeper and more jagged. It's OK to turn around and cross the crater and come back where you came from. The other side has stairs and stairs and more stairs and if you are short and out of shape, it is going to be a tough time... but hey... take your time and you will get there when you get there. The counterclockwise offers an easier ending with NO stairs but you have to climb a long way down the uneven stairs... either way, if you want to do the full loop, stairs are in your future. Worth the experience, well maintained but take snacks, water, a hat that attaches to your head and sunscreen! Wear solid and secure shoes and cover yourself because the bugs and the sun are out to say hello! It was super windy in the crater when we went and people were chasing their hats!

The hike was a loop and took about 2 hours. Weather can change suddenly from sunny to pouring rain. We were glad that we had our rain coat on. Very rewarding hike and interesting to see the lava rocks up close in person.

We absolutely loved it !! Not many people start from the visitor center, but it is definitely worthy. You will walk through a tropical forest, past next to the lava tube trial, walk through the crater… strongly recommend it !

Very unique hike as you get to walk across the the crater. However, it’s not incredibly interesting as the landscape is pretty monotonous. We completed it in an hr hustling it.

From the trail map at the parking lot, I would recommend going left. Both ways are steep inclines/declines to get down into the crater but the trail off to the left is much higher in elevation so most would rather go down on that side. You will pass the lava tube parking lot, about 1/3 mile from the trail head parking lot, then you will start you descent down with plenty of switchbacks. Once on the bottom, you enter another world and every step you take is picture worthy. It is approximately 1.5 miles long in my estimation. The path is marked by stacked rock piles but you can also tell by the wear/discoloration on the rock from all the traffic. It is a great experience and a must do. Unless their is flowing lava in the park, I think this is the best thing to do, which includes the Thurston lava tube, which I loved as well. The decent up has a lot of rocky steps but it is shorter to go up this way. The path back to the parking lot/trailhead is much longer on this side (about a mile give or take) and has plenty of inclined and declines as you wrap around the crater edge. It also has some nice overlooks along the way. I would recommend coming here as early as possible. It does get crowded and the sun was high and on our backs by the end. There is no cover from the sun when you are in the crater. This is a MUST do!

Really fun hike. Plan 1-2 hours. Lots of variety of landscape. I recommend adding the lava tubes into your hike as well for even more variety.

Great spot to view the lava flow from. We found it very educational for our two daughters. There is lots of history inside the musem area. Small gift shop indes aswell. We parked at the musem as there is plenty of parking there. From the musem it's a nice hike to the steam vents 1.7 miles. very scenic and great photo opportunities. Must see if you are visiting the Big island

Nice collection of lava samples. Great place to view the active crater, especially at night when you can see the glow from the magma. Bring warm clothing if you're going at night as it can get very cold. The parking lot can get very full at night so plan accordingly.

A nice stop while touring the park. Includes some science and also the latest updates in the lava flows for those planning to go see them. Look through the binoculars to see the birds flying around the caldera.

The museum was good but the best part was the lava lake views at night. The museum has a viewpoint of the Halemaumau Crater where the lava lake is on the surface as of November 2016. The views at night are spectacular. This place is a little windy but worth the wait. We stayed closed to the Hawaii volcano national park and we could drive to the museum multiple times under 10 min.

A great place to observe the active volcano crater in Mt. Kïlauea called “Hale Ma'uma'u,” which means Home of the Eternal Crater. If you are a tourist, then it’s 100% worth the visit at dusk. There are a lot of other places to visit within Volcanoes National Park. It’s been fun with my young toddler children.

Ensure that you reach the place well before sunrise( say 5:15 am) and wait it out until sunrise. Completely worth waking up in the morning to see the Kīlauea cauldera from the lookout point. An advice is to probably book a room close by. We stayed at the lokahi lodge which was 10 min away(reasonably priced and a really good stay for a night)

Good place to brush-up your vulcanology knowledge. Little bit of history and a great site to view Kilauea's eastern slope AKA East Rift Zone. Up close and person to live crater. On a clear day, you can see smoke coming out to crater. There are times when rangers take time and share valuable incites of this place. This was one of the top place for Volcanic studies for a while. For time to time you may be able to see Scientists near by. Restrooms available and actual site is walking from parking area. You can cover entire site in 15-20 mins. We started our national park journey from this spot.

