Hawaii attractions

Located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Thurston Lava Tube is the most accessible lava tube on the Big Island. Discovered in 1913, this 500-year-old tube was created by subterranean lava that once flowed through this young section of earth. Today, the tube is illuminated to create an eerie glow for visitors who venture inside.

The marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay ranks among Hawaii’s most scenic spots for snorkeling, swimming, and hiking. The beautiful bay, home to spinner dolphins and backed by green mountain slopes, was the site where Captain James Cook landed—and was later killed—on the Big Island in 1779, forever altering the history and culture of the archipelago.

A geological kaleidoscope, Kauai's impressive Waimea Canyon—at 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) long, one mile (1.6 kilometers) wide, and 3,600 feet (1,097 meters) deep—is Hawaii's version of the Grand Canyon. In fact, some say Mark Twain was the first to lend it its nickname: the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Stop along the scenic drive on its winding rim road for panoramic views of a far-below river, awe-inspiring drop-offs, excellent hiking, and waterfall-lined crevasses, all just a short way away from the Garden Isle's legendary Na Pali Coast.

Renowned for its powerful shore breaks, Sandy Beach Park is one of Oahu’s most popular bodyboarding destinations. However, it is colloquially known as “Break Neck Beach” for good reason, so novices should avoid the beach’s treacherous waters and soak up the sun on its long stretch of fine white sand.

Nicknamed the “Mighty Mo,” the USS Missouri—now known as the Battleship Missouri Memorial—is the site where the Japanese signed the surrender documents that ended World War II, on September 2, 1945. The ship is now a museum and a memorial to the war’s conclusion.

A pleasant stop in the rain forest along the Hana Highway, Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park has picnic tables, short hiking trails, and easy access to scenic waterfalls—Pua'a Ka'a Falls within the park is a popular swimming spot among locals and travelers touring the Road to Hana.

Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers visitors a front-row seat to the region’s striking natural beauty. Home to everything from lush rain forest and the Halemaumau Crater to lava tubes and rolling black lava fields—where hot steam still rises from fissures and rifts that dot the rugged landscape—Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must on the Big Island.

This national memorial floats in Pearl Harbor above the final resting place of nearly all the sailors who perished during the World War II attack on the USS Arizona. The solemn, all-white memorial features a marble wall etched with the names of those who served onboard, and has openings to look down through the water onto the sunken battleship.

Located on the north shore of Kauai, Hanalei Bay is one of the island’s most picturesque stretches of water. This crescent-shaped bay boasts over 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) of white sand beach backed by mountains, waterfalls, and laid-back towns and offers an array of watersports, including kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, and surfing.

Dubbed “House of the Sun” by native Hawaiians, Haleakala Crater is the world’s largest dormant volcano and the highest peak in Maui. Set in Haleakala National Park, here you can see a lunar landscape, admire cinder cones and endangered silversword plants, and trek wild hiking trails.

Kualoa Ranch is a one-stop adventure playground and a highlight for many travelers to Oahu. Stretching from the verdant folds of the Koolau Mountains to the tropical sea, the 4,000-acre (1,619-hectare) working cattle ranch is one of the largest tracts of accessible nature on Oahu and offers visitors a huge variety of ways to interact with Hawaii’s stunning landscapes, from ATV rides and zipline adventures to film site tours.The property is divided into two areas: the northerly Kaaawa Valley with its many movie locations and Hakipuu Valley, fronted by an 800-year-old Hawaiian fishpond and the site’s Secret Island Beach.

Situated on the northern end of Hawaii’s Big Island, Waimea is the center of Hawaiian cowboy (paniolo) country. This historic area is filled with rolling green hills, endless open pastures, and spectacular valleys. With its stunning scenery and great local food, Waimea is one of the Big Island’s top tourist towns.

Kailua Pier is a hub for fishing, snorkeling, and party boats. The pier itself is absolutely massive, an appropriate fit for one of its major claims to fame: before sunset, you’ll find captains here weighing their huge catches of the day (usually giant marlin). You’ll also spot a couple of beaches for wading, snorkeling, and diving, as well as the best views of the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark.

Hanauma Bay State Park is a protected marine-life-preservation area with clear water ideal for snorkeling and a vast array of tropical fish and coral reefs surrounded by volcanic rock. Once used by the Hawaiian royal family for fishing, it is now one of Oahu’s top tourist destinations with about 1 million visitors each year.

