At the top you have the lookout which offers beautiful views. Now for the fun. Down THE steepest road in North America (officially), there is an entire valley. At one point in time over 10,000 people lived down there. Now something like only 50 or 100 do, and doing things like taro farming. I think a tsunami hit decades ago and convinced most people to leave. Some stayed though which makes it interesting. Of course the main attraction is the black sand beach here, which is a good mile or 2 long. To get down there, you must go down that road and then take a right on a dirt road at the bottom. You can't go down there without a four wheel drive. The road is a bit torn up in places so even if you have 4WD, I don't recommend doing it unless you know what you are doing. You can then either hike down it or pay a local to drive you down and up. The beach itself is great. There are nice waves here but the currents are decent, so don't go in unless you are a decently strong swimmer. Some good waves for body surfing which I loved. Water isn't too cold but still on the cool side. The sand itself is very fine grain, unlike the black sand beach along Road to Hana on Maui. I enjoy this a lot more. There is a river that flows between the sections and you have to cross it on foot to get to the rest of the beach and also the hiking paths that go up the other side of the valley. There are some interesting foot paths with tropical trees level with the beach too. Anyway, do NOT try and cross this river where the mouth is and a bunch of rocks. You will fall and get hurt probably. Instead, go up some 50 or 100 feet (if memory serves me) and cross. The bottom is mostly sand and gets about waist deep for a person who is about 5'10". There are some rocks so be careful but this is much, much better than trying to cross at the mouth. Now getting back up is the uhh fun part. You could try and find a local to pay for this or do it on foot. I mentioned this is THE steepest road in North America. That's not a joke. It legitimately is. It averages 25% grade and is as high as 40% in some areas. Pictures won't do it justice. If you attempt this in foot like we did, have plenty of water and make sure you stretch before. It will take awhile and your legs will burn. Don't even try this if you don't have plenty of water and you aren't in decent physical shape at the time. read more

Free view of one of the most sacred valleys in Hawaii. Free! Not to be missed! Park and look. That's it. read more

See all

Incredible views from the waipio valley lookout. Valley itself is very beautiful. Approx 10 miles route from the highway is very scenic with a historic town in middle too. Ocean and mountains collide with a great artistic view at the end. Would definitely recommend this place for the great picture opportunities. Pictures speak by itself. read more

Waipi'o Valley - Beaches Near Me

Drove a ways out of our way for this. Was it beautiful? Yes! However you just park right at the viewing area, take your pic and then leave. Only locals are allowed in the valley. Not sure if it is worth the drive there. read more

Waipi'o Valley - Beaches Near Me

Waipio Valley is without a doubt the most beautiful place I've ever been to. There is an amazing view at the top at the lookout. You can get some great pics here even when it is cloudy or overcast. The first time I came here was in 2014. i remember it wasn't busy at all, I think I saw a total of 10 people here and I was there for a couple of hours. The last time I was here in 2019 it was pretty crowded, a lot more tourist for sure. It's just under a mile to get down to the beach, you can either walk, which is what I always do or you can go by a 4wd. It's quite steep at an average of 25% grade and some parts are 40%. It's gonna be a little rough on your knees. You will also need runners for sure and hiking boots would probably be better or those water shoes (dunno what they are called) It does get muddy and sketchy at some parts. I remember coming back up one time and a couple going down asked me how far to the beach. I told them about a mile. She was wearing a sun dress and flip flops, he was in shorts and runners. When I got back to the lookout I was just chilling and catching my breath and just sweating profusely. A few minutes later I saw that couple come back up....if you're not in decent shape or have the proper attire it's gonna be a problem. If you drive, you better be a good driver. The path is quite narrow and one way with some sharp corners. The vehicle coming up has the right of way. I also remember a local telling me that if you rent a car and get stuck or something no tow truck on the island will help you (legal reasons I'm guessing) I think some rental companies if not all specifically state you are not allowed to drive down Waipio Valley. I think now there are tours that will take you there but I'm not sure. I think there are locals there also who will drive you down for some sort of fee. I remember when I was coming up one time a local asked me if I needed a lift. There is a small parking lot up top by the lookout and street parking. So once you get down the trail, if you go left there are waterfalls and taro farms and beautiful landscapes. I also saw some wild horses running around which was pretty cool. Also be aware that people also live there and it is private and some is sacred land. So be respectful and don't trespass or litter or do stupid shit. If you turn right you'll be headed for the beach. Once you get there, you will see beautiful, soft black sand. Depending how the currents are that day you may or may not be able to go in the water. The last time I was there the water was so warm and calm. This is true paradise. Heaven on earth. This place is truly stunning, words and pictures can't really do it justice. Can't wait be be back........ read more

