My most memorable experience on the island! It is not only the fact that the sand is green that makes it neat— the entire surrounding landscape is drop-dead gorgeous. There is a calming presence, especially high up on the cliff overlooking that cove that contains the beach— the type of place seems and prophets would go. Be careful if you go up there— keep children away. The parking lot is far away (you can find it on Maps, nearby the southern tip of the island). A lot of people take the trucks over. I recommend hiking for anyone who wants the nice experience. As a young healthy man, it took about an hour to hike there and an hour to hike back. The terrain is not difficult to hike— just humps and bumps of dirt and sand, essentially. Getting down to the beach from the cliff looks intimidating, but it is not too hard. Take the narrow passageway alongside the vertical face of the cliff; that is easiest. Probably easier than rolling down the slope and getting cut up (did not try, but will not recommend). Be careful with the initial ladder to make the first drop; test each step before trusting it. Don't use the last one or any that look unstable. The sand really is green! Now how green are we talking? Olive is a good description. My attached photos I did shoot with increased saturation, but you definitely do see the green in all of it in person. It is not a lie! It's not going to glow like a green lava lamp or some alien from a cartoon, but the green is clearly distinguished. The ocean can get deep quickly. Big waves. Be careful, and have fun! It was a fun swim, and it is even more rewarding if you hiked there. It's like a little secret cove on the island— a true gift to behold. Hiking back during sunset was also peaceful, quiet, and just unforgettable.

Amazing experience! I rented a Jeep but I’m glad I had the local lady to drive us there and back. Very knowledgeable and down to earth. You can walk 2.8 miles but definitely not for the weak. Very steep getting down to the actual beach. Cool down with some shaved ice after, roughly a mile drive leaving heading back out.

Wow! One of four green sand beaches in the world. Definitely worth a visit. I hiked it each way, ended up being about 6ish miles round trip. The views of the coast and the waves hitting the rocks the whole way were stunning. The hike is mainly flat, but lots of rocks and sand. Also it’s very windy and there’s no shade. Bring a hat and jacket! I went very early in the morning and there was not a single soul around.

DEF worth the trek. For non-hikers, there are often 4-wheel “taxis” ready to transport you the 3 mile hike. Check your Google map prior to going in order to save your steps… or you can always just hike along the coast for added scenery.

Secluded, you need to get on a wobbly car ride (20$ per person) to get here. It’s like a weird local business who stop you from taking your own car and say that only they know the route to the beach across the dunes. We didn’t have an option and used their service since the walk is too long and we didn’t trust our rental car. It was a nice experience but our backs were broken lol. The beach is secluded and nice - but not radically different from other beaches in big island. The sand is greenish but more on the grey side. The driver stopped in the middle and showed us some really green sand hidden under a rock which was pretty cool.

Rare, Relaxing, and Ridiculously Beautiful! I grabbed the $20 ride instead of hiking and I’m so glad I did — the views on the way were stunning, and it saved my energy for soaking in the beach itself. And what a beach! Papakōlea is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, which makes standing on that olive-hued shore feel even more surreal. The sand sparkles with volcanic olivine, the ocean’s a deep crystal blue, and the vibe is totally peaceful and uncrowded. That ride service is a total game-changer — easy, scenic, and it gets you straight to this rare gem of nature. A must visit place on the Big Island!

Truly stunning walk, and the green sand had a golden tinge, totally worth it, really really worth it. Start early, bring plenty of water. Be prepared to be offered by locals a lift part-way for $20. Once you get past the Carpark, the walk was totally beautiful.

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.

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.

We booked our tour somewhat last minute & luckily the availability matched our schedule. Gary was very friendly & helpful with the booking. We did our tour with Mo. There was a pretour info session in which Mo did a great job explaining the geographic history of the Islands and the lava tubes. We were with our 10 & 8 year old kids & he was even able to keep their attention, which was impressive. The tour itself was unlike anything else we've ever done. We've gone on cave tours before, but the lava tubes were different. There was some crawling throught smaller spaces, but nothing extreme. Anyone in half decent shape shouldn't have any issues here. We did the extended tour (2-2.5 hours). If it's within your budget, I'd highly recommend you check out the Kula Kai Caverns. Great experience & very informative! Pics don't do it justice! As their website states: located within a private, gated community. Reservations are required.

I did the wild tour, I had an amazing time! The people who run it know what they're talking about, especially our tour guide. Our tour ran a little long because we kept asking him questions, and he took it like a trooper. Highly recommend the wild tour.

Highly recommend Kula Kai Caverns. Called this morning unsure if we’d get a tour, but when Gary called me back, he was very friendly, informative, and was able to accommodate my husband, our 7-year old boy, and I for a tour today. We decided to book the extended tour, which was perfect for us. We were provided with a helmet, headlamps, gloves, and knee pads. Mo was our tour guide. He started by sharing geological information about Hawaii, the location of each volcano, and lava tubes. It was great! Then we went on the lava tube tour. Mo was very informative and took the time to answer any questions we had. If you are in the area, I highly recommend visiting!

