The stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of the Hawaiian Islands make it one of the best destinations for photography. There is an incredible array of environments to capture, from arid and Martian-like volcanic landscapes to idyllic beaches and even tropical rainforests.
The relatively small size of the islands also means that many different sites can be visited in one day, and many islands can be visited in one vacation. Here's a look at the most beautiful places to photograph around the Hawaiian Islands.
1. Hanauma Bay, Oahu
This water park is a marine reserve located near Honolulu. It's like swimming in a giant aquarium surrounded by marine life as you dive around. Hanauma Bay is a great location for underwater photography.
The curved crescent of the beach is also beautiful, and from the highway you can get some great shots of the general ring site, as it is the highest dormant volcano.
2. Diamond Head, Oahu
This mountain at the end of Waikiki Beach offers a wide range of photo opportunities, all from a location just minutes from Waikiki's attractions.
Diamond Head also provides great photos whether you're shooting or taking them. The best photos can be obtained by hiking to the top in the early morning, then taking pictures of the beach and coast below.
3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
This huge space offers a wide range of landscapes and environments for shooting. The park has it all: mountains, valleys, forests, two active volcanoes (Kilauea and Mauna Loa) and barren rocky areas that look like another planet.
It's possible to hike for hours, or you can easily see the many photogenic and volcanic areas from your car by driving along Crater Rim Drive or Chain of Craters Road.
4. Punalu'u Beach, Hawaii
Hawaii's most famous black sand beach is a great place to take pictures. It is out of the way between Pahala and Nalihu. Black sand is actually crushed basalt lava, which flows into the sea and erupts as it cools, forming the sand that makes up the beach.
5. Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Oahu
This sacred site in the Naval Station Harbor is centered around a shrine built over the sunken wreck of two American warships.
The memorial also includes a museum building on the beach, as well as the overwater memorial. The stark white memorial building perched on the blue waters can make for some moving pictures.
6. The Road to Hana, Maui
Possibly the most famous route in Hawaii, this stunning 64-mile stretch of two-lane highway connects the cities of Kahului and Hana. Along the way are forests, mountains and waterfalls along with deserted beaches and small beach towns.
7. Koki Beach, Maui
To complete the Hawaiian beach color palette, visit this red sand beach on Maui. It's a serious surf break as many locals teach their kids. The sand's rich red color is due to local geology and volcanic activity. Easily accessible and located just off the road to Hana.
8. Shipwreck Beach, Lanai
This remote beach, accessible only on foot or by jeep, has a massive WWII tanker wreck that sits just offshore.
The wreck offers some really great visuals. You can also see the islands of Molokai and Maui from the beach. The ship was left here on purpose - it's an artificial reef and made of concrete, not metal.
9. Garden of the Gods, Lanai
Hawaii is filled with otherworldly landscapes that can easily be confused with Mars or the Moon. The Garden of the Gods (Keahiakawelo in Hawaii) is one of those places.
It is great for photography and is about 45 minutes away from Lanai City. The Garden of the Gods is a strange landscape filled with large boulders and rocky towers.
10. Laniakea Beach, Oahu
North Shore Beach, popularly known as 'Turtle Beach', is a spot for spotting sea turtles. They lay eggs and sun themselves on the beach, and volunteers love the areas where the turtles are.
You can get some great wildlife photos here. When you're done snapping turtle photos, the beach is part of a seven-mile stretch of some of the best surfing beaches in the world.
11. Haleakala National Park, Maui
This large national park is an excellent place for wildlife photography. The park is home to more endangered species than any other national park in the country. You can photograph a subtropical rainforest or a barren volcanic landscape, all within the park.
Daily ranger talks are offered every morning at the visitor center (10 a.m.); It's a great way to discover the best shoots.
12. Wailua Falls, Kauai
This nearly 200-foot-high waterfall may be best known for its appearance in the opening sequence of the popular 1970s TV series Fantasy Island. It is on Kauai Island near Lihue Town. While you're here, get off a bit on Route 580 to see Opaeka'a Falls, a 150-foot-high double waterfall that's less well known (and less visited) than Wailua.
13. Kapuaiwa Coconut Grove, Molokai
This former royal coconut grove is located right off the Mauna Loa Highway on Molokai Island. The best time to visit is sunset, when a dense grove of tall trees stands out against the pink and purple hues of the sunset sky.
This was truly a royal grove, and it was planted in the mid-19th century for the king to provide a source of coconuts.
14. Waimea Canyon, Kauai
Known as the Grand Canyon of Hawaii, this large canyon is a great place to take pictures. The colors are incredible - dark red and brown due to the high iron content of the earth. Most views are along the edge of the face to the east, so in the late afternoon it gives the best illumination.
15. Aloha Tower, Oahu
This is a place to shoot as a subject and a place to shoot from, because it is a 10-story former lighthouse. There is an outside observation deck, and you can get some great photos from this vantage point. You can take some beautiful pictures of Honolulu's harbor and the city's ever-growing skyline.
16. Waipio Valley, Hawaii
Located on the coast of Hamakua on the Big Island, Waipio Valley has many attractive features. The valley itself has cliffs 2,000 feet high. Black sand beach and Hi'ilawe Falls, a 1,400-foot waterfall and the highest in the Hawaiian Islands. There are even wild horses here, but getting a picture of one of them can be tricky, as they tend to avoid people.
17. Sea Cliffs, Molokai
The Hawaiian island of Molokai has the highest sea cliffs in the world, some reaching 4,000 feet. Kalupapa National Historic Park has hiking trails and mule tours that will take you up the slopes. You can also rent a boat to take you away from the beach to take pictures of the cliffs from the sea.
18. Polynesian Cultural Center, Oahu
Located in Laie on Oahu, this is the place to portray Hawaiian culture as it is an introduction to tourists. They have all kinds of dances and shows, including luaus. Expect to see colorful clothing and performers in motion.
19. Banzai Pipeline, Oahu
If you want to take pictures of surfers and surf culture, head to the famous Banzai Pipeline. It's a surf break on the world-famous reef near Ehukai Beach Park on Oahu's North Shore. Capture action shots, along with crashing waves and splashes.
Source: PlanetWare - Travel Guides by the Experts