Looking for the perfect spot to capture true Hawaiian beauty on the Big Island? Well, let’s be real, everywhere you look in Hawaii is amazing! It’s the perfect place to see clear blue waters, rainbows, waterfalls and so much more. But if you’re looking for the place to capture the perfect shot that will have all your friends and followers jealously attempting to book their own trip to Hawaii, check out these jaw dropping scenic overlooks below!
WAIPI’O VALLEY OVERLOOK
First stop on the list is the magnificent Waipi’o Valley Overlook. It’s located on the northeastern side of the island, just north of Wimea. If you’re coming from Kona International Airport, you can take the beautiful coastal route across the island to the overlook that is a little over an hour. This route will pass along the incredible Waikoloa Beach Resort and expose some of Hawaii's best island living! From Hilo, you can take the Hamuka Heritage Corridor to the Waipi’o Valley Overlook, which is just as gorgeous.
The breathtaking scenery encompasses lush green valleys mixed with waterfalls and stunning blue waters. The valley itself is surrounded by cliffs overlooking waters that are 5 miles deep. The tallest waterfall on Hawaii cascades down the back of Waipi’o at a grand 1,300 feet, making this overlook a must see!
No matter if you’re traveling on your own, riding by horseback, or taking one of the guided tours offered, this magical overlook is worth a visit!
POLOLŪ VALLEY
A hiker or photographer's dream; you won’t want to miss this stop. Whether you want to hike the black sand beach, or just admire from above, the Pololu Valley is a spectacular overlook stop to get a photo.
It’s easy to spend an entire day here. You can hike down into the valley to sea level, or you can park and walk to the lookout to see the impressive cliffs overlooking the blue waters.
The adorable town of Hawi is located on your way to the lookout, so after you get a taste of some iconic views, be sure to swing into the town shops for more great flavors!
MAUNA LOA LOOKOUT
If you’re looking for impressive ocean views, large craters, and a great hiking trail, look no further than the Mauna Loa Lookout!
The scenic Mauna Loa Lookout is a tourist favorite on the Big Island. Located at the end of an 11-mile unpaved road, the Mauna Loa Lookout is where the trailhead begins, leading to a hike down to the Mauna Loa Volcano. It also provides impressive shots of Kilauea Volcano.
If you time your trip right and arrive around sunset, you’ll be able to catch vibrant colors dance across the horizon with distant ocean views.
LAUPAHOEHOE POINT LOOKOUT
Not only is it fun to say, the Laupahoehoe Point Lookout might have some of the most breathtaking views on the Big Island with the epic coastline and greenery.
Meaning “leaf of lava,” this peninsula lookout will have you wishing you had a Mai Tai in hand as the palm trees sway above your head. Some of the greatest Big Island sunrises take place here, so it’s worth climbing out of bed early!The waters at Laupahoehoe Point can be a bit rough, so swimming isn’t encouraged, however picture taking most certainly is!
WANT TO SEE THESE SIGHTS ALL YEAR LONG?
Making your friends jealous for a week is great, but making them jealous for a lifetime is priceless!
If you want to make these beautiful landscapes a permanent part of your backyard, there are plenty of properties available on the Big Island. Feel free to reach out if you’re ready to make the jump to living in a tropical paradise. I’m sure we can find something that’ll fill all your wants and needs!
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.