Regina's Big Island Guidebook
Sightseeing - Heading South
Highlights of some of our favorite things to see going south from where you’re staying.
This is a really cool little place to visit on your way to South Point or Green Sand Beach. They have a farm you can walk around and see different plants, trees, fruit, vegetables and herbs they’re growing. You can also see fish, parrots, ducks and their latest addition… a pet big they adopted that showed up on the farm.
Stop at their gift shop and buy local fruit, paintings, coffee, honey and much more!
14 polecane przez mieszkańców
Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm Home of Hawaii's Local Buzz
93-2199 S Point RdThis is a really cool little place to visit on your way to South Point or Green Sand Beach. They have a farm you can walk around and see different plants, trees, fruit, vegetables and herbs they’re growing. You can also see fish, parrots, ducks and their latest addition… a pet big they adopted that showed up on the farm.
Stop at their gift shop and buy local fruit, paintings, coffee, honey and much more!
Do you love cliff jumping or love watching others jump? Then this is the place for you and the view of the ocean is incredible! Welcome to the southern most point in the USA!
If you are not an experienced cliff jumper, I don’t recommend jumping yet watching others can be great fun too. It’s approximately a 35 ft drop with a ladder locals have built up the side of the cliff to get back up. I know people that have gotten injured very badly cliff jumping so again, if you are not experienced don’t try this.
Whether you enjoy cliff jumping or not, it’s a beautiful place to visit.
18 polecane przez mieszkańców
South Point "Southern most point in the USA"
Do you love cliff jumping or love watching others jump? Then this is the place for you and the view of the ocean is incredible! Welcome to the southern most point in the USA!
If you are not an experienced cliff jumper, I don’t recommend jumping yet watching others can be great fun too. It’s approximately a 35 ft drop with a ladder locals have built up the side of the cliff to get back up. I know people that have gotten injured very badly cliff jumping so again, if you are not experienced don’t try this.
Whether you enjoy cliff jumping or not, it’s a beautiful place to visit.
This is not a place we go to or hang out at; however, it’s a absolutely beautiful place to see once in your life.
Green Sand Beach gets its name from the green glassy crystals called “Olivine” that make up a majority of the sand on this beach. It can change in appearance and look more green at different times of the year.
You need a 4 wheel drive to get there; however, I don’t recommend that route. We almost messed our truck up trying to get through the rough roads.
Oftentimes there are locals there that will charge $20 a person to give you a ride on the back of their trucks.
The other option is to hike; however, this will take you approximately 45 minutes to an hour to get there and then you gotta get back so take plenty of water, sunscreen (reef safe if possible) and some snacks and bring appropriate clothing such as tennis shoes, hiking boots or a hat.
148 polecane przez mieszkańców
Plaża Papakōlea Green Sand
This is not a place we go to or hang out at; however, it’s a absolutely beautiful place to see once in your life.
Green Sand Beach gets its name from the green glassy crystals called “Olivine” that make up a majority of the sand on this beach. It can change in appearance and look more green at different times of the year.
You need a 4 wheel drive to get there; however, I don’t recommend that route. We almost messed our truck up trying to get through the rough roads.
Oftentimes there are locals there that will charge $20 a person to give you a ride on the back of their trucks.
The other option is to hike; however, this will take you approximately 45 minutes to an hour to get there and then you gotta get back so take plenty of water, sunscreen (reef safe if possible) and some snacks and bring appropriate clothing such as tennis shoes, hiking boots or a hat.
This isn’t my favorite place to spend the day but it’s a great place to stop on your way to Volcano National Park or Hilo because oftentimes you can see a lot of turtles laying out in the sun and it has a beautiful view of the ocean.
77 polecane przez mieszkańców
Plaża Punalu'u Black Sand
Ninole Loop RoadThis isn’t my favorite place to spend the day but it’s a great place to stop on your way to Volcano National Park or Hilo because oftentimes you can see a lot of turtles laying out in the sun and it has a beautiful view of the ocean.
Volcano National Park has lots of great hiking trails. During the day you can view just how enormous the creator is, lava tubes, gift shops, etc. At night when lava is flowing, you can see a beautiful glow and sometimes actually see lava flowing in times when the volcano is active by hiking a little over a mile to Devastation Trail. It’s definitely a must see!