Moe was a fantastic guide and explained everything you might want to know about the island and how the tubes were formed. The classic walk was easily accessible, comfortably lit, and beautifully described. It's definitely a more natural and vibrant tube than the small one available at the Volcano National Park. This one felt alive! I look forward to trying an extended cave exploration on another visit. Don't miss this experience!

You cannot miss this truly one-of-a-kind experience! This is the #1 highlight of our trip and helped us appreciate the island so much more. Gary was a gem and arranged a Wild Tour in our tight schedule. Our guide Mo was so knowledgeable and had such an engaging way of sharing the history and geology of the island. This is a very local operation and it feels very special in that way. If there’s one thing you need to do on Hawaii Island, it’s a tour in the one of the top 3 largest lava tube systems in the world with Kula Kai Caverns.

It was lots of fun. We did the light cave walk and it is easy for people who are not confident about the scrambling aspect. I have been to limestone caves before but lava tubes are completely different. It was so good to learn! There's a website with a phone number givel them a ring to arrange your tour!

This was an amazing experience. We came from Kona down south on our way to Volcanos National Park. William was an AMAZING tour guide, he was very knowledgeable on lava tubes and the caves in general. We spent the next two days in the national park pointing out the types of lava using what we learned here. Highly recommend as an activity. Wish we did the long tour.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful place. Only a couple people inside the building, despite there being lots of people outside and around the visitor center. The two people working the store we’re not very friendly and seemed irritated. I overheard them placing bets on which customers would purchase something. Not exactly welcoming. The art is beautiful and widely varied. It is great that is all created locally. Most things cost upwards of $100+, but there’s a small selection of items that are less. They even have some pretty handmade jewelry.

Coolest art, but the rudest people. Was ready to pay bespoke art prices but not at this level of passive aggressiveness... Near zero aloha. To the more elderly woman of the two employees at this shop: For the sake of the skilled artists who deserve better than this, please work on your absolutely horrible attitude.

Art gallery in the original volcano house building. It's pretty big with lots of cool pieces if you're looking for a souvenir. There's a rare restroom with running water right outside (while the visitors center is closed), so take advantage!

Had a nice visit with Claire here at the art center. Nearly bought a piece 23 years ago while here on honeymoon. Nearly bought a piece here last week but ended up with a different piece from elsewhere. This is a great gallery. They stay true to the gallery they have been for decades. I highly recommend at least visiting here, even if you’re not looking to buy. It’s like a Hawaiian Art Museum. It’s very close to Kīlauea which has erupted 32 times since December 2024. Who knows, maybe it’ll be erupting when you’re here. If it is erupting, you’ll want to see it.

I wasn't able to go inside because it was closed but they have nice mosaic artwork on the walls. The tiles are in a variety of different materials. Worth a quick stop for pick if you're passing through. Bite sized cultural info just on the walls.

We loved the guided tour through the forest preserve with our guide from the Bronx! (Go New York!) Massively enriched our appreciation of the Big Island and Volcano NP’s flora and fauna

Tucked away in Volcano City, this hidden gem of a place is well worth the stop. A tour through one of the last stands of tropical rain Forest on the Big Island is an easy and most enjoyable walk with markers to educate and guide walkers. Monday mornings at 9:30 am a guided tour is available. Art displays are tastefully arranged with gift items. Beautiful local artisan jewelry, pottery, glass, carved items, and wall art available for purchase. The sculpture garden is lovely. Do not miss the mosaics on the educational center next door. They are amazing! A quiet place to pause and reflect on old Hawaii aloha. Welcoming, helpful staff.

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 🌜🙌🌛

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! 😍

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.

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

Loved visiting the cosy coffee farm and learning the process of how coffee is made. The experience is completely free and the guides are very knowledgeable. Not only do they grow coffee but they also grow black pepper, bananas and the property is also home to some many beautiful flowers and plants. They have lots of coffee to sample and purchase and other coffee flavored snacks.

We opted for the private tour & coffee tasting experience and thought it was FANTASTIC. All in all it took about 3 hours and was well worth the money. Our tour guide was incredible and so knowledgeable, we got to see so much more of the farm and operation than the free tour *and* try some fruits that were growing on the farm along the way. The coffee tasting was delicious and as a coffee fan, it was really neat to learn how roasters taste coffee and how the smell changes throughout the brew process. Highly recommend touring this farm, and their coffee is excellent too!

This place is a gem! We planned poorly and missed the tour, but still got delicious (free) samples of their coffees and were able to chat with the folks running the counter and purchase some bags of coffee. Delightful people in a beautiful setting, they were a joy to meet. I’m so glad we were able to stop by, and extra grateful for the one on one conversations. Totally worth a visit! (Photos are of a funny sign on the property and a gorgeous hibiscus flower near the shop!)

We had an awesome experience on the free tour here! Our guide was awesome and taught us a lot about the history of the farm, the coffee making process, and the different crops growing on the property. As someone who really enjoys coffee, I found it valuable to learn about all the different inputs and techniques that go into making something I take for granted every day. I would definitely come back to Greenwell and will highly consider booking a private tour in the future.

