I've been to 3 islands so far
This blogpost is mostly about The Big Island and Kauai since I've spent the most time in those places. Below is where I'll share all the locations I loved on each island along with labeled pictures of the main areas after the descriptions. But first, here's the video I made with details and links to more info about all of the islands in case you missed it...
Kauai
Where We Stayed: Islander on the Beach AirBnB, Kapa'a, HI
Favorite Place We Ate: Shaka Burgers food truck, especially the shaka fries for me. Has a covered area to eat.
One place we ate on Kauai that I didn't mention in the video was the place where we ate bento box lunches, Paradise Grinds and Catering. I liked it because there are so many different items in a box that you're sure to like something! It just looks like a house with an Open sign in the window, but all 3 of us enjoyed it. There was one picnic table to eat outside, which is what we did.
Barking Sands Beach: we didn't go here because we didn't find out about it until after! Not sure if it's kinda gimicky or what, but seems like it's worth a try and wouldn't take long if you're already in Kauai, especially near Waimea Canyon.
We also didn't do the helicopter tour, but we've heard they're great!
Lumaha'i Beach: Dangerous for swimming but beautiful, quiet/uncrowded beach.
Glass Beach: We didn't stay here long. I picked up some sea glass, but my husband thought there would be more. Seemed like some people lived in their vehicle there, but it was still beautiful. Not a ton of parking. Goes on a dirt road.
Lighthouse Trail by the golf course.
Kalapaki Beach: My husband dropped us off here with all the luggage while he returned the rental car. He had a bit of a walk back, but it was doable. Then we sat and read and watched surfers until time to leave for our flight. So we had an Uber pick us up to take us, along with our luggage, to the airport.
Before that, we did a short hike to Kuki'i Point Lighthouse to pass a little more time. It was pretty and fun. The lighthouse was very small, but we enjoyed walking around (not on) the golf course and taking pictures of the rocks with waves splashing. This area was across the bay from where we ended up waiting with our luggage.
IF YOU ONLY VISIT 2 PLACES:
- Shipwreck Beach/Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail/Makawehi Bluff: These are all the same area, you just hike a half mile or so to see the cliffs and sandy area you can climb down into. It's a popular area but doesn't feel crowded, especially on the hike. We found parking both times (we went back with my brother), but it always looked nearly full.
- Waimea Canyon: This is another place we returned to with my brother because it was a favorite. There are several hikes you could look into for this area if you're interested. It's a long drive of nothing but nature, especially if you go all the way to Kalalau Lookout.
Lumaha'i beach
Glass Beach
Shipwreck Beach
There were several people in the water, so we enjoyed the waves for a little while here (away from the cliffs, though, to the right).
maha'ulepu heritage trail
You do have to climb down to get to this area. We only knew you could do it because we saw other people down there. It isn't super obvious otherwise, and there is a ledge where you really have to climb/scramble up and down. But it's only a 10-15 minute? walk from Shipwreck Beach and definitely worth it if you're physically able.
makawehi bluff
These are the cliffs along the heritage trail by Shipwreck Beach. If we'd stayed longer, I would have liked to hike the whole trail.
more from the heritage trail in Koloa, HI
I could have spent hours here!
waimea canyon
Paid lookout view, but the free viewing areas were amazing too. I think it was $10/car + $5/person? Unless you're a resident of HI, then it's free.
kalalau lookout
This is another paid lookout area. I don't know that there's a free place to view this one. Maybe if you park somewhere else and hike in?
the big island (hawaii island)
Where We Stayed: Captain Cook (30 minutes from Kona Airport)
Favorite Places We Ate: Black Rock Pizza and Shaka Tacos (both in Captain Cook...get the mango sauce at Shaka Tacos!) and our $100-200/person meal was at Mauna Lani CanoeHouse (Waimea, HI on the other side of Kona...not to be confused with Waimea Canyon which is on Kauai). It's at a resort, but you don't have to be a guest to eat at the restaurant. You do need a reservation, but we were able to make ours a few days in advance for a Monday or Tuesday evening meal. Don't forget gelato at Gypsea Gelato in Kealakekua, HI (near Captain Cook)...the HiCO, Hawaiian Coffee, Kona Coffee shop in that town is also super cute and had delicious ahi toast!
