Go Visit Hawaii

About a year ago, I ran across a Coastal Living Magazine article about this great hike around Waipio Valley. I was intrigued by the sounds of this hike. When I was on the Big Island recently, I had to check out the hike for myself. So, what did I think of the guided hike? It was fantastic!

Now, I’m not normally one to pay for a hike, so I did search for free alternatives for hiking the Waipio rim. Though there are some websites that erroneously say you can hike the valley rim from White Road, the land owner has cut off access to that hike. The only way you can hike around the Waipio Valley rim without trespassing and getting lost is with Hawaiian Walkways. (They pay a “big fee” for a permit to hike on private land.)

After meeting at the Hawaiian Walkways office in quaint Honokaa town, we hopped onto a van for about a 20 minute ride through woods and unpaved and gated roads to the beginning of our 3.5 mile loop hike. These tours are scheduled in the mornings when the weather is more likely to be clear.

We walked through a Eucalyptus tree forest on our way to the first glimpses of the stunning Waipio Valley. Though the views of the one mile wide valley are impressive from the overlook off Hwy 240, the views along the hike offered a much different perspective that highlighted the six-mile depth and peace of the valley.

We skirted along a narrow path past more views of the valley, streams, foot bridges, waterfalls, wild ginger, hapuu ferns, and guava forests. We even got to pick a lemon guava off the tree and taste it. We also got to take a dip in a refreshing natural waterfall pool. By the way the word refreshing can also be defined as as freezing cold. The water was very cold, but I’m glad I braved it for this very unique experience! If you are looking for an idyllic rainforest hike with unbelievable views, then this hike is the one! (See all our photos from this hike.)

Tish (photo on the right) was our tour guide and she was very knowledgeable about the lush flora that grows around the Waipio Valley. We really learned so much about the cultural and practical significance of many plants and trees. Tish also taught us quite a bit of history and legends of the valley. We even learned stories about the Night Marchers (ghosts) of the Waipio valley.

The Hike Logistics

This moderately strenuous hike is more technical than physical. Hawaiian Walkways provides guava wood walking sticks, so that helps you to maintain your balance in some of the tricky parts. I would advise that you wear hiking shoes or hiking sandals for best stability

In addition to the walking sticks, Hawaiian Walkways provided:

• Water
• Snack
• Lunch (We stopped for lunch at a waterfall.)
• Cold drinks
• Lightweight backpacks to carry your lunch, water, and beach towel, etc.
• Rain gear

You should bring:

• Swimsuit - either wear your swimsuit or bring one with you. An outdoor “dressing room” is available to change into your swimsuit if you bring it.
• Towel for drying off after your dip in the waterfall pool.
• We brought our own mosquito repellent, though Tish did have some we could use. I’d recommend you be proactive and apply mosquito repellant before you get far into the hike.
• If you don’t have waterproof hiking shoes/sandals, then bring some reef shoes. The rocks around the waterfall area can feel pretty sharp on bare feet.
• Sunscreen
• Hat

The hike cost $95 plus tax per person. They take a maximum of 10 people on the hike. The hike is recommended for ages eight and up. For more information on booking this hike see the Hawaiian Walkways website.

Plan on 4.5 hours for the hike, lunch, swim. Also be sure to tack on your travel time too and from Honoka’a. We were told to allow one hour travel time from Waikoloa, though it actually took a little less time.

Can’t take the hike, but would love to enjoy some of the views? We took this brief video just for you!

For reference, we also considered the Hawaii Forest and Trail waterfall hike. The reasons we went with Hawaiian Walkways is that it’s the only hiking tour that provides views of the Waipio Valley from the valley rim and it was less expensive.

Have you hiked into or around the Waipio Valley? What was your experience?

