The island of Hawaii is the largest island in the Hawaii. So it is known as the Big Island. The volcano is most famous attraction on the island, which includes the volcano national park. Whether you are visiting an active volcano, strolling on a black sand beach, or cruising to the sea, or snorkeling in the sea. It is definitely the best island for your adventure.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has two active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The maps and guides can be obtained from the Visitor Center before entering the park. You can choose Self-driving or hiking in the park.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. It is recommended to obtain maps and guide guides at the Visitor Center before entering the park. The park is both self-driving and hiking.
There are two touring routes.
The Crater Rim Drive
The Crater Rim Drive surrounds the caldera of Kilauea. From the viewing deck , you can see the volcanic crater of the magma from different angles. the Jaggar Museum is the best viewing point. At the daytime, a huge of smoke can be only seen from far away.
When night falls, you may see the dazzling red light of the crater magma. In addition, the round route has different landscapes such as deserts ,tropical rain forests, and the view of steam.
Chain of Craters Road.
It is the Chain of Crater Road from Kilauea crater to the coastline. It has virous of viewing platforms. There are volcanic slag cones, rock carving, and sea arches.
- Mauna Kea
The top of Mauna Kea has snow all year round and it’s a sparsely populated place. It’s a famous stargazing place in the world. But for the stargazing activity, it must need good weather. If for bad weather, it’s not possible to have chance stargazing. So its better to check the weather before you coming the Mauna Kea.
The stargazing center is halfway up the mountain with 5 astronomical telescopes for visitors to use and a guide will teach you how to use it.
If you want to sea of clouds and the sunset, you have to drive to the top of the mountain. They way to the mountain is a black gravel road, which talks half an hour to drive from the stargazing center to the top of the mountain. Its highly recommended to rent a four-wheel-drive car. You’d better arrive the top of mountain before the sunset, this means you have to depart 3pm from Kona or Hilo. Moreover, during the night time, it will be very low temperature on the mountain, so its best to take some warm clothes and some foods.
- Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park
Punaluu Black Sand Beach Park is best black sand beach in Hawaii. The black sand are formed by volcanic lava into the sea. It’s a great place to basking on the beach. the sand is soft and comfortable. Matter that needs your attention, it’s the deep sea area and full of reefs, so its dangerous to swimming here.
People would like to see the big turtles in Hawaii beaches. Here you will maybe see the turtles on the beach, but visitors can only look from far not allow to be close to the turtles. Laying on the beach, watching the big turtles, it’s the best way to enough the black beach.
- Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Papakolea beach is known as the ‘Gem‘ paved green beach. its located in the south of the Big Island of the Hawaii. Its one of the only two green beaches in the world.
The Green beach is very beautiful, but there is no public transportation. The beach is still far away from the car parking area and the road is very poor, only for four-wheel drive car. Its better to take the local pick-up trucks for 20 minutes on day and a round trip price at 20 USD per person.
The reason of Green Beach has this unique color is the main component of the sand is olivine, known as Hawaiian diamond, which is the product of volcanic activity. The long time of seawater crashed makes the olivine into sand, thus we see this beautiful green beach today.
Last, Don’t take any green sands from the beach. there is a local legend that these olivine are the tears of the volcano godless. If someone take the green sand to home, they will be retaliated by the goddess. So everyone should preserve this precious beach.