Fern Forest HawaiiATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Fern Forest, Hawaii.
1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
ACTIVE VOLCANO EXPERIENCE
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the number one attraction on Hawaii Island, offering visitors the chance to explore Kilauea volcano. Visitors can hike around the crater rim, drive down the spectacular Chain of Craters Road to the ocean, and visit museums and fascinating old buildings of Volcano House and the Volcano Art Center. The park passes are good for seven days because there's simply too much to see in one day.
2. Paradise Unplugged
HAWAIIAN RAINFOREST TOURS
Paradise Unplugged is a 3-acre tourist attraction located in the Hawaiian Rainforest on the Big Island of Hawaii. They offer travelers a variety of interesting tours, activities, and experiences in the lush surroundings. Their location provides an authentic immersion into the natural beauty of the Hawaiian ecosystem.
3. Thurston Lava Tube
ANCIENT VOLCANIC FORMATION
The Thurston Lava Tube is a 500-year-old natural formation created by a river of lava near Fern Forest. The lava tube is lit for visitors from 8am-8pm, providing a fascinating glimpse into volcanic processes. This natural wonder allows visitors to walk through a hollow tunnel formed by ancient volcanic activity.
4. Kilauea Visitor Center
VOLCANO INFORMATION HUB
The Kilauea Visitor Center is the perfect place for visitors to learn about the park's geology via exhibits, films, and ranger activities. The center provides the latest updates on volcanic activity and trail conditions for safer exploration. It serves as an essential starting point for any visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park near Fern Forest.
5. Crater Rim Drive
SCENIC VOLCANIC ROUTE
Crater Rim Drive takes visitors past steaming vents, sulphur banks, craters, and volcanic cones near Fern Forest. The dramatic scenery gives travelers the feeling that they're visiting another world entirely. This scenic drive offers some of the most accessible views of the unique volcanic landscape in the national park.
6. Chain of Craters Road
DRAMATIC COASTAL DESCENT
Chain of Craters Road descends 3,700 feet across 18.8 miles, winding among craters, mountains, and scenic overlooks near Fern Forest. The road leads to ancient petroglyphs and the dramatic Holei Sea Arch, which was cut into the cliff by flowing lava about 550 years ago. This spectacular drive concludes with dramatic black lava rock formations towering above the sea below.
7. Holei Sea Arch
ANCIENT LAVA FORMATION
The Holei Sea Arch is a dramatic formation of black lava rock towering above the sea, created approximately 550 years ago. This natural wonder was formed when flowing lava cut into the cliff, creating a magnificent arch structure. The sea arch represents one of the most photographed coastal features in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park near Fern Forest.
8. Hilo Coffee Mill
LOCAL COFFEE EXPERIENCE
Hilo Coffee Mill offers visitors a chance to learn about coffee production while in the Mountain View area near Fern Forest. Visitors can wander through picturesque gardens and enjoy volcano viewpoints from this location. The mill provides tours and tastings of locally grown Hawaiian coffee, giving insight into the island's agricultural heritage.
9. Lava Rock Sculpture Workshop
HAWAIIAN ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE
The Lava Rock Sculpture Workshop allows visitors to create their own lava rock sculptures and wood tikis in the Hawaiian jungle. This hands-on experience connects participants with traditional Hawaiian artistic practices and natural materials. The workshop provides a unique souvenir opportunity while learning about the cultural significance of these art forms.
10. Guava Cultivation Experience
TROPICAL FRUIT ADVENTURE
The Guava Cultivation Experience invites visitors to learn about growing this tropical fruit in the Hawaiian rainforest. Participants get hands-on experience with sustainable agricultural practices in Fern Forest's unique environment. The experience includes sampling fresh guava and learning about its importance in Hawaiian cuisine and culture.
11. Hapuu Fern Cultivation
NATIVE PLANT WORKSHOP
The Hapuu Fern Cultivation workshop teaches visitors about these iconic native plants while enjoying citrus tea in the Hawaiian rainforest. Participants learn about the ecological importance of hapuu ferns and their traditional uses in Hawaiian culture. The experience combines botanical education with refreshment in the natural setting of Fern Forest.
12. Hawaiian Ohia Tea Experience
CULTURAL TEA TASTING
The Hawaiian Ohia Tea Experience offers visitors a chance to learn about this native plant while enjoying a traditional tea tasting. Participants also learn about tiki carving traditions that are important in Hawaiian culture. This experience combines natural history, cultural practices, and refreshment in the lush setting of Fern Forest.
13. Banana Cultivation Tour
TROPICAL FRUIT EDUCATION
The Banana Cultivation Tour provides an immersive experience learning about growing this important fruit in the Hawaiian rainforest. Visitors learn sustainable agricultural practices and the cultural significance of bananas in Hawaiian history. The tour includes sampling different banana varieties grown in Fern Forest's unique microclimate.
14. Volcano Golf Course
GOLFING AMONG VOLCANOES
Volcano Golf Course offers a unique golfing experience with spectacular views of nearby volcanic landscapes. Golfers enjoy the course's location between two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea, creating an unforgettable backdrop for their game. The cool climate at 4,000 feet elevation provides comfortable playing conditions year-round near Fern Forest.
15. Volcano Art Center
HAWAIIAN CULTURAL HUB
The Volcano Art Center showcases works by local artists inspired by the unique volcanic landscape and Hawaiian culture near Fern Forest. The center offers workshops, exhibitions, and cultural programs that connect visitors with Hawaiian heritage. Located in a historic building within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, it serves as both a gallery and a cultural education center.