Stargazing on Mauna Kea was very high on my list of things I wanted to do on my recent Big Island vacation. The experience is unique. Where else in the world can you go from sea level to nearly 14,000 feet above sea level in less than two hours? The change in landscape was surreal and dramatic. We drove from beaches and palm trees to pasture lands to weathered and worn snow capped cinder cones We went from wearing short sleeves to wearing arctic-type parkas. (You can see all 60 photos that we captured during our Mauna Kea tour.)

Here’s a video montage we put together:
I’ve put together these frequently asked questions and tips to help you plan your visit to one of the best stargazing places on earth.

When to Go?
If you really want to see as many stars as possible, aim to go on a clear and moonless evening. Now, I know that this may be easier said than done as the weather is unpredictable and you can’t always schedule your vacation based on the phases of the moon. Use this official Mauna Kea forecast to determine the best weather, sunset times, and moon rise times. When you take a tour, you’ll probably be stargazing from around 7pm to about 9pm, so try to choose a time when the moon won’t be rising during that time in order to see the maximum amount of stars.Even though I was on the Big Island for two weeks, I actually had a limited amount of days that I could schedule this tour. I didn’t want to schedule the tour for the first few days because, I was super anxious to get out to see the lava flow and because I knew I would be jet lagged and unable to stay up past about 8pm for the first few days. I wish I could have planned the tour better so that I could have gone up to Mauna Kea when the moon wouldn’t have been shining so early and so fully. Next time, I’ll plan more wisely.If you book your tour in advance and the weather looks crummy, ask your tour company if you can switch to another night.

Why should I go with a tour company? Can’t I just go on my own?
While it is feasible to go on your own up to the top of Mauna Kea, I don’t advise it if you are a tourist with a rental car. Here are a few reasons why I recommend you don’t drive it.

• Most rental car companies do not allow you to drive on Saddle Road. Though Saddle Road is paved, it can be a dangerous road. In fact, I’ve heard it’s one of the top 10 most dangerous roads in the US. I’ll have an upcoming post on Saddle Road.
• You should have a 4-wheel drive vehicle for driving up to the summit. In fact for the official summit tour provided by the Mauna Kea Visitor Center, you must provide your own 4-wheel drive vehicle. There are several unpaved miles on the road from the visitor’s center to the summit. Plus, in the winter, you may encounter snow and ice.
• At the summit, there is 40% less oxygen which can have a pretty severe and unpredictable effects on your mind and body. So, why not leave the driving up to a professional who knows the roads and knows how the oxygen deprivation affects them.

What to look for in choosing a tour company?
There are probably a half dozen or so companies who offer Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing tours. I chose Mauna Kea Summit Adventures for several reasons. They claim to have the most powerful telescopes of the tour companies and they use mini-bus with large window and more comfortable coach seating. All the other companies use standard vans with the bench style seating, which is fine for short trips, but the drive up to Mauna Kea and long and bumpy.

Other things to look for are:

• Are parkas and gloves provided?
• Are the tour guides trained and knowledgeable?
• Does the tour company provide dinner?
• Does the tour company provide stops to allow your body to adjust to the elevation changes?

How much do Mauna Kea sunset/stargazing tours cost?
Expect to pay anywhere between $160 and $200 with tax. We paid $197 per person including tax with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures. We could have saved 15% if we had booked our tour online and two weeks in advance. (See this reservation link for more details and black out dates.) We considered Hawaii Forest and Trail and they charge approximately $176 per person including tax.

Is the Mauna Kea visit safe for everyone?
No, it is not safe for everyone! I’ll quote the brochure provided by the Office of Mauna Kea Management.

Due to the effects of low atmospheric pressure on your body - including less available oxygen encountered at high altitude - it is strongly advised that individuals with the following categories not travel to the summit of Mauna Kea:

• Persons under 16 years of age
• Pregnant women
• Anyone with high blood pressure, heart or respiratory conditions
• Scuba divers with less than 24 hours after their last dive
• Anyone who has been drinking alcohol (consumption of alcohol is strongly discouraged on Mauna Kea)

If you have concerns, please check with your doctor.

