ALOHA!
I spent 3 weeks on the Big Island and going to see the famous views of the valley lookouts was a part of it! I also hiked from the lookout.
You can make it into a Big Island valley day!
You can see grand ocean views, beaches, and of course you can see valleys and mountain views!
And, you’ll even get scenic drives on your way there!
As of 2024, part of one of the valleys is closed, but you can still go and see it. You just can’t do more hiking around it. (Which was more of a walk than a hike since it was walking on the same road that the cars drive.) So you’ll want to check for updates. Google maps can be helpful for this in telling you if it’s closed.
Here is what going to the Big Island valley lookouts was like for me!
The top 2 coastal valleys on the Big Island
1. Waipio Valley
2. Pololu Valley
In both cases, if you don’t want to dedicate a full day, you can simply drive to the lookouts and take in the views that way.
If you want to make it a Big Island hiking day, from both of the lookouts you can hike down to the beach!
Hike to Big Island valley beach #1: Waipio Valley beach
IMPORTANT!!! Waipio Valley Road is CLOSED.
This is the valley that you can’t do hiking at anymore.
Starting in spring 2022, Waipio Valley Road became CLOSED due to a “geotechnical assessment.”
You can still go see the famous Waipio Valley from above from the Waipio Valley Lookout.
But your Waipio Valley experience will need to end there if Waipio Valley Road is closed.
Check for updates before you go.
At some point in the future, Waipio Valley Road may be accessible to tourists through a Waipio Valley tour.
This post reflects the Big Island valley experience when Waipio Valley Road is OPEN.
Hike to Big Island valley beach #2: Pololu Valley beach
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Amazing Big Island experiences you need to consider:
Read the reviews at partner website Viator!
- Night snorkeling with manta rays
- Mauna Kea summit (highest point in the Hawaiian islands!)
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These Big Island valley beaches are best for VIEWS, not swimming!
The shoreline along Waipio Valley and Pololu Valley can make for dangerous swimming conditions, including a dangerous shorebreak and strong current. So it can be best to visit these beaches for the views only!
Also, both of these beaches are referred to as black sand beaches. Although, because they are older black sand beaches, they are not the blackest beaches you’ll find on the Big Island. For the best black sand beaches on the Big Island, you’ll want to head to the Puna coast kind of near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park!
Bathrooms near Pololu Valley Lookout
What locals living near Pololu Valley would like you to know!
In Hawaii, respecting the land is a big thing in Hawaiian culture.
There are no bathrooms near the Pololu Valley Lookout.
It can be distressing for locals to see people coming out of the bushes near the Pololu Valley Lookout, presuming why people are coming out of the bushes. Seeing so many people doing this, it can be seen as a form of disrespecting the land. And if it becomes a big problem, that’s when there may even start to be more serious talks about limiting visitors to visit such places like Pololu Valley.
So please, for everyone’s sake, locals and future Hawaii visitors alike, avoid those bushes!
Instead, locals would like you to know about Keokea Beach Park where there are bathrooms. This is about a 5 minute drive from the Pololu Valley Lookout. Consider making a stop there before you go to Pololu Valley, just in case! MAHALO!
Here are the highlights of a hiking day of Big Island valleys!
1. Arrive at the Waipio Valley parking lot
You’ll see ocean views even from the parking lot!
2. Take in the views from Waipio Valley Lookout
It’s a short walk to the lookout for the famous coastline views!
3. Walk down to Waipio Valley beach
This is a STEEP road down to the beach, and it’s the same road cars take. This means that you can also drive down to Waipio Valley beach. But this is one of the Big Island drives in which a 4wd is required.
4. Take in the views from Waipio Valley beach
Hike (or drive) back up the same way you can. Next, moving on to the next valley…
4. Drive the Big Island!
5. Arrive at the Pololu Valley parking area
Once again, you’ll see ocean views even from the parking lot!
6. Take in the views from Pololu Valley Lookout
You are basically at the lookout when you are at the parking lot at the end of the road.
7. Hike down to Pololu Valley beach
Hiking is the only way to get to this valley beach!
8. Take in the views from around Pololu Valley beach
There’s a trail along the stream too that you’ll see once you’re at the beach.
