Hiking, bicycling, golfing, black , green and golden sand beaches, horseback riding, turtles, whales, tide pools, snorkeling, scuba, surfing, fishing, skiing, star gazing, volcanos, orchid and coffee farms, farmers markets, art galleries, museums, wine tasting, waterfalls, romance and adventure await your vacation pleasure.  Read about the Big Island and the Puna peninsula at Wikipedia.org.

Black Sand Beaches

The newest true black sand beach in the world is 15 minutes from Hale Mar where the highway ends at the lava flow - glistening obsidian colored sand pounded by crashing waves! For black sand AND swimming with giant green sea turtles visit Punalu'u beach, about an hour south. Nearby are the green sands of South Point and golden sand beache of the western shore, as well as superb snorkeling and scuba spots.   For real beach lovers, see photo previews of every beach on the island at: http://www.hawaiiweb.com/hawaii/html/beaches/default.htm

Astronomy and Skiing at Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea (Hawaiian for 'white mountain') is a 13,796' (4205 meter) volcanic mountain whose summit sometimes gets a skiable/boardable mantle of snow. There are no lifts, no grooming, no resort, but a road goes to the summit to serve the dozen or so world class observatories located at the top.  February - March are the best months for snow.  See www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com for full details, or call 808-885-4188.

Volcanically Heated Hot Ponds

Ahalanui Park, 15 minutes from Hale Mar, features a large, spring-fed tidal pool which is volcanically heated to a balmy 90 degrees. The water is  very clear and fish often swim along with the visitors.  The park and pools are open every day and evening, free of charge, with life guards on duty during the day.  And near Ahalanui is...

Snorkeling in fantastic deep tide pools

The Wall Street Journal "Off the Beaten Track" recommends a day trip to the Kapoho Tide Pools, 15 minutes south of Hale Mar.  Stretching almost a mile down the coast, this vast acreage of unique natural pools are a little-known wonderland that can be explored by foot or fin, featuring a wide variety of fish and coral, including the occasional giant sea turtle... and some pools are even volcanically heated!

Orchid, Honey, Macadamia Nut & Coffee Farms

The Big Island of Hawaii hosts a wide variety of agriculture, particularly on the East side of the island where Hale Mar is located.  Many farms are open for visiting, tours and shopping (they can arrange for permitted shipment of agricultural products out of state, which is otherwise prohibited.)  See www.hawaiiagventures.com for farm maps and hours of operation.  And see below for info on the Big Island's own vineyard!

Volcano National Park

Hawai'i Volcanos National Park is just half an hour from Hale Mar, encompassing diverse environments that range from ash cone to live lava cauldron to rainforest.  You'll want to make several visits, both day and night, to see its full splendors. Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, is erupting in some form every day.  Check the lava status at http://volcano.wr.usgs.gov/hvostatus.php and see details on park features at http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm.

Golf Courses

There are about 20 golf courses on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Hapuna Golf Course is the home of EWG's Hawaii chapter; Hualalai Golf Club is a challenging Jack Nicklaus design where lava rock extends onto fairways.  Closest to Hale Mar you will find the Discovery Harbour Golf & CC, Sea Mountain Golf Course, Volcano Golf & CC, Hamakua CC, Naniloa CC and the Hilo Municipal Golf Course. See a complete listing of courses at http://www.wanderplanet.com/Golf/cyUS/HI/HIGfBig.htm.

Tsunami Museum

The last major Pacific wide tsunami (frequently called a "tidal wave") occurred in 1964.  Whether your interest is historic, scientific, or one of simple curiosity about these strange and powerful intermittent forces of nature, you will find the the Pacific Tsunami museum in Hilo (http://www.tsunami.org) a unique collection of information, photographs and first hand accounts.

The widely acclaimed annual Merrie Monarch festival in Hilo features the world's top teams in hula competition: check out this year's schedule at www.merriemonarchfestival.org. Here's a video of last year's winner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_b9x8uPMwc

Seahorse Farm

Ocean Rider Seahorse Ranch (www.seahorse.com) has been breeding live sea horses for pets since 1998. They offer a unique interactive, educational and magical sea horse tour of their 3 acre farm, which houses over 20,000 seahorses, including over 15 different speices, as well as a seahorse gift shop.  Tour times are usually Mon-Fri at 10am, 12pm and 2pm - call in advance for reservations.

Arts & Artisans

Visit galleries around the island featuring Koa wood carvings and furnishings, original glasswork, raku and other ceramic styles, painting and more.  If art is your passion, print out the extensive list of galleries and museums at  http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/activity/bifa.htm.

The Rainforest - in Hilo

In and around Hilo you'll find an enchanted rainforest, replete wtih world class waterfalls: check out Rainbow Falls at Wailuku river State park, and Akaka Falls, which features an easy, paved walk to dramatic beauty, jjust off the highway north of town.  On the way home to Hale Mar take the kids to the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo (White Tiger feeding is at 3:30 pm) or stroll the greenhouses at the largest cymbidium orchid farm in the state, Akatsuka Orchid Gardens.

Wine Tasting

Volcano Winery on the Big Island of Hawaii is home to one-of-a-kind wines made nowhere else on earth: all-tropical-honey wine (no grapes!), tropical fruit blends (part-fruit, part-grape), and all-grape Symphony dinner wines. The Big Island of Hawaii's only commercial winery, and America's southernmost, Volcano Winery is open for free wine tasting every day of the year, next to Volcanoes National Park and the Volcano Golf Course, about a half an hour from Hale Mar.

Horseback Riding

The Big Island is horseback riding heaven, with expansive rolling countryside, gorgeous scenery and happy Hawaiian horses.  Even fox hunting is available.  For organized tours, the Waipio Falls trail ride (www.waipio.homestead.com) is the ultimate day's adventure trek from jungle to ocean.  For free-range riding across the open green hills, try Giddyup Stables (25 miles north of Hilo), 808-962-6840.

More Adventures ...

Many other adventures await you on the Big Island of Hawaii.  One of our favorite sites for ideas is http://bigadventures123.com.  Be bold!

A GREAT book for planning your vacation and bringing along is Hawaii, the Big Island Revealed.  We can't think of anything we can say that they don't cover!

Or just stay home and relax.

That's probably why you took a vacation.  The sound of the surf will lull you to nap, the stars at night will inspire your dreams, and the rainbows will come to call on you, all in good time.

Site developed by M. T. International  Also check out our Bahamas beach house at www.BahamasVacationHouse.com