The complimentary tour was nice; they had a wide variety of coffee to taste. The farm itself is amazing and our tour guide was awesome.

We really enjoyed the free tour and coffee tasting. Our tour guide was funny and informative. We ended up buying a few bags to bring home with us.

Guided private tours here are an excellent way to learn more about Kona coffee production. Very friendly staff and the gift shop features some excellent local products such as coffee and black pepper.

Stopped into Kona Brewing during our cruise and it did not disappoint! I’ve always been a fan of their beers, but having one fresh at the source was amazing. The pizza and pizza rolls were delicious, and the staff was super friendly—top notch service all around. The whole vibe was relaxed and welcoming. Definitely a must-stop if you’re in the area, and I’ll be back for sure!

Large brewery and restaurant in a trendy new area in town. We had a Hanalei IPA brewed with POG that was refreshing but not too fruty and a Black Sand Porter. The porter was very good. We also tried the smash burger, which wasn't so much a smash burger as a pork/beef burger on an ube bun. The ube bun was interest - not the most appetizing color on the outside but super cool on the inside. The flavor of the patty, the aioli and the bun together was great. The kettle chips were good. The fish tacos with the mac salad needed a hot sauce but were tasty, if a bit small. Service here was good.

Stopped in on a Thursday afternoon with a group of 8 and seated right away. Very nice outdoor table area and cozy, tropical vibes inside (smelled amazing). Service was friendly and attentive. Enjoyed our food and cocktails! Decent prices. Daily weekday happy hour from 3-5 PM with $2 off select appetizers, cocktails, and pints. -Pepperoni Rolls (delicious!) -Captain Pizza (good) -Frozen Mai Tai (strong, good) Edamame (nice flavor) Overall, would recommend for a medium sized group to enjoy drinks and food.

We had a wonderful time enjoying lunch at Kona Brewing, a Kona icon! Our family enjoyed two pizzas, beers, and soft drinks. Our server recommended the avocado fries as a starter. It was our first time trying this dish, and it was delicious, along with the other dishes. The service from the staff was also excellent. We felt their aloha spirit, and it made our trip perfect! I regret not buying any merchandise. I definitely want to get a t-shirt on my next visit :)

We love Kona brewing. This is our 2nd visit (first in 2018). The staff are always so free, beer cold and delicious, and the food makes for happy bellies! The kalua pork nachos are the best we've had - get the large (we blew it on the size we ordered, lol).

Kona Brewing Company was just okay overall. The food was decent but nothing mind-blowing — pretty average for the price. Unfortunately, I found a small piece of plastic wrapper in my Caesar salad, which really ruined the experience for me. The staff was friendly, and the beer selection is definitely the highlight, so it’s still worth a visit if you’re a beer enthusiast. Personally, though, I wouldn’t go back for the food.

The tour is fun and reasonable. We came back for drinks and food. No complaints. Our waitress knew we were chilling and killing time before our flight home and the atmosphere was great. The food is pretty average but good. Nachos could've used a bit more chips to finish the toppings. But you can't order extra tortilla chips. Overall, good experience. Would recommend coming if you're a beer drinker.

Gorgeous location. Sensational view of the ocean and of Kona. Warm waters and sandy shoreline. Great area foe snorkeling or marveling at the aquatic life in the Lava-flow ponds. Mild waves in this gulf. While we were there, we saw 2 sea turtles, one of which popped up just a couple feet from us.

First, hot so bring your hydration of choice. And bring some back up H2O just in case.. It’s a seriously understated National park in my opinion. Very sacred space please keep that in mind when looking at how undisturbed the vast terrain appears. Staying on the path you can spot some subtle natural pools coming up from an underground network of water. Nothing h you can drink. But interesting to hear from the teacher that the early days when locals were in need of fresh water, this was the place to drink. The fishing has was “huge” with one of the largest fish pond I hear.

Great location to visit not too many tourists and the beach is nice. The hike is not the easiest on unimproved path with a lot of lava rocks and it very exposed to the sun. Need to bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Came during the gov shut down so the parking lot, visitor center, and restrooms were all closed but at the turn around you can fit ~10 cars along the shoulder.

Beautiful beach and park with a great chance of seeing turtles and other wildlife. THIS IS A HIKE FIRST and a beach second. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes and clothes. Bring beach stuff with you to change into if you want to swim and get your feet wet.

Historical, so nothing like the Volcanos or big park. We had the tripark pass so it was included but I won’t pay 30$ just because I’m not that into even it was beautiful to see. You can’t swim but there is a public beach next to it. The ranger let us keep the car in the parking when we went to the public beach. That was the sun was very hot, not too much shade places. Also not recommend with a stroller.

What a hidden gem. I was just killing time before my flight home and on a whim stopped at the park. I cheated when I saw there was parking closer to the beach, so I moved my car to the marina and walked to the beach from there. The morning time is breakfast for sea turtles. I must have seen 15-20. This was a happy little accident to have this be my last stop before returning home.

