Kilauea Lighthouse

Perched 200 feet above the spray, its bulb first came alight in 1913. For decades, the beam sliced through 90 miles of sea air, a vital chaperone for ships on the Orient Run. Today, this historic light station welcomes more tourists than mariners and Kilauea Point isn’t so much perilous as it is a photo op. But even though the years have stripped this red and white beacon of its authority and driven its weathered exterior to restoration, it remains the beloved centerpiece of a spectacular peninsula rife with natural beauty. A favorite of locals, this spot is popular with tourists, too, with half a million visiting every year. Here, they’re welcomed by a dramatic landscape where cobalt waves collide against lava cliffs and windswept headlands yield commanding coastal views. When not glued to the viewfinder, visitors make good use of the binoculars provided at the site; the station’s 31 acres are part of a 203-acre seabird sanctuary where rare species like nene (the state bird, a Hawaiian goose) and albatross make for excellent spectating and dolphins, sea turtles, monk seals, and whales can be glimpsed offshore. Whether stretching your legs on a trail, gazing out to sea, or spotting some local inhabitants, you’ll treasure your time at this illuminating historical landmark.