Hawaii - Hilo - What should we do besides - Volcanoes National Park??

[hamlettm]

In Hilo we plan to go to the Volcanoes National Park via a rental car. Any other suggestions for the day for VIEWS or fun? Any nice beaches or waterfalls to see? Where would you go besides the Volcanoes National Park??

 

THANKS!!

[Astro Flyer]

In Hilo we plan to go to the Volcanoes National Park via a rental car. Any other suggestions for the day for VIEWS or fun? Any nice beaches or waterfalls to see? Where would you go besides the Volcanoes National Park??

 

THANKS!!

Check out Rainbow Falls an easily accessible location not too far from Hilo: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/index.cfm?park_id=57

 

Further north of Hilo is Akaka Falls: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/index.cfm?park_id=2.

It's a 442' fall accessed on paved walkways through lush tropical foliage. However this may be too much driving after visiting VNP.

 

Along the highway to VNP is the Mauna Loa macadamia nut farm with displays of the process & lots of macadamia products for purchase...ones you rarely see elsewhere. Prices are generally 'mo bettah' at Walmart, Long's or Costco but you cannot beat the selection at their gift shop.

 

These other options may only be doable if not spending too much time at VNP. Even visiting the main places around Kilauea (visitor's center, Thurston lava tube, Halamaumau crater) may not allow enough time to go to these wonderful falls.

 

Whatever you decide works best for you have a great day in the Hilo area. :D

Edited November 10, 2013 by Astro Flyer

[hamlettm]

Check out Rainbow Falls an easily accessible location not too far from Hilo: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/index.cfm?park_id=57

 

Further north of Hilo is Akaka Falls: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/index.cfm?park_id=2.

It's a 442' fall accessed on paved walkways through lush tropical foliage. However this may be too much driving after visiting VNP.

 

Along the highway to VNP is the Mauna Loa macadamia nut farm with displays of the process & lots of macadamia products for purchase...ones you rarely see elsewhere. Prices are generally 'mo bettah' at Walmart, Long's or Costco but you cannot beat the selection at their gift shop.

 

These other options may only be doable if not spending too much time at VNP. Even visiting the main places around Kilauea (visitor's center, Thurston lava tube, Halamaumau crater) may not allow enough time to go to these wonderful falls.

 

Whatever you decide works best for you have a great day in the Hilo area. :D

 

Thanks Astro, any idea how far away both falls are from cruise port and VPN?

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks Astro, any idea how far away both falls are from cruise port and VPN?

Happy to help!

 

Checked Google maps & found this:

 

Pier to VNP: 33 miles; 51 minutes

 

VNP to Rainbow Falls: 32 miles; 44 minutes

 

Rainbow Falls to Akaka Falls: 16 miles; 22 minutes

 

Akaka to pier: 17 miles; 29 minutes

 

Pier to Rainbow: 4 miles; 12 minutes

[CaliforniaAC]

We did Volcanoes Nat'l Park last year. It was our least enjoyable trip.

 

This year we took the city bus to Sanderson Beach Park and snorkeled all day.

 

We walked down on the beach where it wasn't so crowded. We snorkeled (we always bring our gear when we cruise). Lost of fish, and some turtles.

 

At the end of the day we watched a pod of Spinner Dolphins play in the bay. Amazing!

 

If you have a car, there is a parking lot. Also, it is very close to the port, so you could probably squeeze it in.

 

Have fun!

[Susan-M]

We did Volcanoes Nat'l Park last year. It was our least enjoyable trip.

 

 

I'm surprised - VNP is spectacular. Did you go on a bad weather day, and/or when visibility was poor?

[CRUZBUDS]

We did Volcanoes Nat'l Park last year. It was our least enjoyable trip.

 

This year we took the city bus to Sanderson Beach Park and snorkeled all day.

 

 

I looked up Sanderson Beach Park and couldn't find it, could it have been Richardson?

 

We're always looking for something new to do in Hilo -- you can only do the volcano so many times ;)

[Susan-M]

Cruzebuds - have you been to Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens? It's not a formal garden - more like a hike in the rainforest and incredibly beautiful. The drive along Onomea Bay , which you take to get to the gardens, is also a a highlight.

[mnchkn11]

In Hilo we plan to go to the Volcanoes National Park via a rental car. Any other suggestions for the day for VIEWS or fun? Any nice beaches or waterfalls to see? Where would you go besides the Volcanoes National Park??

 

THANKS!!

 

If you drive about half an hour past Volcanoes National Park, you will come to Punaluu Black Sand beach. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/kau/punaluu-black-sand-beach I highly recommend it- it was beautiful and peaceful. We only spent about half an hour there before we headed back to VNP (which I also highly recommend- drive the Chain of Craters Road).

[CRUZBUDS]

If you drive about half an hour past Volcanoes National Park, you will come to Punaluu Black Sand beach. http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/kau/punaluu-black-sand-beach I highly recommend it- it was beautiful and peaceful. We only spent about half an hour there before we headed back to VNP (which I also highly recommend- drive the Chain of Craters Road).

 

We did this last time -- it's very cool and we went on to the South Point, southern most point in the U.S. -- the road is better than a lot of guide books say, but it is very narrow.

 

 

[CRUZBUDS]

Cruzebuds - have you been to Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens? It's not a formal garden - more like a hike in the rainforest and incredibly beautiful. The drive along Onomea Bay , which you take to get to the gardens, is also a a highlight.

 

That does look nice -- usually anything with Botanical Gardens in the name would bore me ;)

 

Thanks for the tip!

[Susan-M]

That does look nice -- usually anything with Botanical Gardens in the name would bore me ;)

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

You're welcome:)

 

Botanical Gardens aren't usually high on our list of vacation sights either, but I kept seeing recommendations for this one on the Island of Hawaii TA forum and it turned out to be a 'gem'. It could easily be combined with Akaka Falls.