Big Island

The Big Island of Hawaii
After landing in Kailua-Kona, the first impression of the Big Island was strikingly different from the other islands. Instead of a lush paradise you are presented with a vast wasteland of lava. Diversity is the hallmark of the Big Island which even has its share of tropical jungle near Hilo. For unique spectacles, its hard to beat an active volcano. Kilauea has been in constant eruption since 1983 and you can drive right up to the edge of its mammoth steaming caldera. At the bottom is the Halema'uma'u Crater, all that is left of a 19th century lava lake. There is a lava tube here too, and a number of other oddities, but the most interesting is at the end of Chain of Craters road, where you can explore a recent lava flow and search for half buried street signs.
Right: Halema'uma'u Crater in Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park

	Left: The Big Island has standard Hawaiian features like great waves and miles of sand, like at Hapuna Beach
	Right: It also offers unique experiences like snow boarding near the summit of 13,796ft Mauna Kea

Where the Big Island really stands out is the variety of its beaches. In addition to the golden sand you find at the resorts along the Kona coast there is a beautiful white sand beach in Kekaha Kai State Park.

Makalawena Beach has this unique feature thanks to eons of crushed coral. One drawback, or possibly a bonus depending on your perspective, is that you must undertake a twenty minute hike across razor sharp lava to get there. Its an unpleasant experience for those without good shoes but it does keep the casual beachcombers away.

Expect company at Punalu'u, a black sand beach right next to the highway on the southwest side of the island. Fortunately, many of those sharing the beach with you will be Green Sea Turtles. There are also many resident feral cats begging for hand outs as this is a popular campground.

Left: Punalu'u, AKA Black Sand Beach

However the most unique beach of them all is at Mahana Bay. This beach features a mineral called olivine, which provides the colour and the inspiration for its common name of Green Sand Beach. This beach is located at the far southern tip of the island and requires a five mile hike (round trip). While pretty to look at, high winds and rough seas limit what can be done here.

Swimming is safest on the western side of the island. Snorkeling in particular is best south of Kailua-Kona. Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge) was a fantastic site with many large fish, eels and even a few turtles. However Kealakekua Bay, specifically near the Captain Cook Monument, was even better. It has a forest of giant coral and a tremendous variety of sea life. However getting into the bay requires either taking a bout tour or renting a kayak.

Right: Mahana Bay, AKA Green Sand Beach

Our favourite spot on the entire island was lovely Kiholo Bay. Silty water and tropical sun combine to create the most incredible shade of blue. Its about a fifteen minute walk from the highway, in addition to photographic opportunities its also the best place on the island to see turtles.

There is so much to see on the Big Island that you really have to make a choice between doing a hodgepodge of everything or getting the most out of just a few places. You could easily spend your entire vacation at Hapuna Beach. It has oodles of fine sand, consistent waves, no submerged rocks and the best boogie boarding anywhere. If that wasn't enough it also has decent snorkeling, is very close to an inexpensive campground (Spencer Beach Park) and in season, you can watch breaching humpback whales. While this may not be the choice of everyone, odds are whatever it is you like, you can find it somewhere on the Big Island.

Left: Beautiful Kiholo Bay