Hamakua Coast Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Hamakua Coast
Photo provided by Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
Hawaii featuring signage and a city
The rugged northeastern coast of Hawai’i’s Big Island offers beautiful vistas of towering cliffs, dense tropical forest, dazzling waterfalls and botanical gardens.

Experience some of Hawai’i’s most magnificent tropical scenery on the Hāmākua Coast, a 50-mile (80-kilometer) stretch of dramatic cliffs, lush rainforest and breathtaking views. Learn about local history and culture in several small towns and discover local plant life at the Hāmākua Coast botanical gardens.

The northeast coast of Hawai’i’s Big Island is known for its natural beauty, featuring vast cliffs that drop into the roaring surf below and forested valleys framed by the mountainsides of Mauna Kea and Kohala. Discover this picturesque stretch of coastline with the Hāmākua Heritage Corridor, a stunning daytrip drive that begins in Hilo and winds through rainforests, valleys and cliff tops to Honoka’a and the historic and sacred Waipi’o Valley Lookout.

Explore the “Valley of the Kings” by foot or on guided horseback and four-wheel-drive tours. If you’re feeling fit, hike down the steep, paved trail that leads through Waipi’o Valley to a wide black-sand beach. See cascading waterfalls tumbling into the valley’s river, taro fields dotted across the landscape and a vast array of tropical wildflowers. Bring plenty of water for the trip, as this destination is truly in its natural state.

Very little development has changed the Hāmākua Coast since the late 19th century, when sugarcane plantations and cattle ranches began to spring up and populate charming towns like Honokaa. Admire the early 20th-century architecture and browse antiques and local craft stores on the historic main street.

Wander through gardens of exotic native plants, bamboo groves and orchids at the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden and the World Botanical Gardens. Nearby, find the Umauma Waterfall and the magnificent Kahuna and Akaka waterfalls.

Fly into Hilo International Airport, an hour’s drive from Hāmākua. Discover the Hāmākua Coast by car or by guided tour. Hāmākua is tropical, so ensure you’re prepared for sudden rainfall. To avoid peak tourism season, visit in May and see the wildflowers in full bloom or come in September for warmer weather.

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a Doubletree by Hilton
Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a Doubletree by Hilton
4 out of 5
93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI
The price is AU$406 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
AU$406
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Hilo. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a golf course. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,248 reviews)
"My Sister and I enjoyed our stay there and will definitely stay there again."

Reviewed on 8 Mar. 2025

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a Doubletree by Hilton
Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
3.5 out of 5
71 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI
The price is AU$354 per night from 20 Mar to 21 Mar
AU$354
includes taxes & fees
20 Mar - 21 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star golf hotel in Hilo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,193 reviews)
"We appreciated the dining coupons. Also the care in providing us with refillable water bottles."

Reviewed on 9 Mar. 2025

Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
SCP Hilo Hotel
SCP Hilo Hotel
3.5 out of 5
126 Banyan Way, Hilo, HI
The price is AU$304 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
AU$304
includes taxes & fees
24 Mar - 25 Mar
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Hilo. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (914 reviews)
"It was good stay and I would stsy again."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2025

SCP Hilo Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC
Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC
Hilo
Stay at this vacation home in Hilo. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a garden. Popular attractions Port of Hilo and Native Hawaiian Lava are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (163 reviews)
Excellent property!
"This home is perfect—super clean, well furnished, and a quiet location. The guestbook put together is OUTSTANDING! It lists not only local activities, restaurants, etc…but QR codes on every item for a quick reference to details! Definitely recommend!"

Reviewed on 5 Mar. 2025

Cozy Tropical Retreat Guest House with AC
Honomu Place
Honomu Place
Honomu
Book a stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Honomu. Enjoy free WiFi, private pools, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Hakalau Beach Park and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (99 reviews)
Packed with enchanting details
"This rental made such good use of the one-acre lot - we enjoyed the mirthful pool and garden area, the garden, ocean and starlight views from an assortment of decks, lanais and gazebos. We felt like we hardly had to leave the property. But just a few minutes up the road were rocky beaches for whale-viewing, ..."

Reviewed on 4 Mar. 2025

Honomu Place
Grand Historic Hilo House
Grand Historic Hilo House
Hilo
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Hilo. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a garden. Popular attractions Port of Hilo and Lyman Museum are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (137 reviews)
Hilo Family Trip
"The historic home and setting is absolutely beautiful. We especially appreciated the well equipped kitchen as well as the 4 large bedrooms upstairs each with their own private bathroom and shower. The home is immaculate and the grounds well maintained. An added bonus is the view into the Wailuku ..."

Reviewed on 9 Mar. 2025

Grand Historic Hilo House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Cities near Hamakua Coast