Hawaii attractions

With its gorgeous cliffs, valleys, and beaches, the Na Pali Coast is considered among the most scenic spots on Kauai, if not Hawaii, but getting there requires some effort. Fortunately, this beautiful stretch is visible from the Kalalau Lookout, which looks out over the Kalalau Valley and to the ocean beyond it.

Often referred to as the “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific,” Kawaiaha’o Church forms part of the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site. Established under Kuhina Nui (Queen-Regent) Kaʻahumanu I in the year 1820, it was uniquely built from about 14,000 slabs of coral rock weighing 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms) each, sourced from an offshore reef in southern Oahu.

Kauai’s Fern Grotto is a fern-covered lava cave on the south fork of the Wailua River. Once off-limits to all but Hawaiian royalty, the Fern Grotto is now accessible to visitors, but only by boat. The grotto acts like an amphitheatre, and musicians are drawn to the site for its incredible natural acoustics.

Visit the Waikiki Aquarium to see and learn all about Hawaii's marine life. Observe a diverse range of species in the aquarium's 3,500 marine animals on exhibit, from monk seals to reef sharks. Some you might spot later on a snorkeling trip, while others are difficult to glimpse in the wild.

With a natural wading pool for young swimmers, soft sandy beaches, and lifeguards, Poipu Beach Park is one of Kauai’s most popular family-friendly beaches. Visitors also flock to Poipu Beach to try to see one of Hawaii’s endangered monk seals, which often sunbathe on the shore. In winter, you might spot Humpback whales off the coast.

Located on Oahu’s windward (eastern) side, secluded Waimanalo Beach Park is a slice of paradise. The beach’s three miles (4.8 kilometers) of soft white sand is flanked by the towering Koolau Mountains, ironwood trees, and the azure ocean. Less developed than many Oahu beaches, Waimanalo typically has the feel of a wild, hidden sanctuary.

Hawaii’s Saddle Road traverses the width of the Big Island along the valley between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The road used to be rough and unpaved in spots, but is now entirely paved and not to be missed since it cuts through some of Hawaii’s most rugged and remote scenery. Saddle Road also provides access to the Mauna Kea Visitor Station.

Like a large thumb jutting into the sea, the Kohala district occupies the northwestern tip of the sprawling Big Island of Hawaii. Formed by a 5,400-foot (1,645-meter) volcano, the area is dominated by lush valleys, laid-back plantation towns, verdant pastures, ancient Hawaiian religious sites, and the modern beach resorts of South Kohala.

Mauna Loa’s status as the largest active volcano in the world doesn’t stop travelers from flocking to the rugged mountain—in fact, it attracts them. With its last eruption occurring in 1984, the volcano is known for non-explosive activity, making it an inviting and worry-free destination to explore on scenic drives or backcountry trails.

With 100 acres (40.5 hectares) of public beach situated right between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana Beach Park is a local favorite and top destination for Oahu visitors. There are paths for walking, calm water for swimming and stand-up paddleboarding, gentle waves for surfing, and plenty of soft, golden sand for sunbathing.

Located in downtown Honolulu, the Hawaii State Capitol is often overshadowed by the Iolani Palace, which it sits directly behind. It is well worth a visit, however, for anyone interested in architecture, history, or getting a glimpse at the workings of modern-day Hawaii.

Located high in the mountains above the Kalalau Valley, Koke’e State Park is one of Kauai’s most popular hiking destinations. The park offers over a dozen trails for all ages and ability levels from gentle bird watching trails to strenuous cliff edge trails. First time visitors to Kauai won’t want to miss the panoramic views of the Kalalau Valley and Waimea Canyon from the park’s lookouts.

Tracing the northernmost portion of the Big Island of Hawaii, the Kohala Coast boasts Hawaii’s most desirable characteristics, from white-sand beaches lined with resorts to lush mountains bursting with wildlife and waterfalls. Go beyond nature to explore the island’s culture and history at restored temples and ancient villages.

The Aloha Tower Marketplace is home to a handful of restaurants and stores, as well as the campus of the Hawaii Pacific University. It's dominated by one of Hawaii’s most recognizable landmarks, the 18-story Aloha Tower. An observation deck on the tower’s 10th floor offers sweeping views of the Koʻolau Mountain Range and Honolulu Harbor.

Located on the northeast coast of Maui, this wayside park is a popular stopping point on the Road to Hana. Spanning 8 acres (3 hectares), the forested area is home to native Hawaiian plants and birds, several hiking trails, and scenic views of the coast and the Ke’anae Peninsula.

On an island surrounded by snorkeling opportunities and vibrant sea life, the Maui Ocean Center offers a deeper look into local marine ecosystems. Surround yourself with colorful fish, stingrays, and sharks in an aquarium tunnel, discover Hawaii’s past in cultural exhibits, and get up-close with creatures you may not spot in the wild.

Step into Pu‘uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park and be surrounded by royal gardens, wooden statues, and temples that once offered a place of refuge for Hawaiians who broke sacred laws. The site that once provided a lifesaving sanctuary for lawbreakers is now a national park recognized for its cultural significance and natural beauty.

