By Chantae Reden | Published: September 26, 2023 | Updated: March 3, 2026
Hawaii provides a long list of jaw-dropping places to visit, making it difficult to decide what to see on your next trip. However, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our favorite places on four of the different islands. No matter if it's your first time on the islands of Hawaii or if you're a seasoned pro, you won't want to miss out on the most beautiful places in Hawaii on your next cruise vacation. This guide includes some hidden gems you may overlook, as well as top areas to see the Hawaii scenery.
Key Takeaways: What Are the Prettiest Places in Hawaii?
- ● Mermaid Cove, near Nanakuli Beach Park in Oahu.
- ● Kawela Bay in Oahu.
- ● Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens in Oahu.
- ● A bamboo forest in Maui’s Haleakala National Park.
- ● Nakalele Blowhole in Maui.
- ● Nakalele Lighthouse in Maui.
- ● Pololu Valley on the Big Island.
- ● Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park on the Island of Hawaii.
- ● Black Sands at Punalu’u Beach on the Big Island.
- ● Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai.
- ● Wet caves of Waikanaloa and Waikapalae in Kauai.
- ● Mount Waialeale and the Makaleha Mountain Range in Kauai.
- ● See these spots for yourself. Explore our Hawaiian cruises.
Oahu: Visit Some of the Most Scenic Places in Hawaii
Oahu is one of Hawaii's most visited islands, and for good reason. While all of Hawaii is absolutely stunning, Oahu is considered one of the most beautiful Hawaiian islands for its soft white sands, clear blue waters and views of the Mokes islands.
Jagged limestone walls surround a pool of azure water, known as Mermaid Cove, near Oahu's Nanakuli Beach Park. Slip on a pair of sturdy reef shoes and tread lightly into a small keyhole to a spacious underwater cave where sunlight dances across the water. Once you're inside, wade toward the pebble beach enclave that emerges during low tide. Keep your eyes open for signs of Moana Nui Ka Lehua, one of the best Oahu hidden gems.
For safety reasons, it's best to go to Mermaid Cove with a group. Enter the cave during calm ocean conditions. The only way to return from the cave is to climb the way you came, which involves a scramble up the rocky ledge.
If you're searching for a secluded beach with only a few people around, look no further than Kawela Bay, considered one of the most beautiful places in Oahu. A small cove on the northernmost point of Oahu, Kawela Bay is a family-friendly beach with golden sands and lava rock reefs for prime snorkeling. Sea turtles, stingrays, reef sharks and reef fish regularly cruise through the waters just a few fin kicks away from shore. A quiet trail leads from the crescent beach inland to a giant banyan tree, one of the most impressive hidden gems in Oahu.
Emerald peaks shrouded in puffs of mist flank the outskirts of Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. The grounds were opened as a place of peace near Kaneohe in 1982, and today, trees from all over the world grow within its 400-acre boundary. Look out for rubber trees, cacao trees, peach palms, cashew trees, banyan trees and monkeypod trees. Scan the treetops for birdlife, walk along the quiet shores of the water reservoir, go for a drive along its quiet roads or stroll along the park's well-kept trails. The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are free to enter, making them one of the top vacation spots in Hawaii.
Maui: One of the Most Beautiful Spots in Hawaii
Maui, the second-largest island in Hawaii, is rightfully called The Valley Isle thanks to its dramatic ridges and plummeting valleys. Venture into its interior and you'll find Maui's hidden gems that include a world of waterfalls, then head to the coast and you'll discover sands that range from bright white to volcanic black.
Bamboo is endemic to Asia and was brought over to the islands of Hawaii by Polynesian seafarers, where the world's largest grass proliferated. Praised for its practicality, Polynesians used bamboo to carry freshwater as well as build shelter, rafts and instruments. Tucked inside Maui's Haleakala National Park is a quaint bamboo forest. To walk among the tall stalks of bamboo, venture along the Pipiwai Trail. Pack water, sturdy shoes, sun protection, snacks and prepare to enjoy the tranquility of the bamboo forest. Listen as the bamboo stalks rattle together like a xylophone in the breeze. At the end of the trail, the cascade of Waimoku Falls awaits, one of Maui’s best-kept secrets.
On a wall of basalt rock near Wailuku, you'll discover ancient petroglyphs, etchings in rock likely created over three centuries ago. These petroglyphs are also called the Pu'u Kilea, and they're one of the most easily accessible archeological sites on the island. These etchings likely represent the legends and historical accounts of the first Hawaiians, though the exact meaning is still up for debate.
When the surge of the ocean funnels into cracks, holes and crevices of volcanic rock along Maui's coastline, it creates spectacular plumes of sea spray. Toss on a pair of thick-soled walking shoes, and trek along the craggy shoreline of Wailuku, Maui, to witness the wonder of the Nakalele Blowhole. The trail is just over a mile long, beginning at a marked parking lot. Once you reach the blowhole, stand back and wait for a surge. During strong swells, the blowhole spouts water over 30 feet in the air, and often leaves a rainbow in its mist. If you have more than one day in Maui, it's worth planning your trip to the blowhole when the swell is at its peak.
