Yes, you read that right: Papakolea is a rare green-sand beach (it’s one of only four in the world). Formed by a volcanic eruption 50,000 years ago, unique olivine crystals combined with black lava and white sand give this special spot a verdant glow. Accessing the beach is challenging—a 2.5-mile hike down steep terrain—but it’s worth the effort. (Note: The waters can be turbulent, so stick to wading and sun bathing.)

Known as the "white mountain," this nearly 14,000-foot peak gives you a completely different perspective of the island (there’s even snow here!). Although you can rent a 4x4 and self-drive, I prefer to leave the driving to Hawaii Forest & Trail. This company’s tours include day trips, but I prefer the evening ones with sunset viewing against snowy peaks and stargazing through a Stellina digital telescope, all while a knowledgeable local guide “talks story” about Hawaiian history and shares fun facts about Mauna Kea’s endangered dry forest.

I’ve spotted manta rays in the wild before, but actually swimming with massive reef manta rays at night as they gracefully feed on plankton? Now that’s a truly mesmerizing experience. I can guarantee you that suiting up in wetsuits and swimming in the dark in Keauhou Bay with fish that have a wingspan of 18 feet is a vacation memory for the ages.

I could spend days exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Home to two active volcanoes—Kilauea and Mauna Loa—the park also has 150 miles of trails that lead through diverse landscapes including rainforests, active lava flows, volcanic craters, and steam vents, and even down a lava tube formed by a 2,000-degree lava flow. Don’t go without stopping by the Kilauea Caldera: Though there’s no active lava flow, the deep crater is a must-see.

There are more waterfalls on this island than you can see in one visit, but if I had to choose just one, it’s Kulaniapia Falls. Located within the private grounds of the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls, visitors can access the 120-foot waterfall with a day pass that allows swimming, walking through the lush property, and views of three other smaller falls. The pass also offers discounts for other experiences like waterfall rappelling and farm tours.