Nature at its most awe-inspiring — Kīlauea is an experience I’ll never forget! 🌋 Seeing Kīlauea during its 32nd re-eruption was absolutely breathtaking. The lava fountains shot more than 400 feet into the sky, glowing bright against the sky — a sight that words and photos can’t truly capture. From the crater rim trail and every viewpoint, you could feel the heat radiating and hear the roar of the eruption, a sound as powerful and unrelenting as Niagara Falls. It’s raw, humbling, and almost surreal to witness the earth creating itself right before your eyes. Standing there, you realize how small you are compared to the immense power of nature. Kīlauea isn’t just a stop on a trip to Hawai‘i — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime reminder of the planet’s living, breathing energy.

Amazing to be able to watch this volcano erupt and feel the rumble of the volcano in person.

Well it is what it is and it was magnificent. Missed an eruption by one day! Next time lol.

If you like heat. This is the place for you. A truly amazing but weird experience with so much black lava over many miles going to the ocean.

Pictures from visit in early February 2022 and late January/February 2023. Such a beautiful natural phenomena. When its really quiet, you can actually hear the lava bubbling on the surface

The earth is amazing and deadly. The crater hike is a must and would rate a moderate hike in proper gear. If you've done your research, go counter COUNTER CLOCKWISE on the hike as to cross the lava tubes at the end and crossing the highest part of the volcano will be easier as well. So if you see the tube early on your trek, I highly recommend to go back the 15 minutes. Parking is very limited for the hike, so come early like before 9am and you'll have no problem if it. Bring lots of water as there are no shade when your are on the crater part of the hike. We took about 3 hours to complete as we stopped and double backed on some parts of the trail. Once on the crater, follow the rock piles that creates a path across. Do drive to the visitor center as there are toilet facilities, park rangers that does a great overview of the park, and gift shop to commemorate your visit. If you have the time, there is a drive all the way to the Crater Rim Road all the way to the most southern tip. Leave at least 2 hours to do this.

Real volcano. Once in a lifetime chance. The area around the caldera (the crater) is breathtaking.

Nice drive, but on a cloudy day, you won't see much other than the inside of a cloud.

Drive to the end and back. Worth the scenic views and close to ocean. You get to see how the lava has engulfed the bay.

Wild sight

(Translated by Google) A vast lava plateau! You can really feel the earth. It was my first time seeing a rainbow that formed such a beautiful arch. I was so moved! (Original) 広大な溶岩台地！地球を感じられる。 こんなにもキレイなアーチを描く虹を初めて見ました。感動！

Love the beauty here. Lots of traffic.

Absolutely incredible experience. We went on a national parks day so it was free; however, you can easily spend a whole day here and get your money worth. The 4 mile trail is not that difficult. I would recommend going clockwise. Start at the entrance near the lava tube and take the trail all the way across the crater and back up where you’ll end near the lava tube. The first part of the hike is all downhill, then you’ll have a trek across the crater which is incredible… if you take this route you’ll have a short stretch which is pure incline, climbing up steps, but you won’t have the .6 mile constant incline if you did it the opposite direction. Also, if you start by the lava tube, you descend to the crater and have the most incredible views of the crater and the lush treeline behind it!

Incredible Experience at Hawaii’s Big Island Volcanoes! Visiting the Big Island's volcanoes was an unforgettable highlight of our trip to Hawaii. From the moment we entered Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the sheer scale and beauty of the landscape left us in awe. The contrast between lush rainforest and stark lava fields is something you truly have to see to believe. We were lucky enough to witness the Kīlauea crater at night, and the glow from the lava was absolutely mesmerizing. The park rangers were knowledgeable and passionate, providing great insights into the geology, history, and cultural significance of the volcanoes. We also hiked the Kīlauea Iki Trail, which takes you right across a cooled lava lake—such a surreal experience! The steam vents, sulfur banks, and Thurston Lava Tube added even more variety and fascination to the visit. If you're planning a trip to the Big Island, this is an absolute must-see. Be sure to check for current volcanic activity and weather conditions, and bring sturdy shoes and water. Whether you're into science, nature, or just jaw-dropping scenery, the volcanoes will leave a lasting impression. Highly recommend

