17 Big Island Hidden Gems for Exploring Off the Beaten Path

With its 11 microclimates, over 4,000 square miles of land, and tons of quirky local businesses, Hawai’i’s Big Island is teeming with hidden gems just waiting to be explored—black sand beaches, taro-lined valleys, fog-drenched cloud forests, hot tubs built for stargazing, and so much more!

In this article I’m sharing all my favorite lesser known spots on the Big Island, so you can explore Hawaii off the beaten path, support small local businesses, and soak in the island’s striking beauty away from the crowds.

Couple beneath a rainbow at the volcano crater on Hawaii's Big Island

In a rustic outdoor setting reminiscent of small towns, wooden bowls and utensils grace a wooden table, featuring bowls of kava.

Big Island Hidden Gems

With the exception of Waipi’o Valley—which can only be visited with a local guide—all of Big Island hidden gems are publicly accessible and legal to visit. Tread lightly, clean up after yourself, and respect the locals who call this special island home!

1. Waipi’o Valley Shuttle Tour

This sacred valley is one of the most breathtaking places in Hawai’i, with 4,000-foot lush cliffs with stunning waterfalls and 1400 years of taro farming. Once home to over 10,000 Hawaiians, Waipi’o Valley is now only populated by a few families who carry the legacy and traditional taro farming lifestyle.

In my opinion, Waipi’o Valley is a must-see spot on the Big Island—but visiting it is not as simple as it used to be. For years you could hike down into the valley on your own, but the valley is closed to visitors, unless you go with a local guide.

I explain exactly how to do it in my full guide to Waipi’o Valley, but here’s the quick version—you can get into the valley on a 3-hour experience with the Waipio Valley Shuttle. In a van with the windows punched out, you’ll descend into the sacred valley and get to explore its serene landscapes with a local who grew up here. If you’re lucky, you might even get to plant a taro, too!

A vibrant underwater scene off the coast of the Big Island features yellow fish swimming around coral reefs in clear blue water, with sunlight illuminating the ocean floor.

2. Kahalu’u Beach Park

Kahalu’u Beach Park is the absolute best place we’ve snorkeled anywhere on the Big Island, and maybe even the best place we’ve snorkeling in the whole state of Hawaii! Yet we only discovered it by chance since we were staying at nearby Kona Coast Resort.

As it turns out, researchers and volunteers have observed over 100 species of fish in the reefs here, and I definitely noticed a wider diversity of fish compared to other Kona snorkel spots. It’s also the only place on the Kona Coast where I saw sea turtles in the water!

It costs $14 to park here (we just walked from Kona Coast Resort) but the parking fee helps fund the volunteers who are always here with free reef safe sunscreen and mask defogger (definitely get the defogger!), plus booklets full of photos of fish observed in the bay so you can identify the ones you spotted.

🤿 Must-do Kona snorkeling: Although it can’t be called a hidden gem, I have to mention snorkeling with manta rays in Kona since it was the highlight of my trip!!

A lush green landscape on the Big Island features a waterfall cascading into a pool on the left, surrounded by tall palm trees. A house with a spacious gazebo sits among the greenery on the right under Hawai'i's clear blue sky.

3. The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls

If you’ve read my Big Island itinerary, you know I suggest staying on the Kona Coast most of your trip, and spending a night or two in Hilo when you explore that side of the island.

And there is nowhere like The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls—a hotel with its own 120-foot tall private waterfall only a few minutes outside of Hilo town. And you have a choice between a more affordable (but rustic) cabin or a luxurious room overlooking the falls.

So, if you’re thinking of squeezing a night or two on this side of the island, The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls is a lovely place to stay!

4. Kona Cloud Forest

The serene Kona Cloud Forest is the only Cloud Forest in the US, and also happens to be a place that inspired James Cameron when he was working on Avatar. The lush tropical conifer forest is one of the most serene places on the island, with rich biodiversity—rainbow eucalyptus, bamboo, vibrant tropical flowers, and Hawaiian honeycreepers.

