Southwest® flights from Seattle/Tacoma to Kona (Island of Hawaii) from $156

From ancient petroglyphs to specialty coffee, the Island of Hawaii is a destination that will appeal to every kind of traveler. The obvious place to start your visit? At the beach! The beaches you’ll find in and around Kona are unique, both in their soft, powdery texture and in their variety of colors. Papakolea Beach is one of two green sand beaches in the United States (and one of only four in the world!) and is definitely a must-see. Another great spot is Punaluu, a black sand beach approximately 45 minutes south of Volcano Village by car. This beach is popular both for its dark-colored sand and for frequent green sea turtle sightings. Keep your eyes peeled for these majestic creatures laying out in the sun.

Camping is a great way to experience the Island of Hawaii and allows visitors to immerse themselves in nature around the clock. A particularly special place to camp is in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is home to the still-active Kilauea volcano. Even if you don’t pitch a tent and spend the night, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers 150 miles of hiking trails to explore. If you want to cover more ground, driving Crater Rim Drive will take you around to Kilauea Iki Crater Overlook, Puu Puai Overlook, and Devastation Trail.