The 20 Most Stunning Locations to Go to in Hawaii…

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From cascading waterfalls, pristine white sand seashores, verdant rainforests and craggy volcano peaks, you is perhaps questioning what are probably the most stunning locations to go to in Hawaii.

This island chain is just not wanting beautiful landscapes and nature spots, so on the subject of discovering the most stunning locations in Hawaii, there are some value contenders to compete with.

We spent two weeks exploring Hawaii and liked every island for various causes – all of them have their very own distinctive personalities and causes to make them beautiful.

We have been additionally amazed by their magnificence, so we determined to put in writing this information itemizing our picks for probably the most stunning components of Hawaii it is advisable go to.

Oahu

We’ll begin our record in Oahu, the third largest of island in Hawaii. It provides just a little little bit of all the pieces; rest, journey, pure wonders, and world-class eating and purchasing.

Listed here are probably the most stunning locations in Oahu to take a look at.

Diamond Head

Probably the most recognizable landmarks in Hawaii is Diamond Head, the long-lasting peak atop a dormant volcano overlooking town of Honolulu.

From town, it’s exhausting to not be amazed by its looming presence, however the views get a lot better from the highest.

The Diamond Head stroll is a well-liked factor to do in Waikiki, and for good motive – be able to share it with a whole lot of different guests.

In case you’re an early riser, you’ll beat a lot of the crowds if you happen to get to the for park opening time at 6:30am. In any other case, if you happen to get there mid-morning like us, then the crowds will be intense!

Both manner, you might be rewarded with extraordinary views over Waikiki Seaside from the summit, and it’s a comparatively straightforward climb for teenagers with a lot of switchbacks.

Waikiki Seaside

Waikiki Seaside wants little introduction; it’s one of the vital well-known and recognizable seashores on this planet with Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline as a backdrop.

The principle part of Waikiki is in entrance of The Royal Hawaiian Resort (the Flamingo Pink) and does get crowded. It’s right here the place a lot of the outrigger boats function from and additionally, you will discover a few surf colleges.

The waves are light and rolling and with clear waist-deep water, so if you happen to’ve by no means surfed earlier than, you’ll be standing up very quickly.

Kahanamoku Seaside

On the western finish of Waikiki Seaside, in entrance of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort, you will see that Kahanamoku Seaside.

This can be a curved part of seashore with golden sand, palm timber, house for sunbathing, a reef for snorkeling, and that lovely turquoise water.

With a pier and break wall for cover, this can be a pretty and calm part of seashore for swimming with youthful children.

Kuhio Seaside

Additional east towards Diamond Head is the family-friendly Kuhio Seaside. It’s out of the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, and there’s a sea wall defending swimmers from the power of the ocean’s waves – one other good spot for younger kids to swim.

Kuhio Seaside is kind of fairly with the palm timber and delightful uninterrupted close-up views of Diamond Head.

As a metropolis seashore, we have been impressed by how beautiful it’s, and the entire stretch of Waikiki from Kahanamoku to Kuhio is now one among my favourite metropolis seashores on this planet.

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay Nature Protect is among the greatest locations to go snorkeling in Oahu. This stunning cove was as soon as a volcanic crater and is now residence to protected, clear blue waters and energetic reefs full of colourful fish.

Hanauma Bay is positioned 30-minutes east of Waikiki and is accessible by driving, or you’ll be able to take one among many guided excursions on a shuttle bus.

Pearl Harbor

Probably the most necessary and historic locations to go to in Hawaii is Pearl Harbor.

It’s a good looking memorial to those that misplaced their lives throughout WWII. It’s very shifting, and in case you are foreigners like us, it’s a fantastic place to find out about US historical past and tradition. In case you have children, it’s a useful instructional expertise, too.

You’ll be able to go to the grounds and museum, earlier than catching a ship over to the united statesArizona Memorial, the ship that sunk and is now the resting place of 1,102 of the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed.

A number of a long time later, oil nonetheless leaks from the gas tanks of the sunken hull of the united statesArizona. Little drops of oil bubble up from the floor and dance throughout it. They’re affectionately referred to as the black tears of USS Arizona.

Lanikai Seaside

While you go to Lanikai Seaside, you’ll see why it’s constantly rated one of the best seashore in Oahu. This strip of sand is far quieter than Waikiki Seaside or Hanauma Bay, and is a well-liked spot for kayaking, swimming, and arise paddle boarding.

While you drive across the North Shore, Lanikai will instantly catch your eye.

Talking of the North Shore, its declare to fame is its large wave browsing – with swells reaching as much as 30 toes excessive. Massive wave season is through the winter months (November – February), however we have been just a little too late as we visited in March.

