Ka'u Coffee Mill ☍ 28.9 miles from Volcano (34 min. drive)

If you love coffee as much as we do, the Ka'u Coffee Mill is a great first or last stop on a day trip from Volcano. A beautiful drive past the Kapapala Forest Reserve will lead you to the sleepy town of Pahala where this local gem produces and roasts quality beans rivaling its more famous cousin from the west side of the Big Island.  Stop in for delicous free tastings and tours of the orchards, milling, and roasting processes, and choose from a  wide variety of fine roasts, macadamia nuts and gifts from local producers.

Sea Mountain Golf Course ☍ 31.7 miles from Volcano (40 min. drive)

Just up the street from Punalu'u Beach, you'll pass through the rolling green of the Sea Mountain Golf Course. If you find yourself teeing off here, you are truly a die-hard golfer! This rugged 18-hole, 6,416-yard course may lack country club playing conditions, but more than makes up for it with uniqueness and unbeatable natural beauty. Very playable, affordable and off the beaten track!

Punalu'u Bake Shop ☍ 38.5 miles from Volcano (46 min. drive)

You've made it to Na'alehu! No trip to this beauiful, laid-back part of the island is complete without a stop at Punalu'u Bake Shop for some delicious malasadas. These yeasty, fluffy Portuguese donuts are prepared fresh daily in flavors from taro to their most famous lilikoi! Take a moment to wander through the garden, the gift shop, or to listen to some live music on the patio while you savor your sweet treat from the southernmost bakery in the United States.

Punalu'u (Black Sand Beach) ☍ 31.4 miles from Volcano (37 min. drive)

Located just past Pahala, Punalu'u is one of the most famous black sand beaches in Hawaii! The jet black sand, deep blue waters and swaying coconut palms are a sight not soon forgotten, and a stroll down the beach might treat you to the view of honu (native green sea turtles) napping on the shore. Please resist the temptation to touch these majestic animal and do not remove any sand from the beach. This is not an ideal swim spot but there is a picnic area with restroom facilities to stop for a nice break.

Whittington Beach Park ☍ 35.5 miles from Volcano (42 min. drive)

Discover remnants of a more prosperous time when the small town of Honuapo, just north of Naalehu, was still a bustling sugar cane center. Today all that’s left is the rusted skeleton of a shipping pier jutting into the bay at Whittington Beach Park. The park here offers magnificent views of the ocean, countryside, and the surrounding cliffs, as well as the odd glance of a Hawksbill turtle resting in the tide pools.

Ka Lae (South Point) ☍ 48.5 miles from Volcano (1 hr 3 min. drive)

Past Naalehu and the tiny town of Waiohinu you'll find the turn off for South Point Road between the 69th and 70th mile markers. The drive from here is jaw-dropping, with views of windswept plains and sideways-growing trees all the way to the ocean. Ka Lae is the southernpost tip of the United States and is a popular spot with local fishermen and  thrill-seekers that dare to jump from the cliffs to the pristine blue waters below. The snorkeling is also exceptional but not recommended for beginners.

Richardson Beach Park ☍ 31 miles from Volcano (43 min. drive)

Less than a mile from Carlsmith is the majestic Richardson Beach Park, a black sand gem with stunning views of Hilo Bay, lots of space to lounge in the sun or picnic under the trees, and some of the best snorkeling on the east side of the Big Island. Like Carlsmith, this water is also fed by cool springs so bring a rash guard or long-sleeved shirt to full enjoy the delights this beautiful beach has to offer! Easy access to the water from two points with handrails. There are also toilets, showers and changing rooms on-site. Parking can get tricky when it’s busy so get there early!

Suisan Fish Market ☍ 27.9 miles from Volcano (37 min. drive)

No trip to Hawaii is complete without at least one really great poke bowl. This delightful fresh fish specialty has been a staple in the islands as long as anyone can remember but more recently has been stealing the show at hip eateries across the globe. Suisan Fish Market offers an array simple, fresh and authentic varieties in an extremely laid-back setting, right in the heart of historic Hilo town. Make your selection at the counter, then grab a table outside or do like the locals do and walk down to one of the picnic tables or benches at Liliuokalani Park. A delicious an unmistakably local experience!

Hilo Farmers Market ☍ 28.8 miles from Volcano (39 min. drive)

Right in the heart of the the charming downtown area, the Hilo Farmers Market is a wonderful place to experience real Hawaii in a laid back, colorful and friendly environment. The market is open seven days a week between 7:00 and 4:00, but Wednesdays and Saturdays are Big Market days with over 200 vendors drawing people from all over the east side of the island to sample and purchase an array of fresh tropical fruits, vegetables, homemade local specialties, honey and coffee, kombucha, prints and artisanal products from over 200 local vendors. A vibrant and delightful experience for any visitor to the island!

