A Trip to the Big Island
Hey all, today I’m going to tell you about my experience on the Big Island of Hawaii. My family and I went on a week long trip for spring break one year, and we snorkeled, saw some waterfalls, and explored Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
To many people, Hawaii is a place of paradise. Though I am more of an sub-alpine kind of girl than a beach bum, it definitely is a place that I really, really enjoyed. From waterfalls, to beaches, to volcanoes, there are different kinds of fun ready for people to experience.
I started off my time in Hawaii laying on the beach and snorkeling in the ocean. The water was warm, and it was pretty amazing to see a whole different world going on beneath the surface of the sea.
The first night was one of the many beautiful sunsets we saw off the west coast, and it colored the sky with pinks and purples. It was quite a warm welcome for myself and my family.
Strikin’ a pose.
The next day, my mom, dad, cousin, and I went on an excursion to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. I packed my Camelbak and we decided what we wanted to see the most. We ended up hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail. It took us around the rim of the volcano, through the rain forest, and across the lava bed. This particular trail was perfect for a day trip for us because it showed us a little bit of a lot of different landscapes. Walking across the volcano on the lava bed floor sure makes you feel small, but I find that sometimes that’s the best feeling to have in nature.
After finishing this hike, we still had quite a bit of daylight left, so we decided to make a stop to walk through the Thurston Lava Tube. The lava tube is a long cave-like tube created by lava flows from the past. It is very dark for the most part, but it was totally worth visiting. The whole walk consisted of a stroll through the forest and through the lava tube, and it took no longer than about half an hour.
Lastly, we made our final stop at the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs. This was a short walk on a boardwalk, which allowed us to see the petroglyphs up close and personal, without degrading the land they stand on.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was a fun place to check out, and I am glad I did it. If you go, be wary that the lava rock is very sharp, and very unforgiving if you rub it the wrong way. I had to learn that the hard way, and now I have a scar on the back of my knee.
The next day was another beach/snorkel day, but not just any snorkel day. We went night-snorkeling with manta rays! We set out from a dock on kayaks, and we kayaked out to where the guide knew the rays would be. Once we arrived, we tied our kayaks together, and we all hopped out. Our guide held our kayaks, and we turned our flashlights on. It wasn’t long before the rays approached us, as they had, in a way, become friends with the guides. We snorkeled for about half an hour, and they swam right up next to and beneath us. I was shocked at how big they were (bigger than me without a doubt). Overall, it was a very unique and fun experience.
The manta rays coming up close to our group.
A good friend flapping their wings.
The next couple of days before we left consisted mainly of waterfall hunting, and beach hopping. I visited a black sand beach, where I saw quite a few sea turtles. We also visited a few different waterfalls, all grand in their own way. I am personally a huge fan of waterfalls, so this was probably one of my favorite parts of the trip.
Looking for some sea turtles on this beach.
My cousin and I at the overlook of Akaka Falls.
Sitting on a cliff, yet again (this time at Rainbow Falls).
The last thing I did in Hawaii was take a surf lesson. It was a fun way to end the trip, especially since I do like learning new things. Hawaii couldn’t have treated me any better, and I am thankful I was able to go. If you have any questions about my time in Hawaii/general questions, feel free to contact me!
