One of the first things people think of when they consider the Big Island of Hawaii is the Ironman Championships. It is one of the toughest races in the world, and while few make it, the race in Kona is legendary. This triathlon event has been held on the island since 1981 and consists of …
Ironman Championships in Kona: The Dream Of every Triathlete Read More »
The roughly six-mile-long road that snakes along West Hawaii Island’s white sand coast from downtown Kona heading south to the small exurb of Keauhou is known as Ali’i Drive (“AH-LEE-EE”). It’s a windswept, often tree-lined route that takes crowds of shoppers, restaurant-goers, sightseers and departing cruise ship passengers past eateries, spas, trinket shops, resorts and …
Ali’i Drive – Shopping, Dining, Swimming and Sightseeing Along Kona’s Seaside Mainstreet Read More »
Hilo Bayfront Park is just a short walk away from its sprawling farmer’s market and neighboring bus station, downtown Hilo and its small colorful shops and leafy, rain-swept sidewalks give way to an incredibly long beach of black sand and gentle lapping waves. The expansive coastline of rough, smooth black lava pebbles appears almost perfectly …
Hilo Bayfront Park – A Paddler’s Delight, and One Of the Island’s Longest Beaches Read More »
Hawaii’s Big Island has no shortage of destinations deemed “magical” by the thousands of intrigued visitors it welcomes each and every year. Magic Sands Beach is one of the most popular After all, Big Island is the place of towering green Jurassic Park-looking valleys, mystical fairy forests of ironwood trees browsed by wild horses, bubbling …
Magic Sands Beach-The Disappearing Act Along Kona’s Ali’i Drive Read More »
There are many excellent surf breaks along the western shore of Hawai’i Island, but few are better suited for those new to the sport than Kahalu’u Beach Park. Inhabiting one corner of Kahalu’u Bay, this Kona-side swimming and surfing spot is a stretch of mixed black and white sand beach with a coastline of smooth …
Kahalu’u Beach Park – Big Island’s Best Snorkle and Surfing Spot for Beginners Read More »
South of the small town of Captain Cook, and two and a half miles along a one-lane road winding downhill to meet the ocean, the soft grey sands of Ho’okena Beach Park come into view for the first time. Flanked on either side by walls of sea cliffs, the crescent-shaped beach of protected waters is …
Ho’okena Beach Park – Kayaking, Snorkeling and Camping At A Traditional Fishing Village Read More »
Two naturally-formed lava rocks platforms lead snorkelers into the electric-turquoise waters of Honaunau Bay, which give way to reveal a colorful, rugged seafloor bustling with all sorts of marine life. This is hands-down the best snorkeling spot on the island, dubbed by locals as simply “Two Step” after the two giant stairs found at the …
Two Step at Honaunau Bay – Big Island’s Premiere Snorkeling Spot Read More »
From the bustling, colorful shops of Hilo’s Bayfront, it’s only a short two-mile drive north to Honoli’i Beach Park to watch the surfers. Honoli’i is without a doubt the most important surf break for the Hilo surfing community – a small but dedicated tribe, who can be spotted from the park’s cliffside parking lot lined …
Honoli’i Beach Park – Hilo’s Premiere Surfing Spot Read More »
Roughly 30 miles north of Kona town on Big Island’s west side, along a sun-beaten highway with vast black lavafields stretching out on either side, lies the stunning white sands of Puako and its well-hidden gem of a swimming spot, Beach 69. Its official name is Waialea Beach, but hardly anyone calls it this. For …
Puako’s Beach 69: A Shady, Secluded Swimming Spot Very Different From Its Neighbors Read More »
When you think of the perfect vacation on Big Island, you might picture luaus, beautiful sandy beaches, and ukuleles, but you may not be aware of the incredible opportunities for whale watching tours on Big Island of Hawaii. During the winter months of December through April, over a dozen distinct species of whales, from melon-headed …