The most engaging beach on the Big Island is the black / red sand beach at Waipio Valley on the north coast. Requiring either 4WD access or a very steep climb down to the beach (and back up), the views of the sheer cliffs enclosing Waipio Valley make this one of the most inspiring beach locations in Hawaii. On either side of the beach, waterfalls cascade from the towering valleys right into the sea. Waipio Beach is also considered a great surfing beach although undercurrents make swimming dangerous and there is no lifeguard.

waipio valley

waipio beach

waipio coast

waipio beach

Apart from Waipio, there are few beaches along the north coast, and those that appear are down steep cliffs away from the main highway.

The rural cattle farming community of Waimea (also known as Kamuela) is yet another unexpected facade of the Big Island. Situated inland (upcountry) in the north of the island, Waimea is a classical community of country inns, cowboys, elegant gardens and rolling hills. The town sits amongst grassy hills at 2,600 feet and is noticeably cooler than the coast with afternoon mist closing in around the hills but surprisingly little rain. This pleasant climate and town charm has spurred a population boom in recent years and Waimea now boasts a modern shopping mall along with traffic lights and road congestion The old charm none-the-less has been maintained and there are several fine restaurants and inns and a few historical attractions making this a pleasant place to spend a night.

hamakua coast

hamakua falls

pololu coast

waimea town

The appeal of Waimea however, is more for the surrounding countryside and its miles of walking and horse riding trails that crisscross the rural countryside.


search for ... Big Island Resorts

find ... Big Island Tour Companies

continue to ... Hilo Town & the East Coast Big Island




Readers may also be interested in the following destinations:

Cook Islands Travel Guide
Fiji Travel Guide
Samoa Travel Guide
Tonga Travel Guide
Tahiti Travel Guide

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Other Recommended Websites: South Pacific Pictures fiji pictures ; cook islands pictures ; samoa pictures ; tonga pictures ; tahiti pictures ; hawaii pictures