Hike to Green Sand Beach
Is a 2.5 mile hike but is well worth it to swim in this volcano cinder cone. The beach as you can guess from the name is an olive green colour.
You can pay to have the locals 4 wheel drive you through the dunes but as we read and then witnessed how this is destroying the surrounding area, we opted to hike it.
It’s an easy hike, just take lots of water and it’s best to go in the morning so you’re avoiding the heat of the sun as there is no shade.
The beach is good for swimming if you are an intermediate or good swimmer, but there is a strong under-toe.
Wai’opae Tidepools
Are made of black lava rocks so you wont find sand here and need to wear suitable protective shoes to access the area as it can be really sharp and rough at times, I learn’t that the hard way.
The walk from the car-park to the tidepools is also fun as most of the houses have their own tide-pools and it makes for a fascinating walk.
WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK PART 1
Boiling Pots
From the car-park it’s a very quick walk to the lookout. A lot of people (locals e.t.c) swim here, but this is at your own risk and you have to jump a fence to do this.
WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK PART 2
Rainbow Falls
On a sunny morning around 10am rainbows can been seen in the mist of this stunning waterfall.
There is a viewing platform to take great pics from, and you can take a short walk up the stairs to see it from the top and see the gorgeous tropical rain-forest surrounding.
Moku Ola / Coconut Island
Is a cute little island that has a big grassy area and a few tiny beaches.
You can access it via a foot-bridge that is connected to the mainland.
We went on a day that they had the King Kamehameha Festival.
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens
Is across the road from Coconut Island and is a stunning park and gardens full of beautiful lush greenery and trees as well as stunning lakes styled as Japanese gardens.
A relaxing and photogenic place.
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
This is a must do and yes you read correctly this Zoo is FREE! Amazing!
Well set out zoo with lots to see they have 2 lions here, a white Bengal tiger named Tzatziki and an orange Bengal tiger named Sriracha.
They have Anteaters, a two-tied Sloth (which I was so excited about) and lots more.
2 Step Beach (Hona’unau Bay)
Is a local fave for snorkeling, it has easy access to get in the water but to do this you enter off the volcanic rock at a spot where there is naturally formed “two steps”.
This is a wonderful spot to take pictures as there is an abundance of different coloured fish, turtles and wild spinner dolphins that like to swim and frolic around snorkelers and jump over them through the air which is cool to witness.
Wear footwear right up until you enter the water as the volcanic rock can be sharp and it can get hot as it absorbs the heat from the sun.
To the left of 2 step you will see Pu’uhonaua O Hona’unau National Park (this is on our list of things to pay to see) as they are walking distance you can do both in one day if you want.
Kealakehua Bay (Captain Cook Monument)
It’s a bit of a hike down from Napo’opo’o Road to get to this one but it’s well worth it.
The hike is really pretty and you will see some wild goats on the way.
Make sure you wear shoes with good grip and take lots of water, and try to do this in the morning or afternoon to avoid the heat of the day.
This is a great spot to snorkel but it gets quite busy with boats, kayaks and different tour groups.
There is a memorial obelisk as this was the place where Captain Cook died.
As an Aussie this really intrigued us and getting to live on the Big Island for 5 weeks we learnt a lot about Captain Cook that we were never told in school growing up. It gave us a better insight to how he contributed to his own demise.
Back to the snorkeling now, you access off the jetty where there is a rope ladder to enter the water.
Be mindful of where you are snorkeling and what’s around you as there can be a lot of boats and kayaks around.
Pololū Valley Hike
This is an amazing beautiful location if you are up to the hike. It’s not especially hard but it is steep which you need to take into account and be careful.
You will be well rewarded once you get to the bottom, at every vantage point you turn different but beautiful scenery.
From the rocky black sand beach to the lush greenery and river the flows into.
This is not a beach to swim at,it has sharks and jellyfish and is quite dangerous.
Just enjoy the scenery and take some stunning photos.
If the hike is too steep you can still get some great pictures of the valley from the look-out at the top car-park.
Wear shoes with good grip and take some water with you.
Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Is a fascinating insight into the beginning stages of the Hawai’ian Kingdom, seeing the different structures and how many rocks are in them leaves you in awe of how they did it all by hand.
Puako Petroglyph Park
Is an archaeological preserve that has ancient petroglyphs (stone with lava rock cravings etched into it).
It’s a fascinating way to spend a few hours wandering and if you follow the pathway, it leads you down to the Kohala coast where you will see a lot of big sea turtles.