See all

Did today white road hike aka water slide hike and it was amazing experience, I will never forget this it and would definitely recommend to everyone. P.s. bring flashlight with you for tunnels and watch out for cops. read more

See all

One of my favorite hike in all islands... it is rough and tough hike... not so much the distance or height... the elevation and inclination is their killer... 2700 feet elevation and 20 degree inclination, sharing road with local and tour bus... although there are not a whole lot of traffic (thank goodness!) Starting at the lookout, you can start hike down the road on the left side of the look out. The road has many potholes, land slide especially after heavy rain past few days, gravels,etc. So be careful! The beach is beautiful and very secluded. It is featured in Water World movie and Indiana Jones. There are portable bathrooms in the beach but no other services like lifeguard, phone, etc. You can camp on the beach but will need permission. Hiking back up is no joke. It is very steep and requires good company, good shoes and a lot of water. Tips: - go early if you are planning to hike down. We did not hike back to the water falls since the river was rough after heavy rain. - bring at least 2 L of water per person. You will need it on the way back up. - sugary snacks... it helps with the hike back up. - good traction shoes - good company which helps to get you going! - bring sun block, insect repellant, hat! - the view at the beach is worthy! - if you can't rough it, you can reserve the shuttle though their website Waipio valley shuttle for $59 per person round trip. - before leaving, get some gelato at the Waipio Artworks gallery... you're deserved it! read more

See all

Best hike on Big Island, hands down. If you want to be legit about it, you can hike down into the valley, up the neighboring trail, then camp at the site on that side of the mountain. You'd have to bring all your gear on your back- which shouldn't be much considering it's not cold here (but can get windy at night). Make sure you have water shoes for the river crossing- not like the guys we saw who tried a barefoot crossing and ended up getting major cuts on their shins- not fun! Pro-tip, if you forgot water shoes, they go for less than $10 at the nearest walmart. Pro-tip 2: bring snacks for you and extra snacks for some of the wild horses! read more

See all

The Waipi'o Valley is definitely worth visiting in Big Island. I marvel at its size and amenities - spectacular views, restrooms on sight, picnic areas, plentiful parking, and cell service! Plus they have lots of cute cats roaming the area. I saw two hanging around the parking lot and then three more near the picnic tables. As others noted, hikers and 4WD vehicles (tourist busses, jeeps, ATV, pickup trucks, some SUVs) share the same, super-steep road leading down the valley. By 4WD, they mean vehicles suitable for off-roading, and apparently its not the same as AWD. We hiked a little ways down, and then turned back since (1) it began raining, (2) we had dinner reservations in an hour, and (3) the farther you go down, the tougher it is to come back up! If we ever get the chance to come back to Big Island, this would be one of the toughest, but best hikes to try - I think its a total of 6 miles roundtrip, mostly super steep hills! read more

Be warned-- this hike is a WORKOUT (i.e. you should be relatively fit cuz the road is EXTREMELY STEEP). It's about 30 minutes each way. Expect to spend longer if you choose to walk to the waterfall/beach. I recommend good shoes with excellent traction. Parts of the road can be slippery due to the incline. Please do NOT attempt to go down/up if there's rain. Safety first, guys. You'll be walking on the same road that cars/trucks drive on, so be cautious! There are turnout areas for cars to let each other by, but sometimes hikers will get crowded off the road if vehicles going up/down squeeze around one another. Bends can be tight, so sometimes the cars will come up really close to you. This can be dangerous since you might be forced to wait on a ledge that drops straight down (don't fall). Once you reach the bottom, you'll see a fork in the road. Go left to see the waterfall (+15 mins); go right to see the beach (+15-20 mins). You won't be able to get close up to the waterfall since most of the land there is private, residential property. People don't take fancy to trespassers. You'll be able to take pictures from the main road though. Bring a camera with good zoom. The black sand beach view is SUPERB. Lots of places to sit & take a water/snack/lunch break. Great place to play in the water as well. If you aren't keen on hiking, you can also drive down/up if you have a 4x4 vehicle. If you do attempt driving, you should be very confident in your mountain driving abilities. Cars driving up have right of way, so if you're going down you'll need to be comfortable backing up a steep incline. If you don't want to drive or hike, you can ask a kind soul if you can hitch a ride. Happy adventuring! :) read more