Visitor center is well maintained. There’s a small gift shop, information about the area and restrooms to use before your hike to the beach. It is a hot, sunny walk. The fish pond and beach area is beautiful. Restroom facilities near beach, as well.

Visited the plantation on a cool rainy day last weekend and loved every minute of our tour. Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the coffee production process and was even kind enough to answer my questions on some of the other random plants you can find around the plantation and nature trail. The coffee though…11/10, I purchased the peaberry after the tour and have found it to be the only coffee I have ever been able to drink black. Take the time and visit this place ASAP! Also, drop the extra $ and get the peaberry it is awesome!

Thank you for the wonderful tour and experience! We learned a lot about coffee during the free tour, makes me appreciate my cup of joe even more! We also decided to take the paid Natural Trail ($10 per party). The self guided tour book was so helpful, it explained each plants or scene along the way, you can really take your time and enjoy the nature while filingl in with some knowledge. Of course you cant miss the free coffee tasting and the gift shop! And if you're lucky like us lol, you'll have a chance to play and take some picture with Mr.Kitty while he is not asleep! 😻❤️

We visited the Thunder Mountain Coffee Plantation while visiting the Big Island. They're neat and organized business really fits the agra/ tourist model. They were doing free tours while we were there, and had a small store showcasing their products. I picked up a bag of their whole bean Expresso Dark which has good flavor , is very smooth, only not as bold as I would have imagined. Good stop while visiting , very nice landscape and flowers.

On a warm, rainy Thursday afternoon, we decided to explore Mountain Thunder Coffee—and what a hidden gem! Tucked up in the mountains, it was noticeably cooler than down by the coast, creating a refreshing and peaceful escape. The moment we arrived, we were welcomed with a tasting station offering four delicious coffee samples. The hosts were warm, inviting, and incredibly knowledgeable. Even with the rain, they had us covered—literally—with free umbrellas and $2 ponchos available in the gift shop. Our short walking tour was informative and fun, as our guide walked us through the process of making coffee from start to finish. We especially enjoyed seeing the roasting shed. And the best part? The tour was completely free. We didn’t get to explore the full coffee grounds due to the downpour, but there's clearly more to discover next time. There's a cozy lunch area, clean bathrooms, and a gift shop filled with great coffee and collectables. Between the misty jungle atmosphere, the cooler mountain air, and the genuine hospitality, it felt like a Jurassic Park adventure—in the best way possible. We’ll definitely be back. Mountain Thunder Coffee is a must-visit—great coffee, friendly staff, and a one-of-a-kind mountain experience. 5 out of 5! ☕🌿

Visiting this coffee farm in America’s only cloud forest was nothing short of magical. The free tour was incredibly informative — we learned all about the coffee-making process from passionate guides and got to sample some of the best coffee I’ve ever tasted. There’s a small shop where you can buy beans and local goods, and for just $10, you get a charming booklet and access to a peaceful trail through a garden that ends at a scenic observatory deck. We arrived in the morning with sunshine, and by the time we left, we were literally in the clouds with a light mist of rain — a surreal and beautiful shift that made the experience even more memorable. I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s authentic, educational, and absolutely worth the visit.

Fun experience. Coffee tour is free and describes the farming, cultivation, market and sale of Kona coffee. The mill itself was not impressive, but I found the presenters and staff to be true masters of their craft, with a high degree of knowledge. They were all extremely friendly and inviting. There is complimentary coffee that you can taste before and after the tour. Options include the light roast American, French, Vienna and my favorite, the Black & Tan (mix of the American and French). The only costs are the self-guided nature walk and of course any purchases from the gift shop. The tour was honestly quite short and modest, but I would do it again to support the business, and it’s only $10. I also had a bunch of samples, so I was rather eager to just “go.” I could fairly see others concluding otherwise.

We visited Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation in Kona and had such a great time. We took the free tour and it was unbelievably informative. Learned so much about how coffee is grown, harvested, and refined, and it was really cool to see how particular they are with their process. Our guide was amazing. She knew so much and answered every question in detail, even taking extra time to explain things further. You could tell she really loved what she does and made the tour super engaging. The shop was also really nice. We picked up a few coffee candles and they smell incredible. Excited to light them at home and bring a little bit of Kona back with us. If you’re in Kona, definitely worth a stop whether you’re a big coffee drinker or just curious about how it all works.

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!

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!

