With no erupting volcano, impressive tikis, or massive temples, this 1,160-acre oceanfront site just north of Honokohhau Harbor tends to get overlooked by visitors in favor of its showier siblings in the national park system. That’s a shame for several reasons, among them that it’s a microcosm of ancient Hawaii, from fish ponds (one with an 800-ft.-long rock wall), house platforms, petroglyphs, and trails through barren lava to marshlands with native waterfowl, reefs teeming with fish, and a tranquil beach where green sea turtles bask in the shadow of Puuoina Heiua. Plus, it’s rarely crowded, and admission is free. Stop by the small visitor center to pick up a brochure and ask about ocean conditions (if you’re planning to snorkel), and then backtrack to Honokohau Harbor, a half-mile south, to park closer to the beach.