The Big Island’s sunny beaches and delicious eateries make it the perfect relaxation destination. But it’s also an unparalleled vacation spot for nature-lovers.
So once you’ve finished sleeping off yet another poke bowl, head outside to watch the real birds of paradise.
Think birdwatching is for the birds? Before you get your feathers ruffled, remember that the Hawaiian Islands host some of the rarest and most spectacular birds in the world.
Plus, if you can’t get a bird's eye view of your future home, birdwatching might be the next best thing.
Fly Up to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Standing high at an elevation of 4,000 feet above sea level, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park offers some of the Big Island’s best birdwatching. From colorful forest birds to fearsome seabirds, these birds know what it means to live like a local.
Take advantage of the park being open 24 hours a day: grab a Kona Coffee and head out early. If you get to the park before sunrise, you’ll be treated to the spectacular dawn chorus of native birds that fill the Hawaiian forest.
And once you’ve had your fill of feathered friends, check out the many other activities the park offers. Do a day hike across volcanic terrain or take a scenic drive along Crater Rim Drive.
Pu‘u La‘au Ain’t Nothing to Pluck With
Avid avian fans should definitely check out Pu‘u La‘au. About an hour’s drive east of Kona, Pu'u La'au sits on Mauna Kea’s western slope. This region of montane dry forest is one of the few places on the Big Island where you can glimpse rare endemic species.
Try to spot the hook-beaked ‘akiapola‘au, whose resplendent yellow plumage brightens the surrounding foliage.
If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll see the Palila – a bird you won’t find anywhere else in the world. This finch-billed honeycreeper is a critically endangered bird, so spotting one of the 1,000 remaining Palila is a rare treat.
Join the Flock
The Hakalau Birdwatching Adventure is one of the easiest ways to go bird watching on the Big Island. This 12 hour guided experience introduces you to many avian habitats.
Your guide will also give you a history of the island's formation – making it a great way for first-time visitors to learn about the Big Island’s rich natural history.
If you want an exclusive birding experience, Book a Private Ohana Tour. Led by an expert guide, this tour will give you access to the restricted-access National Wildlife Refuge. Here you can look for native and endangered birds such as the endemic Elepaio – one of the first birds to start singing in the morning and one of the last to finish its song at night.
Tweet, Tweet
Once you’ve explored all the natural beauty Hawaii has to offer, you’ll probably want to make a nest here. I can’t blame you.
You know what they say: the early bird gets the worm. Check out some of the properties available on the Big Island and contact me to schedule a showing. You don’t want to wait on this one!
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.