Better known as the Punchbowl Cemetery, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is a United States Armed Forces cemetery located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Part of the National Register of Historic Places, the cemetery draws millions of visitors every year, who pay their respects to the men and women who served their country.

Paia is a small town in the heart of Maui’s famous North Shore. The town is primarily populated by surfers and hippies, and the spot has a laid-back, bohemian vibe. Visit to relax by the beach and do some world-class surfing, and enjoy the town’s surf shops, healthy restaurants, music venues, and other low-key attractions.

Home to the black-sand Paʻiloa Beach and underwater caves, Waiʻanapanapa State Park is one of the jewels of the Road to Hana. Located just outside of Hana at the end of the perilous Hana Highway, the park’s trails, caves, and ancient burial sites are a welcome reward for those who make the long drive.

Kauai’s capital city, Lihue is located on the eastern side of the island and is home to both the main cruise port and the only commercial airport. The city is also Kauai’s main shopping destination and boasts several historic spots, such as Kilohana, a historic plantation, and the Kauai Museum.

Located on the east coast of Oahu, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Honolulu, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nuts is set in the shadow of the mountains of the Koolau Range and is a stop on many circle-island tours. It’s a great place to enjoy a Hawaiian treat and shop for gifts and souvenirs.

Located on the North Shore of Oahu, Banzai Pipeline, also known as Pipeline or Pipe, is one of the most famous surf reef breaks in the world, known for its massive barreling waves that break over shallow reefs. Every winter, visitors flock here to watch some of the best surfers in the world ride and compete on Pipeline.

Waikiki, where most Hawaii vacations get their start, is everything at once: white sandy beaches, swaying palms, high-rise accommodations, world-class shopping, top-notch and seaside dining, local culture, and excellent surfing. It’s no wonder this former playground for Hawaiian royalty continues to be an oasis for global visitors.

Immerse yourself in the best of Maui’s rain forest, as you hike through bamboo along a tranquil stream. Set in Haleakala National Park, the Pipiwai Trail takes you about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) round-trip to the base of the stunning Waimoku Falls.

Surrounded by lush grounds, Oahu’s Byodo-In Temple is tucked away in the Kahaluʻu Valley at the foot of the Koʻolau mountain range. A replica of a temple in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture, the landmark is a testament to the island’s strong Japanese community.

One of the most popular waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii, Rainbow Falls is loved for its easy access and the rainbows that frequent the falls on misty mornings. The Wailuku River varies dramatically based on rain, but this 80-foot (24.4-meter) cascade wows viewers whether it is a thundering torrent or delicate trickle.

Oahu’s Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout offers panoramic views of the Ko‘olau Mountains. The windy perch, more than 1,000 feet (300 meters) above Oahu’s Windward (northeast) coastline, also overlooks Kaneohe, Kaneohe Bay, Kailua, and the island of Mokoli‘i. In the late 1700s, the viewpoint was the scene of a bloody battle won by King Kamehameha I.

Kilauea Volcano is the star of the Big Island’s Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii's only UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kilauea Volcano remains active, spouting orange lava, venting steam, glowing, and sputtering. When conditions are safe, it’s possible to drive around the volcano's edge on the 11-mile (17-kilometer) Crater Rim Drive.

Standing before Ali’iolani Hale (home to the Hawaii State Supreme Court), the King Kamehameha Statue is one of Oahu's most photographed landmarks. This 18-foot (5.4-meter) bronze statue honors Kamehameha I, the first ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom who united the islands in 1810 after years of conflict.

With soft white sand and water a rich shade of turquoise, Lanikai Beach is one of the most attractive beaches in the Hawaiian Islands—and, indeed, the world. Located on Oahu’s windward shore, it has the additional benefit of far fewer crowds and development than the better-known beaches of Waikiki and the North Shore.

Hawaii’s volcanic activity creates a dynamic array of beaches ranging from soft white shores to the black pebbles of the Big Island’s Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. But, travelers aren’t the only visitors to Punaluʻu; the area is known for the large green sea turtles (honu) that come out to bask along the black sand shoreline.

Located on the north shore of Oahu, Waimea Bay is one of the most iconic spots on the island. The birthplace of big wave surfing still draws expert surfers chasing epic surf in the winter. Over the summer, Waimea Bay is a popular and family-friendly beach with calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling.