Are you inspired by hiking through epic, tropical landscapes? Have you ever wanted to stand close to broiling lava fresh from the ground? Do you want to swim with manta rays? Big Island, Hawaii, offers you the chance to check more than one of these items off your vacation bucket list in just one trip! From getting that obligatory selfie in front of the picturesque Akaka Falls to sipping on some of the world’s finest coffee right where it’s grown, this tropical paradise 2,000 miles away from the US mainland has it all.
The key to planning a trip to Big Island is knowing what to expect and planning your must-do sites and activities well in advance. There’s honestly so much to do that if you don’t plan your days well, you’re sure to miss out and end up back home regretting your fails—or planning another trip back! Of course, if you want to avoid the tours, you can, but even in our list, we actually recommend taking a few to get the best experience and draw on the endless knowledge of the local tour guides.
If you’re looking for things to do in Big Island, Hawaii, or you’re curious to see if it’s the spot for your next American vacation, watch on for our top picks in this perfect all-season destination.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Honestly, you could spend your entire Big Island vacation hiking the immense and spectacular Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Despite being referred to locally as “The Volcano,” this park is actually home to not one but two volcanoes—though the must-see for most people is Kilauea. In 2018, this usually pretty active volcano became more active than usual, and its lava flows destroyed homes and even entire villages. Today, the volcano has calmed down a bit, and it’s now safe once again to explore the park’s scenic roads, trails, and geological wonders. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of what everyone hopes to see: a fiery, otherworldly molten lava flow.
Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
When you come to Hawaii, you expect to see all manner of sea life. It’s a tropical island, after all! Seahorses might be tiny, but they’re endlessly fascinating—not to mention cute! The Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm is the place to go if you want to see these stallions of the sea doing their thing. This commercial institute responsibly breeds seahorses for sale, which helps stop people scooping them up out of the ocean for their aquariums. They also contribute to marine conservation efforts. You can tour the farm, spotting creatures like leafy sea dragons and pregnant male seahorses. There’s an educational interactive tidal pool, too!
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Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
All the volcanic activity on Big Island is that the eruptions create unique black sand beaches—and none are more iconic or more beautiful than Punalu’u. As lava flows into the ocean from the two volcanoes, tiny pieces of rock break off, are ground up by waves to form sand, and that sand washes up into the island’s bays around the island. Though it’s not the only black sand beach on the Big Island, Punalu’u is the most accessible. And, since the sand holds the heat of the sun, you can also spot Hawksbill Turtles and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles sunbathing on the shore.
Akaka Falls State Park
Nearby Hilo is the incredible Akaka Falls State Park. This is the perfect hike for family groups with older or younger members since the way to the falls—either Kahuna Falls or Akaka Falls—is just a short, paved trail. Set aside 30 minutes for the loop walk and a bit more for admiring the falls themselves. Akaka Falls is Hawaii’s tallest waterfall; it tumbles down an impressive 442 feet cliff face, and the trek to get there is lined with bamboo groves and orchids and follows a gorge.
Sunsets and Starry Skies on Mauna Kea
The summit of the 14,000 feet tall Mauna Kea Volcano is one of the bucket list items on any trip to Big Island. It’s one of the best places to see the sunset and check out the Milky Way in, arguably, the entire world due to the area’s extremely low levels of light pollution. No wonder there are so many observatories built up there! Since you need to use 4WD to get to the summit, booking a tour is essential. Most of them include sunset, dinner, and stargazing in one easy package. Pack your hiking shoes to hike the summer trails and some warm clothes: it gets cold up there at night!
Kealakekua Bay
Are you looking for a place to go snorkeling? Then be sure to add a visit to Kealakekua Bay to your Big Island itinerary. This stunning bay is full of crystal clear water, abundant coral reefs, and all manner of colorful, tropical aquatic animals. The bay is also historically significant since it’s where Captain James Cook, the first European to set foot on Hawaii, was killed during a fight with Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians). Here, you can swim, snorkel, go kayaking, or just lay around on the beach with a good book.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
If you’re keen to dive deep into Hawaiian history, head to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Once, long ago, this park was an area of refuge for Hawaiian people who broke local laws. They would flee to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau to escape punishment, seeking forgiveness from the priests that lived there. Today, the area is preserved as a historical landmark. There are religious buildings and wooden ki’i carvings to admire, lots of information on local customs and culture, and the park’s bays are a favorite haunt of Hawaiian green sea turtles.
Coffee Tasting in Kona
If you’re a coffee drinker, heading to a plantation in Kona is a must. After all, Kona coffee is among the world’s most famous brews! Just like wineries in wine country elsewhere, the plantations at Kona all offer the chance to sample their beans over a bite to eat and see the process of getting the coffee you drink gets from bean to brew. Since the climate zones on Big Island are so diverse, you get the chance to see a wide range of growing styles and coffee types. If you’re not sure where to visit, don’t be shy to join a tour.
Hilo Farmers Market
If you want to see and sample all the locally grown produce of Big Island in one place, head to the Hilo Farmers Market. The market expands out from the corner of Mamo Street and Kamehameha Avenue. Every day, it’s bustling with vendors selling everything from juicy tropical fruits and the just-caught seafood to souvenirs and handicrafts. We recommend heading there on Wednesday or Saturday, the two busiest days. Keep your breakfast light so you can snack as you walk around the stalls.
Island Breeze Luau
Going to Hawaii and not expressing a luau (a traditional Hawaiian dance) is just not the done thing! And the Island Breeze Luau is one of the most authentic experiences on the island—for tourists, at least. This one-of-a-kind performance, which includes a Hawaiian-style dinner and an open bar, is held in the Courtyard Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, conveniently located on Kona Bay. Just make sure you get your tickets in advance since the show is popular.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
While you might find Big Island’s black sand beaches intriguing, we’re 100% sure you’ll marvel at the Papakolea Green Sand Beach. The bay sits right underneath a 49,000-year-old volcanic cinder cone that’s full of olivine crystals. As these crystals erode, they fill the basin with fine sand that’s distinctively green. It’s a two-hour, off-road round trip to hike to this beach, and there are no facilities nearby, so bring lots of water and some snacks or pack a picnic lunch. And don’t forget your swimsuit and a towel—you’ll want to cool off after that long hike! Best of all, since it’s harder to reach, it means you might be some of the only tourists on the beach when you arrive.
Watch the Whales and Swim With Manta Rays
If you’re planning a trip to Big Island, why not time your vacation with whale migration season? Book a trip between December 15 and April 15, and you’ll be able to hop on a tour boat, head out into the ocean, and watch humpback whales gamble about in the deep blue. On the other hand, if you’re keen to get more up close and personal with Hawaii’s sea life, then how about snorkeling with manta rays? You head out at sunset and swim with the rays at night, so be sure to join a professional tour.
Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden
Ecologically concerned travelers or those who love gardening won’t want to miss the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden. The living seed bank, set into a natural greenhouse-like valley, is run by a scientifically and educationally driven non-product organization dedicated to preserving Hawaii’s unique flora. There are boardwalks, jungle and stream trails, a birdhouse, a water lily lake, and coastal coves to explore. Children and adult visitors alike will learn a lot about the importance of rainforest conversation.
Do you think this is a comprehensive list of things to do in Big Island, Hawaii? Or would you add some places, events, or sites we’ve missed? Debate the not-to-be-missed areas and share your secret scenic spots in the comment section below. If you want to watch more videos like this one, head over to the ViewCation channel and subscribe. Hit that notification bell while you’re there. Oh, and don’t forget to give this video a thumbs up and share it with your friends and family.