The center of the Island is dominated by the two giant volcanoes and the Saddle Road that passes between them. Elevations in this area range from ~5000 feet to almost 14000 feet

The easternmost District of the Big Island, named for the island Capital it surrounds. Hilo is the largest city on the island, and this area is home to many of the island's best rainforest sights.

The Hamakua Coast region is north of Hilo. It is mostly small towns and former sugarcane fields, now converted to eucalyptus forests. It includes amazing Waipi'o valley, serene Kalopa State Park, and wild Laupahoehoe Point.

This region covers most of the Island's west side. It is surrounded by three volcanoes. There are pastures to the north, dry lava plains and resorts in the west, with rainforests and coffee plantations on Hualalai's slopes in the south.

The active Kilauea volcano is the centerpiece of the Volcano National Park in the middle of this region. Coastal cliffs, recent devastating lava flows, some black sand beaches, and the famous green sand beach are here.

The most northern region in Hawaii and the smallest, it is surprisingly diverse. The extinct Kohala volcano is at its center, and it includes the eden-like Pololu valley, the wild north shore, and cattle ranches flanking Kohala's west side.

Photos of hidden gems, small sights, things of simple beauty that make the Big Island special.

Sunsets, moonsets, starry nights, and especially, bright sun on beautiful Big Island scenes.

For many, Hawaii is all about exotic flowers, plants, and trees. The Big Island does not disappoint! The variety is almost overwhelming with so many ginger, heliconia, plumeria, and others to observe.

The Big Island is nature's unfinished masterpiece, still evolving. Few places like it exist on earth. Wild geology, wild weather, extreme altitudes, diverse plant life, and relatively few humans make for some wild spots that remain untamed.

After you've seen all the iconic scenes, what will keep you coming back are the serene places that can be found all over the island: streams, forests, pastures, calm morning seas, idyllic valleys, and ancient fishponds.

The Big Island is well-known for both its famous waterfalls, and its famous lava-covered beaches with incredibly violent crashing surf.

The Big Island is just that, big! The long gentle volcano slopes, clear air, lava plains, coastal beaches and cliffs create some magnificent vistas that are hard to equal anywhere on earth.

There are a number of sights that are so well-known that they have acquired icon status. If you see nothing else on a Big Island visit, try and see some of these place and things.