15 Photoshoot Locations on Big Island
1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Active volcanic wilderness
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Sunset
Duration: 2 hours | 3 hours
Entry: Paid
Ideal for: Volcano / Geology / Hikers
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a true paradise for lovers of extreme landscapes. Here you can see active volcanoes, lava fields, and smoking craters that create a dramatic atmosphere, unique to any journey.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning or the golden hour before sunset, and the morning quiet helps avoid tourist crowds. Entrance to the park requires a symbolic fee, but the uniqueness of this place is worth every penny.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning or the golden hour before sunset, and the morning quiet helps avoid tourist crowds. Entrance to the park requires a symbolic fee, but the uniqueness of this place is worth every penny.
2. Mauna Kea Summit
Astronomical peak
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Night
Duration: 3 hours and more
Entry: Free
Ideal for: High-altitude hikers / Geology
Mauna Kea is one of the most majestic peaks of Big Island, offering breathtaking views of the starry sky and the endless ocean. Here you can capture amazing sunrise shots and the night sky full of bright stars.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is at night for star photography or in the morning to catch the first rays of sunlight illuminating the mountain ridge. Entry is free, but for shooting at the summit, it’s important to consider extreme conditions, there are fewer tourists here, allowing you to fully enjoy the magic of nature.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is at night for star photography or in the morning to catch the first rays of sunlight illuminating the mountain ridge. Entry is free, but for shooting at the summit, it’s important to consider extreme conditions, there are fewer tourists here, allowing you to fully enjoy the magic of nature.
3. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Volcanic black sands
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Early morning
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Anything
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is a unique spot where black volcanic sand contrasts with the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean. It’s the perfect location to capture rare moments of nature meeting the ocean, and even spot sea turtles in their natural habitat.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning, when the beach is nearly empty and the soft light creates a magical mood. The beach is open to visitors for free, and its exotic atmosphere and unusual scenery will make your photos truly unique.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning, when the beach is nearly empty and the soft light creates a magical mood. The beach is open to visitors for free, and its exotic atmosphere and unusual scenery will make your photos truly unique.
4. Hapuna Beach State Park
Pristine sandy beach
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise / Sunset
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours | 3 hours
Entry: Paid
Ideal for: Couples / Solo / Families / Wedding
Hapuna Beach is one of the most famous beaches on Big Island, with white sand and crystal-clear water. It’s ideal for relaxed portraits and dynamic beach shoots filled with tropical energy.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting at sunrise or during the golden hour before sunset, this is when the light creates gentle warm tones, and the beach is almost empty, allowing the atmosphere to shine through. Entry to the park is paid, but every moment spent here is worth the cost, the impressions and photos are priceless.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting at sunrise or during the golden hour before sunset, this is when the light creates gentle warm tones, and the beach is almost empty, allowing the atmosphere to shine through. Entry to the park is paid, but every moment spent here is worth the cost, the impressions and photos are priceless.
5. Waipio Valley Lookout
Panoramic valley overlook
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Couples / Solo / Families
Waipio Valley Lookout is a majestic valley with deep green slopes, waterfalls, and ancient tropical forests. This view takes your breath away and creates the perfect backdrop for photos filled with the power of nature.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the soft light highlights all the natural details, and the mist adds a fairytale touch to the shots. Visiting the lookout is free.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the soft light highlights all the natural details, and the mist adds a fairytale touch to the shots. Visiting the lookout is free.
6. Akaka Falls State Park
Spectacular rainforest cascade
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Evening
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Free / Paid
Ideal for: Hikers / Waterfall enthusiasts / Nature
Akaka Falls is a stunning waterfall surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, where every drop of water sparkles in the sun. This place will bring energy and freshness to your photos.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is morning or early afternoon, when the light is bright and the waterfall looks especially picturesque, highlighting the beauty of each stream. The park charges a small entrance fee, but its incredible views and seclusion make every minute unforgettable.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is morning or early afternoon, when the light is bright and the waterfall looks especially picturesque, highlighting the beauty of each stream. The park charges a small entrance fee, but its incredible views and seclusion make every minute unforgettable.
7. National Historical Park
Sacred refuge grounds
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours | 3 hours
Entry: Paid
Ideal for: Any photoshoot type
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau is a historical sanctuary where you can immerse yourself in the ancient Hawaiian culture. Traditional worship and retreat sites are preserved here, filled with a spiritual atmosphere and history.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the light is soft and the setting is calm, allowing you to capture the soulful beauty of this unique place. Entry is paid, but the value of the historical heritage and cultural experience justifies any cost, every photo here becomes a window into the past.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the light is soft and the setting is calm, allowing you to capture the soulful beauty of this unique place. Entry is paid, but the value of the historical heritage and cultural experience justifies any cost, every photo here becomes a window into the past.
8. Kailua-Kona
Historic seaside town
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Evening
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Anything
Kailua-Kona is a charming coastal town with a rich history, cozy streets, and picturesque sea views. It’s perfect for dynamic street photography and portraits with an ocean backdrop.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is morning and evening, when the soft light enhances the town’s charm and coastal atmosphere, creating warm and lively photos. Walking around the town is free.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is morning and evening, when the soft light enhances the town’s charm and coastal atmosphere, creating warm and lively photos. Walking around the town is free.