I visited the Ocean Rider Seahorse farm on the Big Island of Hawaii. The tour was informative. Jasmine the guide was fun and knowledgeable. Facts about the potential loss of the seahorse were alarming. So were changes in the seahorse from wild to industrial production to "Preserve the Species": 1. Wild seahorses mate for life. Industrially produced products are polygamous. 2. Wild seahorses are hunters and only eat live food. Industrially produced products eat frozen food. Which brings to mind the question, are we saving the seahorse, by industrial production? Possibly, if industrial products go to pet aquariums or to supply alternative medicine, sparing native wild seahorses. If wild seahorses go extinct, will we be left with only industrial product seahorses? The tour was fun. You do get to see and hold seahorses. You see what they are being fed industrially (not what they eat in the wild). Interesting but pricey, in the off season approx. $75/ per adult. No kids go free, $5 discount? More expensive for the deluxe tour where you get to hold more than just one seahorse. The touchy feely tide pool was fun: sea urchins that collect things and decorate their bodies, clown fish, various starfish, the sea cucumber. Fun for kids. Step stools for kids. I saw several families there. Educational experience where you see & touch things. You even get to eat seaweed😬 Flat access with walkways. Handicapped access is fair. May require standing to see what is in large tanks. Some places too narrow for a wheel chair. Plenty of free parking. A bit difficult to find without google maps. Road there is bumpy.🤯 *Check out the photos!

We hesitated to book this one until our last few days on the island, knowing we had to fill out our day after checking out and before our flight. It seemed a bit steep for "holding a seahorse", but we figured where else would we get the opportunity? We booked only a day in advance with no issue. Easy to find out by the airport on the west coast of Kona, it was a small little building and from the front didn't look like much. However, our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable and every detail she shared was fascinating. The birthing and growth pools, the feeding, and the displays were all very fun and exciting. I was right, though, holding a seahorse was cool but... it was over in less than 60 seconds (I'm glad I didn't pay for the option to hold one twice - for four of us I think that would have cost an extra $160). I was glad we did it, and would recommend it for sure if you love seahorses and aquatic facts. And it felt good to support them as their initiative is to sell domesticated seahorses to prevent the capture of "wild" ones that are already endangered.

This was such a fun tour. They were so informative and it was neat to see the sea horses at all different stages of development. It was amazing to hold a little sea horse. They do great conservation work here!

We went to Ocean Rider’s Seahorse farm today and really enjoyed ourselves. So interesting to learn more about them and get to look inside the tanks and see them from little babies (fry) all the way up to adult hood. We even got to have a couple wrap their adorable tails around our fingers. They even had some Weedy Seadragons and you just can’t believe that they’re real. If you like seahorses then this is the experience for you!

What a great tour! While it's a bit pricey, I found it to be very informative and their operation very solid. The sea horses are simply amazing and also very healthy looking.

What a lovely find! Friendly employees and cutest gift shop EVER! This may be possibly a core memory for our 5 year old. For the next 4 days she showed everyone how to hold her hands and hooked a little rubber seahorses from the gift shop to her fingers just like her real life experience. While I am a beginner home aquarist myself, it was inspiring to learn of their husbandry practices and see their huge success rate in real life! Maybe one day! 😍 Would love to come back again.

The pricing is absolutely predatory. $48 for a seahorse stuffy!? $300 for a family of 4 for barely one hour!!!? During that hour, only 5 minutes of that was interactive: - 30 seconds of feeding a small cup of shrimp to a vat of seahorses from top down so there wasn’t much to see, - 60 seconds getting your hands ready for a seahorse, - 30 seconds of actual seahorse holding, - 3 minutes of sea urchins in a touch tank. Honestly this could have been just a short talk in the room with display tanks at the end showing shrimp (their food), babies, and adults; and then wash hands and hold the seahorses a few times (not just once). For half the price. However, giving this 4 stars because the kids were delighted that they held a seahorse and I don’t know anywhere else in the world where they can touch a seahorse.

This beach is absolutely stunning, offering a fantastic experience for families with children. The sand feels incredibly soft, like finely ground powder beneath your feet. It's also an ideal spot for various activities such as snorkeling, swimming, or simply lounging around. You can discover the beauty of marine life or just unwind and soak up the sun. Overall, it's a place where I want to keep coming back to! plus, there are showers and bathroom nearby! Parking- better to come early as it fills up quickly

Great beach. Snorkeled and saw a turtle along right side by rocks. Many fish. White sand, clear water and good waves for body boarding. Arrive early or late, or you will not get a parking spot.

This is a faily large and beautiful sandy beach. It's busy even on a Friday so I can't imagine what it would be like on the weekends but it wasn't hard to find a spot. Would have been amazing in the sun so that we could see the color of the water but it was great either way. The waves are rough (but do some cool curls), so be careful if you're not use to it and are going to stay in the water close to the sand where they break. Luckily there is a lifeguard here. A turtle quickly stopped by to say hello.

Best beach in Kona. We visited about 8 beaches on Big Island during our trip. This was by far the best (maybe we got a good day). Clear blue water, decent Snorkel, nice waves and not too busy. There's not a lot of parking.

My favorite beach for chilling and enjoying the beautiful view. Come early the waves are perfect

This beach is known for snorkeling and swimming. Parking is free and public restroom. There are showers ourside. There was a lifeguard on duty. We went just before a storm, and it was very windy. Nevertheless, there were people swimming. It is rocky to get to get to the sandy beach. I was glad that I wore water shoes. We spotted whales though far away.