Two Ladies Kitchen ☍ 27.8 miles from Volcano (40 min. drive)

Mochi, the sticky sweet rice flour-based Japanese dessert, is a huge staple in the islands and there is nowhere better to get in than Two Ladies Kitchen in downtown Hilo. A tiny, mom and pop operation that has exploded with success but managed to keep it's small operation feeling familiar, this iconic location serves up nothing but the finest quality in flavors ranging from fresh persimmon to crunchy brownie and the legendary strawberry and azuki bean. Do order ahead as they sell out quick and make sure you bring cash, as credit and debit cards are not accepted.

Kaumana Caves ☍ 31.8 miles from Volcano (45 min. drive) 

A dazzling natural wonder, the Kaumana Caves are part of a 25-mile-long lava tube winding through the slopes of Mauna Loa. The section of the caves open to the public stretches for approximately 2 miles. Many areas near the entrance are lit by sunlight, but the cave is damp, cool and often muddy, with lots of vines, ferns and roots hanging down from the entranceway and ceiling. Visitors can observe a wide variety of lava formations. Admission is free but make sure to bring flashlights, extra batteries, a light jacket and good hiking shoes. 

Scenic Drive & Botanical Gardens ☍ 35.3 miles from Volcano (51 min. drive)

A few minutes down the Hamakua Coast, you'll encounter the turnoff for the scenic drive in Papaikou. While just 4 miles long, this drive will take you through some of the most pristine and lush rainforest on the island with many places to stop and explore the many streams and waterfalls flowing through the dense vegetation. The overlook point at Onomea Bay is a must and to really take in the beautiful scenery, a visit to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens should not be missed! This is listed by Love Big Island as one of their favorite 5 hikes on the island and we could not agree more!

Lilioukalani Park and Gardens ☍ 27.9 miles from Volcano (37 min. drive)

Take a stroll or enjoy a picnic at the Liliuokalani Gardens, named after Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. This 25-acre Japanese garden, located just off Hilo's Banyan Drive, offers beautiful landscaping, arching bridges over flourishing fishponds, rock gardens and pagodas, Japanese stone lanterns and a lovely teahouse. Views of Hilo Bay and Mokuola (Coconut Island) make this the perfect spot to rest and relax or snap a few shots to make your friends back home jealous.

Lyman Museum & Mission House ☍ 28.3 miles from Volcano (42 min.)

Lyman Mission House was originally built in 1839 for New England missionaries David and Sarah Lyman. Today, the Mission House can be visited by guided tour, where visitors are given a sense of what the family members’ everyday lives were like in what was then a Hawaiian settlement. A neighboring wing houses Hawaiian culture and natural history exhibits. The wing’s Island Heritage Gallery explores the day-to-day lives of Hilo’s early residents and late 19th century multicultural sugar plantation immigrants. Interactive exhibits in the Earth Heritage Gallery take visitors through Hawaii Island’s multiple climate zones and an indoor lava tube.

Imiloa Astronomy Center ☍ 28 miles from Volcano (39 min. drive)

The ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center is a great way to learn about Hawaiian culture and astronomy. ‘Imiloa means “exploration driven by a sense of wonder and imagination” in the Hawaiian language. The center aims to build a bridge between science and culture through the stars and the mountain of Mauna Kea, where the world’s greatest collection of astronomical observatories are housed. The center offers educational and cultural programs for visitors, students, and local residents through exhibits, activities and a full-dome planetarium. A fascinating destination for those traveling with kids or just interested in looking at the stars.

Rainbow Falls ☍ 29.6 miles from Volcano (41 min. drive)

A short drive from downtown Hilo, Rainbow Falls is an 80 ft. waterfall on the Wailuku river cascading over a lava cave that, according to legend, is home to Hina, the ancient goddess of the moon. The Falls gets it's name from rainbows that form in the droplets that surround the falling water, best viewed when the sun is to your back (in the morning). From the falls, you can follow the stairway to heaven up to a second lookout point and wander into the shade of huge banyan trees that have grown to form one enormous and impressive structure, home to many native birds.

Akaka Falls ☍ 43.8 miles from Volcano (1 hr. 2 min. drive)

Further down the Hamakua Coast and above the sweet little town of Honomu, Akaka Falls State Park offers you mindblowing views of two gorgeous waterfalls in one short hike. The walk takes you through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves and draping ferns to Akaka Falls (442 ft.) and Kahuna Falls (100 ft.)Take your time on the trail and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds. Don't forget to stop at Mr. Ed's bakery for some excellent cookies and 'Ōhelo berry jam on your way back to Hilo. An iconic spot on the island!

Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo ☍ 24.3 miles from Volcano (32 min. drive)

Home to more than 80 animals, this 12-acre botanical gem is the only naturally-occurring tropical rainforest zoo in the United States. It features exhibits that are designed to maximize and blend with the natural vegetation of the Pana‘ewa Forest Reserve, which gets more than 125 inches of rain per year. Take a relaxing stroll through the lush landscape of trees and plants, visiting the resident animals along the way. Wonderful for all ages! Free admission, though donations are encouraged.  Keiki petting zoo open on Saturdays and the alligators are fed every day @ 1:30pm!