Hawaii is truly a nature lover’s paradise — full of crystalline beaches, majestic mountains, breathtaking volcanic craters, and some of the most amazing natural wonders in the entire world. While it’s hard to rank the striking natural beauty found throughout these islands we call home, here are 16 of the most breathtaking natural wonders in Hawaii — from beautiful beaches to ravishing rock formations and everything in between.
- Mauna Kea
Wolfram Burner/Flickr Mauna Kea is the highest mountain in the world when measured from the ocean floor to its top-most part – a total of 33,476 feet from ocean floor to peak.
- Waipio Valley
Scott/Flickr While the valley is absolutely breathtaking, the road into the Waipio Valley from the lookout is pretty gnarly, gaining 800 vertical feet in just 0.6 miles, making it the steepest road of its length in the United States.
- Kaihalulu Bay
Paul Bica/Flickr Sure, white sand beaches are gorgeous, but Maui’s red sand beach on Kaihalulu Bay is even more incredible. It’s one of the only red sand beaches in the entire world!
4 Na Pali Coast
Paul Bica/Flickr Perhaps some of the most stunning coastal views in the country are the spectacular mountains of the Na Pali Coast — best experienced from above.
- Kilauea Volcano
Jeff Wallace/Flickr Within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sits Kilauea, once considered to be one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
- Oheo Gulch
Bruce Irschick/Flickr Also known as the Seven Sacred Pools, these swimming holes are connected by waterfalls and hidden within one of Maui’s remote bamboo forests. Bonus: there are also way more than seven pools!
- Waimea Canyon
Paul Bica/Flickr Commonly referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this western Kauai landmark is approximately ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep.
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Joanna Poe/Flickr Over the years, this incredible snorkeling spot has transformed from a volcanic crater to the state’s first Marine Life Conservation District. An estimated 400 species of fish now live in the gentle waters.
- Molokai’s Sea Cliffs
Mark Kortum/Flickr Located along Molokai’s northern shore are these stunning sea cliffs, which stand tall at more than 3,000 feet — arguably the tallest sea cliffs in the world.
- Akaka Falls
Sathish J/Flickr Perhaps Hawaii’s most famous, and most photographed, waterfall, Akaka Falls plummets more than 440 feet into stream-eroded gorge. Plus, it’s easy to access via a concrete pathway!
- Mount Haleakala
Joe Parks/Flickr Mount Haleakala, a massive shield volcano, forms more than 75 percent of the Hawaiian Island of Maui and is reminiscent of another world.
- Sweetheart Rock
Andy Beal/Flickr Also known as Puu Pehe, this rock formation on the southern coast of Lanai is both gorgeous and steeped in Hawaiian legend.
- Spouting Horn Blowhole
Christian Arballo/Flickr From the photographer: “With every wave, water shoots upward when it is forced through an opening and creates a hissing sound. The spray can shoot as high as 50 feet in the air.”
- Ko’olau Mountains
Water Llama/Flickr The Ko’olau Mountain Range on Oahu’s windward coast was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972. These towering, emerald mountains sure are pretty!
- Thurston Lava Tube
Ryan Lackey/Flickr This 500-year-old lava cave within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a stunning geographic feature formed when a river of lava gradually forms walls and a ceiling. When the lava flow stops, the remaining lava flows downhill, and you are left with a tunnel.
- Queen’s Bath
Kevin Oliver/Flickr This unique, albeit extremely dangerous, tide pool on Kauai’s north shore was formed after a lava tube collapsed and filled with fresh water supplied by natural springs.
It’s true, what they say, “lucky we live in Hawaii,” isn’t it? How many of these natural wonders have you visited? Which is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below, then click here to discover 15 Incredible Spots In Hawaii Rival The World’s Greatest Wonders.
Wolfram Burner/Flickr
Mauna Kea is the highest mountain in the world when measured from the ocean floor to its top-most part – a total of 33,476 feet from ocean floor to peak.
Scott/Flickr
While the valley is absolutely breathtaking, the road into the Waipio Valley from the lookout is pretty gnarly, gaining 800 vertical feet in just 0.6 miles, making it the steepest road of its length in the United States.
Paul Bica/Flickr
Sure, white sand beaches are gorgeous, but Maui’s red sand beach on Kaihalulu Bay is even more incredible. It’s one of the only red sand beaches in the entire world!
Perhaps some of the most stunning coastal views in the country are the spectacular mountains of the Na Pali Coast — best experienced from above.
Jeff Wallace/Flickr
Within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sits Kilauea, once considered to be one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
Bruce Irschick/Flickr
Also known as the Seven Sacred Pools, these swimming holes are connected by waterfalls and hidden within one of Maui’s remote bamboo forests. Bonus: there are also way more than seven pools!
Commonly referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this western Kauai landmark is approximately ten miles long and up to 3,000 feet deep.
Joanna Poe/Flickr
Over the years, this incredible snorkeling spot has transformed from a volcanic crater to the state’s first Marine Life Conservation District. An estimated 400 species of fish now live in the gentle waters.
Mark Kortum/Flickr
Located along Molokai’s northern shore are these stunning sea cliffs, which stand tall at more than 3,000 feet — arguably the tallest sea cliffs in the world.