A must-visit spot! I recommend going both during the day and at night. Bring binoculars — you can actually see lava glowing between the cracks! Half of the fun starts in the dark ^^ Check out full view of the Kilauea Volcano: @threecontinents10

Visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was one of the most memorable experiences of my trip to the Big Island. There’s really no other place like it — where you can see steaming volcanic craters, walk through lush rainforests, and cross an actual lava field all in a single day. We started at the Kīlauea Visitor Center, which is a great place to get maps, check eruption updates, and talk to the rangers. The staff were friendly and full of good advice about which trails were open and how to make the most of our visit. From there, we did the Crater Rim Drive and stopped at several viewpoints — the views into Halemaʻumaʻu Crater were absolutely incredible. My favorite part was hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail. It starts in the forest, then drops down into the crater where you actually walk across the solidified lava floor. It’s surreal — like stepping onto another planet. The contrast between the lush greenery above and the black rock below is something you’ll never forget. We also walked through the Thurston Lava Tube, which was fascinating, and explored the Sulphur Banks Trail to see steam vents and smell the volcanic gases (just a little!). The weather changes quickly here — one minute it’s sunny, the next it’s misty and cool — so it’s good to bring layers. Even though we didn’t see active lava during our visit, the whole park still felt alive. You can literally feel the energy of the Earth beneath your feet. It’s peaceful, raw, and powerful all at once. If you’re coming to the Big Island, don’t skip this place. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or just want to witness the power of nature, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a must-see. Just plan ahead, check the conditions, and give yourself plenty of time — you’ll want to soak it all in. ⸻ Would you like me to make it sound a bit more casual and traveler-like (like a post someone would actually leave on Google Maps after a trip)? the most memorable experiences of my trip to the Big Island. There’s really no other place like it — where you can see steaming volcanic craters, walk through lush rainforests, and cross an actual lava field all in a single day. We started at the Kīlauea Visitor Center, which is a great place to get maps, check eruption updates, and talk to the rangers. The staff were friendly and full of good advice about which trails were open and how to make the most of our visit. From there, we did the Crater Rim Drive and stopped at several viewpoints — the views into Halemaʻumaʻu Crater were absolutely incredible. My favorite part was hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail. It starts in the forest, then drops down into the crater where you actually walk across the solidified lava floor. It’s surreal — like stepping onto another planet. The contrast between the lush greenery above and the black rock below is something you’ll never forget. We also walked through the Thurston Lava Tube, which was fascinating, and explored the Sulphur Banks Trail to see steam vents and smell the volcanic gases (just a little!). The weather changes quickly here — one minute it’s sunny, the next it’s misty and cool — so it’s good to bring layers. Even though we didn’t see active lava during our visit, the whole park still felt alive. You can literally feel the energy of the Earth beneath your feet. It’s peaceful, raw, and powerful all at once. If you’re coming to the Big Island, don’t skip this place. Whether you’re into hiking, photography, or just want to witness the power of nature, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a must-see. Just plan ahead, check the conditions, and give yourself plenty of time — you’ll want to soak it all in.

An absolutely amazing visit! I was very lucky to be able to see one of the volcanoes erupting! The park was absolutely breathtaking even besides that! This is definitely a must for everyone who visits or even lives on the island!

Loved seeing the Volcano erupt! It’s an experience I will never forget. The national park is beautiful and would highly recommend you visit it.

Amazing to be able to get so close to an active volcano! Don't treat it as an amusement park but realize it's an act of nature that few can experience.

We went to this place 3 consecutive days for our morning coffee ☕️ they have free samples inside the shop as well. A very good concept to try the different flavour of manufactured coffees : It’s a coffee plantation. We didn’t do it, but you can also visit the area with a guided tour. We didn’t try the food, I think they are only selling muffins. Coffee prices was correct : around 6-7 USD for each.

