The 17 Most Incredible Natural Attractions In Hawaii That Everyone Should Visit
From cascading waterfalls found within lush rainforests and pristine beaches in a variety of colors to incredible rock formations, magnificent caves, and the magical spot where flowing lava enters the ocean, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible natural attractions. With nearly 11,000 acres of natural beauty to uncover, we could write about a thousand fantastic natural attractions found across the Hawaiian Islands, but these 17 are some of our favorites.
If you’re looking for the ultimate Hawaiian hike with some of the best views that Maui has to offer, all within a short, well-maintained trail managed by the National Parks System, look no further than Pipiwai Trail. The four-mile round trip trek will take you on quite the enchanting journey through a lush Hawaiian tropical rainforest to four absolutely incredible natural wonders: a towering banyan tree, a bamboo forest, and two gorgeous cascading waterfalls.
Read more about this gorgeous hike here.
Read more about this gorgeous hike here.
Tucked away in a Hanapepe industrial area, near Port Allen Harbor is Kauai’s Glass Beach, a brilliant beach covered with millions of sea glass pebbles in brilliant hues of aqua, blue and brown. The glass found at this beach was mainly created from broken bottles and auto glass that was dumped years ago, and subsequently smoothed by time and ocean tides.
Read more about Kauai’s Glass Beach here.
Read more about Kauai’s Glass Beach here.
There are very few places on this planet where you can watch flowing lava in person, and even fewer where you can walk right up to it. Kalapana is the safest and easiest to access. There are two paths you can take: one from the east at Kalapana and one from the west, near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Not only might you see flowing lava, but you’ll be walking along the youngest land you’ve ever set foot on - which is pretty unbelievable, if you ask me.
Read more about the Kalapana Lava Flows here.
Read more about the Kalapana Lava Flows here.
Situated off the coast of Windward is Oahu is a picturesque slice of paradise that is only accessible during low tide. The Kaneohe sandbar, located in the middle of Kaneohe Bay surrounded by the striking Ko’olau mountains, features crystalline turquoise waters, fine white sand, and plenty of fun. At high tide, you can comfortably stand waist-deep in the water, while at low tide, the sand is completely exposed.
Read more about the Kaneohe Sandbar here.
Read more about the Kaneohe Sandbar here.
Also known as Garden of the Gods, this otherworldly rock garden at the end of Polihua Road is located 45 minutes from Lanai City on a dirt path only advised for vehicles with four-wheel drive. Garden of the Gods can only be described as barren: the land is vacant of trees, shrubs, flowers, or grass, and perhaps reminiscent of something you’d find on another planet.
Read more about Garden of the Gods here.
Read more about Garden of the Gods here.
Located almost in the heart of Hana town, on the eastern coast of Maui, is one of the few red sand beaches in the world. The breathtaking Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach is one of the most incredible wonders you’ll see in your lifetime, and an absolute must-visit, as long as you are accustomed to navigating cliff edges with less-than-perfect footing.
Read more about this stunning red sand beach here.
Read more about this stunning red sand beach here.
Located near Kilauea Lighthouse and Wildlife Preserve on the beautiful Garden Island, these ancient lava pools, inlets, and coves carved into the shoreline by flowing lava are a must-visit if you’re interested in hiking. You see, the pools are only accessible via a three-mile slippery, rocky, and slightly treacherous hike along the coastline from the nearby Kahili Beach, often referred to as Rock Quarry Beach.
Read more about the Mokolea Lava pools here.
Read more about the Mokolea Lava pools here.
Mauna Loa has long been considered the largest subaerial volcano on earth in terms of both mass and volume. Its peak is only 120 feet lower than its neighbor Mauna Kea, and is approximately 18,000 cubic miles in volume with gentle slopes. The name Mauna Loa translates to "Long Mountain" in Hawaiian, an apt name for a volcano that accounts for more than half of Hawaii Island’s land mass.
Read more about Mauna Loa here.