What should I bring for this tour?
Wear long pants and sneakers or hiking shoes. The parkas are very warm, but you might want to wear or bring a long-sleeved shirt. You might also want to bring water and a light snack if you think you may get hungry.

If you have a very mild case of asthma, you might be permitted to go on the tour, but you must bring an inhaler. The way it was described to us is that people who have asthma are allowed to go as long as they haven’t been hospitalized for asthma in the past 2 years and they bring an inhaler. Be sure and check with your doctor and the tour company for advice regarding your own conditions.

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Have you been stargazing our Mauna Kea? What advice would you add?

During our trip to the Big Island we wanted to take a sailing tour.  At first we were torn between taking a whale watching tour and taking a sunset sail.  After considering our options, we decided that the sunset sail with Ocean Sports was our best option and best value.  For $100 per person, here’s what we experienced:

• Shuttle pick up from our resort to Kawaihae Harbor
• A generous open bar.  The friendly crew was very attentive and always asking if they could get another drink for us.
• A buffet dinner with salad, ribs, tropical chicken and potatoes. The food was actually fairly good considering it was buffet style served on a catamaran cruise.
• Whale watching.  As it is humpback whale season in Hawaii, we were able to see several whales up close and personal.  One whale actually decided to approach the boat and give us a gentle nudge.  It was hard to believe I was actually seeing what I was seeing.  Watch the video below to get an idea of what this experience was like.
• A beautiful Kohala Coast sunset and view of the Big Island.
• Champagne toast at sunset.
• Shuttle return from the harbor back to our resort.

Overall, we had a very nice tour and I would recommend Ocean Sports tours to my friends. 

Here are some points for you to consider when you are booking a sailing tour:

• If you are on the Big Island during whale season (officially between December 15th and April 15th) then it is very likely that you’ll see whales during a snorkel sail or sunset sail.  So, in effect, you get a free whale watching tour in addition to your snorkeling or dinner sunset sail cruise. Overall, it’s the better value, however you won’t receive the whale sighting guarantee that you would get with a designated whale watching tour.
• We were told that whale watching tours from the Kohala Coast area tends to be better than from the Kona area.  The reason that the Kohala coast is better is that the water is shallower near the shore as compared to the Kona area.  So, the whales like to nurse and raise their calves in the safer, shallower waters. 
• If you book more than one of Ocean Sports tours, you can ask for a 20% discount off the second tour.
• Another company from the Kohala Coast area that we also considered was Red Sail. 

Have you gone on a Big Island sail?  What was your experience?

If a Big Island luau doesn’t fit in your vacation budget, but you’d still like to hear live Hawaiian music or see a hula dance, then you’re in luck.  You can find some good free shows on the island.  Here’s where to find the some of the good free stuff:

• The Shops at Mauna Lani offers free shows every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.  You can learn more about the various shows and times here. 
• The Kings Shops in Waikoloa have free evening shows Monday through Saturday.
• The Queens Marketplace in Waikoloa have several free or low cost Hawaiian craft making classes as well as free traditional Hawaiian entertainment.  See this link for their listings. 
• Many hotels offer free live music, usually in their lounge area. So ask your hotel what free entertainment they offer.

Here’s a short video sample of the type of free entertainment you might find.  This video was filmed at the Kings Shops stage in Waikoloa.

If you are looking for other budget-minded things to do on the Big Island, then don’t miss our suggestions for the best Big Island budget activities.   

It was humbling and mesmerizing experience to watch lava flowing into the ocean. I struggle to find the adequate words to describe it. If you are able to get out to the Big Island to see if for yourself, then I strongly encourage you to do so.

I wanted to share some tips for viewing the lava so that you can make the most of your experience. Here are my suggestions.