Take a short, scenic drive through the lush Ka'u countryside, past dark macadamia nut forests and impressive stands of banana trees, and you will find yourself at this cozy welcoming center. Clean restrooms and a large outdoor pavilion adjoin this coffee shop/gift store. The owners are extremely generous with their coffee samples! There were six different flavors available to try (for free) on the day I visited. They provide several sweetening options, but unfortunately, no milk or creamer. If you want that, you'll have to purchase a beverage from their extensive menu. I really enjoyed browsing through all the high quality, locally made food items. The highlight was their signature brand chocolate bars. I got a Dark Chocolate Coffee Cream Bar, which was made with a few simple, clean ingredients and very reasonably priced for that caliber of chocolate. I loved how relaxed the atmosphere was. Nobody was pressuring me to buy anything, and I could just relax while happily sipping coffee and shopping.

While heading down to the coast, a large sign pointed at this coffee stop. Mainly, I was intrigued by the free restroom, for I am NOT a coffee person. However, what a great place! The landscape is so beautiful, and the store inside had me enamoured by the different coffee novelties that I almost have converted into a coffee person. I even tried a free sample of the macadamia vanilla coffee. Very tasty! They have several coffees to sample from. The atmosphere is very non-invasive: spacious and roomy. There is an outdoor seating area with the restrooms connected, and the restroom was very nice and free to use (no purchase required). I got myself a mango smoothie and chilled outside. It was a bit busy when I got there and was told it may take a while to get the smoothie, but the guy was speedy I guess and made haste to get me it pretty quickly. I was grateful. And smoothie price was fair, too.

During our time on the big island, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. We had the opportunity to sample various flavors and indulge in the gift shop. The guy who toured us was very knowledgeable about coffee. Additionally, we explored the property, observing coffee plants at various stages of the harvesting process. For coffee enthusiasts, this visit is a must-see experience.

I love this coffee farm, free tasting 😋. The lady working was very nice & helpful. The sitting area was nice & relaxing. Loved the nature of the farm. Coffee was great. Will go back again. A most go to when on the Big Island Hawaii.

Great place to see a coffee farm, get FREE coffee tasting, and buy handcrafted drinks. There are two free coffee farm tours a day at 11am and 1pm. They don't have coffee tours on the weekend though. The gift shop smelled like coffee heaven! There is outside seating to enjoy your drinks, and they have a very clean public restroom. They also have a store in Kona if you just want to get some of their coffee.

Free coffee samples and an okay tour. Coffee tasted good, but not quite as good Kona (on our humble opinion). Price was good though and the place is worth checking out.

Great Bay, the very Rocky beach is not easily enjoyable since there is no sand but it's all big rocks. But the view is worth the drive i. Oh by the way the phone map takes you through a private one lane road, very narrow, so please don't follow the road of the main highway if you're going north on hwy 11 don't take the first exit to 160 but the second exit. The Bay water was really clear we could see fish from the dock/stone wall barrier. It is absolutely a beautiful place/Bay, I enjoyed the little time I spent in there.

Lots of ways to visit the bay, cruises, hikes, kayaking, etc. A lovely location for snorkeling

Perfect water temperature and so many fish to see! Crystal clear water and beautiful coral.

Good beach to snorkel, not a ton of fish compared to 2 other places I went near by. Pretty black white lava rock beach near to it.

It's exotic bay that you could watch Captain cook! It takes about 15-20 minutes from the two step beach. Very peaceful and calm place. If you need to take a break with the sound the wave crush to the stones, you may need to consider this spot to visit.

The best snorkeling place at big island. It’s only reachable through foot (a nice hike to see the lava and the bay view), boat or kayaking. We hiked down and it’s totally worth it. One can even see the fishes from the shore. Things to take: water to drink, snorkeling set. Recommend to take: water shoes, hammock, reef safe sun protection.

Went on snorkel cruise here. Very dirty on top of water with leaves and bark. Saw alot of great fish and an octopus but were covered in dirty stuff

Two sacred places in Honaunau - Puuhonua Refuge and Painted Church built - are best visited together experience the spiritual life on the Island. One Hawaiian and one Western, both serving higher powers till today... by visiting them you'll forever become part of its history by observing the unity, where people saw differences. Overlooking the Kealakekua Bay, the very place where Captain Cook took his breath for his arrogance, there is a sense of tranquility. There is peace and harmony here as if Christian Saint Benedict, the founder of monastic order, chose this place himself.