But Kona Cloud Forest is located on private land, and can only be explored on a guided eco-tour hike in which you’ll learn about the island’s natural history.

A woman strolls along a black sand beach on the Big Island, where gentle waves kiss the shore. Tall palm trees frame the scene under a partly cloudy blue sky. She wears a flowing skirt and tank top, savoring the serene coastal setting of Hawai'i.

5. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

Located seemingly in the middle of nowhere on the drive between Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kona, Punaluʻu Beach is a must-visit Big Island hidden gem!

I’ve been to some other black sand beaches in Hawaii and the Caribbean, and this is my favorite! The sand is truly charcoal black and absolutely stunning contrasted against the the wispy palm trees, tide pools, and sleeping sea turtles!

🥾 Papakōlea Green Sand Beach: This green sand beach is another unique place to visit on the south side of the Big Island, but its only accessible via a rugged 2.5 mile hike in!

6. Kua Bay

There are only a few white sand beaches on the Big Island, and my favorite is Kua Bay! It’s a small but lovely sandy beach with pristine turquoise water about 20 minutes north of Kona.

The beach is free to visit, but keep in mind that the waves can be quite rough here in the wintertime. We didn’t do much swimming, but enjoyed the powdery sand and turquoise water!

And while you’re in the area, you can check out ancient etchings at both Waikōloa Petroglyph Reserve and Puakō Petroglyph Park.

7. Ola Brewery

Kona Brewing Co. is the state’s most well known brewery, but our favorite in Kona was actually Ola Brewery, a smaller local brewery that makes more than just beer!

My husband loved the beers, and I loved their hard juice and hard seltzers—especially the orange vanilla seltzer. They’re all made with alcohol from fermented cane sugar and real tropical fruit rather than artificial sweeteners and they’re absolutely delicious!

Their small brewery in Kailua-Kona has a local feel and we both preferred it to Kona Brewing Co, which is also in Kailua-Kona!

View from the The Coffee Shack in Captain Cook, Hawaii, a Big Island hidden gem

8. The Coffee Shack

Perched on the slopes of Hualālai just south of the Kona Coffee Belt, this cafe boasts one of the best views on the island, overlooking the sparkling ocean and verdant slopes of the volcano.

We stopped in for a coffee on our drive between the Kona Coffee Belt and Honaunau Bay and were lucky to get a seat on the open-air deck overlooking the turquoise ocean and verdant foliage below.

Whether you grab a drink like we did, or stay for a full meal, this picturesque coffeeshop is a place you must visit if you’re in the area!

9. Mamalahoa Hot Tubs & Massage

Located along the serene Kona Coffee Belt, Mamalahoa Hot Tubs & Massage is one of the best lesser known things to do in South Kona.

You can soak in one of the private hot tubs in the daytime, surrounded by tropical foliage, or come after dark to stargaze from the hot tub! Or, get a massage, they offer Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massages, as well as traditional Hawaiian massage (Lomi Lomi).

I haven’t been able to try out this place myself, but I imagine soaking in the tubs is quite a romantic, tranquil experience. Be sure to book an appointment as the tubs and massages are only available with an advanced reservation.

10. Around the Kava Bowl

Kava is a traditional Polynesian tea with a distinct calming effect. Before European contact, it was one of only three drinks in Hawaii: kava, water, and coconut water. Eventually, kava was replaced with alcohol, but today there’s a resurgence of kava drinking, especially as an alcohol alternative.

There are only a few kava bars in Hawaii, and the best one we’ve visited is Around The Kava Bowl in Captain Cook. The owner has been drinking and serving kava in Hawaii for over 20 years, and he even has a few kava plants for you to look at!

If you’re at all curious, I highly recommend stopping by and ordering a coconut shell full of kava, or perhaps a whole bowl to share with a group of friends. It’s worth mentioning that kava shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol, and for some people (myself included) kava can intensify to effects of caffeine.