Great white sand spot, nice waves but not to rough. Fairly busy on a Sunday afternoon

Excellent experience for kids and adults provided by world class professionals. When we arrived we lucked out with an upgraded room overlooking the dolphins. My daughter immediately drew to the view and asked about seeing them. As we planned her experience, the web site was useful. Read the instructions. Unlike some of the reviews, they specifically tell you to be there 30 minutes early for life preserver and dive mask fitting. This is mandatory. They also provide you some informative facts about their dolphins and the history of this site. If you can’t swim, no problem. They provide activities with dolphins in waste deep water but if you can swim, you’ll get the chance to swim with them. Digital photos were expensive but we took lots of pics with our phones as their staff took pics with quality cameras. Highly recommend for anyone.

The dolphin experience was so amazing and a once in a lifetime experience. All of the staff are exceptional and knowledgeable as well. The dolphins are very well taken care of and healthy too.

Such a fun wonderful experience for our 6yr old! She had a blast. The trainers were so kind with the littles. The dolphins rotated and gave her special memories that will last! I'm a veterinarian and take conservation seriously as well as acknowledging the high expectations this facility met with humane treatment of these beautiful animals. I felt comfortable allowing my child to experience this once in a life time interaction 🩷. Professional photos weren't really worth the $170 but they did capture the moment! Mahalo nui loa. Malama a hui hou kaua!

I visited at the end of October and the team could not have been better from the moment I called to set up my swim. When I initially called, Jayden answered the phone, then sent me over to Melissa to handle my specific needs. Upon my arrival, I met both Pat & Melissa herself, who were very welcoming. The dolphin training team was stellar, me mostly working with Patrick and Madi, but I also met Grace, Jessica, two Ashley’s, Krista, Kara, Kelly, Tanner, Erin, Stephanie. I am probably missing a few names but I did meet almost all the team in the two days I got the privilege of being there. I COULD NOT be more impressed, this is a facility I would definitely recommend to anyone because of their world class care as well as guest experiences. Keep up the amazing work!

Nice experience however it's a bit heartbreaking. The water is so shallow it's hard to believe the dolphins are happy and able to flourish in that environment. But it's a nice sight nonetheless.

Amazing Experience! Dolphin Quest Hawaii was incredible! The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the dolphins were amazing to interact with. You can really tell they care about the animals and conservation. It was fun, educational, and unforgettable — a must-do in Hawaii!

The dolphins are beautiful, and the setting itself is nice, but the overall experience is disappointing. No one announces when the dolphin show will actually take place, so guests are often left waiting around or asking staff for details. When the show finally starts, it lasts barely 10 minutes—hardly worth the wait or the buildup. For the price and the hype, the experience feels underwhelming.

Small but beautiful black/gray sand beach in private area with limited parking. Very few places with shade, which is why we moved to another beach. The partially rocky constellation seems to be great for snorchling and it's not windy, so an umbrella will hold.

We stumbled upon 49 Black Sand Beach by total surprise — and what a hidden gem! It’s located inside a gated community near Wailea on the Big Island, and they give out daily parking passes based on the limited number of spaces, which keeps the beach peaceful and uncrowded. We loved how private and serene it felt. We walked along the black sand shoreline, dipped our feet in the clear water, explored the lava rocks, and admired the gorgeous homes perched up on the cliffs. The lady at the gate was so kind and helpful, and the entire experience was just perfect. If you’re looking for a quiet, scenic black sand beach on the Big Island, this spot is absolutely worth visiting.

Small beach, but very few people (probably because it's rather difficult to get to). The black sand is beautiful and there's even a nice shaded area by the cliff side. If you're on this side of the island and are looking for a peaceful black sand beach I would highly recommend this one.

Great quiet beach, looks more like salt and pepper sand to me. Snorkeling was awesome, we saw so many varieties of fish and it was clear. Lots of rock formations to swim around but protected area so you don’t feel the movement of the ocean. They have shower to rinse and bathrooms.

Beautiful location in a private community. Bathrooms and a great beach area. People were snorkeling and swimming. Great find.

Beautiful beach, bring your snorkel gear too!

This is a gated beach and both times we tried the parking was full 4th time in the way to airport we finally got it!! It’s totally worth the attempts, they have only ~17 parking spots. it’s very beautiful. Looks like a steep deep beach today meant for those very comfortable in the ocean water. The sand gets very hot, wearing the water shoes can be useful. They close before sunset.It was a very windy day and there was choppy water warning everywhere.

The great debate of taking off a star for this not being an actual sail was a tough decision, but with such a fantastic crew and an all around incredible experience, I'll keep it. The Winona does have a sail, but it's never raised during this tour. While that is somewhat disappointing, the crew was very attentive and provided outstanding service of unlimited beverages (my son had 10 non-alcoholic drinks) and unlimited chips or nuts. A very relaxing tour along the shoreline with stunning views of the crashing surf and surrounding mountains. We saw a few humpback whales and flying fish during the sunset tour. Highly recommended and hope this tour keeps going elsewhere after January 31st. Many repeat customers who come year after year and even locals show how highly appreciated this experience is.

We had an amazing sail and snorkel cruise! The crew and captain were very friendly and professional. The snorkel spot we went to allowed us to see abundant amount of fish and even a sea turtle!