And that’s a bit about one day on the Big Island driving to the famous valleys!
Day trip to the Big Island valleys
Both of these valleys are located in the northern part of the Big Island.
It can be reasonable to make it a day trip to both of these valleys on the same day from either Kona or Hilo.
MAP of Big Island valleys
The hikes that are a part of this one day Big Island itinerary are on the northern side of the island. Explore the map.
Also, if you are making it a day trip from Kona or Waikoloa (and even if it’s a day trip from Hilo or another part of the island make a slight detour!), then either on your way to Pololu Valley or the way back, be sure to take the coastal route so you can get the grand coastal views as you’re driving! (Hawaii route 270 on the map.)
Explore the map.
One day on the Big Island: The timeline
Of course, your experience may vary! But just to give you an idea of how long you might take, here is how it was for me! I generally move around at a leisurely pace. Times approximate!
Here is a perfect one day of hiking on the Big Island:
- 10:40am – Arrived at Waipio Valley Lookout parking
- 11:00am – Started hiking to Waipio Valley beach
- 12:45pm – Arrived back at Waipio Valley parking
- 2:35pm – Arrived at Pololu Valley Lookout parking
- 2:45pm – Started hiking to Pololu Valley beach
- 3:50pm – Arrived back at Polou Valley parking
And so, I took a little less than 2 hours to hike to the Waipio Valley beach and back. I took around 1 hour to hike to the Pololu Valley beach and back. Visiting the lookouts only can take as little as 10-20 minutes to walk around from the parking lot and take in the views.
If you find yourself finishing up early afternoon, you might try stopping by Lapakahi State Historical Park after Pololu Valley. This is located along the aforementioned HI route 270. You can explore the remains of a small Hawaiian village, and this is also the location of one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island. (It’s a rocky beach entrance – bring your water shoes!) Sandy beaches along the Kohala coast include Waialea Beach (another snorkeling spot) and Hapuna Beach (rated as one of the best beaches in America by Dr. Beach). Closer to Kona, you may consider stopping by Kekaha Kai State Park for one of the beaches there.
See more about hiking to the Big Island valley beaches:
And those are some ideas on how to spend one day on the Big Island!
For more things to do on the Big Island that include amazing views, also see:
- Akaka Falls loop trail
- Rainbow Falls
- Kilauea Iki Crater hike
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Kealakekua Bay hike
- Punaluu black sand beach
- More beach hikes on the Big Island
HAPPY ONE DAY OF SEEING THE BIG ISLAND VALLEYS!
Here are some ideas for your time on the Big Island!
Among the most popular things to do on the Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls State Park, and Waipio Valley!
For Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the main road to drive is Chain of Craters Road and it will take you to see the best lava fields in Hawaii! Before that though (or after!) you will want to make a stop for the Thurston lava tube. You can also hike into a former lava lake by doing the Kilauea Iki Trail!
Other Big Island activities you may want to make time for are the best black sand beaches in Hawaii (including Punaluu black sand beach to see turtles maybe!) and the Papakolea green sand beach of Hawaii.
Volcanoes in Hawaii
There was a time in December 2022 that 2 volcanoes were erupting in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
This was a special occasion because even in the past few years, there was a quiet period where there was NO active lava to be seen anywhere in Hawaii.
As the National Park Service says, it was the first time in nearly 40 years that TWO volcanoes were erupting in Hawaii at the same time!
But what seems like nearly just like that, they stopped erupting.
As it goes with volcanoes, things can change in an instant!
So be sure to check National Park Service updates when your Big Island trip gets closer: What's going on with the volcanoes?
Spotted yesterday at #MaunaLoa – a lava boat rides the waves! On Dec 7, a lava boat was spotted floating down channel. Lava boats can form when portions of the cone or lava channel break away & are rafted downstream. Hot lava cools to its surface to create that smooth exterior. pic.twitter.com/D9gdoFolfq
— USGS Volcanoes🌋 (@USGSVolcanoes) December 9, 2022
👇 Explore the Big Island map on google maps!
See the list:
- Things to do on the Big Island (for VIEWS!)
- Things to do in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Things to do in Kona