Hilo/Hamakua Coast

This is the wet, wild, and wonderfully quiet side of the Big Island. Hilo, the island's largest town, charms visitors with its old Hawaii character, lush botanical gardens, and proximity to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The Hamakua Coast stretches north in a ribbon of emerald cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and deeply carved valleys, including the breathtaking Waipio Valley, one of the most photographed landscapes in all of Hawaii. Vacation rentals here tend to be tucked into the rainforest or perched above the coastline, offering a sense of seclusion that is hard to find elsewhere on the island. If your idea of a perfect stay involves waking up to birdsong, mist-covered mountains, and roads worth driving slowly, Hilo and the Hamakua Coast will not disappoint.