While the big island of Hawaii is undoubtedly beautiful and the perfect place for a tropical holiday, one fascinating aspect of this island is that you are never far from the raw power of the world around us. The big island may be the largest of the Hawaiian archipelago, but it is also the newest – with active volcanoes still shaping the land on which we live. The National Park Service at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park shares the following: “The eruption of Kīlauea volcano continues from two locations. In the park, the summit eruption of Kīlauea within Halema’uma’u Crater continues to offer the best, safest, and easiest eruption viewing. The second location originates from the Pu’u ‘Ō’ō vent in the remote east rift zone. This area is highly unstable and dangerous and is not accessible by the public, (see “East Rift Zone Vents” below). No lava is currently flowing into or towards the ocean.” Feel the heat from the volcanoes Fancy a helicopter ride over an active volcano? You can hover above Kilauea Volcano’s Pu’u O’o vent and feel the heat from the steam – a helicopter tour is a great way to get a birds-eye view of everything that the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has to offer – not just the volcanoes but also the lush rainforest and the many hidden waterfalls. If you don’t fancy the helicopter there are literally hundreds of different walking and hiking trails that are perfect for exploring this fascinating region. Dive into the sea The big island has some of the world’s best beaches – not just white sand but also black sand (from the volcano) and even green sand (created by olivine crystals). From the big resort beaches to the rugged, remote and wild beaches that will take some local knowledge to help you find. Some of our favourite beaches are just near Hilo – Onekahakaha Beach Park is perfect for swimming and family-friendly snorkelling; and Lelewi Beach Park is ideal for snorkelling. Thirty miles south of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is Punaluu Black Sand Beach – this is where you can see Hawaiian green sea turtles (known as honu) basking in the sun along the shore. Gaze at the stars Of course not all of the action is happening on the ground – Hawaii is one of the best places in the world to really appreciate the wonder of the night skies above us. This isn’t just a good spot for amateur star-gazers, the professionals are all here too – at the top of Mauna Kea (the tallest sea mountain in the world), 13 telescopes representing 11 countries are all searching high in the galaxies far beyond to understand and discover the secrets of the stars. Because of the elevation and minimal light pollution you are able to get an unparalleled glimpse into the universe beyond our solar system. To get the most out of your stargazing experience, take a guided tour (they come equipped with transport and thick warm jackets) – your guide will be able to take you up to the mountain summit and help explain the wonders of what you are looking at. If you don’t want to stay out late then this is also a fantastic spot to watch the sun set. A slightly more accessible point from which to gaze at the stars is the Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. In its unique volcano shaped building, the Astronomy Centre gives you some context of the cultural significance of Mauna Kea plus an enormous planetarium that flies you through space. The volcanoes, the sea, and the stars make the Big Island of Hawaii a wonderful holiday destination. Experience the impressive power of nature on the big island of Hawaii.