Another well-known North Shore seashores that caught our consideration have been Sundown Seaside, Pipeline Seaside, and Waimea Bay.

Video: Watch us discover Oahu right here

The Massive Island

The Massive Island is the most important island within the chain, after all, it’s within the identify. This island is all about journey, volcanic wonders, black sand seashores, and wow moments.

Akaka Falls

Akaka Falls is Hawaii’s most well-known waterfall. It plunges 442 toes right into a stream-eroded gorge, and is located inside the Akaka Falls State Park.

There’s a loop stroll right here you are able to do and see the 100-foot Kahuna Falls, nevertheless it was closed for us throughout our go to, I consider attributable to storm harm.

HOT TIP: Don’t go to within the afternoon because the solar is within the worst place behind the falls making it tough to see along with your eyes, and horrible for taking pictures – go within the early morning!

Volcanoes Nationwide Park

Certainly one of our favourite locations in Hawaii is Volcanoes Nationwide Park because it was our first time witnessing an lively volcano – Kīlauea, and possibly the spotlight of our go to to The Massive Island.

Start your exploration of Volcanoes Nationwide Park on the Guests Heart, and take a look at the Jaggar Museum and Overlook to be taught extra about volcanoes, and to see the effervescent lava within the crater of the Kīlauea Volcano!

There’s a lava lake within the crater and when it fills up, it bubbles over (superb at evening).

Be sure to drive the Chain of Craters Highway, an 18-mile spectacular drive that takes you from the customer’s middle to the coast the place you’ll be able to see lava nonetheless pouring into the ocean.

On this drive, pull off the highway to view craters, see big fields of lava rock, and marvel at their texture and form.

Punalu’u Seaside, Black Sand Seaside

Punalu’u Seaside, or Black Sand Seaside, is among the most original locations in Hawaii. It’s fascinating attributable to its black sand, which was fashioned when molten lava from two close by lively volcanoes flowed into the water, cooled, and broke into fragments that washed ashore.

It’s additionally a typical spot for nesting Hawaiian Inexperienced Turtles, and we have been fortunate sufficient to see one chilling on the sand on the water’s edge.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls is near the middle of Hilo City. While smaller than Akaka Falls, it’s nonetheless a reasonably sight.

There’s a brief path from the parking zone that provides views from the waterfall’s summit. And if you happen to time it proper and get fortunate you might even see the explanation for the autumn’s identify.

On that very same stroll, you’ll stroll by means of the beautiful forest (superb timber).

Kailua-Kona City

I liked Kailua-Kona and the Kona Coast. The city of Kona is actually just one avenue that runs alongside the water’s edge, nevertheless it has a vibrant really feel to it with loads of cafes, bars, and eating places to select from.

Kona is kind of a historic city because it as soon as was the retreat for Hawaiian royalty and you may see a number of the historical past mirrored within the Hulihee Palace and the Mokuaikaua Church.

It’s additionally a fantastic place for stand-up paddle boarding. Rent a SUP from King Kamehameha Resort, paddle out to the bay right here and also you simply is perhaps joined by dolphins.

Don’t miss sundown drinks at Huggo’s on the Rocks, breakfast at Lava Java, and lunch at Daylight Thoughts Cafe.

Manta Rays at Keauhou

Probably the most superb issues we have now ever carried out on our travels was swim with the manta rays at Keauhou!

At first we have been apprehensive because it was a night-time swim within the ocean (that’s when they’re most lively), which meant swimming at midnight, with manta rays… and my five-year-old little one!

We set out on a conventional Hawaiian 40-foot double-hulled Hawaiian crusing canoe with the crew from Eka Canoes because the solar dipped under the horizon.

As soon as out within the bay, we slipped into the water, held onto the aspect of a floating surfboard, and lowered our heads below the water with snorkeling masks on and torch lights.

What occurred subsequent was unbelievable. Manta ray after manta ray swam round us, below us, somersaulting and brushing up in opposition to us – that’s how shut we have been to them!

See it within the vido

Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay, 17 miles south of Kona, is one other snorkeling scorching spot.

The bay is an underwater marine sanctuary and well-known for its glorious snorkeling and kayaking, but additionally because the place the place Captain Prepare dinner misplaced his life – being Australian it was one of many extra noteworthy locations to go to in Hawaii.

We took a snorkeling tour with Honest Wind Cruises, which meant we might go zipping down water slides off the aspect of the boat or bounce off the highest deck right into a pristine marine bay crammed with colourful fish and coral. It was each enjoyable and awe-inspiring.

