Your Trip to Hawaii SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Choosing the Right Island for Your Trip All-Inclusive Resorts Family-Friendly Hotels Top Things to Do Best Beaches Surfing in Hawaii Scenic Road Trips Annual Events and Festivals Food to Try Best Hawaii Breweries Chocolate Tours in Hawaii Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Getting Around the Islands Airports in Hawaii One-Week Itinerary Top Destinations Most Beautiful places Your Trip to Hawaii close Overview United States Hawaii 17 of the Most Beautiful Places in Hawaii By Katherine Gallagher Katherine Gallagher Katherine is a freelance writer who covers Hawaii and California travel for Tripsavvy. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Published on 05/11/20 stacyk40 / Getty Images Rugged volcanic coastline, warm tropical temperatures, rare wildlife, staggering sea cliffs, breathtaking beaches: There simply is no end to the picturesque places that the Hawaiian Islands have to offer. Explore the magic of Hawaii with this guide to some of the most beautiful places in the state. 01 of 17 Waimea Canyon State Park, Kauai TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre View Map Address Waimea, HI 96796, USA Get directions Phone +1 808-274-3444 Web Visit website While much smaller than the Grand Canyon on the mainland, Waimea Canyon is still one of the most impressive sights on the Hawaiian islands. A far cry from the beachy ambiance that Kauai is usually known for, Waimea has earned its reputation as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” with a gorge of 10 miles across and depth of 3,600 feet. Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water,” an homage to the canyon's iconic red soil. The state park itself is full of hiking trails and a number of lookouts that showcase the beauty of the canyon. Continue to 2 of 17 below. 02 of 17 Hanauma Bay, Oahu Kaori Tanabe / Getty Images View Map Address Hanauma Bay, Hawaii 96825, USA Get directions With its sparkling blue waters and abundance of tropical ocean life, there’s a reason why Hanauma Bay is hands-down the most popular snorkeling spot in the entire state of Hawaii. Visitors will have to arrive early in order to get a parking spot, as the lot is known to fill up fast, and all newcomers are required to watch an informational film about reef safety before even entering the water. For those who don’t want to get wet, pull over to the lookout to catch an incredible view and some great photo opportunities overlooking the pristine bay. Continue to 3 of 17 below. 03 of 17 Nā Pali Coast, Kauai Everett Atlas / Getty Images View Map Address Kauai County, HI, USA Get directions Phone +1 808-274-3444 Web Visit website Find Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park on the northwestern side of Kauai spanning just over 6,000 acres of trails, valleys, and towering coastal cliffs. The rugged Kalalau Trail kicks off near Ke’e Beach (great for snorkeling) and ventures 11 steep miles past isolated beaches and hidden valley waterfalls. Some say that the Nā Pali Coast is best viewed from a helicopter, but a boat tour from the ocean side will also give visitors access to sea caves and the ability to get up close and personal with the massive sea cliffs that epitomize the Na Pali Coast. Continue to 4 of 17 below. 04 of 17 Papakōlea Beach, Hawaii Island Damien VERRIER / Getty Images View Map Address Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, Naalehu, HI 96772, USA Get directions Web Visit website Carved by nature into a 49,000 years old cinder cone at the base of Mauna Loa volcano in the Kaʻū district of Hawaii Island, Papakōlea Beach is believed to be only one of four green sand beaches on earth. Access to the beach requires a bit of a hike, but that only means you’ll most likely have the area to yourself or share it with a smaller crowd than the more accessible Hawaiian beaches. Continue to 5 of 17 below. 05 of 17 Lanikai Beach, Oahu Douglas Peebles / Getty Images View Map Address Kailua, HI 96734, USA Get directions Lanikai Beach boasts exactly the kind of soft sand and clear water that Hawaii is famous for. The Nā Mokulua islets, just under a mile by kayak, are visible in the distance from the shore and the water is usually perfectly conditioned for ocean sports such as bodyboarding, kitesurfing, and stand up paddleboarding. Just a short walk from the beach, find the popular Lanikai Pillbox Hike with sweeping views of the beautiful beach below. Continue to 6 of 17 below. 