Hawai‘i Island At Volcanoes National Park on the island of Hawai‘i (known as the Big Island), is one of the few places where you can actually see new land being created as molten lava plunges into the sea. The sudden meeting of hot rock and cool water creates a vast steam cloud that can be seen from miles away, but to see it after dark is even more impressive, glowing red against the black lava field and night sky. Volcanoes aren’t the only reason to visit the island of Hawai‘i however. On the west coast is Kona, a cute little waterfront town that today is famous for its coffee and World Ironman championship. Great men have walked this land – this was the last royal residence of King Kamehameha the Great, while nearby Kealakekua Bay is where Captain Cook first set foot on the island and where he was later killed.
Our favourite things to see and do VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK – Dramatic, diverse, vast and still growing! To best appreciate the volcanoes, plan to spend at least a day exploring the park. PUNALU’U BEACH – Visit the Black Sand formed from hardened lava that has been crumbled into tiny particles. This is a popular spot for beachgoers and is also a habitat for honu (turtles). ‘AKAKA FALLS STATE PARK – After a short hike you’ll first see the 30 metre Kahuna Falls, then continuing on the loop track witness the towering ‘Akaka Falls plunging 135 metres from the cliffs above. DEEP SEA FISHING – A great place to hook big mahimahi, ono, ahi and Pacific blue marlin is off the Kona Coast.
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HAWAI‘I ISLAND IS THE GOLF CAPITAL OF HAWAI‘I – Its wide open spaces, dramatic contours and elevation changes make the 18 golf courses here a fantastic day out.
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HELICOPTER RIDE – Take a ride and view some of the most incredibly diverse and interesting landscapes in the world.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
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KONA COFFEE – Don’t forget to try one of Hawaii’s most famous exports and take a couple of bags home for yourself. MANTA RAYS – Discover these beautiful creatures that can be found near the Sheraton Kona Resort. And if you’re staying at the property watch them from the shoreline in the evening or (weather permitting) head out on a short boat ride to learn more about them.