Scenes Around Hilo
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.
Kau, Puna, and South Kona Photos
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.
Views from North Kohala
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.
Hamakua and North Hilo Scenes
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.
Views from the Big Volcanoes
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
Photos from Kona & South Kohala
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.
Flowers, Trees, and Plants
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.
Serene Big Island Spots
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.
Big Island Wild Places
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.
Big Island Hidden Gems
Photos of hidden gems, small sights, things of simple beauty that make the Big Island special.
Great Waterfalls and Big Surf
The Big Island is well-known for both its famous waterfalls, and its famous lava-covered beaches with incredibly violent crashing surf.
Iconic Hawaii Scenes
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.
Great Big Island Vistas
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.
Sun, Moon & Stars
Sunsets, moonsets, starry nights, and especially, bright sun on beautiful Big Island scenes.
Galleries Organized By Location or Subject
Explore each of the 14 galleries with photos for a specific region or subject on the Big Island