When to Go
Try as best as you can to see the lava around sunset and just afterwards. We were able to see the lava during daylight hours and then at sunset and about an hour afterwards. The sun’s rays wash out the incandescence of the lava, so you can’t really see as much of it in the daytime. We were fortunate enough to see the contrast of daytime viewing and nighttime viewing. There really is a huge difference in what you can see. If you go to see the lava just before sunset, you’ll be able to walk to the lava viewing point more safely in the daylight hours. Note that the current viewing point does not open until 2pm and closes at 10pm. Cars are not allowed to enter past 8pm.

Where to Find the Lava
At the present time, you’ll find the lava flowing at the end of Highway 130 on the East side, not far from Kalapana. You can use the links on this page to find the lava.

What to Wear
- One of the most important things to wear is shoes with a rugged sole and good gripping tread, such as hiking shoes. You’ll be trekking over very uneven surfaces (hardened lava) and a shoe with a firm or semi-firm sole will help you keep your balance. If you’ll be very close to the actual flow, a shoe with a good sole will protect your feet from the heat. I observed a few people wearing flip flops or fancy shoes and they had a very difficult time walking. I wore my hiking shoes and I was so glad I did.

- If you’ll be seeing the lava during day light hours then be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat or visor. Sunglasses are also helpful.

- You should try to wear long trousers to protect your legs if you fall. Hardened lava can be sharp as glass and quite dangerous if you fall. I wore a light weight hiking trousers.

- One reader, Ben, advises to wear gloves to protect your hands should you fall. Pick up a pair of work gloves from the dollar store.

What to Bring

- Water is a must, particularly if you’ll be going to see the lava in the daytime.

- Snacks or energy bars may come in handy. There are no restaurants in the area.

- Flashlight for finding your way in the dark. The county has installed some reflective poles and some yellow tape on the ground to help you navigate to and from the viewing point.

- Binoculars will help you get a closer view. You may be a couple of hundred yards or more from the lava.

- Cameras with well charged batteries and plenty of memory or film. Near the water, it’s quite windy, so if you have a tripod, do bring it

- A hiking stick or pole helps to keep you steady over uneven terrain.

- Sunscreen and lip balm with sun protection.

- Wet wipes. (There are port-a-johns, but no way to clean your hands.)

- If you have long hair, you may want to bring something to tie it back because it can be very windy near the ocean.

- Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment, in case you fall.

- Depending on where you’ll be going, you may want to have some mosquito repellant. After viewing the lava in the daytime, we walked back to our car to escape the sun and sit on cushioned chairs while we waited for sunset. We rolled down the windows and ended up getting some mosquitos in the car. Luckily we had our mosquito repellant with us.

Other Important Considerations

- The earlier you get there the better parking space you’ll get. The current lava viewing point opens at 2pm. We got there just shortly after it opened and had a prime parking space. As we left the parking area later in the evening. We noticed several people having to walk for at least a mile on a dusty, gravel road.

- Be aware of the many dangers of being around active lava.  (Mahalo to Angie for the link.)

- Obey all signs and instructions provided by the county employees. (Hey, how about thanking them for establishing this viewing point for visitors to see.)

- Lock your car doors and put valuables out of sight.

- If you are thinking of going to see the lava from the West side of Hawaii, then plan on about a 2.5 hour one way drive.

- Finally, enjoy this rare and awesome display!

Woohoo! Lava began flowing to the ocean again yesterday! Hawaii county is in the process of preparing a lava viewing point. That point is planned to be in place by tomorrow, per this KGMB video.

In the meantime, you can get an incredible view from the ocean on a boat tour. Lava Ocean Adventures runs tours to see the lava twice daily for morning and evening views. I spoke to Shane at Lava Ocean Adventures today and he said the lava is as good as ever and that tours are booking quickly. The tours last 2.5 to 3.0 hours and leave at 5:00a and 4:30p. The current cost of the tour is $199 per passenger, though that price may come down if they can arrange to use their larger boat. To get an idea of what the tour might be like, view their brief video ad.

