This realistic Guide to Hilo, Hawaii Attractions helps you plan your next adventure on the Big Island.

Hilo is a major gateway for Hawaii visitors alongside Kailua-Kona. Tourists visit Hilo to enjoy black sand beaches, volcanoes, rainforests, and waterfalls.

Sights & Places of Interest

Hilo, Hawaii is the rainiest place on the island and in the whole nation. The location of this town is to blame. Hilo is east of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the highest mountain peaks on the island.

There are 270 rainy days in Hilo each year. But it does not rain there for long. Sunny weather quickly regains its positions. As a result, you could count on few weather related interruptions to your trip.

Hilo, Hawaii has a handful of beautiful attractions in the town’s vicinity. Waterfalls and trails in tropical rainforests are north of the town. But you want want to head south for the best black sand beaches.

There is no right or wrong way to explore the sights around Hilo. You should pick them based on your interests and weather.

It could be a good idea to take a slightly longer drive when it rains. This way, the rain could stop by the time you reach your destination.

This Guide to Hilo, Hawaii Attractions will start with the waterfalls before describing the black sand beaches.

1. Akaka Falls State Park

Akaka Falls State Park would be your first stop when exploring attractions near Hilo if you follow this path. It takes less than 30 minutes to reach the park from Hilo.

A drive from Kailua-Kona is nearly two hours long. It is best to pair Akaka Falls with a stop at Waipi’o Valley Lookout. This way, you can visit another attraction near Waimea on the way.

Akaka Falls State Park charges admission fees. They apply to nonresidents only. If you do not live in Hawaii, you would need to pay both a parking and an entrance fee.

The former fee is $10 per car. The entrance fee is $5 per adult. Children 3 or under visit the park for free. The park only accepts credit card payments.

Once you paid the fees, you can start the park exploration. There is a 0.5-mi (0.8-km) loop trail in the park. The trail is a paved path. The elevation gain on this hike is about 85 ft (26 m).

This park is a tropical paradise. A handful of plants thrive in this area of the island. They benefit from the frequent and plentiful rainfall. Some tropical plant will be in bloom no matter when your visit Akaka Falls.

You will be admiring this ecosystem constantly as you walk on the trail. This is the main reason why you could easily spend a while hiking to the main sights of the park.

1.1. Akaka Falls

You can explore the loop trail in any direction. Most visitors turn left right after entering the park grounds. This is the fastest way to reach the Akaka Falls viewpoint.

You will be hiking downhill from the parking lot. The viewpoint is about halfway into the trail. You would want to spend a few minutes admiring this spectacular waterfall.

This 442-ft (135-m) free falling waterfall is the main attraction of the park. In fact, it is one of the most scenic waterfalls on the entire Big Island.

There is no path to the waterfall or the Kolekole Stream below. You can only admire Akaka Falls from the distance. At least, the viewpoint has a clear view of the falls. This is not always the case in a rainforest.

1.2. Kahuna Falls

There is another waterfall in Akaka Falls State Park. You would need to finish the loop walk to see Kahuna Falls. Get ready to walk another 0.2 miles (0.3 km) to the viewpoint.

The route will continue to lose elevation. You will see lots of other tropical plants and flowers. It will take you more than 5 minutes to cover this distance if you study the plants closely.

Kahuna Falls is a smaller waterfall than Akaka Falls. It has a drop of only 100 ft (30 m). But cascading Kahuna Falls could rival the more famous neighboring falls in beauty.

There is only one issue when exploring Kahuna Falls. But it will impact your impression of these falls. Tropical plants have completely outgrown the viewpoint.

It is nearly impossible to get a clear view of the waterfall. You would have to enjoy just a glimpse of Kahuna Falls.

The stretch of the trail between the viewpoint and the parking lot has 85 ft (26 m) in elevation gain. This is the entire elevation gain of the loop trail.

2. Rainbow Falls

The next notable stop on the Big Island is a 30-minute drive south of Akaka Falls. You would pass the town center of Hilo, Hawaii on the way to Rainbow Falls, your next attraction.

The falls are part of Wailuku River State Park. The park is within the town limits. But it might take you a few minutes to find the falls viewpoint. The park is hidden in the residential area.

Rainbow Falls are well worth a visit. The falls drop 80 ft (24 m) into a wide part of the Wailuku River. There is a grotto behind the falls. As with Akaka Falls, you cannot swim in the river near the falls.

It makes the viewpoint the only way to enjoy the falls and the grotto. But there is more to this viewpoint than scenic views. Clean amenities and no entrance fees round up a great stop.

