A gorgeous beach at your feet and surrounded by a tropical paradise; what more could you ask for! Hawaii tours let you see the numerous attractions of the Big Island while leaving you time to obtain the peace present in Hawaii's pristine beauty. Book a 2011 Hawaii vacation package and see the black sand beaches, active volcanoes, and tropical forests the Big Island is celebrated for.
Black Sand Beaches at Punalu'u
The stunning color combination of the vibrant greens, black sands and gorgeous clear blue waters create a world straight out of a fairy tale. Lucky travelers might see endangered marine life such as sea turtles nesting on the beach or the occasional coconut tree sprouting out of the black sands. It is also a great area to see the large seabirds called albatrosses.
Swimming is dangerous in the waters off the Black Sand Beach due to the rocks and current, but if you look closely it is possible to see an interesting occurrence in the water near the shore. Fresh water pours from underwater springs and mixes with the ocean's salt water forming a swirl reminiscent of oil mixing with water.
Mauna Kea and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A highlight of many Hawaii tours is seeing an active volcano and Kilauea does not disappoint. Located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea's summit lava lake rises and falls with the unseen pressures deep within the earth's crust. Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and most Hawaii tours will include views of the plumes of smoke and ash rising from its crater peak. If you are there on a day when Pele the goddess of fire is unappeased, you might just see a living lava flow.
Thurston's Lava Tube is located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and offers a rare opportunity to see ancient routes used by lava flows. Just a short third of a mile walk through a giant fern tree forest and you arrive at the cave-like entrance to the lava tube.
Mauna Kea is an ancient, dormant Volcano and thought to be the most sacred volcano on the Big Island. At 13,796 ft above sea level, Mauna Kea's crater peak is snow capped during Hawaii's winter months in stark contrast to the tropical climate at its base.
Hilo's Rainbow Falls and Banyan Tree Drive
Hawaii vacation packages might include a trip to Hilo, the Big Island's second largest city. Hilo is the wettest city in the United States and averages about 126 inches of rainfall a year. Due to this, orchids, ferns, Banyan trees and sugar cane flourish in the area. Hawaii tours often include a trek down Banyan Tree Drive, also known as the "Hilo Walk of Fame" since the Banyan trees planted along the street were planted by movie stars, religious leaders, popular adventurers, and respected Hawaiians.
Another popular Big Island attraction is Rainbow Falls. As the morning sun shines through the mist, vapor clouds created from this towering 80-foot waterfall make beautiful rainbows that fill the air. There is no better way to welcome in a day than overlooking this unbelievable natural setting on your Hawaiian tour.
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