06 of 17 Pipiwai Trail, Maui 7Michael / Getty Images View Map Address Pipiwai Trail, Hawaii 96713, USA Get directions Located on the south side of the Kipahulu region of Haleakalā National Park, the 4-mile Pipiwai Trail is a great way to cap off the Road to Hana on Maui. The well-maintained trail takes hikers past an Instagram-worthy bamboo forest and banyan trees, ending with picturesque views of 400-foot Waimoku Falls. If you don’t have the time for the entire hike, stop at the 185-foot-tall Makahiku Falls after about half a mile for a taste of the trail. Continue to 7 of 17 below. 07 of 17 Molokini Crater, Maui Ron Dahlquist / Getty Images View Map Address Maui, HI 96708, USA Get directions Web Visit website You’d be hard-pressed to find a list of best snorkeling spots on Maui that didn’t include the iconic Molokini Crater. Hundreds of different fish species can be found surrounding this crescent-shaped crater and the positioning of the partially-submerged crater helps shield the area from rough waves and currents. Considering this is one of the world’s most famous snorkeling locations, there are plenty of tour companies that offer day tours to the crater including snorkel equipment, lunch, and drinks. Continue to 8 of 17 below. 08 of 17 Punalu'u Beach, Hawaii Island MNStudio / Getty Images View Map Address Punaluʻu Beach, Hawaii, USA Get directions Located just 20 minutes from Volcanoes National Park, black sand Punalu'u Beach was created from small fragments of black lava rocks feeding into the sea. This is one of the most popular black sand beaches in Hawaii, and the combination of coconut trees lining the shore with the jet-black sand provides amazing photo opportunities. Another thing that makes Punalu'u so special is the Hawaiian green sea turtles who love to sunbathe on the warm sand and feed near the shore. A trip to Volcanoes National Park paired with a visit to Punalu'u Beach is a fantastic way to spend a day on Hawaii Island. Continue to 9 of 17 below. 09 of 17 Akaka Falls, Hawaii Island Matt Anderson Photography / Getty Images View Map Address ‘Akaka Falls, Hawaii 96720, USA Get directions Akaka Falls State Park is about 11 miles north of Hilo and one of the top sites to visit on a Hawaii Island vacation. The park itself is 65 acres of rainforest with a paved footpath that leads past Kahuna Falls, wild orchids, bamboo, and Hawaiian ferns. Completing the hike will take about 30 minutes, including time for photos, and the trailhead is super easy to find from the parking lot. The biggest highlight from the short loop trail, however, comes from the 442-foot Akaka Falls. Because this site is located close to Hilo, it is a great addition to a road trip along the Hamakua coast. Continue to 10 of 17 below. 10 of 17 Wai'anapanapa State Park, Maui Westend61 / Getty Images View Map Address Hana, HI 96713, USA Get directions Phone +1 808-248-4843 Web Visit website A popular stop along the majestic Road to Hana on Maui, Wai'anapanapa State Park is home to a striking black sand beach, exotic tidepools, campsites, and hiking trails. While the entire Road to Hana is nothing short of spectacular, this 122-acre state park is one of the drive’s most exciting highlights thanks to the backdrop of lush green jungle with rugged volcanic rock coastline. Continue to 11 of 17 below. 11 of 17 Haleakalā, Maui FrozenShutter / Getty Images View Map Address Haleakalā, Hawaii 96790, USA Get directions Visible from virtually every part of the island of Maui, towering Haleakalā Crater (which translates to “house of the sun” in Hawaiian) rises over 10,000 feet above sea level. The dormant volcano is the highlight of Haleakalā National Park, which covers more than 33,000 acres of the island. While most visitors come to the summit of Haleakalā to enjoy the sunrise over the crater, there are many other activities to enjoy such as hiking, camping, and bike riding down the steep road from the park entrance. Keep in mind that the temperatures on the summit area are about 32 degrees F cooler than at the beach. Continue to 12 of 17 below. 