PLACES OF INTEREST
Sunset Manta Ray Snorkel (with Sunlight on Water) about $100+/person near Kona International Airport. Wear your swimsuit along with some layers.
Captain Cook Monument Trail: 3.7 miles out and back with good snorkeling at the monument area, similar to Manini as they are across the bay from each other. We saw a bunch of yellow fish without even getting in the water. Very popular hike. The only way to reach this area is by boat or foot, but it was still fairly busy when we went. There are lots of snorkeling tours and kayaking groups in this area.
Hapuna Beach is apparently famous/popular. We weren't impressed because we don't like crowds, but there was plenty of parking. We did use the bathroom there but otherwise just walked down there and left. I'm sure it's better if you go around sunrise or sunset or have kids, but we didn't feel the need to stay when we'd already been to so many other beaches that were more our style.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach: Not really green sand, but a beautiful 5.5 mile hike roundtrip. Start early and bring water (and some ice water to leave in the car for when you get back), hat, snack. There aren't trees/shade. Somewhat sketchy hike down to the water, but refreshing to get in. The trailhead is a short drive from the Southernmost Point of the United States.
South Point Cliff Dive is also in that area.
Because this island is so big, I'm trying to group activities together that are somewhat close to each other. These are on the opposite side of the island from Captain Cook and Kona. They are a 2-3+ hour drive one way from Captain Cook.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park If you're lucky, there will be lava. Some people say it isn't worth it if there isn't lava, but I think that's just from people who have already been and wouldn't go again unless there's lava.
'Akaka Falls State Park (entrance fee) half mile hike to view the falls.
Rainbow Falls at Wailuku River State Park (easy to see in Hilo, HI...it's right off the road. Parking was very crowded when we were there and bushes were overgrown, blocking the bottom of the falls).
HIDDEN GEM
Manini Beach: There are some kinda sketchy one-lane roads and not much parking (seriously like 5 spots), but if you can get there (more likely on a non-holiday weekday), then it's worth it especially for sunset. I don't think it has bathrooms, but it has everything else for an introverted nature lover! Some people don't care for it and it may not be worth it if you're not staying within a 30 minute drive, but to me it felt like home in the best way. The snorkeling was great, picnic tables, grassy area, small trail, beautiful coconut trees, and lovely views at sunset. Bring goggles, a towel, a hammock, a book to read, maybe even a journal or sketchbook, and you're set for hours of bliss. It captured my heart and is my new happy place.
Papakolea green sand beach
Not for the faint of heart! There is a ladder for part of the climb down to the water.
manini beach
My personal favorite (although we weren't allowed in on the 4th of July because they already had too many people)
snorkeling with manta rays
Here's a link to this photographer's website. We didn't take pictures ourselves as we were trying to enjoy the experience!
parting advice
This is not an exhaustive list...there are just so many places to see and things to do! When you're driving the islands, it's pretty easy to just see a beach and stop to see if you like it. If not, move on because there are plenty more! On Kauai, my husband did some quick Google searches to see what was in the areas we wanted to visit to pass time until our Airbnb was available, and that's how we explored Shipwreck Beach and Waimea Canyon the first time. As I've gotten older, I've become more outspoken about wanting to just return to or spend more time in places I really enjoy rather than trying to continue to only see new things. Don't stress or feel like you have to plan everything before you get there. As long as you have a place to sleep and a car to drive, figuring out the rest once you arrive is a lot easier. Plus, you usually know more about what you're in the mood to do. Just start making reservations the day you arrive so they don't get booked up or so you can make alternative plans if things are booked already. At least that's my travel philosophy!