When you’re exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, don’t miss seeing Thurston Lava Tube. (A lava tube is a cave-like tube that lava flows through underground. It’s kind of like a pipe that the lava produces in order to move underground.) The photo above shows the entrance into Thurston Lava Tube. The park has placed lights inside the tube for you to explore the size and shape of the lava tube.

While you’re here, take a few moments to admire the giant Hapuu ferns in the rainforest setting. It’s an amazing lush green contrast from the barren fields of black lava that you see so predominately inside the park.

You’ll find Thurston Lava Tube just off Crater Rim Drive inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

At Go Visit Hawaii, we know that there are a number of different luau options for anyone planning a trip to Hawaii. We also know that researching the different luau options is fairly difficult as not all the relevant information is readily available. As promised in the article on tips for choosing a Hawaiian luau and as a service to our readers, we’ve researched and compiled the information to assist you in finding that special luau experience. Starting today, we begin our series of listing the luaus on each island. We begin the series on the Big Island. All the luaus on the Big Island are in the Kona and Kohala areas.

Kohala Coast Luaus

Royal Luau at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott
Opens: Check-in between 4:30 and 5:00
Nights: Sundays and Wednesdays
Location/Setting: Adjacent to the Anaehoomalu fishponds.
Prices: $74.95 for adults and $34.46 for children aged 6 - 12. Children under 5 are free.
Price Includes: Buffet, open-bar drinks, Polynesian show and taxes
Imu Ceremony: Yes at 6:00
For Reservations: 1-808-886-6789
Reviews: TripAdvisor, Yahoo
Additional Information: Official Hotel Flier

Legends of the Pacific at the Hilton Waikoloa Village
Opens: Doors open at 5:30
Nights: Tuesdays and Fridays
Location/Setting: At Hilton Waikoloa Resort grounds. (No water views from the seating area.  See photo 1 and 2 for views of the seating set up.)
Prices: $82 for adults, $65 for seniors 65 and older, $65 for teens 13- 18, $41 for children 5 - 12 and free for children under 5. Upgrade seating to front row with family-style food served and unlimited Mai Tais at your table for additional $25 per person. You can skip the food altogether and just see the show for $40 per person which begins at 7:15 p.m.
Price Includes: Buffet, one cocktail, Polynesian show.
Imu Ceremony: Yes at 6:00
For Reservations: 1-808-886-1234
Reviews: None found
Additional Information: Official Website

Kona Luaus

Kona Village Luau at Kona Village Resort
Opens: 5:15
Nights: Wednesdays (Hula Mana), Fridays (Savaii Polynesian Show, the longest running show)
Location/Setting: At Kona Village Resort grounds 10 miles north of Kona.
Prices: $98 for Adults and teens 13 years and older, $67 for children ages 6 - 12 and $0 for children ages 3 - 5.
Price Includes: Buffet, one drink and hula (Wednesday) or Polynesian show (Friday).
Imu Ceremony: Yes on Fridays
For Reservations: 1-808-325-5555
Reviews: Epinions, Frommers, Travel.Taquitos
Additional Information: Official Website

Island Breeze Hawaiian Luau at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
Opens: 5:00
Nights: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays
Location/Setting: King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel grounds in Kona
Prices: $70.31 for adults, $34.90 for children ages 5 - 12, children under 5 are admitted free
Prices Includes: Buffet, open bar, Polynesian show, taxes
Imu Ceremony: Yes, also they have a royal Hawaiian court presentation.
For Reservations: 1-808-329-8111 x200 or book online
Reviews: TripAdvisor 1, TripAdvisor 2
Additional Information: Hotel Website, Island Breeze Production Website

Royal Kona Resort Luau
Opens: 5:00
Nights: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
Location/Setting: Royal Kona Resort grounds in Kona (ocean front with sunset views)
Prices: $60 for adults, $22.50 for children 5 - 12, children under 5 admitted free for each paid adult
Prices Includes: Buffet, open bar, Polynesian show, taxes
Imu Ceremony: Yes
For Reservations: 1-808-329-3111 or book online
Reviews: TripAdvisor, IgoUgo
Additional Information: Official Website

All prices and times were accurate at the time this article was written. As resorts often change dates and prices, please verify current times, days, and prices.

