The island of Hawaii, usually called the Big Island, almost the double of all the other islands put together. From the geographical point of view is the most diverse of all, with deserts, rainforests, volcanoes, and, strange to say, white peaks of snow. The mountains create a huge barrier that blocks the north-eastern trade winds, making the western part of the island, the leeward, the drier of the whole archipelago. Along that stretch is the best beaches with water as well. The east coast, upwind, it's quite bumpy, beaten by the powerful sea, rainy and extremely rich in rainforests, deep crevasses and majestic waterfalls. Hotels and restaurants are mainly concentrated in Kona, Hilo and Waikoloa.

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is undoubtedly the most original of all the national parks of the United States. It occupies a huge area on which there are two active volcanoes, a still steaming caldera and incredible geological formations, such as cones of ash, pumice columns and rivers of solidified lava. The territory of the park include tropical beaches and snow-capped summit of Manua Loa, as well as enchanting rainforests and forests of ferns. This is one of the best places in Hawaii for camping and hiking. The lush Waipio Valley, along the coast, is the largest and most spectacular of the many valleys, an amphitheater that can be found on the upwind side of the mountains Kohaloa. The valley is flanked by high stone walls of up to 600 m, and is accessible only via a narrow track for off-road, so steep recommended to continue on foot. The valley, a fertile tangle of trees, flowering plants, fields of Colocasia and waterfalls, is a magical place, which revived the atmosphere of "old Hawaii". In the valley there is only a hotel, rather rustic, and there are only 50 people and several horses and some wild guard dogs quite aggressive. Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park The Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is home to ancient temples, royal possessions, necropolis and a refuge (puuhonua). It is worth visiting to admire the sculptures in wood that depict ancient gods, the slab of stone used to play konanie, an ancient version of the game of chess with the pieces in black lava and white coral, and the magnificent point for the snorkelling identified near the steps of natural lava, north of the refuge. The most popular beach on the island, the beautiful Hapuna Beach, white sand, attracts many lovers of snorkelling, swimming, diving and bodysurf. Caution: In winter the waves are pretty powerful, and breaking on the shore, they could get in trouble.