See all

Gorgeous black sand beach with waterfall. There's no way to get to waterfalls they are a bit further out from the shore line but beautiful to see. You can view it from the top too . You can only go down this steep road in a four by four, on a tour or hiking. They have a guard standing there to make sure other cars don't go down. My son had came down with a cold and I am so glad we rented the Jeep because there's no way with the way he was feeling that he could trek back up that. I saw lots of people going down that didn't look to be in the best shape to trek that mountain back up. Some people were stopping to catch a breathe on side of road. Take lots of water if you hike. It's a narrow road that cars share and must pull to the side to allow the ones coming back up to pass. Bring a lunch and enjoy the day here. read more

See all

Breathtaking views here, one of a kind. The drive is a bit far and there's not a lot to do here besides the view, but I think it's worth it compared to Pololu lookout and Akaka Falls. There's benches and grass areas so you can take your time to enjoy the views here, maybe with a picnic. There's also Wapi'o fruit stand not far from here that offers a decent selection of tropical fruits to try. read more

This hike would be rated moderate. It's short and easy once you get down to the bottom. Like another review I read, hardest part for us was crossing the stream if you don't want to get your feet, socks, and legs wet, it's pretty impossible so I would recommend bringing sandals. I almost slipped going down because the road down was wet from the rain. I guess I don't really know how to walk down the steep road too well. I was glad that all the cars coming up and down the paved road were all very considerate. It was a nice surprise when a horse came out of the bushes at the end of the trail by the waterfall area and started walking towards us but I felt sad for the horse. It was wet and had a lot of bugs flying around his tail and behind. It looked like it was hungry and tired. :( The beach area was really beautiful and relaxing to listen to the waves crashing. read more

Waipi'o Valley is beyond beautiful! So stunning and well worth the trip. The hiking trail is closed so all you can do is enjoy the view. Very limited parking but since it's a lookout, people don't spend too much time here. Enjoy 10-15 minutes here!! read more

Waipi'o Valley - Beaches Near Me

Fabulous views from the lookout point encourage a hike below, which is exactly what we did! The 35% grade is crazy steep, so steep in fact any joint or knee issue will manifest itself quickly. Yes, the hike is tough, in both directions. Drenched in sweat, with added moisture from misting rain, I survived the hike along with our 10 year old, and so will you! read more

Waipio has nice views, but we thought Pololu Valley Lookout was better. The drive to Waipio was lovely though. read more

Waipi'o Valley - Waipio Valley Lookout - Beaches Near Me

By far my FAVORITE place to go when I'm down Kona side. Hella blessed because my uncle owns a farm down in the valley and he lets us use his trucks when we come! You have to have 4x4 to go down though, and I feel bad for anyone that feels the urge to see it that bad to hike down this bad boy. You guys a flippin' NUTS! But if you go you're definately NOT going to regret it. It's beautiful down here and definately gives you a glimpse of the Old Hawaii. Just follow the signs till you get there. Going down is crazy, I still remember the first time going up and down the road when I was a little girl. I thought I was gona pee myself. LOL The views are breath taking going in and when you're at the beach it's even better. If you're not an experienced swimmer and surfer, do not attempt to act bad ass and go in the water. LOL You will get ripped a new one. hahaha Black sand beach at the bottom, so beautiful and there's wild horses roaming around. Do not attempt to feed them because they will bite you. LOL They fixed the roads which is nice and they put 4 porta potty's by the beach. Live Pono and Respect the Aina when coming down here though. Or else Karma will get you! LOL I love this place I really have no words to describe it. Just an experience of a life time. ALOHA* read more

See all

One of my favorite places on the Big Island. It's the Hawaiian equivalent of a place in Alaska where people live "off the grid", except it's a little bit warmer. We walked down the aggressive road into the valley. It's not hard, and you're on vacation...you've been eating a lot, you could use the exercise! The valley offers a great stretch of unspoiled coastline and a magnificent waterfall, (you have to cross private property to get to it, sorry Charlie, look for a guide) the tallest in the state. You can see the waterfall prominently from many parts of the valley. Everyone says everywhere in this state looks like Jurassic Park but...this area truly does. Pack a lunch and a beer, there ain't no restaurants in these parts! (the cookhouse near the top of this area is one of my favorite places to eat on the Big Island, make sure you stop in before or after your hike!) read more