9. Lava Trees State Monument
Volcanic tree molds
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Paid
Ideal for: Anything
Lava Trees State Monument is a mysterious place where nature performs miracles: tree roots turned to stone create striking patterns and textures. This unique location emphasizes the individuality of every photo.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting in the morning, when the light is soft and highlights the incredible details of these natural sculptures, adding a sense of mystery. Entry to the monument is paid, but the experience is priceless, and the setting creates an atmosphere of beauty and intrigue.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting in the morning, when the light is soft and highlights the incredible details of these natural sculptures, adding a sense of mystery. Entry to the monument is paid, but the experience is priceless, and the setting creates an atmosphere of beauty and intrigue.
10. Mauna Loa Observatory Area
Volcanic ebony shore
Accessibility: Moderat
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Evening
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Any Type of Shoot
The area around the Mauna Loa Observatory is a place where you can capture majestic views of volcanic landscapes and the endless expanse of Big Island. Here, nature reveals its power and beauty, creating the perfect backdrop for epic scenery.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning or late evening, when the light creates dramatic contrasts and emphasizes the texture of the volcanic surface. Visits are available by prior arrangement, which helps avoid large tourist groups and allows for exceptional shots that reflect nature’s power.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning or late evening, when the light creates dramatic contrasts and emphasizes the texture of the volcanic surface. Visits are available by prior arrangement, which helps avoid large tourist groups and allows for exceptional shots that reflect nature’s power.
11. Rainbow Falls
Rainforest waterfall cascade
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Evening
Duration: 30 min | 60 min
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Waterfall enthusiasts / Hikers / Nature
Rainbow Falls is a stunning waterfall where water streams lit by the sun create a real rainbow effect. Nature gives visitors magic in every drop, and the power of the falling water is enhanced by the soft morning or sunset light.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning or late evening, when the light creates rainbow shimmers and shadows, adding dynamism and tenderness to your shots. This location is free to visit, making it the perfect choice for those who want to capture nature’s beauty at its brightest!
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is early morning or late evening, when the light creates rainbow shimmers and shadows, adding dynamism and tenderness to your shots. This location is free to visit, making it the perfect choice for those who want to capture nature’s beauty at its brightest!
12. Papakolea Green Sand Beach
Olivine sand cove
Accessibility: Challenging
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Midday
Duration: 2 hours | 3 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Adventurous hikers / Geology
Papakolea Green Sand Beach is a unique beach with green sand, formed by mineral deposits. It’s one of the most unusual places on Big Island, captivating with its exotic look and contrasts: green sand, azure water, and bright sky create an exceptional setting for creative photo shoots.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the soft light gives the sand special hues, or at midday, when the sunlight makes the colors vibrant and rich. Visiting the beach is free, and its unique landscape will definitely be a highlight of your photo collection!
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the soft light gives the sand special hues, or at midday, when the sunlight makes the colors vibrant and rich. Visiting the beach is free, and its unique landscape will definitely be a highlight of your photo collection!
13. Pololu Valley
Dramatic coastal valley
Accessibility: Moderate
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Sunrise / Sunset
Duration: 30 min | 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Hikers / Nature lovers / Culture buffs
Pololu Valley is a picturesque valley with steep cliffs, emerald forests, and breathtaking ocean views. It’s a place where wild nature and majestic landscapes create the perfect backdrop for dramatic and emotional shots.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting at sunrise, when the first rays of sun light up the valley, or at sunset, when warm tones give the photos a mysterious and peaceful atmosphere. Access to the valley is free, allowing you to fully dive into the creative process and capture the true power of nature!
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting at sunrise, when the first rays of sun light up the valley, or at sunset, when warm tones give the photos a mysterious and peaceful atmosphere. Access to the valley is free, allowing you to fully dive into the creative process and capture the true power of nature!
14. Kamakahonu
Tranquil royal cove
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Sunset
Duration: 30 min | 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Any Type of Shoot
Kamakahonu, also known as King Kam Beach, is a secluded and scenic shoreline where calm water and soft sand create a peaceful, tranquil vibe. It’s ideal for portrait sessions and beach-lifestyle photos, where every frame reflects harmony with nature.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the beach is nearly empty, or during the golden hour, when the warm light makes the shots especially soft and cozy. The beach is open for free visits, letting you enjoy every moment without worries!
📍 Wowtographer Tip: The best time to shoot is in the morning, when the beach is nearly empty, or during the golden hour, when the warm light makes the shots especially soft and cozy. The beach is open for free visits, letting you enjoy every moment without worries!
15. Cathedral Bluffs Park
Historic seaport town
Accessibility: Easy
Popularity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Best time: Morning / Sunset
Duration: 60 min | 2 hours
Entry: Free
Ideal for: Any Type of Shoot
Waimea Town is a charming place where historic architecture and local culture create a unique, authentic backdrop for photoshoots. Here, you can capture the true local atmosphere, cozy streets, and warm, friendly vibe.
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting in the morning, when the town is just waking up, or during the golden hour, when the soft light highlights the architectural details and adds a special charm to the frames. Visiting the town is free, and its colorful corners will inspire you to create vivid, soulful images!
📍 Wowtographer Tip: We recommend shooting in the morning, when the town is just waking up, or during the golden hour, when the soft light highlights the architectural details and adds a special charm to the frames. Visiting the town is free, and its colorful corners will inspire you to create vivid, soulful images!