Beautiful church! Craftsmanship is amazing. There is an old cemetery in the lava out front. Plants and trees make for a beautiful setting. Well worth the visit.

On our first trip to Big Island, we stumbled upon this beautiful and historic church after visiting the banana bread spot on our way to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park. The second time around, we attended the 4pm Saturday mass and were warmly welcomed with aloha from the parishioners and priest. It was a wonderful service and enjoyed the printed photos that went along with the homily. Beautiful old church.

First time visiting big island but most importantly this amazing church. The history behind this is stunning. If you are visiting the islands don’t forget to see it . 🙏🙏🙏

Adorable little church! Completely hand painted and wooden, a lot of care was put in preserving the building, and you can feel a sweet spirit inside♡ they still have service on sundays and there is also a little book you can sign when you visit

Ample parking, restrooms, and tour information There is even a gift shop station.

A pleasant, free little experience with ample parking...kinda hard to find such a thing these days. It's an interesting church that can, at a minimum, be a comfortable place to stop and take a break. Plenty of souvenirs, too, if you're into that. Not a bad side quest if you're going to nearby Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park anyway.

Definitely stop and take a barefooted stroll through the black sand at Punalu'u Beach on Big Island. One of the few black sand beaches in the world it is easy to pull off the highway and find a place to park. Public restrooms are at the parking lot. There is a snack bar that is open some days. The beach is a turtle nesting area. A great place to see the sea turtles up close. Remember to leave them a little space and never touch the turtles.

The black sand beach was a highlight of my trip. It’s a stunning spot with striking black sand and beautiful coastal scenery. When we visited, it wasn’t crowded at all, which made it even more peaceful. We were lucky to see several green sea turtles resting on the beach and swimming in the shallow water: an unforgettable experience.

This black sand beach is absolutely unique and breathtaking! You can often see Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles resting on the shore — they’re protected by state and federal law. Stay at least 20 feet away, never touch or feed them. Just one meter away starts private property — very unusual!

Punalu'u Beach was my favorite part of our seven-day vacation to Big Island! The black sand beach was beautiful and the sea turtles were amazing - we saw seven in total. The beach wasn't too crowded. We spent a total of 1.5 hours enjoying the beach. The only problem was that we had to pay for parking. 10/10 would recommend.

Enjoy a fresh coconut while visiting black sand beach. Didn’t get to see the turtles due to rough conditions but grateful to be able to see Gods creation. 🏖️

Amazing beach with a turtle population and black sands. One of my favorite beaches on this Island. I havent seen many swimmers there. People visit mainly to see the beauty of the beach and to see wild ses turtles. While you can swim there I would advise only to do so on the very left side to respect the turtle zone. Besides that the stones are very slippery on the right side anyway. A safeguard, restrooms and tables can be found at this beach.

Stunning black sand beach, with protected honu and monk seals. Please do not disturb or they will never return. They can get sick because of humans interaction.

Came here based on google reviews however we didn’t get the same experience (obviously Mother Nature so unpredictable!) we got cloudy day with choppy waters especially on the left side where you’re meant to swim. Couldn’t swim near the coral as they are regenerating. Rocks were sharp and parking limited.

We went and toured the historical park first then snorkeling at the beach. Beach access is outside of the park. Parking is very limited. Beach is rocky. There is a small area of sand. Water seemed cooler than other beaches, but nice and clear.

Honaunau Bay is perfect for watching tide pools and light snorkel in shallow waters. There is plenty of sunshine and sea creatures to see here. It's the idea spot to spend the afternoon. 🚗 Plenty of parking near the bay for a small fee. 🗑 Trash receptacles nearby. Leave no trace!! Consider stopping across the way at the National Park as well. There is plenty to see there too.

Fantastic snorkeling spot. We swam with dolphins for more than an hour, and there are great coral reefs that draw turtles and many fish very close to shore. The dolphins swim out in the deep water to the far right. The beach can get crowded early, so try to get out there soon after sunrise.

Quite nice snorkeling with colourful fish.