Read more about Mauna Loa here.
Dr. Beach, a professor from Florida who releases an annual list of the country’s best beaches, has named Oahu’s Hanauma Bay the greatest beach in America for 2016. Located on Oahu’s southeastern shore, this marine life conservation district was formed from a tuff ring, and is perhaps the island’s most popular snorkeling destination for tourists and locals alike.
Read more about the best beach in America here.
Read more about the best beach in America here.
The island of Molokai was formed from two distinct shield volcanoes: the east and west Molokai volcanoes. The East Molokai Volcano suffered from a catastrophic collapse approximately 1.5 million years ago, forming the impressive sea cliffs you’ll find today. Towering at more than 3,500 feet on Molokai's northern shore are these impressive sea cliffs inaccessible via land, making this one of the most remote natural wonders in the world.
Read more about Molokai’s sea cliffs here.
Read more about Molokai’s sea cliffs here.
Located just south of the West Maui Forest Reserve and near Wailuku is Iao Valley State Park, a lush, 4,000-acre valley with miles of hiking trails, stunning vistas, and the famous Iao Needle. The fern covered lava formation rising 1,200 feet from the valley’s floor was formed from millennia of erosion of the softer rock surrounding the peak, and is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture.
Read more about Iao Valley here.
Read more about Iao Valley here.
This relatively unknown archaeological site is home to Kauai’s largest limestone cave that was formed when the once fossilized sand dune collapsed. After you squeeze through the mouth of the cave, you will be rewarded with stunning views of a spacious open-air amphitheater.
Read more about Makauwahi Cave here.
Read more about Makauwahi Cave here.
Nestled on the shoreline between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Naalehu town on the Big Island, Punalu’u is perhaps the world’s most famous black sand beach, and an absolute must-visit for anyone living on - or vacationing to - the Big Island. With striking black sand, towering coconut palms, and crashing blue waves, there is little more jaw-dropping than the stunning Punalu’u Beach.
Read more about Punalu’u Black Sand Beach here.
Read more about Punalu’u Black Sand Beach here.
The northwestern tip of Oahu is home to Kaena Point State Park, a magical place full of hidden gems, including heart shaped rocks, tide pools, stunning cliff faces, and a natural reserve area created to protect nesting albatrosses, Hawaiian monk seals, and the fragile native vegetation. According to ancient Hawaiian lore, Kaena Point is the "jumping off" point for souls leaving this world.
Read more about Kaena Point here.
Read more about Kaena Point here.
Located just 2.5 miles off the shores of Maui's Makena State Park is Molokini, all that remains of an ancient cinder cone that last erupted more than 230,000 years ago. Divers and snorkelers from around the world flock to this beautiful islet to experience its crystal clear waters and plethora of vibrant sea life. Because Molokini is rock, and not soil, there is nothing to wash into the water and inhibit visibility. In fact, you can often see more than 150 feet into the ocean.
Read more about this epic snorkeling spot here.
Read more about this epic snorkeling spot here.
Found at the end of a long dirt road off Kuamuali’i Highway on the island of Kauai, Polihale Beach is not only the largest stretch of sand in the state, but one of the most remote and underrated beaches as well. Known for its seven-mile long - and 300 feet wide - stretch of pristine sand, and hot, cloudless days, Polihale is also the most western publically accessible areas in Hawaii.
Read more about Polihale Beach here.
Read more about Polihale Beach here.
Cascading 442 feet into a lush, tropical jungle is perhaps Hawaii’s greatest waterfall. Located on the Big Island’s Hamakua Coast is Akaka Falls, a place of pure paradise flowing from the Kolekole Stream. To view the falls, visitors take a short stroll leading through a jungle of banana plants, towering bamboo groves and lush orchids.
Read more about Akaka Falls here.
Read more about Akaka Falls here.
Be sure to add these 17 magical spots to your Hawaii bucket list, along with these 12 man-made wonders.
