Hōlei Sea Arch: Coastal Views + Lava Flow Landscapes

April 06, 2026•1 min read

Hōlei Sea Arch is the final stop at the bottom of the drive, and it is a great way to end the route through Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

There is plenty of parking and then a short walk down to the viewing area. The footing is uneven in places, but it is manageable. We even had two people with canes who were able to do it.

Yes, the sea arch itself is cool. But honestly, the bigger draw is everything around it. This is one of those places where the setting is just as impressive as the named feature.

You get:

sweeping coastal views
cliffs dropping into the ocean
panoramic shoreline scenes
a look back up toward the mountain where lava has flowed down

It is one of the best panorama-photo spots in this part of the park.

Final Take

Great final stop. More than just the arch—it is the whole scene that makes this one memorable.

Read the larger context in our main park guide, and pair this stop with Nāhuku Lava Tube and Puʻuloa Petroglyphs. For the broader island trip, visit our Big Island guide.

Jamie Stahler

Jamie Stahler lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee—America’s first National Park City—with his wife, Brenda, and their three adventurous boys. Together, they love exploring the great outdoors, visiting national parks and historic sites, biking, hiking, jet skiing, and boating with friends. Jamie is a follower of Jesus and a seasoned business professional with decades of experience in marketing, product development, and working alongside national ministries, filmmakers, and major studios.