Hilo & East Island
Areas in Hilo & East Island
North of Hilo
The coast north of Hilo is a mostly rocky shoreline with farmlands rising up the slopes to where rainforests dominate...
Explore Hilo & East Island
Nearby Hotels
Nearby Attractions
The Boiling Pots & Pe'epe'e Falls
The Boiling Pots and the triple waterfall known as Pe’epe’e Falls are a popular stop in the Hilo area....
About Hilo & East Island
The eastern side of the Big Island includes the port city of Hilo and the Puna District around the town of Pahoa. Since this is the windward side of the island, the vegetation is dense and the hills are covered in lush rainforest. The eastern side is where you'll find most of the island's amazing waterfalls including Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pots, and Akaka Falls. When it's not raining this is a gorgeous area to explore, but don't expect huge sandy beaches. While there are many places to access the eastern shoreline, there are few sandy spots. That said, it's so picturesque that it would be a shame to not see this side of the island on your visit. Epic eastern destinations include the swimming hole at Carlsmith Beach Park, the hike to Shipman Beach, discovering the brand new black sand beach at Cape Kumukahi, and wandering through Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens next to Onomea Bay. You should also visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in the southeast part of the island if you haven't been there before. There is a lot to see and do on the Hilo side of the Big Island, just check the forecast before you venture into this rainforest region.