6 divers, and a fabulous captain and dive master! My son and I only have a few dives logged and felt very well taken care of. Real short boat ride to dive spot with amazing diving where a manta ray was getting cleaned and Dive Master Steve found octopus at both our dive spots. 2 divers in our group have used this business multiple times and we will be going back to Mauna Lani Sea Adventures again too.

We had a wonderful time on the sunset sail! The crew members were friendly, attentive, informative and cheerful. And the view of the sunset from the water was stunning. It was a great experience!

Levi and Lenette EXCEEDED our expectations! We saw so much above the surface behaviors you could believe the whales were performing. Made our trip to Maui unforgettable. Mahalo

Mauna Lani Sea Adventures is our go to sail experience on Hawaii Island. The boat is very comfortable Ean the crew is excellent. They are very knowledgable about the island and the history of the area. During our trip, we saw several whales and one of the crew members told us some amazing facts about the mammals. They must have a PhD in whales. Outstanding experience and highly recommended

Wonderful resort large comfortable rooms. Lovely calm beach for swimming. Interesting historical trail on the grounds with lava tubes and fish ponds. Friendly helpful staff and of course wonderful food.

3 stars for a museum historical site is ok. Not a lot of things but great history of the paniolas, Hawaiian cowboys from Spain. The woodwork in the adjacent building is 5 star.

Tour the two historic homes of famous Parker Ranch, but by reservations only. Tour the last home and the first home of the Parker family. The original homestead is made entirely out of koa wood and there is nothing like it anywhere in the world. These were working ranch homes, nothing really fancy, but there are some surprises. The koa home is just amazing. You'll also see the carriage house, maybe some wild turkeys and horses too. Plenty of parking. This is a chance to better understand the history of the family dynasty that has shaped the Big Island for the past 150 years.

This is a neat tour to read about the history of the ranch and ranch owners. They should really create an audio tour instead of just paper pamphlets, not only for saving paper resources but also for equity of all visitors. The tour is short and won't take more than an hour. And disappointingly, you can't actually see any of the working ranch areas. They should really have a short route people can take a guided golf cart tour to working ranch areas as that would be something unique and add value to the experience. It was underwhelming overall and I would skip going here is pressed for time on the island. It's really not worth the price of admission.

This was a neat historical stop. The old house was impressive with all the koa wood and historical pictures and artifacts. I enjoy history and this appealed to me. The drive through the area is pleasant and is a good prelude to stopping at the Parker ranch mall with some good food and shopping options.

Had a great time learning about the history of the Parker Ranch. Incredible to learn about one of the oldest ranches in Hawaii. The home is grand and beautiful, many items intact from the early 1900s

Walked the entry Lane to the headquarters, such a beautiful day, the intermittent sun was painting the hills bright green behind the Parker house. Sturdy eucalyptus trees bent by the wind ushered us in. Wonderful history of a benevolent family.

Stopped by on our way through Waimea on the recommendation of a friend. Cute little place, with the original Parker House and the newer house serving as the main building. It is a self guided tour, and only took us about 20-25 minutes to walk though. Overall a nice little side stop.

Hapuna Beach is an absolutely stunning coastal destination, renowned for its soft, powdery white sand that stretches for nearly half a mile. The crystal-clear turquoise waters create a vibrant contrast with the lush greenery surrounding the shoreline, making it a picturesque paradise. Gentle waves lap against the shore, inviting both swimmers and snorkelers to enjoy the ocean, while the expansive beach offers the perfect spot for sunbathing, picnicking, or simply strolling along the water’s edge. As the sun begins to set, the sky often transforms into a spectacular canvas of warm oranges and pinks, enhancing the beach’s natural beauty even further.

Nice beach. Has lifeguard, nice restrooms, volleyball court, plenty of grills and family eating areas. A lot of parking, but need to pay. Went on a weekend late morning and there was plenty of places by the water. A little windy the day we went with blo ing sand, and glad we went there.

Great spot for the entire family. Soft sand beach, great facilities (life guards, shower and foot rinse stations, clean bathrooms, picnic areas, etc.). Ocean variable on currents but overall good for swimming. Good size parking lot but can get full at peak hours. For non-Hawaiian residents there is a fee of $10 per car, plus $5 per person. Pay at the mobile station and put on your dash. The pass is good for the entire day and includes access to Beach 69 (Waialea Beach). Additionally, make sure you have Reef Safe sunscreen. Hawaii passed legislation requiring it. You can search for info on details.

Great beach to play in the sun and sand. We went on Tuesday and it was not very crowded. Water was calm in the morning and got a bit choppy in the afternoon. Cost $10. To park and $5. per person.

Lots of sand on this beach, probably the largest sandy beach on the island easily accessible by car. Clean restrooms two outdoor showers at the beach and one at the top near the parking lot. Non-residents must pay $20 for parking. A couple pavilions with picnic tables and a couple of satellite picnic covered picnic tables. Few shaded areas otherwise recommend bringing an umbrella and chairs.

