Hawaii Island (Big Island)

The Island of Hawai‘i, called the Big Island to avoid confusion with the state, is the largest of the archipelago, with an area greater than all the other islands combined. It is formed by five volcanoes, including Mauna Loa, one of the largest on Earth, and Kīlauea, one of the most active. The island is still growing: eruptions have added new land to the southeast coast in recent decades.

In the southeast, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protects Kīlauea and part of Mauna Loa. The road that circles the caldera passes overlooks of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater, steam fields and a lava tube, and the Chain of Craters Road descends to the sea. The village of Volcano sits at the park entrance, and Hilo, on the east coast, is the island’s rainiest and greenest town, with waterfalls and gardens.

In the island’s interior, Mauna Kea reaches 4,207 meters and hosts some of the world’s largest astronomical observatories. For Native Hawaiians, it is a sacred mountain. In winter, the summit often receives snowfall.

The west coast, including Kona and Kohala, is dry and sunny, with dark lava fields, light-sand beaches such as Hāpuna, Kealakekua Bay and the sacred refuge of Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau. At night, boats take visitors to swim with the manta rays near the Kailua-Kona coast. The slopes above the town produce Kona coffee.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Volcano.