Waipi'o Valley is a stunning side of Hawaii that most don't get to on the big island because of the difficulty of the drive. You must have 4WD to get down to the valley as you are bumping down the muddy and rocky narrow road with the steepest gradient in the entire US. You can hike down it from the overlook at the top but it is quite strenuous. I felt badly for the people making the climb because they'd have to go back up too! The drive up was much more difficult than the drive down. But the views are incredible! I'd come back here again and again. Most rental companies won't let you drive here with their vehicles. Once at the beach, if you cross over the river leading to the ocean, you are rewarded with spectacular views and can hike up to see another view from the cliffs. read more

See all

.We are on our way to hike the valley from Kona. Be sure to check the weather before going. This is our second attempt. We couldn't even see the valley the first time because it was covered with fog in a cold all day rain. It's a few hours later and we made it to Waipaio Valkey. I am so happy we tried again to come. The view is fantastic. Enjoy the pictures! Tips for those of you like us who decided to hike. Wear a bathing suit under your clothes. Bring plenty of food, sun screen and water. When you get to the valley on the bottom, there is a fork in the road. Go left first. It is level ground and you can see two other water falls. There are also some wild horses along the way. Unfortunately hikes to these falls are on private property and further down along the river, the path is closed due to fire ants. So, turn around and return, but this time go left at the fork. This will take you down to the beach. It is paradise! Enjoy your time there, but save your energy for the steep walk back to your car! Special note: The signs lie. In spots the grade is steeper than only 25 degrees. read more

See all

Fri am 0830 Parked end of road There are bathrooms on R before hike down Hiked down to beach Hike down was challenging due to being so steep We just took our time The views are amazing We made a right at the fork and walked to the black sand beach We watched some surfers, had a snack There are outhouses Not the most beautiful beach but the valley itself on the way down was worth it If we had more time and energy, would've gone left to the trail and did more hiking The road up was extremely steep but actually easier than the way down You need to be in pretty descent cardiovascular health to do this hike IMO 2.9 miles from top of lookout to beach and back up, 77 flights - uber steep Would do again but go left next time at fork Would not drive - too steep, too narrow and walk way too lovely No service, no garbage cans read more

See all

There's a reason why the rental agents at the car rental places prohibit you from taking your rental car down to Waipi'o Valley. Forget the fear factor and anxiety that driver and rider experience going up and down this NARROW piece of road to the beautiful, black sand beach and sprawling valley below. Forget the fact that perhaps your car MAY not make it back up that mountain to the safety of flat, two lane roads or maybe, just maybe you're hoping that the car brakes don't give out as you are descending and you'll have to resort to your imaginary brakes on passenger side or better yet, your Flintstone brakes (yea, I'm dating myself. Who even remembers the Flintstones right?)! Once you get to the valley floor you again question your rental car's integrity when it comes to crossing water filled roads. Will it float? Will it even get across?? Should we just turn around? Or heck...we made it this far, go for it. Is this where YOLO is derived from? If you survive the drive without having a full on anxiety or heart attack...take a deep breath and enjoy the majesty of the valley! It was quite empty and eerie when we visited but the silence was welcoming since I about inwardly screamed the entire time getting there. I would've washed my sweaty palms in the water but the leptospirosis signs had me worried. Lepto is for real and if I didn't know any better, I'd be that idiot wading and playing in possibly contaminated water. I guess all those years of working in the medical field has gotten me weak. I had read about wild horses frequenting this place but just like those elusive unicorns, none were to be found. The ocean was rolling and churning...not ideal conditions for swimming at all! I wouldn't recommend it to anyone - death would be certain for the novice swimmer or to the tourist from the mid-U.S.A. thinking they could handle these Hawaiian waters. After exploring the area on foot and basking in the enormity of the place I sensed it was time to go. Dread set in as I realized the task ahead - straight incline in a rental car! As we make our way up the mountain I was wondering if there was another gear we could downshift to aside from pulling the e-brakes and gunning the engine (yea, I obviously was too chicken to drive and considered huffing it up the mountain on foot versus riding in a death trap). If you can just imagine tightening your butt and tensing all your muscles with every bump and turn in the road (each time hoping that bump isn't that bump that overturns your rental) the entire ride up the mountain, all awhile palms and feet sweating as you work your passenger brakes and gas. You'll breath a huge sigh and relief when you make it to the parking lot. Where are those t-shirts for sale that state, "I survived the drive up and down Waipi'o Valley in a rental car!" I'd be the idiot wearing one. Waipi'o Valley IS absolutely beautiful from above (the lookout area) and certainly in the valley. I'd suggest going to the valley on foot and don't be foolish like me if you are prone to fainting or have a history of heart disease. read more