Beautiful spot to snorkel. There is a lot of marine life here and the area is kept clean. We swam out a bit where we saw dolphins jumping out of the water and ended up witnessing a pod of dolphins swim right in front of us! Amazing experience.

One of the best beaches on the big island here. Big waves rolling in perfect for boogie boarding. Lots of nearby facilities and lifeguards keep a watchful eye on things to insure your safety. White sand and cool breezes, wish I was there now! 😍

This place was not on any of the guidebooks or suggestion when coming to Kona. If you like learning about history or cultural information this spot is for you. Going in the morning is best if you don’t like to get too hot as there is minimal shade. There are a few benches throughout for sitting down but mostly you walk through to learn about the site. I watched the video the day before from the website which talked about the significance of the place of refugee and I think that helped me to understand where I was going and why it was so special. I am really glad we came here. They have some cultural classes during the week that looked interesting and we spoke with one of the staff who carved all the poles in the park that rope off the areas, it was nice hearing how important this place was to him.

Great history. If people were banned from their clan they had the chance to swim to the Place of Refuge to be forgiven from the priest and were safe there. Many people didnt make the swim. I went on a Sunday so it was free to just walk in and explore. TIP- be quiet when you enter this place as it was a sacred ground.

Absolutely love the history of this place. Very beautiful. It was during the government shutdown unfortunately but they had an audio tour you could do. No ticket needed. It’s a must see excursion

A lovely park loaded with cultural history and well-tended facilities. We stop here every time we're on Hawai'i because it changes based on weather, time of day, and season. Well worth a visit if Hawaii culture and traditions are of interest. One challenge was paying the entry fee online when the cell service there can be spotty. Good bathrooms, helpful rangers, beautiful scenery, informative displays. A+

My SIL from micronesia said she could live here. It was very authentic. There were many details that were implemented. Cordage was handmade, stakes were hand carved, tikis wère awesome, boat houses made in a accurate island tradition. Schools of fish visible from shore.

In February 2023, I visited Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park with my mom and dad, and it was one of the most peaceful and meaningful places we saw on the Big Island. Walking through the grounds, we admired the lava rock walls, reconstructed temples, and wooden kiʻi statues, while learning about the history of the “Place of Refuge.” The oceanfront setting was stunning, and the atmosphere felt both sacred and serene. It was a very educational and spiritual experience, and we left with a deeper appreciation for Hawaiian culture and history. 🌺🌊

We went here on July 28th 2025. It was like waking back in time. Tickets are purchased online, adults differ in price as well as children and age of child. You can use the QR code and listen as you go around each station. There's a gift store, bathrooms, cultural demonstrations. Very beautiful and a must see. Take your time to absorb scenery and feeling 🌜🙌🌛

Lovely historic bakery on the way to Hawaii Volcanoes national park. The bakery is set in a beautiful garden with a charming outdoor seating. They offer a wide variety of freshly baked goods. We tried the traditional masalada, which was fresh but a little too sweet. We also tried different flavors of their macadamia short bread cookies. I especially loved the guava and coffee flavored ones. This bakery is a great stop to pick up freshly baked local bites for your roadtrip.

What a great stop! The bakery has tons of delicious flavors to choose from — it’s hard to pick just one. My husband was even able to enjoy a gluten-free treat bar, which was such a nice surprise. The sweet bread was delightful as well. There’s also a fun gift shop on-site and live island music that adds to the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Definitely worth a visit if you’re passing through.

I'd been dreaming about a donut for 2 days before I got to get one here. It was SO good! It was the perfect bite. Cute gift shop. Breakfast sandwich with Portuguese sausage was tasty. Sit awhile and enjoy the moment while you're here.

Adorable island bake shop that welcomes you with a delightful aroma from the parking lot leading to the shop. Freshly baked malasadas (we enjoyed the traditional sugar) are heavenly. We were greeted by smiling, helpful staff, who offered recommendations and made the experience exceptional. Outdoor seating in a beautiful garden setting complete with gentle live music, sets this bake shop head and shoulders above others. Do not Miss.