Snorkeling at Two Step Beach, a Big Island hidden gem

11. Honaunau Bay (Two Step)

Located right next to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (also worth visiting), Honaunau Bay (Two Step) is one of my favorite places to snorkel on the Big Island.

Honaunau Bay is also called Two Step, and gets its nickname from the natural ‘steps’ formed in the lava rock that leads directly into the water. That said, the lava rock is really rough, so you may want to wear water shoes. Also watch out for sea urchins hidden in the lava rock!

Keep in mind that there isn’t really a beach here, just a small bit of sand and a whole lot of lava rock. If you’re looking to relax on the beach, this isn’t the place. Parking at the small lot costs $5 and fills up quickly.

🤿 Beginner-friendly snorkeling: If you’re newer to snorkeling, you might prefer to go on this Kealakekua Bay guided snorkel tour, the guides are exceptional and its one of the most popular snorkel spots on the island! Plus, you get to sail the coastline in a beautiful catamaran and support a small local business!

12. Waimea Farmers Markets

Surrounded by rolling green hills, the small town of Waimea is located along the drive between Kona and Waipi’o Valley. It makes a lovely pit stop, especially if you’re visiting on Saturday, when they have the Waimea Town Farmers Market at Parker School.

It’s also worth mentioning that this historic town is known for its paniolo (cowboy) culture, which stretches back to when King Kamehameha II invited Mexican cowboys to the Big Island to teach Hawaiians cattle ranching. Paniolo history is fascinating, you can read about it on the NPS website!

A person wearing an orange backpack overlooks the Kiluea Iki trail on the Big Island of Hawaii.

13. Kīlauea Iki Trail

I debated about whether or not to include this one, becuase I’m not sure if its really a hidden gem—but its certainly something that a lot of visitors miss!

The Kīlauea Iki Trail at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park guides you across Kīlauea Iki crater floor, which was once a bubbling lake of lava during the 1959 volcanic eruption. Now it’s a blackened, barren landscape of hardened lava with giant cracks in the earth!

The trail also takes you through lush tropical forests and along the rim of the crater, where you can look out upon the otherworldly landscape you just walked through! And I highly recommend taking a slight detour during your hike to walk through the 500-year-old Thurston Lava Tube, which is a short walk off the trail. (The lava tube and trail are both pinned on my Big Island map!)

14. Café Ono

If you’re looking for somewhere unique to eat while visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, head over to Café Ono in Volcano Village.

It’s a small restaurant inside a historic house, surrounded by beautiful gardens, with an onsite gift shop packed with local art. The food is healthy, fresh, and simple—we really enjoyed the vegan options and restful environment.

15. Miranda’s Farms Coffee Shop

There aren’t a ton of places to stop on the drive between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and South Kona, so we quickly pulled over when we saw Miranda’s Farms Coffee Shop, and I’m so glad we did!

This coffeeshop serves delicious drinks made with the coffee beans grown right on the property—you can walk through the coffee groves while sipping your drink! Although we’d already gone on a full coffee tour on the Kona Coffee Belt, this really felt like a Big Island hidden gem!

There was also a Salvadorian food truck onsite, with some papusas that would have made a delicious lunch, but we were saving our appetite for the next Hawaii hidden gem!

16. Honaunau Poke Shop

Located along the scenic Hawaii Belt Road in Captain Cook, this small roadside poke shop had some of our favorite food on the island—even as vegans!!

So, while I can’t speak to the fish on the menu, I know that others love this spot given all the raving reviews. For me, hijiki quinoa, edamame corn salad, brown rice, and sweet potato poi made for a filling and delicious lunch!

Regardless of your food preferences, there are tons of options and everything on the menu can be ordered by weight, so you can try a small portion of everything that piques your interest!

17. Onomea Bay Trail

Onomea Bay Trail spans a little over a half mile along the coastline just outside of Hilo. Along the way, you get views of the rugged volcanic coastline lined with palm trees and tropical flowers. It’s near Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden, which is also a lovely spot to stop!