Waipio valley is really like a heaven and you feel getaway from the hustle and bustle of big city! It's beauty is totally beyond word and you have to be here yourself to enjoy the magnificent view! But be careful that it is private owned land and no public restroom or water fountain on the way! Don't leave any trash behind! BTW, they got a funny coconut weather forecast station! read more

See all

The drive down in the van to behold the true verdant valley was death-DEFYING... in every sense of the world. I cannot tell you how many times I squeezed my eyes shut and hoped the brakes would not give out. We took a tour into this gorgeous valley, beholding all of the different flora and fauna, even enjoying some of the local crops that grow here. The lookout is also amazing. Steep steep steep! We were wimpy and lazy; opted out of hiking, as we were with the entire family. Highly recommend a visit here for a hushed view of some absolute paradise, and views that are unrivaled. read more

Waipio Valley is spectacular. I'd suggest reading about it on the information cards at the lookout or online. It's another world in the valley and you can feel it and see it when you're down there. Before going down, I'd suggest talking to the guide at the lookout and taking a picture of the map. The first challenge is the trek down to the valley, which seems long and never-ending on a paved road. The trek down is not so bad. Be careful of stress on your knees and 4WD traffic. (The trek back up is another story, very steep.) Once you arrive in the valley, there is a fork in the road. To the left, the hike takes you to spectacular waterfalls and, to the right, the hike takes you to the beach. We first started on the left. There were lush trees and a stream where the folks who live in the valley were swimming and kayaking. Once we got a view of the insanely tall waterfalls, we turned back to head to the beach. On the way to the beach, there were wild horses that would eat the grass along the hike. You can get close enough to pet them! We saw a mother with her two foals - it was beautiful! Unfortunately, I got mauled by mosquitos soon after and we never made it to the beach. We noticed that almost all of the 4WD vehicles were going to the beach, so I'd guess it was pretty noteworthy. I'd definitely come back for the beach and the other hikes in Waipio Valley! (There are ton of other hikes in Waipio Valley, even one that takes you to Polulu that takes several days.) read more

Beautiful valley with breathtaking views. You can check out amazing waterfalls, wild horses, taro farms, and gorgeous views of the black sand beach. If your car isn't 4WD, forget about heading down on your own. Don't worry though, there are various tours you can take down into the valley. My family and I did this last week. Warning: If you or a loved one gets motion sick pretty easily, I do not recommend joining a tour down into the valley. The road is VERY steep, narrow, and bumpy. My poor dad got carsick on the way down and decided to hike back up. Luckily for him, I decided to join him to keep him company. Unluckily for me, the hike back up was killer. They don't call this trail "1 mile down, 10 miles up" for nothing. After huffing and puffing my way back up, I was pleasantly rewarded with the stunning view of the valley. I would recommend visiting Waipi'o if you want to see one of the most pristine and beautiful areas of the big island. read more

Waipi'o Valley - Beaches Near Me

This hike is not for the faint of heart. Well, if you are faint of heart you could still do it, you could get a ride in and out for a few bucks. The hike down is totally manageable due to the zig-zagged road. The trail off the main road to the black sand beach where the fresh water meets the ocean is covered with a tree canopy and has guava trees that line it that are awesome! At the beach, we were greeted by some horses from the near by ranch that were very nice, to us, despite some other people saying they were very aggressive. Now after this wonderful experience is the painful hike out. Although it is less than 1 mile, it is also a 1200ft climb! It took us only, hahaha, 45 minutes of straight up hill climbing. While it felt like forever, and they sun was beating down on us, we were determined to hike out. We got many offers from locals driving up for a lift but it is very rewarding. Just remember to bring lots and lots (and lots) of water! read more

