Ocean
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Float above lit ocean water after dark as Kona's resident manta rays somersault inches beneath you, the Big Island's single most unforgettable hour.
Land
Akaka Falls & the Hamakua Waterfalls
A short rainforest loop delivers you to Akaka, a 442-foot ribbon plunging into a green gorge, the showpiece of the Big Island's lush, waterfall-laced east side.
The wet windward side of the island is a different world, and Akaka Falls is its showpiece: a 442-foot ribbon of water dropping into a fern-walled gorge, reached by a short, paved rainforest loop that also passes the smaller Kahuna Falls.
It sits above the old sugar town of Honomu on the Hamakua Coast, an easy add to a Hilo or Volcanoes day. Our concierge builds the loop, waterfalls, black-sand beaches, and a bite in Honomu, so the long side of the island pays off.
Good to know
Is it a big hike?
No, it is a paved loop of about four tenths of a mile through rainforest, easy for most ages. It also passes the smaller Kahuna Falls along the way, and takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace.
When does the waterfall look its best?
Akaka runs year-round and is at its most powerful after rain, which is frequent on this lush windward side. Mornings often bring softer light and thinner crowds, and a light shower is part of the rainforest experience.
Is there a fee to visit?
Yes, this is a state park with a modest entry and parking fee, payable at the gate. It is an inexpensive stop, and our concierge can note the current rates when planning your day.
Is the loop good for kids or strollers?
The paving makes it manageable for most families, though there are some gentle inclines and steps along the way. Hold hands near the railings at the viewpoints, and sturdy strollers can usually manage the paved sections.
How far is it, and what pairs well with it?
It is roughly an hour and a half to an hour and forty-five minutes over to the Hilo side. It fits neatly into a fuller day of Hilo, black-sand beaches, or Volcanoes, and our concierge is happy to build the route including a bite in the old sugar town of Honomu.
More ways to spend the day
Culture
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge)
A sacred place of forgiveness on a lava point of carved ki'i, royal fishponds, and swaying palms. One of Hawaii's most powerful cultural sites, and its best preserved.
Ocean
Kealakekua Bay Kayak & Snorkel
Paddle a glassy marine sanctuary to the Captain Cook Monument, where spinner dolphins pass and the reef drops into some of Hawaii's clearest water.