We will be continuing this series over the coming weeks. Subscribe to our free updates via e-mail or RSS, to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

Have you been to any of these Big Island Luaus? What did you think?

I really enjoyed writing the best budget friend sights and activities series of articles over the last month. As I wrote each one, I tried to bear in mind that most people usually only have seven days for their vacation in Hawaii. So, it was quite challenging to narrow down the list to something that could be achieved within a week and still hopefully have some relaxation time to spare. I thought it would be useful to wrap up the series of Hawaii budget activities articles into one convenient spot for you. Here they are:

• Maui’s Top 7 Free or Nearly Free Things to Do and See
• 10 Best Free Activities and Sites on Oahu
• Best Free Activities on Kauai
• Best Big Island Budget Activities
  

Getting to Hawaii and staying there can be pricey, but once you are there, you can do so many free or low cost activities. Not only are will you find the suggestions in the article to be budget friendly, but you will also find that these really are the top activities to plan into your Big Island vacation. You will find that this list includes a nice mix of cultural, historical, and scenic activities.

The Big Island is the largest Hawaiian Island. On the other islands, driving time is not a big issue, however, on the Big Island, you will need to organize your activities based on the island’s geography. Ideally, I recommend staying on the Hilo side for two or three nights and then staying on the Kona side for three or four nights or even longer depending on how much relaxation you are looking for. I will attempt to indicate where these activities align better whether on the Hilo side or Kona side. So, let’s dive in the best Big Island low cost sights and activities.

See Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
(It is best to do this from the Hilo side, but is doable with a shorter visit from Kona side.)
This park is nothing short of fascinating. I advise spending a couple of days to explore the park and take in some hikes if you can. My favorite hike is Kilauea Iki, which takes you through a rainforest and across a volcano crater floor. If your travel plans only allow you a day to visit the park, you will still be able to see the highlights. Don’t miss Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. The park’s web site has some helpful information for planning your visit based on the amount of time you have available. You will have to pay an entrance fee of $10 per car which will allow you entrance into the park for seven days.

See the Lava Flow
Kilauea has been continuously erupting for over 25 years. The lava comes and goes at different spots in and around the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Sometimes it is easy to view the lava flow activity and sometimes it requires many miles of intense hiking. If the lava is flowing where you can see it relatively easy, I highly recommend you see it at night. I’ve recently returned from a repeat visit to the Big Island and while I was there I could hike to see the lava flowing into the ocean at night. It was absolutely incredible! See these tips for lava viewing.

See Waipio Valley
(This valley is situated on the North Shore and can be accessed from Hilo side or Kona side.)
This phenomenal valley along the North shore is breathtakingly beautiful. It may be the most photographed site of the Big Island. It’s a vast lush green valley flanked by lush green cliffs, waterfalls, a black sand beach and the ocean. You can see the valley at no cost by driving to the look out. To get there, take highway 240 to the end of the road. To see a map of this area, click here. There are some hikes and tours that you can take along and into the valley if you have the time and budget available.

See Puuhonau o Honaunau National Historical Park.
(This park is best access from the Kona side.)
You will learn about ancient Hawaiian life and culture at this park. This national park is also know as the “Place of Refuge” because in ancient Hawaiian culture, you could find a safe haven here from punishment or enemies. You will need to pay a $5 per car entrance fee which will allow you entrance for seven days. To learn more about visiting this park, see these tips. There is a great snorkeling spot nearby which makes a great segue into the next activity on the list.

