Hōlei Sea Arch

This is less a hike and more a short stroll across raw, black lava rock to one of the most dramatic geological viewpoints in the Hawaiian Islands. From the gate at the end of Chain of Craters Road, you follow the pavement about a thousand feet to a railed overlook perched above sheer sea cliffs. The landscape is stark and otherworldly — nothing but hardened lava flows meeting the crashing Pacific. The arch itself is a massive chunk of volcanic rock jutting roughly nine stories above the surf, slowly being carved away by waves that have been hammering this coastline for centuries. The wind can be fierce and the sun relentless, with zero shade between you and the ocean. It is wheelchair accessible and takes most people under half an hour round trip. Anyone who wants a jaw-dropping payoff with almost no physical effort will love this stop.