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.
Family
Rainbow Falls & Boiling Pots, Hilo
An 80-foot waterfall you reach in a two-minute walk, best in the morning when the mist throws a rainbow. An easy, free stop right in Hilo town.
Right in Hilo, Rainbow Falls tumbles eighty feet into a wide green pool, and on a sunny morning the mist really does throw a rainbow across it. It is one of the easiest waterfalls in Hawai’i to see: a paved overlook a two-minute walk from the lot.
A few minutes upstream, the Boiling Pots overlook shows the river churning through a chain of lava pools. Both are quick, free stops that turn a Hilo day into something memorable, and our concierge maps the loop.
Good to know
Is it stroller-friendly?
Yes, a paved viewing area sits just steps from the parking lot. Boiling Pots, a nearby overlook where the river churns through lava pools, is another quick, easy stop.
When is the best time to see the rainbow?
Come in the morning, when the sun is behind you and the mist off the falls throws a rainbow across the pool. The falls also run fullest after overnight or morning rain.
How long does a visit take?
The falls themselves take only a few minutes from the lot, so most families spend about 30 to 45 minutes once you add on Boiling Pots.
What should we bring for the Hilo side?
Hilo is the rainy side of the island, so a light rain jacket is smart even on a bright morning. The overlook is paved and short, so no special footwear is needed.
Is there a fee or parking?
Both stops are free, with a small parking lot right at the falls. It can fill on busy mornings, which is one more reason to go early.
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.