Punalu'u Bake Shop has customers lined up out the door! Specialty is hawaiian sweet bread. That is only part of the story... My wife had the fish plate for lunch. It had white rice with Ono as the fish. A perfectly made macaroni salad topped off the plate. I had the roast beef sandwich. My roast beef sandwich had lettuce, tomatoe, dicon radish slice,and onion. It had a bbq flavor & texture of brisket. For dessert a cream puff (the outside was light and airy / the inside filled with custard) It was not like the whipped cream filled cream puffs from Wisconsin, but the custard filling had its own appeal! Plenty of free parking. Clean restrooms. Flat entry. Kid friendly (kids will love the donuts!), and easy handicap access and parking. Dreaming about when I can return!😋 *Check out the photos

A joy in every visit! Malasadas, sweet breads and the not to be missed Coco Pan with coconut in a sweet roll! The grounds are glorious! A must stop when you are in the area!

100% you must stop here! So many reasons why... Here's a few! Cheapest house made food on the island, $9 full breakfast. Huge loaf of delicious still warm house made Hawaiian bread was $5! Hawaiian doughnuts for $2. Sandwiches for under $10. Live music in a lush tropical garden. Nice store with nice souvenirs. Bathrooms were clean and fresh smelling. Pleasant employees. Great atmosphere! And to think we could have just sailed on by.

We stumbled upon the place whilst en route to Green Beach and are glad we stopped to check it. They have free samples of coffee, different chocolates locally made, and fruit slushies. But free samples lead to sales because all are delicious and addictive. You can walk around the orchard and see growing avocado, bananas, citrus, etc etc. some hydroponics some natural. They even have a couple of parrots. Really great stop. Expect to stay at least an hour to soak it all in.

Mostly made my own way. Was someone’s backyard no warnings until I saw their house. Unless you own the yard AVOID. Pics are including the road and inside fenced area. Simply trying to avoid the house and driveways. Based on GPS it was just over a mile and a half.

We had never heard of Paradise Meadows before our trip to the big island. It was not on our itinerary but as we were driving back from green sand beaches we saw a sign on the side of the road advertising free honey sampling. I absolutely hate honey (this will be important later) but Noah loves it so we thought why not!! I was hesitant to go in as I was filthy from the dust mixed with sunscreen from hiking 4+ miles to the beach. When we arrived we were immediately greeted by staff. Given free slushy samples to help cool us down after the hike! They also gave us LOTS of samples of chocolates, nuts and honey!! As mentioned previously I hate honey with a passion but I figured I would try it as part of the experience. I was the one convincing Noah we needed the honey to take home. If that doesn’t tell you how good it is I don’t know what will. The macadamia nuts were also delicious! We came home with multiple flavors!! The restrooms in the gallery were clean and effective. Very hospitable group of people!! The man working in the gallery (I am horrible with names) was a local who used to be a tour guide and pointed us to all the best spots to visit while visiting. The artwork in the gallery was beautiful and unique.

Cute farm with friendly staff! Home to some of the best macnuts you can find on island! Garlic parm was the best! If you come down Taco Bout Aloha is a must try! Onolicious fish tacoz!! Coffee was well priced and also pretty dang good! I had to buy a bag!! Highly suggest trying a sample while you're visiting! And if you like coffee they make a coffee chocolate bark that (and i hate to say it as my bf is italian) rivals a tiramisu possibly being what tiramisu wishes it was! Stop in for your pick me up energy and vibes wise!

It's one of my most favorite places here on big island! The best chocolate, macadamia nuts, and cookies! Coffee too 🤗 everyone there is so kind. I have been coming here for a few years now, and I always bring friend and family here to visit. Wonderful customer service, excellent all around. The animals are very well taken care of and Penny the pig is so cute!! So if you're looking for a place to bring your family, here's the spot! Samples of everything too! I learn so much every time I come here ❤️😊🌈

Great place for Mac nuts. Lots of different flavors, plus chocolate covered in lots of different flavors. We have bought their honey many times to take home,if you like honey definitely stop by. Good coffee selection. I highly recommend this farm stop.

This was by far the most amazing place on the island! They offered free samples of their macadamia nuts, chocolates and cookies! Then we ate at the food truck! Amazing tacos! If that’s not enough they have a local artist that is amazing ❤️. So we bought a little bit of everything 🥰 Thank you for making this experience so much fun!! YOU MUST VISIT!!