Top Things to do in Island of Hawaii
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Things to do in Island of Hawaii, Hawaii (HI): The Best Bodies of Water
Life on the Big Island is a little bit slower… and locals like it that way. The natural beauty and ecological features of the island are a draw for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Test your chutzpah at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the longest volcanic eruption in recorded history, or climb to the indescribably beautiful summit of Mauna Kea. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more refreshing than a quivering plate of fresh poke, followed by a fruity shave ice.
Restaurants in Island of Hawaii
1. Kealakekua Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 813 reviews
Reviewed By celestewest10s - Waikoloa, United States
This Is a wonderful day trip for the whole family to experience the wonders that make up what Hawaii is all about. It has history in that it was the site of a thriving Hawaiian village, you can rent kayaks to take across the bay to Captain Cook Monument; if you are a good swimmer, you can swim/snorkel in the bay and catch a glimpse of the magnificent dolphin pods that frequent the bay and you can just hang out at the rocky beach and watch the world go by. Easy to get to by car down the main hwy to Napooopo Rd, then follow the road down to the beach, about 5 miles. There are a few interesting things to see on the way down, besides the view, like Hawaii Island honey farm and the Kona coffee roasting building, with free samples at both places. Definitely worth the stop.
2. Onomea Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By marieequebec - Quebec City, Canada
light hiking free parking on the street free access some trails were in common with the botanical garden an absolute must the scenic drive to and from there je striking
3. Honaunau Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 572 reviews
For further information about where to park and how to approach with the animals, you can visit this page: https://twostepbeach.net/
Reviewed By 86kathleenb - Victoria, Canada
Turtles! Lots and lots and lots of fish and we saw an eel too! The coral is varied and lots of it, the water was calm and there was lots to explore. We found a super easy spot to enter the water, and this is now our favorite snorkeling spot on the Big Island!
4. Kiholo Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 386 reviews
Reviewed By zephlc - Bedford, United States
Just enough off the beaten path to make a perfect morning hike, water and coastline is breathtaking, saw numerous Turtles, Lava Tube, black Sand Beach, the most perfect Blue Water, great place to wade, swim, snorkel, or just take pictures
5. Puako Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By 160marciek
We rented kayaks while we stayed in Puako to go out into open water snorkeling and see the whales. The first part of Puako Bay is shallow and rocky with many fish including ray. Then once you get out past the rocks and work your way into the sea, there are places to tie up your kayak and drop in to snorkel. We took a guide the first time, to find the spots and then went back often. We saw whales as well-fairly close by. Beautiful area.
6. Kahaluu Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 588 reviews
Reviewed By 182MikeG - Littleton, United States
This is a perfect bay for beginner snorkeling and fun for old hands as well. We snorkel a lot and highly recommend this bay to experience snorkeling at its best. Because it is such an easy place to snorkel we affectionately call it “baby beach” and it is our go-to place when we only have a short period of time to spend in the water. It is a shallow bay and even at high tide you will have to look for anything more than 6 feet deep. The shallow reefs are only a foot or so under water at low tide and maybe 3-½ feet at high tide. The deeper ones maybe 5 feet at low tide. You can see most of the local fish species, all kinds of urchins and spiny creatures, sea-cucumbers, green turtles, eels, sea-snakes, brain and cauliflower coral and, if you are really lucky, the occasional octopus. The water is usually calm enough for everyone though when the surf is up you need to stay out of the surfer’s area of the bay and away from the shallow reef areas. From 9 until 4:45 there are lifeguards, a nature center to answer questions, and a snack truck. When you visit please preserve it for future generations by respecting that it is the home of the beautiful and colorful reef creatures and we have to protect the reef by using reef friendly sun-screen and not touching anything or any creature with anything or any part of your body. This special park also has a covered picnic area, restroom facilities and freshwater rinse showers.
7. Wailuku River State Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By ColleenC974
My husband and I love waterfalls, and this one we found rather by accident. It is right off the road (there is a small area to pull off), and it is just beautiful! You can watch it continue on both sides of the bridge. Nice little stop.
8. Keokea Beach Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 83 reviews
Reviewed By 2MetreMan - Island of Hawaii, United States
We were looking for a new, peaceful venue to do some personal work in Nature, and this place popped up in our research. What a gem!! Reports said that it was "popular with locals" and because it is kind of out of the way, that appears to be true. Two or three local guys were fishing using throw nets while we were there. We visited on a Thursday and it was anything but crowded. There's a small, curvy, sometimes one-lane roadway in to the park, but so well worth the drive! There's a man-made "breakwater" of rocks across one side of the bay, which has created a small "inlet" with a sloping, sandy "beach" - good for children to splash around in (lots of little, amusing crabs and some small fish!), but not for swimming. The breakwater is a good place to (carefully) climb up on and watch the breakers roll in. Beautiful, wooded clifftops with white breakers at their bases lie as a vista seawards, and Maui can be seen if the sky is clear enough of clouds. The park is very well-kept, with a large pavilion, plus a smaller one atop a rocky outcrop above the small "beach." Several picnic tables are available around the park. A shower, clean toilets, a beautiful ambience - truly, this place is a gem. It does not have the "standard white sand beach" so if that's what you are looking for, save your time for elsewhere, but if you enjoy natural energy - try Keokea Beach Park! You won't be sorry!! ???? ????
9. King's Pond
Located at the Four Seaons Resort, this pond has 3,500 fish and is built into actual lava.