Sathish J/Flickr
Perhaps Hawaii’s most famous, and most photographed, waterfall, Akaka Falls plummets more than 440 feet into stream-eroded gorge. Plus, it’s easy to access via a concrete pathway!
Joe Parks/Flickr
Mount Haleakala, a massive shield volcano, forms more than 75 percent of the Hawaiian Island of Maui and is reminiscent of another world.
Andy Beal/Flickr
Also known as Puu Pehe, this rock formation on the southern coast of Lanai is both gorgeous and steeped in Hawaiian legend.
Christian Arballo/Flickr
From the photographer: “With every wave, water shoots upward when it is forced through an opening and creates a hissing sound. The spray can shoot as high as 50 feet in the air.”
Water Llama/Flickr
The Ko’olau Mountain Range on Oahu’s windward coast was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1972. These towering, emerald mountains sure are pretty!
Ryan Lackey/Flickr
This 500-year-old lava cave within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a stunning geographic feature formed when a river of lava gradually forms walls and a ceiling. When the lava flow stops, the remaining lava flows downhill, and you are left with a tunnel.
Kevin Oliver/Flickr
This unique, albeit extremely dangerous, tide pool on Kauai’s north shore was formed after a lava tube collapsed and filled with fresh water supplied by natural springs.
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Address: Hawaii, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
January 01, 1970
Does Hawaii have any natural wonders? Are you kidding us? As an island chain formed over thousands of years by volcanic activity, the Hawaiian Islands are absolutely overflowing with natural wonders — our recommendations just depend on what you’re looking for. Whether you enjoy exploring lava tubes or stunning beaches, there’s something for everyone in Hawaii. What are the most beautiful places in Hawaii? From mauka to makai, the Hawaiian Islands are home to more jaw-dropping landscapes and natural wonders than we could possibly count. Even still, some landscapes certainly stand out in a crowd: like the summit of Maui’s Mount Haleakala, a volcanic wonder that was shaped by lava and will transport you to another planet or the striking Papakolea Beach found on the southernmost tip of Hawaii Island, one of the world’s only green sand beaches. If you need help starting your bucket list, check out the 21 Unimaginably Beautiful Places In Hawaii That You Must See Before You Die. What are some of the islands’ best beaches? In a state known for its beaches, it can be hard to choose the best ones but we’re particularly fond of the state’s most remote beaches. You’ll find secluded stretches of sand across the state — including beaches like Mokuleia, an end-of-the-road destination on the island of Oahu known for its prominent role on the television series Lost as well as beaches like Kalalau, which is a small stretch of sand nestled along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast that is only accessible via boat or an epic and dangerous 11-mile hiking trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
January 01, 1970
Does Hawaii have any natural wonders? Are you kidding us? As an island chain formed over thousands of years by volcanic activity, the Hawaiian Islands are absolutely overflowing with natural wonders — our recommendations just depend on what you’re looking for. Whether you enjoy exploring lava tubes or stunning beaches, there’s something for everyone in Hawaii. What are the most beautiful places in Hawaii? From mauka to makai, the Hawaiian Islands are home to more jaw-dropping landscapes and natural wonders than we could possibly count. Even still, some landscapes certainly stand out in a crowd: like the summit of Maui’s Mount Haleakala, a volcanic wonder that was shaped by lava and will transport you to another planet or the striking Papakolea Beach found on the southernmost tip of Hawaii Island, one of the world’s only green sand beaches. If you need help starting your bucket list, check out the 21 Unimaginably Beautiful Places In Hawaii That You Must See Before You Die. What are some of the islands’ best beaches? In a state known for its beaches, it can be hard to choose the best ones but we’re particularly fond of the state’s most remote beaches. You’ll find secluded stretches of sand across the state — including beaches like Mokuleia, an end-of-the-road destination on the island of Oahu known for its prominent role on the television series Lost as well as beaches like Kalalau, which is a small stretch of sand nestled along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast that is only accessible via boat or an epic and dangerous 11-mile hiking trail.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Are you kidding us? As an island chain formed over thousands of years by volcanic activity, the Hawaiian Islands are absolutely overflowing with natural wonders — our recommendations just depend on what you’re looking for. Whether you enjoy exploring lava tubes or stunning beaches, there’s something for everyone in Hawaii.
What are the most beautiful places in Hawaii?
From mauka to makai, the Hawaiian Islands are home to more jaw-dropping landscapes and natural wonders than we could possibly count. Even still, some landscapes certainly stand out in a crowd: like the summit of Maui’s Mount Haleakala, a volcanic wonder that was shaped by lava and will transport you to another planet or the striking Papakolea Beach found on the southernmost tip of Hawaii Island, one of the world’s only green sand beaches. If you need help starting your bucket list, check out the 21 Unimaginably Beautiful Places In Hawaii That You Must See Before You Die.
What are some of the islands’ best beaches?
In a state known for its beaches, it can be hard to choose the best ones but we’re particularly fond of the state’s most remote beaches. You’ll find secluded stretches of sand across the state — including beaches like Mokuleia, an end-of-the-road destination on the island of Oahu known for its prominent role on the television series Lost as well as beaches like Kalalau, which is a small stretch of sand nestled along Kauai’s Na Pali Coast that is only accessible via boat or an epic and dangerous 11-mile hiking trail.