Waipi'o Valley - Horses - Beaches Near Me

Really beautiful scenery at the lookout, much more vast and open compared to the Pololu Lookout (although I recommend going to both!). If you want to make the hike down to the valley, keep in mind that it's a pretty steep hike, with some parts being steeper than the San Francisco hills. Hiking down is one thing, but the trek back UP is what's really tiring. It's not much of a trail, you just walk down the paved road that cars also use to go up and down. When you reach the bottom of the valley, you can turn left to see the highest waterfall on the island. It's really quite beautiful, but you can only see it from afar (go any closer and you'll be trespassing private property, please respect people's homes) and you might not see much on a cloudy day. Turn right at the fork and you'll go to the black sand beach, which is even more beautiful in my opinion. However, the waves are quite strong so I wouldn't recommend swimming here. All in all, I would say that the hike down and up is definitely worth it if you're in shape (no joke, you should be fit). You can also drive down and up with a 4x4 vehicle, or if you're lucky enough, hitch a ride with some tourists or locals. If it can't be done, then I would say that just going to the lookout is also worth the trip. read more

Must try the Z-trail! What a great workout, for sure.The incline is ridiculous.It took me about hour and a half to hike all the way up. Spectacular, breath-taking, and incredible view of the valley, shoreline, and waterfalls. I highly recommend this hike. If your feeling brave, must do the waimanu hike when you get to the top. The hike to Waimanu is about 5 hours from the top. read more

See all

The drive from Kailua was about an hour and 20 minutes. Once you get there, it's a 1 mile steep hike down and the another 1/2 mile to the black sand beach or views of the waterfalls. You can drive if you have a 4WD vehicle but we preferred the hike. It is steep so go prepared with proper shoes and plenty of water! Part of the 1/2 mile walk to the beach was very muddy. The views are amazing and so worth it! The black sand beach is beautiful although the tide was too rough to swim. We walked back towards the waterfalls area. One of the locals told us not to go too far in or trespass onto their private property as many tourists have trespassed and ruined their crops. We took some pictures and made our way back up the steep climb. It was hot but we were prepared and thankfully my kids and I are physically fit! My mom couldn't make the hike back up but thankfully some young locals gave her and my aunt a ride up. The views are gorgeous. We saw a wild horse roaming. I'm so glad we did this hike! And to reward ourselves after this hike, we purchased beef jerky and shaved ice down the road at Kings Treats! The shaved ice was the best! Homemade (not store bought) passion fruit with ice cream in the middle read more

See all

One of the highlights of our tour. All the scary reviews made me nervous. This isn't a bad drive at all if you are a good driver. I learned to drive in crazy driver LA. Just had to brush up on how to put jeep into 4low and then manually into 1st gear on top of that. Drive up also pretty easy. The potholes when you enter the valley are filled with mud. You want to go really slow and not gas your pedal or you'll spray mud everywhere. Our car was clean when we left the valley. Beautiful so beautiful read more

This is one of the most beautiful spots I've ever seen in the whole world. When you approach the lookout you will see the amazing view and think, "eh... this view's pretty great... maybe we don't need to drive down the treacherous cliff and risk death just to see the valley floor..." WRONG! You must go down the cliff to really experience the valley. And yes, it is terrifying no matter what vehicle you're in. The good news is that you can only see the carcasses of cars that didn't make it once you are down and safely on the valley floor. Make time in your trip to visit the Waipi'o Valley! You will not regret it. It is incredibly picturesque and like a combination between the Swiss Family Robinson and LOST. When you see people's homes down there it will astound you... I don't know how they do it. That's a pretty big F-you to civilization, if I've ever seen one! Also keep your eye out for packs of wild horses. People who used to live down there abandoned their horses when evacuating for a tsunami in 1946 and the horses survived, made babies, and now roam free. read more

Waipi'o Valley - Your Reward at the Bottom of The Cliff: The Valley Floor - Beaches Near Me

The view at the lookout was spectacular, but the hike to the valley floor was no joke! The road is a single lane, steep, asphalt ribbon on the side of a cliff. Only 4WD vehicles should try it, because the grade was like 20% and some parts are gravelly and wet. We actually found a mangled and burned out car wreck in the jungle below the road! The hike was a good quad burner on the way down, and a lung burner going up. Make sure to pack plenty of water. A half-mile muddy and rutted dirt road will lead you to the black sand beach. The mud road abuts a body of water and there are fish and taro plants there too! It's really wet and jungly down there. The beach is gorgeous and the black sand is quite fine, unlike other rocky beaches on the island. There are port-o-potties in a picnic area, but no other amenities. A large stream flows down the middle of the valley. If you want to cross it, be prepared to get wet up to your waist. There are at least two waterfalls into the ocean. Overall, the effort was totally worth it. read more

