Hawaii 🌺 Big Island Adventure

A Bold Adventure in Kona, Hawaii: Manta Rays, Volcanoes, and Rainbows

If there’s a place on earth that feels like stepping into a vivid postcard, it’s Kona, Hawaii. Even the airport is open to the elements. From night snorkeling with graceful manta rays to standing on the edge of a steaming volcano, every experience here feels like a front-row seat to nature’s raw beauty. Here's a glimpse into one unforgettable trip.


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We chose to spend our first couple of days at Outrigger Resort, this was beautiful, had an awesome pool divided in two sections; One family side and one 21+. Also, the buffet breakfast was delicious, including personalized omelettes and the POG juice. 

Night Magic: Snorkeling with Manta Rays

Our main goal in traveling to Kona was to get this experience! Let me say, it was worth! It tops my list on magical experiences for sure. 

We booked a night snorkel trio with Hang Loose Tours, just off the coast, where massive manta rays glide effortlessly beneath the surface. Holding onto a lighted board, and floating our ankles with a pool noodle, we watched in awe as these gentle giants—some with wingspans of 12 feet or more—looped and swirled through shafts of underwater light. They weren’t afraid of us. They came close, performing a slow, elegant ballet beneath us. It was peaceful, exhilarating, and completely surreal.

The tour guides were great, helpful, they gave us a wetsuit top to put on, snorkel gear included, snacks, and the best part, other than the rays, was the onboard hot shower after we got out. 
Our next day was spent at the pool and strolling along the Kona boardwalk, which runs parallel to Aliʻi Drive.
 Originally part of the historic Kona Inn Shopping Village, the boardwalk sits between Hualālai Road and Sarona, offering shaded paths alongside lava-rock seawalls and tide pools teeming with fish and occasional turtles  . Lined with shops, cafés, and open-air restaurants, this promenade is a perfect mingling of laid-back waterfront vibes and local island character. Visitors can pause at benches to watch sailboats and fishermen, browse boutiques, or enjoy a shave ice while the sun dips into Kailua Bay. It’s quintessential Kona—easy, scenic, and full of aloha spirit  .

An overnight in Hilo was also on our list. We wanted to see a variety of waterfalls, visit the national park, and the black sand beaches. We had rented a car through turo, the drive was just under two hours. 

We stayed in the heart of Hilo, it was just 12 minutes from rainbow falls and 25 minutes to Akaka falls. We did both those on our first day and planned our trip back to Kona to visit Volcano and the black sand beach. 

Nature’s Delicate Show: Rainbow Falls
Nestled in Hilo, a scenic drive from Kona, Rainbow Falls lives up to its name. The morning sunlight creates an ethereal rainbow in the mist of the 80-foot waterfall. Surrounded by dense greenery and banyan trees with roots that look centuries old, it felt like walking through an ancient jungle. It’s the kind of spot that reminds you to slow down and soak it all in—an easy, peaceful pause in an otherwise action-packed trip.

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Towering Beauty: ʻAkaka Falls

Just a short drive from Rainbow Falls lies ʻAkaka Falls State Park, home to one of Hawaii’s most dramatic waterfalls. After a short, scenic loop hike through lush rainforest, wild orchids, and ferns, you’re rewarded with the sight of ʻAkaka Falls plunging 442 feet into a deep gorge below. The sound is thunderous, the mist is cooling, and the entire setting feels like something from a storybook. It’s a perfect blend of easy access and jaw-dropping beauty—one of those moments that sticks with you long after you've left.
Earth’s Fiery Heart: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
No trip to the Big Island is complete without a visit to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. At the park, we stood at the edge of Kīlauea’s massive caldera—still steaming from its most recent eruption. Walking across hardened lava fields and peering into ancient lava tubes was like being on another planet. The power of nature here is humbling.
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The Beauty of Contrast: Black Sand Beaches

The Big Island’s black sand beaches are proof that nature doesn’t play by the rules. We visited Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, where the sand is a striking onyx color, created by volcanic activity. It’s hot, soft, and unlike anything you’ve seen. With palm trees swaying above and the surf crashing gently, this beach was pure contrast—wild, serene, beautiful.
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Final Thoughts

We finished our stay at an Airbnb that was walking distance from the Kona Boardwalk, it was fun to meander and be able to grab drinks without worrying about driving. Or just to walk down by the Kona Inn Restaurant and sit on the sidewalk right at the ocean and watch the turtles and enjoy the crashing waves. 


Kona is definitely a different feel than the bustling craziness of Waikiki and Oahu. So if you're looking for a more laid back atmosphere that's focused on the scenery rather than the shopping, this is the place for you. 

Pack your snorkel, bring your sense of awe, and get ready to live bold, not boring.

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