Snorkel the pristine tropical waters.
(The best snorkeling spots are on the Kona side.)
One of the top snorkeling spots on the Big Island is Honaunau Bay which is adjacent to Pu’uhonau o Honaunau Park. This web site offers some tips on the best Big Island beaches for snorkeling. If you aren’t brining your own snorkel gear from home, you can either rent the gear at a kayak or diving shop or buy it at a discount store like Wal-Mart in Kailua-Kona.

See a Black Beach
(You can find a black sand beach on either side.)
Black sand beaches are pretty rare, but the Big Island has several pretty black sand beaches, Punaluu and Kehena, that are fairly accessible. If you’ve never seen a black sand beach before, you’re in for a treat. Punaluu Beach is located off Highway 11 on the southern shore in between Kona and Hilo. Kehena Beach can be found off Highway 137 near Puna along the Eastern shore. Also note that the beach at Waipio Valley has black sand, as does the beach at Pololu Valley. (For more on black sand beaches, see this link.) It is also worth mentioning that you can see a dark olive green sand beach on the southern most tip of Hawaii and the US. It’s called Mahana Bay and it’s about a 2.5 mile hike from South Point, though this beach requires a pretty significant hike.

See Waterfall after Waterfall along the Hamakua Coast
(This area is closest to the Hilo side.)
Begin the waterfall gawking in Hilo at Rainbow Falls and Pe’epe’e Falls that are off of Wainuenue Avenue in Hilo. Then drive north along Highway 19 to find the lush Hamakua Coast that’s blessed with rain resulting in a plethora of waterfalls. You’ll find some waterfalls by the road and others are only a short diversion off of the main highway. Akaka Falls is particularly impressive water fall that you’ll find by taking Highway 220 off of Highway 19. Also while you are here, do not miss the 4-Mile Scenic Drive by Onomea Bay.

See the Pololu Valley Lookout
(This point is closest to the Kona side.)
This gorgeous scene along the North Kohala coast rivals the beauty of the Na Pali Coast on Kauai. The tall green cliffs dramatically shoot out from the ocean. The deep valley meets the ocean at a black sand beach. You will can access this point from Highway 19 by taking Highway 270 or Highway 250 to 270. I recommend you go one way and back the other.

Honorable Mentions
As I’ve written this series of posts on the top sights and budget conscious things to do across the islands, I’ve tried to be mindful that most people have a week or less to explore each island. Since the Big Island is big indeed, I’m adding in these extras for you to see and do if you have time:

• See Laupahoehoe Point where you will find a beautiful coastal scene that also carries some sadness with it. A tsunami in 1946 tragically killed twenty-four people here. Note that this point is not far from the Waipio Valley overlook in case you would like to combine the two.
• Stroll the grounds of the Mauna Lani Resort. (This resort is on the Kona side on the Kohala Coast.) The lovely grounds of the Mauna Lani Resort have so many natural treasures. First they have several ancient Hawaiian fishponds. (To learn more about fishponds, click here.) You will also find a path where you’ll find ancient petroglyphs at the Puako Petroglyph Park. Be sure and bring a bottle of water with you as you explore the park as it can be very hot with little shelter from the sun. Another point of interest on the grounds is the the shark ponds. You may end up with a cool photo like this one. If you have time, take the beach path from the Mauna Lani north to the Fairmont Orchid where you will find some beautiful Big Island beach scenery. You can find free self-parking at the resort. It might be nice to buy a lunch or some drinks here as a way to say thank you for use of the grounds.
• Check out a Kona coffee farm. (Obviously, these farms are on the Kona side.)
• Go to a macadamia nut factory. (The Mauna Loa farm in on the Hilo side and the Hamakua Factory is on the Kona side.)
• Watch a beautiful sunset on the Kona side.

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If you’ll be visiting other Hawaiian Islands, then don’t miss these picks for the best budget activities:

• Best free Oahu activities
  
• Best free Kauai activities
• Best free and budget friendly Maui activities