Highway 11 Scenic Drive

Highway 11 hugs the southern coast of the Big Island. This drive takes three hours from Kona to Hilo. Starting at Kona, stop at Magic Sands Beach first, to admire the powerful shorebreak. Saint Benedict Catholic Church is a painted church that you must see! It is quite a detour because of its winding road, but the lush drive is half the fun, and then you reach the chapel, high up over the sea with a lovely garden and beautiful interior. Kealakekua Bay is the area where Captain Cook stopped, but you can skip it if you don't have time. Next, walk at tranquil Place of Refuge, which has interesting Hawaiian history and lots of turtles. Cliff divers and the ultra blue water will wow you at South Point which is also a detour that is worth it. See the black sands and stunning water at crowded Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Drive past interesting layered lava flows from different decades- there is a scenic lookout where you can read about the lava flows on plaques and see the different colors of the flows. Do a hike in a lava tube, and a hike over lava rock where you can maybe see the volcano erupting (if it is currently) at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If you don't mind another detour, have a meal in Pahoa and see the strange trees and hippie culture at Lava Tree State Park. You are almost in Hilo- if you didn't already do a hike, let your kids stretch their legs at the playground at Panaewa Zoo.

Directions

Highway 11 takes you from Kona to Hilo. It takes three hours to drive this road. Take the whole day so you can stop along the way!

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