See all

I will disconnect from society completely if I lived here! Such beauty and in touch with nature! The lush mountains and the beautiful ocean right front and center! The drive isn't easy and the hike is a little tough but worth it to see how people live here. I didn't see any locals there but I loved taking in the scenic views and felt like I was on my own island, it was so beautiful. Definitely worth the hike if you're up for some challenge. We had two kids on our backs and were able to do it. read more

Such a beautiful place to be! The hill was so steep and challenging even though I jog almost everyday. Highly recommended to go down or up by a four-wheel drive car. The view is spectacular. Only the thing I thought was not comfortable was that the road goes to the beach is not paved so I got stuck in the muddy part of the street which must be part of being in the nature. read more

Waipi'o Valley - Beaches Near Me

The view at the lookout is spectacular. But wait, you can also hike 1 mile down and either half a mile to the black sand beach or another mile to the water fall. If you're not fond of hiking, you can flag a local who's on the way down and see if they can give you a lift. For my group, we walked all the way down to the beach and got on a local's truck on the way up. The 1 mile walk down to the beach is so worth it! Parking: near the lookout. read more

See all

I took a drive up over to the other side of the island by myself. Doug and Zenus were in the Neuro Conference all day I couldn't stay cooped up in the resort. It was amazing to me to see the landscape change just driving over 45 minutes. My drive took me all the way for a dry rocky lava area to the lush green side of the island near Honokaa. It is an easy drive up HWY 19 over to HWY 240. I valley was green and ran all the way to the black sand beach until it touched the ocean. I can sum it up in one word...breathtaking! The ride up to the Valley has some wonderful shops to stop and browse as well. I found a little boutique to buy some jeans in because it was getting a bit cold. They were old about $12 but I was happy to see that the pockets were lined with a cute Hawaiian print. (It's the little things that make me smile.) I also found some new Burks for $25. The entire trip took me about 4 hours but I wish it could have lasted forever. read more

Waipi'o Valley - Beaches Near Me

There are no words that does justice to describe the beauty of Waipi'o Valley. So, I'm not going to try to put any words to it. Seriously, you really have to be there, in there, to understand just how incredible it is. I am going to say this: To me, Waipi'o Valley is the jewel of Hawai'i-the Big Island. And, I swear, even if I have to live in the trees, I will live in this valley one day. read more

See all

Waterfalls as tall as the Empire State Building, soft black sand beach, and lusciously green jungle valley. What's not to like? Park at the lookout (see https://www.yelp.com/biz/waipio-valley-lookout-honokaa) and follow the 870-foot descent down the 4-wheel drive only road. Our 2-hours of wandering covered 3.8 miles. When wet, the road is slippery with the added auto oil leakage. At the bottom of the road, we first headed left to see Hiilawe Falls - twin waterfalls like the former twin towers in New York and also about the same height. After passing breadfruit trees, we turned around when we reached the residences and headed back towards the beach. Going right at the bottom of the road leads directly to the ocean. Compared to Puanaluu Beach, this beach wasn't as black, but was sandy instead of pebbly and safely swimmable with a lack of sharp rocks. If the beach weren't enough visual stimulation, Kaluahine Falls cascading east of the beach was another magnificently tall sight. read more

Majestic... simply majestic. Believe what YOU want about evolution/creation; when I see this, I KNOW in whom I have believed! It is stunning. It is breathtaking. It is simply from the lookout. The walk down to the lookout is steep, but not undoable. The walk down into the valley: I saw an in-shape teen boy huffin' it. He said "pay for the 4x4 tour!" LOL. Kids. It is a trek down there and I wouldn't recommend it. But just driving to the look out and spending time was worth every mile! We started in Hilo that day and did the entire coastline with all to see. It was a superb way to end the ride! VERY VERY inspirational and awesome! read more

Waipi'o Valley - From the Waipi'o Valley Lookout.. definitely worth it! - Beaches Near Me

See all