Honaunau Bay, locally known as Two-Step Beach, is one of the Big Island’s best snorkeling spots. The shallow, calm water makes it a perfect spot for kids and beginner snorkelers, and free divers favor the bay’s deeper areas. The sandy bay’s bright tropical fish and occasional sea turtle or dolphin sightings make it well worth braving the crowds.

Many of South Maui's indigenous people originated from Makena, and it is heavily steeped in ancient history and culture. It’s a dry, volcanic stretch of rocky shore where travelers can still catch glimpses of the island’s past, and its proximity to some of the island’s best beaches makes Makena a base for outdoor adventure.

A sprawling expanse of reef—1,600 feet at its widest and one of Hawaii’s longest spanning two miles—looms just off the thin strip of white sand at Anini Beach. Parrotfish, moray eels, trumpet fish, needlefish, pufferfish and much, much more color the clear waters, popping against the drab coral rock. A thin sandbar beyond the residential area on shore often hosts fishermen and waders searching for seashells within view of the lighthouse and offshore Island at Kilauea Point in the east.Despite steady winds that whip up light action for windsurfers that sometimes cruise its length, the coral acts as a protective barrier for the shallows making Anini one of the calmest and best snorkeling beaches on Kauai’s North Shore.

Thanks to its rich history and prime location on one of Hawaii’s most populous islands, Honolulu Harbor bustles with cruise ship passengers, local Hawaiians, and travelers from all around the world. Here, you can experience everything from luaus, boat tours, shopping, and dining to giant cargo ships and the Aloha Tower.

Kane‘ohe Bay, an 8-mile-long (13-kilometer) reef-protected inlet located on Oahu’s Windward Coast, stretches from the Mokapu Peninsula to Mokoli‘i island. It’s home to four other small islands plus the world’s largest saltwater sandbar, and is a breeding ground for hammerhead sharks. The bay’s calm waters are ideal for kayaking and canoeing.

Located at the end of a long and rugged dirt road, Polihale State Park is a remote beach on Kauai’s westernmost edge with excellent snorkeling, camping, and stargazing. Adventuresome visitors are drawn to the park’s wild and secluded nature and it’s one of the best spots in Kauai to watch the sunset. Ancient Hawaiians believed that Polihale was the departure point for the afterlife.

Before the cowboys of the American West, there were the Hawaiian cowboys,paniolos, of the Big Island. With over 17,000 head of cattle spread across the rolling country between Kohala and Mauna Kea, Parker Ranch is not only the largest active cattle ranch in Hawaii, but one of the biggest and most historic ranches in the United States.

A not-so-well-kept local secret, Mt. Tantalus (Puʻuohiʻa) looms behind Honolulu offering stunning skyline panoramas. The nine-mile Round Top and Tantalus Drive loop snakes up its side with attractive pull-offs overlooking the city’s high rises, Punch Bowl Crater, iconic Diamond Head, the homes dotting Manoa Valley, as well as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in the west.The scenic drive to the top drive lingers in lush forests but is not for the faint of heart—steep and narrow passages are frequent and sheer drops loom around abundant curves. Trailheads for a handful of hikes begin along this route and lead into valleys often shrouded in mist and topped by Honolulu’s famous rainbows. At the summit, Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park has a small cement walkway with commanding views of all of southern Oahu. There’s also a grassy lawn popular with picnickers. Though the drive is equally spectacular when buildings cast shadows and city lights glow at night, the summit park closes at sundown.Tantalus is the first in a series of peaks that form the imposing green wall of the Koolau range, which hugs the Windward coast. Near the mountain’s base on Makiki Heights Drive, the Spalding House museum and galleries features local and international artists and boasts similar views from its trellised café.

A sandy peninsula extending into Honolulu Harbor, Magic Island—more rarely referred to by its official name, Aina Moana—affords rare right-off-the-beach green space with a protected swimming lagoon across from the Ala Moana shopping center in downtown Honolulu. The park is popular for local family barbecues and picnics, and its open 30 acres (12 acres) are fronted by remarkable banyan trees and feature tall palms, picnic tables, and long grassy lawns.

Set amid 500 acres (202 hectares) of farmland in Waikapu Valley, Maui Tropical Plantation is a working plantation and agricultural theme park where more than 40 different crops and native plants are grown and harvested. Located on the grounds of a former sugarcane plantation, the park offers a glimpse into Maui’s agricultural past.

Known for its big waves, sandy beaches, and sunset views, Sunset Beach is one of Oahu’s most popular beaches. In summer, the beach is a family-friendly spot for swimming and snorkeling. During the winter months, the beach is famous for its huge surf and big wave surf contests that draw the world's best surfers.

The father of modern surfing welcomes you with open arms in Waikiki. The 9-foot (2.7-meter) -high bronze cast statue of Duke Kahanamoku is a tribute to the multi-skilled—and two-time Olympic gold medal-winning—Hawaiian surfer and swimmer, and is a prime gathering destination for visitors to Oahu.

Onomea Bay lines the Big Island’s lush Hamakua Coast, north of Hilo. A short 4-mile (6.4-kilometer) scenic drive along the Old Mamalahoa Highway—home to the verdant Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden—is an excellent way to see it. Two short hiking trails, which venture into the jungle and along the coast, offer views of the sparkling waters.