South Point Complex

The southernmost point of the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States. Registered as a National Historic Landmark District under the name South Point Complex, Ka Lae is known for its strong ocean currents and winds, as well as being the site of a wind farm. The area is a popular fishing spot due to a confluence of ocean currents just offshore, making red snapper and ulua plentiful. You will often find cliff jumpers braving the 40 foot high cliffs. There is an old fishing ladder to climb back out of the ocean. The area is notable for its archaeological significance, being one of the earliest Hawaiian settlements with a long archaeological record. It is believed to be the point of first landfall for Polynesians due to its proximity to Tahiti. Ruins of an ancient Hawaiian temple (heiau) and a fishing shrine, as well as holes drilled in rock ledges for mooring canoes, can be found here.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park encompasses two of the world's most active volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park provides visitors with access to dramatic volcanic landscapes and insights into traditional Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes. Established on August 1, 1916, it covers an area of 344,812 acres and welcomed 1,620,294 visitors in 2023. The park includes a diverse range of environments, from sea level to the summit of Mauna Loa, the Earth's most massive active volcano, at 13,679 feet. The climates within the park range from lush tropical rainforests to the arid and barren Kaʻū Desert. Eruptive activity, ground collapses, and explosions in the park ceased in early August 2018, with a lull in activity until an eruption on December 20, 2020, at the Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The park's main entrance is from the Hawaii Belt Road, and the Chain of Craters Road leads to the coast, passing several craters from historic eruptions. Park Entrance Fee is $30.00