A Scenic Guide to the Hamakua Coast
Stop 1: ʻŌkolehao Tour
Hawaii’s Heritage Spirit returns: Ola Distillery is now open for tastings and tours. Possibly the best tour we have ever taken. It's part Hawaiian history, distillery, and culture. A must visit and it's just up the road from Koili Point.
The tour guides are incredibly knowledgeable and entertain all questions.
For more info, go to Spirit of Hawai'i - 'Ola’ Ōkolehao and sign up for a tour and tasting.
Stop 2: Volcano National Park & Beyond
A short scenic drive leads to Akaka Falls, a dramatic cascade dropping into a fern-lined gorge. The loop trail winds through bamboo and ginger, offering easy views and a true “this is Hawaiʻi” moment.
The path is paved with several stair sections; go slow, enjoy the overlook, and watch for showers. Nearby stops—Kahuna Falls, small fruit stands, and ocean lookouts—make a simple add-on to round out your morning before you return to your Koili Point home base.
Stop 3: Tropical Botanical Garden
Tucked along Onomea Bay, this lush valley garden showcases palms, orchids, and towering heliconias with peek-a-boo ocean views. It’s a gentle, shaded walk that feels worlds away yet sits just up the road from Koili Point.
Expect paved paths, some stairs, and plenty of photo spots. Wear sturdy shoes and bring rain gear—the valley is misty and green for a reason. Plan an hour or two to wander, listen for birds, and learn about native and tropical plants before heading back along the coast.
Stop 4: Akaka Falls & Hamakua
A short scenic drive leads to Akaka Falls, a dramatic cascade dropping into a fern-lined gorge. The loop trail winds through bamboo and ginger, offering easy views and a true “this is Hawaiʻi” moment. Roughly 15 min walk.
The path is paved with several stair sections; go slow, enjoy the overlook, and watch for showers. Nearby stops—Kahuna Falls, small fruit stands, and ocean lookouts—make a simple add-on to round out your morning before you return to your Koili Point home base.
HAMAKUA COAST
Our Favorite Viewpoints
Discover the sweeping beauty of the Hamakua Coast — where green valleys meet the sea and every turn reveals another postcard view. Just a short drive from Koili Point, you’ll find small pullouts and lookouts perfect for soaking in the coastline’s dramatic cliffs and endless blue. Bring your camera, pause for the breeze, and enjoy how simple it feels to take it all in. The views alone are worth the drive. Best luxury alternative to Hilo hotels.
BIG ISLAND
Your Hamakua Coast Adventure Awaits
From dramatic sea cliffs to deep green gulches, the Hamakua Coast delivers big views with little effort. Use Koili Point as your easy home base, then cruise north along the coast road for simple pullouts, garden overlooks, and ocean-front parks where you can stretch your legs and breathe the trade winds. Mornings bring softer light and calm water; late afternoons glow as the sun drops behind the hills. Keep a light jacket handy—brief showers are common—and watch for rainbows stacking over the valleys after a passing mist.
Our short list includes roadside vistas above lush ravines, quiet points with sweeping bays, and landscaped lookouts where interpretive signs share the area’s history. Pack a snack from Hilo, linger for photos, and listen for birdsong in the ironwood and palms. Please park only in marked areas, respect private property, and tread lightly on rock walls and vegetation. Whether you spend ten minutes at a scenic pullout or an hour at a coastal park, these quick stops pair perfectly with farm visits, waterfalls, and market runs—proof that world-class views on the Big Island don’t have to demand a long hike.
Koili Point
Book Your Stay at Koili Point
Settle into an easygoing home base at Koili Point — clean, updated cottages with practical kitchens, comfy beds, and breezy lanais just minutes from Hilo. Spend your days exploring waterfalls, markets, and gardens, then return for a swim or soak, a simple dinner, and quiet ocean air. Solar power, thoughtful touches, and friendly hosts make this a welcoming place to unwind, recharge, and feel right at home on the Hamakua Coast.