With volcanoes, ocean, coves, pristine beaches, majestic mountains, and so much more, you can find a natural wonder in just about every corner of the Aloha State. However, it often costs money to see some of the most magical and wondrous places here, so we decided to compile a list of seven natural wonders you can see in Hawaii without opening your wallet.
- Lava Tree State Park, Pāhoa
niksnut/Flickr Hike the 0.7-mile Lava Trees Loop Trail featuring unusual trees of various shapes and sizes. These trees were formed by a lava flow that had made its way through the park in the late-1700s. Dozens of tree trunk lava molds are scattered throughout the property and are a wondrous sight to behold! To learn more, visit the Lava Tree State Park webpage.
- Rainbow Falls, Hilo
Sean O’Neill/Flickr We can argue that every waterfall is a natural wonder and, while that may be true, there’s something quite magical about Rainbow Falls. Located in Wailuku State Park, this waterfall is 80 feet tall and approximately 100 feet wide, dropping into the river below. As if the scenery wasn’t enough, a rainbow can often be seen through the water spray when it’s sunny. This is a must-see! Visit this article to learn more about Wailuku State Park and Rainbow Falls.
- Banyan Tree, Lahaina
Samantha Levang/Wikimedia Commons The largest Banyan Tree in Hawaii can be found at Lahaina Banyan Court Park. This famous tree is 150 years old and stands over 49 feet tall with a root system spanning an area of a quarter-mile. You need to see this natural wonder in person to believe it. Visit our previous coverage to learn more about the Banyan Tree.
- Kaumana Caves State Park, Hilo
D Smith/Flickr Located just a few miles from downtown Hilo is a massive cave and lava tube that was formed by a lava flow from Mauna Loa in 1881. Grab a flashlight and some sturdy hiking shoes, head to the park, and take a short hike to the staircase that leads to an opening of the cave connected to the lava tube. Feel free to explore this incredible cave but not the lava tube as it’s on private property. Visit our previous article to read more about Kaumana Caves State Park.
- Ko’olau Range, Oahu
Royce Bair/Moment via Getty Images If you’re on the island of Oahu, you can’t help but notice otherwordly, jaw-dropping Ko’olau Range towering over 3,100 feet. The best way to see them up close is to drive along the H-3 or head to Kailua Beach for another vantage point. This range is what remains of a shield volcano that became dormant over 1.7 million years ago. Visit this article to read more about Ko’olau Range.
- Shark’s Cove, Oahu
Kubrak78/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images With a coral reef, abundant sea life, lava rocks, and crystal-clear waters, this picturesque cove is one of the best spots for snorkeling on Oahu. But don’t worry, there aren’t any sharks here! Visit this post to read more about Shark’s Cove.
- Nakalele Blowhole, Maui
Don White/ E+ via Getty Images Rounding out our list of natural wonders you can see for free is the Nakalele Blowhole located along the northwest coast of Maui. From the blowhole, a geyser is created by seawater forced out of a lava tube through a small hole. It’s a sight to see the water erupt up to 100 feet in the air! To learn about the trail that leads to the Nakalele Blowhole, visit our previous coverage.
niksnut/Flickr
Hike the 0.7-mile Lava Trees Loop Trail featuring unusual trees of various shapes and sizes. These trees were formed by a lava flow that had made its way through the park in the late-1700s. Dozens of tree trunk lava molds are scattered throughout the property and are a wondrous sight to behold! To learn more, visit the Lava Tree State Park webpage.
Sean O’Neill/Flickr
We can argue that every waterfall is a natural wonder and, while that may be true, there’s something quite magical about Rainbow Falls. Located in Wailuku State Park, this waterfall is 80 feet tall and approximately 100 feet wide, dropping into the river below. As if the scenery wasn’t enough, a rainbow can often be seen through the water spray when it’s sunny. This is a must-see! Visit this article to learn more about Wailuku State Park and Rainbow Falls.
Samantha Levang/Wikimedia Commons
The largest Banyan Tree in Hawaii can be found at Lahaina Banyan Court Park. This famous tree is 150 years old and stands over 49 feet tall with a root system spanning an area of a quarter-mile. You need to see this natural wonder in person to believe it. Visit our previous coverage to learn more about the Banyan Tree.
D Smith/Flickr
Located just a few miles from downtown Hilo is a massive cave and lava tube that was formed by a lava flow from Mauna Loa in 1881. Grab a flashlight and some sturdy hiking shoes, head to the park, and take a short hike to the staircase that leads to an opening of the cave connected to the lava tube. Feel free to explore this incredible cave but not the lava tube as it’s on private property. Visit our previous article to read more about Kaumana Caves State Park.
Royce Bair/Moment via Getty Images
If you’re on the island of Oahu, you can’t help but notice otherwordly, jaw-dropping Ko’olau Range towering over 3,100 feet. The best way to see them up close is to drive along the H-3 or head to Kailua Beach for another vantage point. This range is what remains of a shield volcano that became dormant over 1.7 million years ago. Visit this article to read more about Ko’olau Range.
Kubrak78/ iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
With a coral reef, abundant sea life, lava rocks, and crystal-clear waters, this picturesque cove is one of the best spots for snorkeling on Oahu. But don’t worry, there aren’t any sharks here! Visit this post to read more about Shark’s Cove.
Don White/ E+ via Getty Images
Rounding out our list of natural wonders you can see for free is the Nakalele Blowhole located along the northwest coast of Maui. From the blowhole, a geyser is created by seawater forced out of a lava tube through a small hole. It’s a sight to see the water erupt up to 100 feet in the air! To learn about the trail that leads to the Nakalele Blowhole, visit our previous coverage.
Do know of any other natural wonders you can see for free? Please add them in the comment section!
For more stunning natural wonders around the state, visit our previous post, 21 Unimaginably Beautiful Places In Hawaii That You Must See Before You Die.
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Address: Lava Tree, Hawaii 96778, USAAddress: Rainbow Falls, Hilo, HI 96720, USAAddress: 671 Front St, Lahaina, HI 96761, USAAddress: 1492 Kaumana Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USAAddress: Ko?olau Range, Hawaii 96782, USAAddress: Shark’s Cove, Haleiwa, HI 96712, USAAddress: Nakalele Blowhole, Poelua Bay, Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
