12 Jaw-Dropping Hawaiian Landscapes That’ll Make You Want to Book a Flight Right Now

Breathtaking Hawaii

Hawaii isn’t called paradise for nothing. From towering volcanoes to pristine beaches, the islands are packed with beauty so surreal, they don’t seem real. But they absolutely are, and here’s our pick of the most stunning ones that’ll have you reaching for your travel agent’s number.

1. Mount Waialeale Crater

Hidden in Kauai’s heart, Mount Waialeale ranks as one of Earth’s soggiest spots, getting about 450 inches of rain each year. The mountain’s unique shape catches trade winds and pushes them up, causing the non-stop rain. In fact, its Hawaiian name means “overflowing water” – pretty spot-on for a place that’s constantly wet.

The crater was formed by an ancient volcano and has near-vertical walls covered in countless waterfalls.The summit usually hides in clouds, so your best bet for views is taking a helicopter tour.

2. Hiilawe Falls

On the Big Island in Waipio Valley sits Hiilawe Falls, dropping an impressive 1,450 feet to the valley floor. Old Hawaiian legends tell of chiefs testing their warriors’ courage by making them jump from the top.

Seeing the falls today means taking a guided tour or hiking through private land (with permission, of course). The valley around it was once called the “Valley of the Kings” and thousands of Hawaiians lived there, growing taro as their main crop.

3. Mauna Loa

The Big Island’s Mauna Loa is the world’s biggest active volcano by volume and never stays quiet for long. Hawaiians named it “Long Mountain,” which makes sense when you see its massive shield shape covering half the island.

It stands 13,679 feet above sea level, but from its underwater base, it’s over 30,000 feet – taller than Everest. The volcano has blown its top 33 times since 1843, most recently in 2022.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can hike to the summit on the Observatory Trail, a tough 11.6-mile trek with amazing island views. As you climb, you’ll pass through completely different environments, from lush forests to barren lava fields.

4. Diamond Head Crater

Looming over Waikiki Beach on Oahu, Diamond Head is Hawaii’s most famous landmark. Hawaiians called it “Lēʻahi” because it looked like a tuna’s fin, but Western explorers renamed it in the 1800s when they thought the sparkling rocks contained diamonds.

This crater formed about 300,000 years ago in one explosive eruption that sent ash and particles into the air, which hardened into the crater walls.You can hike the 0.8-mile trail from the crater floor to the top in about 1-2 hours. The path includes 175 steps and a tunnel, rewarding you with amazing views of Waikiki and the ocean.

5. Waimea Canyon

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon cuts a dramatic red gash across western Kauai. It stretches 14 miles long, a mile wide, and plunges 3,600 feet deep, carved by the Waimea River flowing from rainy Mount Waialeale.

The canyon shows off vibrant reds, browns, and greens from exposed volcanic soil and lush plants. “Waimea” means “reddish water” in Hawaiian, referring to the red soil that erodes into the river.

6. Chain of Craters Road

Snaking through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, this 19-mile road takes you through some of the world’s most active volcanic landscapes. Starting at 4,000 feet at the visitor center, you’ll drop 3,700 feet to the coast, passing numerous craters and lava flows of different ages.

The road itself keeps changing – since its construction in 1928, lava has covered parts of it multiple times. In 1986, lava from Pu’u O’o vent buried sections of the road, creating the famous “Road Closed” sign that’s now a popular photo spot.

Don’t miss stops like Lua Manu Crater, Puhimau Crater, and the Holei Sea Arch. You can also check out Pu’u Loa’s petroglyphs with over 23,000 ancient Hawaiian rock carvings accessible by a short boardwalk.

7. Napali Coast

Running 17 miles along Kauai’s northwest shore, the Napali Coast’s Hawaiian name just means “the cliffs,” perfectly describing the emerald ridges that shoot up 4,000 feet from the ocean.

These rugged cliffs formed over millions of years of erosion, creating valleys like the remote Kalalau Valley where ancient Hawaiians once lived. No roads reach this coast, which has kept it pristine and wild.

For the full experience, brave the challenging 11-mile Kalalau Trail (permit required). Not up for the hike? Boat tours, helicopter rides, or the Kalalau Valley Overlook offer easier ways to see the towering cliffs, lush valleys, and waterfalls.

8. Waimoku Falls

At the end of Maui’s Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park, you’ll find the 400-foot Waimoku Falls pouring down a sheer lava cliff surrounded by bamboo forest. Its Hawaiian name roughly means “water cutting down,” describing how the water has carved through rock over time.

Getting there means a 4-mile round-trip hike through some of Maui’s most magical scenery. You’ll follow Pipiwai Stream, cross bridges over rapids, and pass the 185-foot Makahiku Falls along the way.

11. Bamboo Grove at Pipiwai Trail

Aside from the stunning 400-foot Waimoku Falls, there’s another reward waiting for you at the Pipiwai Trail: Hawaii’s version of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove in Kyoto. The trail’s bamboo forest is where a boardwalk winds through thousands of tall bamboo stalks that click and clack in the wind.

9. Pahoehoe Lava

On the Big Island, you can see pahoehoe lava, one of the coolest volcanic features anywhere. The Hawaiian word “pahoehoe” means “smooth, unbroken lava,” perfectly describing its glossy, ropey surface.

This unique formation happens when runny, super-hot lava flows with the surface cooling while the inside stays molten. The continuing flow underneath creates those signature swirls and rope patterns. Check out Hawaii Volcanoes National Park’s Kilauea Iki Trail or the 1990 Kalapana flow to see these formations up close.

10. Punalu Black Sand Beach

On the Big Island’s southeastern shore, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is one of Hawaii’s most unusual coastlines. The jet-black sand comes from basalt created when hot lava hit the ocean and exploded into tiny pieces as it cooled.

The name Punalu’u means “spring dived for” in Hawaiian, referring to freshwater springs that bubble up along the shore and underwater. You’ll often spot Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) sunning themselves on the black sand.

12. Kilauea Volcano

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has shaped the Big Island’s landscape and culture for centuries. Its Hawaiian name means “spewing” or “much spreading,” perfectly describing its frequent eruptions.

In Hawaiian mythology, Kilauea is home to Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes. Drive the Crater Rim Drive to see steam vents, the Kilauea Overlook, and Halemaʻumaʻu crater, traditionally considered Pele’s home.

13. Alakai Swamp

High above Kauai on Mount Waialeale sits Alakai Swamp, the world’s highest swamp at around 4,000-4,500 feet above sea level. Despite getting up to 365 inches of rain yearly, it’s not muddy but rather a dense peat bog formed over thousands of years.

This special place is home to rare native plants and birds found nowhere else, including the critically endangered ‘akeke’e and ‘akikiki honeycreepers. You can explore this misty wonderland on the 3.5-mile Alakai Swamp Trail, a boardwalk protecting the fragile environment. On clear days, the trail ends at Kilohana Lookout with amazing views of Kauai’s north shore.

14. Molokai Sea Cliffs

The north shore of Molokai boasts some of the tallest sea cliffs in the world, soaring 3,600 to 3,900 feet above the waves. These massive walls formed about 1.4 million years ago when nearly half the island collapsed into the ocean.

The cliffs are part of Molokai’s rugged, mostly uninhabited north coast. At the cliffs’ base, Kalaupapa Peninsula has a moving history as a former leprosy settlement established in 1866.

While hiking to Kalaupapa requires a permit, the best views of the cliffs come from helicopter tours or boat trips. During rainy times, you might spot waterfalls tumbling from the green cliffs straight into the ocean.