This is my first visit to this stunning beach. Water was Aqua marin color(gorgeous). The Killer Sunset tonight! Was accompanied with my 70 yr old mother and 18 yr old daughter. Here are some pictures I took, not a professional, but I think I did alright.

Great beach at Hapuna. Not crowded in any way. Has amenities and lif guards. We'll kept. Gets windy but a delight to visit.

Absolutely the best!!! We saw octopuses (my dream), sharks, turtles, and a pod of dolphins swam past us!! The staff is incredibly accommodating and asks what you would like to see - and they are adept at finding them. We were fortunate enough to dive with Kay and James, but everyone is extraordinary <3

From the moment I walked into the dive shop, I was greeted with warm smiles and a truly welcoming atmosphere. The staff made me feel right at home and set the tone for what turned out to be an unforgettable diving experience on the Big Island. Once we got to the boat, the crew’s friendliness and professionalism stood out even more. James went above and beyond to ensure we had the best possible dives—his passion for diving and attention to detail were clear in everything he did. Kay, Elias, and Ty were top-notch—knowledgeable, attentive, and always checking in to make sure everyone was comfortable and safe. Special kudos to Ty, our boat captain, who took safety seriously by conducting a name-to-face attendance check after each dive. It gave us all peace of mind knowing no one would be left behind. I can’t recommend this dive shop enough—exceptional crew, incredible service, and memories I’ll carry with me forever!

Nicest dive crew I’ve ever had. Everyone at the dive shop as well as the captain of the boat to all of the dive guides were so nice and helpful. Our actual dives were great as well. We had one person that did their certification dive while the rest of the certified divers went to another area of the reef and it worked out great. Overall, a fantastic three days with them.

This was our third time diving with Kohala Divers, and once again, they were fantastic. The crew is welcoming, the boat is well kept, and the gear is top-notch. I did two days of diving for a total of four dives, all at new sites I hadn’t visited on previous trips with them. I highly recommend this company for their relaxed, professional, and fun dive operation. The Mrs isn’t able to dive, and they did a wonderful job accommodating her snorkeling at the sites (Thanks, Elias!). The rides to and from the dive spots were smooth and comfortable thanks to Captain Ty. Both Tyler and Phil were excellent dive masters. It was great to see Kay as well! We’ll definitely be back on our next trip to the Big Island. Mahalo!

My partner and I hadn’t been diving in a bit and my partner is a beginner diver. We decided to hire a private guide for the two tank boat dive and it was such a good experience! Corey was our dive master and he put us both at ease. Went at our pace and was full of great info. We couldn’t have asked for a better person! We also saw two white tip reef sharks! The gear was great. The boat was super clean. Wonderful experience. Hope we get to come back soon.

Wonderful crew, small and comfortable boat, beautiful dives. Kay was a treasure as an instructor— so knowledgeable and positive!

We had such a great experience with Kohala divers! Our instructor was Corey and he showed us a side of scuba that we didn’t know existed. It’s a very calming experience and he taught us so much. Kohala Divers is definitely worth the extra drive if you are thinking about doing diving while in Kona!

On our visit, there were multiple options to enjoy. Horse riding, ATV riding, or a carriage tour (bug carriage hauled by a truck). We took the carriage ride as I had my elderly parent with me. The Ranch is high in the hills so you can have sweeping panoramic views all the way down tot he far far distant seaside towns and beaches. We had morning fog or clouds passing by us and sometimes around us making for an ever changing landscape. I would have liked the opportunity to play on one of the ATV"s so maybe for the next visit.

Wow! This was an amazing experience! The Paniolo BBQ Dinner was top notch! I overheard many people saying they had come back because it was so good and that it was better than anything else they’ve done. Not to mention the excellent food but there’s also lots of activities like a roping demonstration and lessons, branding your own souvenir plank, out of this world stargazing, dancing, roasting marshmallows, the most beautiful sunset in the world, and a very interesting brief history lesson. Would recommend this to anyone wanting to enjoy a delicious dinner while creating unforgettable precious memories!

We did the 1.5 hour horseback ride with Darien and Jacquie which was an absolute blast! We had opportunities to take the horses up to a trot and canter which was a lot of fun! You're also given the freedom to spread out and roam around the pastures following your group. Our guides were very knowledgeable about the local history and landscape sharing fun facts and answering questions along the way. The views are stunning.

Great horse ride if you like that sort of thing. You get the option to trot and canter during the ride. The guides, Jackie and Bridget, were super friendly and knowledgeable.

10 stars if I could. It's worth every penny. Amazing staff. Fantastic guides and breathtaking scenery. I'm not sure if we will ever get back to Hawaii, but if we do, we will be there again to check out the other adventures. Mahalo

The sites were so amazing on this tour. The guides were very friendly and the horses were very compliant. My fiance and I had a wonderful time and we really enjoyed the conversations throughout the tour with the guides. This was an amazing experience and we'd recommend it to anyone.

We had a wonderful day! What a beautiful experience! I would do it again in a heartbeat

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.