Rainbow Falls are breathtaking during any time of the day. Still, you should plan to visit them in the morning. This will allow you to catch a misty rainbow that gave the falls their name.

3. Richardson Ocean Park

You might start to wonder whether waterfalls are the only sights around Hilo. While Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are amazing attractions, you might also want to head out to a beach.

Richardson Ocean Park is one of the closest beaches to Wailuku River State Park. You can continue your exploration within Hilo town limits. You would just need to drive across town to this beach park.

The park is in the eastern part of Hilo. It is very close to Hilo Airport. Despite being in the town, Richardson Ocean Park is far from most dining and lodging options.

The park is a great spot for a picnic. There is a small parking lot and amenities at Richardson Ocean Park. You can also enjoy a black sand and lava beach.

A few sites recommend this park as a great snorkeling destination. You are welcome to put this recommendation to the test.

Beware that waves could be high and powerful during your visit. In this case, it is best to prioritize your safety. Do not go swimming or snorkeling at this beach during high tide.

There are still things to do in Richardson Ocean Park even if the currents make swimming unsafe. Enjoy the breaking waves and endless foam. It is easy to spend hours watching as foam retreats to the ocean.

This park is also an amazing spot to see Mauna Kea. Just pick a sunny day to enjoy the mountain views. It might be a bit challenging to do so at the rainiest place in the United States.

4. Pohoiki | Isaac Hale Beach Park

You would need to leave Hilo, Hawaii to explore other attractions nearby. You should head southeast towards Pahoa. There are a few black sand beaches to visit near this village.

Pohoiki could be your first stop. This beach also carries the name of Isaac Hale Beach Park. It will take you over an hour to reach Pohoiki from Richardson Ocean Park.

There used to be a much shorter route from Pahoa to this beach. The Pohoiki Road suffered major damage during the volcanic eruption in 2018. The lava flow blocked the road near the Pahoa Village Road.

You now have to drive all the way to Kalapana to reach Pohoiki. But this park is worth a long detour. It is one of the best black sand beaches on the Big Island.

You will see the impacts of the 2018 Lower Puna Eruption throughout this part of the island. The lava flows also affected the area around the park.

You would be driving on a frozen lava stream on your way to Pohoiki. This is a unique experience to the visitors from the mainland.

The beach has reopened after the eruption. But the picnic area now has a massive lava exhibit. The lava flow stoped just next to one of the picnic tables.

You can enjoy the fine black sand and the ocean at Pohoiki Beach. Isaac Hale Beach Park is a great spot for swimming in the Pacific Ocean.

Keep an eye on the signs at the lifeguard station. They will inform you of the current ocean conditions.

5. Kehena Black Sand Beach

Once you finish your exploration of Pohoiki Beach, you would need to start driving back towards Kalapana. All other roads have suffered damage during the 2018 eruption. They are still impassable.

You could use the drive back to explore other sights in this part of the island. There are a few other volcanic black sand beaches for you to visit.

Kehena Black Sand Beach will be the first beach on your way. You would need to jump through all sorts of hoops to visit this beach.

There is a small parking lot next to the Kalapana – Kapoho Road. You might not find a spot if you visit the beach in the middle of the day. Respect the nature and traffic rules and do not park on the shoulder.

If you managed to get a parking spot, get ready for a hike. There is a short but very steep downhill hike to the beach.

Once on the beach, enjoy the views. Ocean currents and hide tide make swimming at this beach quite dangerous. There is also no lifeguard on duty at Kehena Beach.

At least, Kehena Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. Most tourists visit this beach just to get its picture from a nearby cliff.

6. Kaimu Beach Park

You should stop by Kaimu Beach before heading back to Hilo. You would have to hike to the beach for about a mile (1.6 km) round trip from the parking lot.

There is no elevation gain on this hike. You can just enjoy a peaceful walk on the lava beds. The path to Kaimu Beach is a lot more accessible than to Kehena Beach.

Once you reach the beach you would notice that it has little fine sand. Kaimu Beach looks more like a pebble beach.

It is hardly the best stop for swimming or snorkeling. Strong currents and waves make these activities unsafe at Kaimu Beach.

You might also not find this beach to be very scenic. There is little to see there outside of palm trees growing on the lava beds. But you could always admire the breaking waves.

7. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach should be the final stop on your trip to the sights around Hilo. This beach is off the main highway (HI-11). But it will take you over an hour to reach it from Hilo.