12 of 17 Cliffs of Molokai, Molokai YinYang / Getty Images View Map Address Moloka‘i, Hawaii, USA Get directions Few sights are as awe-inspiring as the first few glimpses of Molokai’s sea cliffs, some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world. Towering above the ocean—as high as 3,900 feet in some spots—a view of the sea cliffs as your plane makes its final descent into Molokai is the perfect introduction to the natural and historic island. A visit to infamous Kalaupapa National Historical Park will provide one of the best views of the cliffs, or if a trip to the park isn’t doable (access is only permitted through invitation or tour), take a drive and explore the area around the Kalaupapa Lookout and nearby Kaule o Nanahoa or “Phallic Rock.” Continue to 13 of 17 below. 13 of 17 Mauna Kea, Hawaii Island Michael Orso / Getty Images View Map Address Mauna Kea, Hawaii 96720, USA Get directions Arguably one of the most unique highlights of Hawaii Island, a drive up Mauna Kea offers visitors the chance to go from sea level to 14,000 feet in about two hours. The mountain is actually a dormant volcano and is home to some of the most impressive views in Hawaii, as well as native flora and fauna. The high elevation makes for incredible stargazing (which is probably why the summit houses a famous observatory), and the visitors center sets up telescopes open to the public on select nights. Continue to 14 of 17 below. 14 of 17 Puu Pehe, Lanai Stuart Westmorland / Getty Images View Map Address Lanai City, HI 96763, USA Get directions Phone +1 800-525-6284 Web Visit website This unique rock formation rises about 80 feet out of the sea off the southern coastline between Manele and Hulopoe Bay on the island of Lanai, and has become one of the most iconic landmarks on the island. The rock’s nickname, “Sweetheart Rock,” comes from a story from Hawaiian folklore about two lovers and is located just a short hike away from Hulopoe Beach near the Four Seasons Resort Lanai. The hike only takes about 15 to 20 minutes and will take you past coastal tide pools and scenic lookouts over the bay. Continue to 15 of 17 below. 15 of 17 Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island YinYang / Getty Images View Map Address Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96785, USA Get directions In a nutshell, Volcanoes National Park is one of the undeniable treasures of Hawaii’s national park program, not to mention the most visited place on Hawaii Island. Two of the most active volcanoes on earth—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa—reside inside of this park. One can easily spend several days wandering around this special place full of historic sites that highlight ancient Hawaii and the island’s volcanic landscape. Continue to 16 of 17 below. 16 of 17 Mokuleia Beach, Oahu TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre View Map Address United States, Hawaii, Lahaina, Kapalua Pl, Oneloa Beach Get directions Fans of the TV show "Lost" will definitely recognize this massive, isolated beach on the north shore of Oahu that is also the trailhead to Kaena Point. Due to its distance from town (about one hour drive from Honolulu) and large size, Mokuleia Beach is often uncrowded. While swimming here isn’t always possible because of the unpredictable currents, this beach is an amazing location to take photos, lounge, and sunbathe. Continue to 17 of 17 below. 17 of 17 Waipiʻo Valley, Hawaii Island Png-Studio / Getty Images View Map Address Honokaa, HI 96727, USA Get directions There’s a reason why the Waipiʻo Valley became the permanent residence of early Hawaiian royalty, including King Kamehameha when he was a child. Located on the Hamakua Coast. The majestic valley is as dramatic as it is beautiful, one mile across and 5 miles deep with surrounding cliffs that rise over 2,000 feet high. The famous Hiilawe Falls, the tallest waterfall in Hawaii at over 1,200 feet, is located in the back of Waipiʻo. The valley was once home to thousands of native Hawaiians but is now home to less than 100 residents who continue to reside and thrive within the valley. Travelers can experience the valley via guided tour, hike, or from the Waipiʻo Overlook at the end of the Hamakua Heritage Corridor drive. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Tell us why! Submit