880 polecane przez mieszkańców
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Volcano National Park has lots of great hiking trails. During the day you can view just how enormous the creator is, lava tubes, gift shops, etc. At night when lava is flowing, you can see a beautiful glow and sometimes actually see lava flowing in times when the volcano is active by hiking a little over a mile to Devastation Trail. It’s definitely a must see!
If you’re in the Pahoa area visiting Pohiki Hot Springs and Black Sand Beach, you might as well take a drive to Mackenzie State Recreational Area. It’s a great place for a picnic or just to stop and take a break and enjoy the scenery.
56 polecane przez mieszkańców
MacKenzie State Recreation Area
State Highway 137If you’re in the Pahoa area visiting Pohiki Hot Springs and Black Sand Beach, you might as well take a drive to Mackenzie State Recreational Area. It’s a great place for a picnic or just to stop and take a break and enjoy the scenery.
While I do NOT recommend swimming in this water, it is a historical place to check out. This was one of the best snorkeling places that existed on the island until the 2018 lava flow took it out. Many do get in the water yet the water is stagnant and contains bacteria so again I would stay out.
While you’re there though you can visit the new black sand beach that was created and see where the lava flow went across the road and took over what once was a popular hang out spot. Surfers do get in the water here but be very careful. The water gets rough. Lifeguards are usually on duty during the day.
It really is beautiful though and worth a visit in my opinion.
16 polecane przez mieszkańców
Pohoiki Bay and Hot Spring
13-5579 Kalapana - Kapoho RdWhile I do NOT recommend swimming in this water, it is a historical place to check out. This was one of the best snorkeling places that existed on the island until the 2018 lava flow took it out. Many do get in the water yet the water is stagnant and contains bacteria so again I would stay out.
While you’re there though you can visit the new black sand beach that was created and see where the lava flow went across the road and took over what once was a popular hang out spot. Surfers do get in the water here but be very careful. The water gets rough. Lifeguards are usually on duty during the day.
It really is beautiful though and worth a visit in my opinion.
No hiking required to view this beautiful waterfall in Hilo. You can park, get out and walk right over to it. There is also bathrooms on site if needed.
It’s absolutely beautiful. I’d definitely check it out if you’re in the Hilo area.
337 polecane przez mieszkańców
Rainbow Falls
No hiking required to view this beautiful waterfall in Hilo. You can park, get out and walk right over to it. There is also bathrooms on site if needed.
It’s absolutely beautiful. I’d definitely check it out if you’re in the Hilo area.
If you love waterfalls, Hilo has some great ones. Akaka Falls is good for just about anyone. The path is concreted and is not far off the road. It’s a $5 charge per person if you’re not a local but it is definitely worth it. There’s tiny waterfalls as well as large waterfalls to view.
We actually took my adult son after he had ankle surgery and was still in a boot and he was able to walk to the closet one.
341 polecane przez mieszkańców
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls RdIf you love waterfalls, Hilo has some great ones. Akaka Falls is good for just about anyone. The path is concreted and is not far off the road. It’s a $5 charge per person if you’re not a local but it is definitely worth it. There’s tiny waterfalls as well as large waterfalls to view.
We actually took my adult son after he had ankle surgery and was still in a boot and he was able to walk to the closet one.
Food scene
There are not many places to eat on this side of the island; however, this is one of our favorites and it’s not far from Volcano National Park.
If you’re in the area, you gotta eat here. The food is reasonably priced, tastes amazing and the service is great! You can eat indoor or outdoor and they even have a grocery store in the back with lots of amazing fruits and vegetables.
19 polecane przez mieszkańców
Dimple Cheek Cafe & Local Market
17-4003 Ahuahu PlThere are not many places to eat on this side of the island; however, this is one of our favorites and it’s not far from Volcano National Park.
If you’re in the area, you gotta eat here. The food is reasonably priced, tastes amazing and the service is great! You can eat indoor or outdoor and they even have a grocery store in the back with lots of amazing fruits and vegetables.
Hilo Bay Cafe is not like a cafe at all. It’s more like fine dining and has some of the best food in Hilo with a beautiful view of the water. They aren’t open every day and stay very busy so a reservation is recommended.
137 polecane przez mieszkańców
Hilo Bay Cafe
123 Lihiwai StHilo Bay Cafe is not like a cafe at all. It’s more like fine dining and has some of the best food in Hilo with a beautiful view of the water. They aren’t open every day and stay very busy so a reservation is recommended.
Sightseeing - Heading North
Kona side
Honaunau Bay