The beach is closest to Papakolea Green Sand Beach and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But you cannot drive to Punalu’u Beach via the national park due to the damage.

You might find this beach to be quite overrated. It is very small and often crowded. The parking lot is way too close to the beach. The beach amenities are just a small kiosk.

There is another thing that could make you question a decision to visit at Punalu’u. Countless tour buses stop at this beach. They greatly contribute to the overcrowding and overuse of Punalu’u.

Still, you can also find a few bright spots when visiting this beach. There is a pond with water lilies right next to the ocean.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is also a known wildlife viewing spot. A turtle family lives at this beach. It is one of the main reasons why so many tourists visit this beach.

You could never know if the turtles will be at the beach or not. If the reptiles are there, give them plenty of space. Watch the turtles from a distance.

But if there are no turtles on the beach when you visit, you could skip this park. There are better black sand beaches on the Big Island.

Regardless of what you decide to do with Punalu’u, stop at a nearby bakery that sells malasadas. It is just 15 minutes south of the beach in Naalehu.

Continue with this Guide to Hilo, Hawaii Attractions. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Hilo, Hawaii

Hilo is a town on the east coast of the Island of Hawaii. You could reach Hilo on a plane or a cruise ship. A handful of major U.S. airlines fly to Hilo Airport.

While you can fly to Hilo from the mainland, you should get ready for a lot of driving. The east coast of the Big Island is quite remote.

Distances between the attractions near Hilo, Hawaii are longer than on the west coast. As a result, a rental car greatly helps with the exploration of the Big Island.

Three major highways connect Hilo with the rest of the towns and villages on the island. Highways HI-11 and HI-19 circle around the island. Both highways would be country roads on the mainland.

They have one lane in each direction. The speed limits account for this road setup. That leaves the Saddle Road, or HI-200. This road best resembles a highway on the mainland.

Where to Stay near Hilo

There are plenty of places to stay in Hilo. But, like with the rest of Hawaii, your preferences and expectations will determine the type of lodging you could pick.

You could stay in a resort. In this case, you would not need to worry about restaurants. There are a handful of all inclusive or half-board resorts in Hilo. Most of them are within the town limits.

You could get away without a car rental if you stay in a resort. Staying within the resort grounds and only taking day tours is one way to enjoy a vacation.

Yet, you will have fewer resorts to consider if you compare Hilo to the west coast of the Big Island. This will limit your choice somewhat.

Resort cost is another possible issue. You can easily spend $300+ per person per night in a resort.

On the other hand, you could try to save if you pick a place to stay further away. There are a few hotels, B&B’s, and vacation rentals in Hilo’s vicinity.

You could save even more if you venture south or east. The community of Volcano is a center for independent places to stay. Other places to stay are scattered along Highway HI-11 and HI-130.

There are trade-offs for the lower prices per night. You would need a rental car to reach these places to stay. A car is also necessary to get to most sights on the east coast of the island.

Decide for yourself what type of Hawaii vacation you crave. An easy-going stay in a resort or a more fast-paced exploration. There is a place to stay near Hilo for either travel style.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Entry requirements to Hilo’s sights are more straightforward compared to the attractions on the west coast of the Big Island. Most of them are free and open during daylight hours.

This Hilo, Hawaii Attractions Guide documents major sights and their entry requirements.

• Akaka Falls State Park: from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; $5 per person and $10 per car fees for nonresidents.
• Rainbow Falls, part of Wailuku River State Park: from sunrise to sunset, free.
• Richardson Ocean Park: from sunrise to sunset, free.
• Pohoiki/Isaac Hale Beach Park: from sunrise to sunset, free.
• Kehena Black Sand Beach: from sunrise to sunset, free.
• Kaimu Black Sand Beach: from sunrise to sunset, free.
• Punaluʻu Beach: from sunrise to sunset, free.

Takeaways: Hilo, Hawaii Attractions

Hilo and east coast of the Big Island are well worth a visit. More rainy days bring less tourists. The attractions in Hilo, Hawaii are plentiful and picturesque.

They range from powerful waterfalls to black sand beaches. Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, Richardson Ocean Park, and Pohoiki Beach are true highlights of the Big Island.

But you should think about skipping Kehena, Kaimu, and Punalu’u beaches in favor of other sights. There are a few reasons against visiting all of these beaches.

Be sure to stop for some malasadas and enjoy the scenic views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes. This will round up you trip to Hilo, Hawaii.

Take a look at this Hilo, Hawaii Attractions Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!