Video: Watch us discover the Massive Island of Hawaii right here

Maui

Maui is the second-largest Hawaiian island and is the place for love and rest, unbelievable sunsets and delightful seashores, and superb sundown views from the dormant volcano, Haleakala.

Not surprisingly, Maui has been voted “Greatest Island within the U.S.” on quite a few events.

Haleakala Nationwide Park

The best level of Maui is the summit of Haleakala, a dormant volcano in Haleakalā Nationwide Park, which has additionally been affectionately nicknamed Home of the Solar attributable to its well-known sunrises.

The views of the panorama from the summit are unreal, particularly because the solar’s gentle pink morning hues solid its glow over it.

Haleakala can be a sacred place for the native Hawaiians. It’s mentioned that the demigod Maui as soon as raised the heavens, snared the solar and found fireplace. He as soon as stood on the prime of the volcano and lassoed the solar from the sky.

In case you don’t really feel like mountaineering, you’ll be able to drive, however be conscious that it’s 10,023 toes above sea stage so drive slowly to keep away from altitude illness.

Keahiakawelo (Backyard of the Gods)

Throughout from Maui is the small island of Lanai, an uninhabited island recognized for its rugged and unspoiled nature.

On this island is Keahiakawelo, also referred to as The Hearth of Kawelo. This rock backyard is legendary for its lunar-like rock formations and rock towers.

In keeping with legend, the rocks are have been positioned because of a contest by clergymen from Lanai and Molokai, who was challenged to maintain a fireplace burning.

The priest from Lanai used each piece of vegetation in Keahiakawelo to maintain his fireplace burning leaving nothing however rock spires and boulders.

It’s greatest to go to at sundown to see the nice and cozy glow bouncing off the rocks.

Kalaupapa Nationwide Historic Park (Molokai)

Molokai is one other small island off the coast of Maui, and one of many lesser recognized locations in Hawaii with little greater than 7,300 residents.

It’s recognized for Kalaupapa Leper Settlement, a house for greater than eight,500 individuals dwelling with leprosy.

At present, it’s now residence to a cultural museum known as Kalaupapa Nationwide Historic Park preserving the websites of the 2 leper colonies, which operated from 1866 – 1969.

In addition to the historic park, Molokai has unspoiled and windswept seashores, unbelievable sunsets, and rugged farmlands.

Ka’anapali Seaside

As soon as rated America’s greatest seashore, Kaanapali Seaside is three miles of white sand and clear water and Hawaiian sunshine.

With the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Lanai offering the backdrop, the views out of your seashore chair can have you eager for extra too!

You’ll be able to lease SUP boards and kayaks from the Kaanapali Seaside Resort, or you’ll be able to simply stroll to all of the eating places and cafes lining the seashore. Be sure you cease by the open-air Whalers Village – a world-class purchasing advanced.

Black Rock Seaside

On the northern finish of Ka’anapali Seaside is Black Rock Seaside. Black Rock is standard for 2 causes; sea cliff diving and inexperienced sea turtles.

This was one of the vital superb experiences we had in Hawaii. One big turtle after big turtle gracefully swam beside me unperturbed by my presence.

And each night a cliff diver lights the torches alongside the cliffs after which dives off in a re-enactment of a feat by Maui’s much-loved King Kahikili.

Maui can be recognized for its spectacular sunsets. We advocate watching it from the Cliff Dive Bar positioned within the Sheraton Resort close to Black Rock Seaside.

Highway to Hana

Probably the most well-known highway journeys in Hawaii is the 45-mile highway to Hana.

With 617 hairpin curves and 56 one-lane bridges, you’ll want a little bit of stamina for this drive, particularly for the lengthy winding highway residence (you do it in reverse).

The highway begins in Paia and is embedded on the aspect of the excessive jungle cliffs plunging into the ocean revealing panoramic Pacific Ocean views, bamboo jungle and Norfolk pines, sacred waterfalls and swimming holes, lava tubes, tropical flowers and roadside meals stands.

While this drive is legendary and you will need to do it as soon as, it fell wanting our expectations given the exhausting size of the windy turns and since we have now carried out so many nice drives world wide we have been just a little under-awed.

If a scenic jungle drive is one thing you haven’t carried out earlier than, you’ll in all probability like it. Put aside a full-day for this drive and begin early!

Nakalele Blowhole

Nakalele Blowhole is a good looking pure phenomenon the place water can spurt as much as 100 toes excessive. We had an impromptu science lesson right here with our youngsters speaking about how blow holes work and watching it in motion.

Throughout our little judging contest the blowhole managed to carry out a strong 9/10. Wonderful execution, kind, and peak.

The realm is fairly and you may stroll across the rocks, however maintain a protected distance from the blowhole.

Video: Watch us discover Maui right here

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