Continue a half-mile further along the trail to the Nakalele Lighthouse, a small white marker where you'll find incredible Hawaii scenery along the jagged cliff coastline.
Check Out the Most Beautiful Places on the Big Island of Hawaii
The Island of Hawaii might as well be synonymous with Hawaiian hidden gems. While it's the largest of the Hawaiian islands, the Big Island is relatively unpopulated compared to Oahu. From snow-covered volcanic peaks to calm bays that spinner dolphins call home, there are plenty of rarely sought-after, beautiful Big Island hidden gems that will bring a little magic to your cruise vacation.
Tucked in between two cliffs, Pololu Valley is where the forest meets the sea. From the top of the trail leading toward Pololu Valley Beach, the ocean often roils in contrast to the valley's quiet stream. Humpback whales and spinner dolphins splash on the sea's horizon, caring little about the sea's turbulence.
Trail stewards greet visitors at the top of the trail and are often happy to share facts and stories about the history of the valley, as well as provide tips on how to make the most of your time within the valley. Pack a sturdy pair of shoes, sun protection and water for the short but steep walk from the parking lot of Pololu to the valley below. At the bottom, a gray pebbled beach awaits.
If you're craving more natural splendor, continue walking to the next valley over on the Honokane Nui Trail. This trail is even more secluded than Pololu, and there's a slight chance you'll be enjoying it all on your own if you head off early in the morning.
Set on one of the Big Island's best snorkeling bays, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park is one of the most beautiful places on the Big Island of Hawaii. Maybe it's the lull of pebbles washing around the shoreline or the rustle of the palm fronds in the wind, but Pu'uhonua O Honaunau feels like a place of refuge. A small path throughout the park leads to thatched-roof structures housing artifacts like Hawaiian instruments and wooden dug-out canoes.
Further along, you'll find fishponds and a wall protecting the Royal Grounds of the property. The park is home to the only representation of a hale poke, or sacred mausoleum, which once housed the remains of over 20 high-ranking leaders. Two ki'i, sacred wooden statues, guard the hale poke.
When lava flows into the ocean, it shatters into tiny fragments of basalt sand, creating a black beach. The Island of Hawaii, Hawaii's ever-changing volcanic island, is fringed with ink-black beaches all along its southern coastline.
On the glimmering black sands of Punalu'u Beach, you'll be competing with sea turtles for a place to throw down your towel. The Big Island's southern beaches are one of the few places in the world where green sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles come to sunbathe. Of all Hawaii's southern black sand beaches, Punalu'u Beach is one of the most accessible, and its typically calm waters make it a relaxing place to swim and snorkel. For this reason, it could be considered the most beautiful beach in Hawaii if few crowds and peace and quiet are what you’re looking for. For a more secluded spot, walk south along the coastal path to a cove where few footprints are found.
Kauai: Spot Some of the Prettiest Places in Hawaii
Of the four main islands, Kauai is where you're most likely to find some of the most beautiful spots in Hawaii at nearly every turn. Plus, the Garden Island attracts just a fraction of tourists compared to its neighbors.
The expansive Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai is a park that would take weeks to uncover, with roaring waterfalls, deep gorges and interesting rock formations at nearly every turn. At Red Dirt Falls, the scrubland cedes to a Martian-like landscape of red dirt, where a small waterfall trickles into a pool of rust-colored water. The waterfall ranges from a trickle to a roar, depending on the time of year, with a more impressive waterfall taking place after heavy rains. Because of its easy access, it's a worthwhile spot to stop if you've come with little ones in tow.
Grab your head torch and visit Haena State Park on Kauai's northern end, where an intricate cave system awaits. The most easily accessible of the park's caves is Maniniholo Cave, a dry cave that opens into a large natural amphitheater. Legend states this cave was created by Menehune, a mythological race of small people who once lived in Hawaii's forests. The Menehune created the cave to hide their fishing catch from evil spirits, keeping their food to themselves. Little ones will love lurking around this easily-reached cave, and its lack of water makes it safe to explore.
If you're keen to get your steps in, hike a few miles to the wet caves of Waikanaloa and Waikapalae, which fill with a mix of spring and seawater. It's best to visit these caves around midday, when the sun is high overhead, to admire the caves' striking blue hues.
Ferns tickle your ankles as you walk along the dirt trail along Kuilau Ridge, a hiking trail near Wailua. Perpetually misty, the trail often makes you feel as if you've entered the Jurassic era. Thick layers of moss carpet tree trunks and vines wrap around one another like intricate braids. From the trail, you'll be privy to views of Mount Waialeale and the Makaleha Mountain Range. The trail is relatively flat, spanning just under 4 miles total for an out-and-back journey. True to its rainforest reputation, it could be cool and rainy. Wear shoes with plenty of traction for muddy trails, and pack along a rain jacket just in case.
What Is the Most Beautiful Island in Hawaii? Find Out for Yourself
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