10 Incredible Things to Do on Hawaii’s Brilliant Big Island
Did you know that on Hawaii’s Big Island, you can experience 8 out of 13 of the world’s climate zones in a single day?
That’s right, you can literally go from swimming with manta rays in tropical waters to stargazing atop a snow-capped mountain within a few hours.
As Oahu residents, my husband and I visit the Big Island frequently for weekend trips. As the name implies, it’s a BIG island and there’s plenty to see and do.
But whether you’re watching lava meet ocean from a helicopter, snorkeling in crystal-clear bays, or hiking through a jungle to spot a waterfall, these experiences will help make your Hawaiian vacation extraordinary.
There are hundreds of things to see and do around the island but here are the top 10 experiences that I consider the must-dos:
1. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
This is one of the most iconic attractions in the Hawaiian Islands and it’s a must-do activity when you visit the Big Island.
The best way to visit is from the Hilo side, it’s just a 45-minute drive from Hilo town. But it can also be done from the west side of the island in one very long day! The drive from Kona International Airport takes just over 2 hours one way.
The park is home to two active volcanoes—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Visitors can explore vast lava fields, walk through lava tubes, and, if you’re lucky, you might even witness a glowing lava flow.
The park’s highlight is Crater Rim Drive, one of the best scenic drives in the United States. Along the drive, you’ll see plenty of evidence of previous volcanic activity like steam vents and vast lava fields.
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Don’t miss hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail – it’s a terrific 1.2-mile trek that takes you through a solidified lava lake.
The park is easy to explore on your own, but unless you book a tour, you’ll need a rental car for this one.
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2. Stargaze at the Summit of Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its base on the ocean floor. You can drive or take a tour to the summit for spectacular views and stargazing. The summit is renowned for its crystal-clear night skies, making it one of the best spots in the world for stargazing.
The Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet is perfect for stargazing – they offer free telescope viewing most evenings.
If you’re up for the summit adventure, book a tour with a certified guide. They’ll take you up in a 4×4 vehicle and provide warm parkas – and you’ll need them as temperatures often drop below freezing!
This Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Tour is an epic, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just be sure to pack warm clothes!
Tip: Spend about 30 minutes acclimatizing at the Visitor Center before heading higher. And for amazing photos, arrive about an hour before sunset.
3. Manta Ray Night Snorkel
There’s nothing quite like swimming with the gentle giants of the Hawaiian waters and the Big Island is one of the best places in the world to do it.
The Sunset Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel is hands-down one of the most magical experiences you’ll have on the Big Island.
Float in warm Pacific waters as massive manta rays – some with 12-foot wingspans – gracefully glide beneath you, drawn by special blue lights that attract their plankton dinner.
You’ll want to book this tour in advance, especially during peak seasons, as it’s incredibly popular.
Tip: Wear a rashguard or wetsuit since the water gets a bit chilly at night, and don’t forget your underwater camera!
4. Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook Monument)
Kealakekua Bay is one of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii, thanks to its clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. The bay is home to the Captain Cook Monument.
The marine life here is absolutely incredible. You’ll likely spot yellow tangs, butterfly fish, and even green sea turtles gliding through the pristine waters. The bay is also home to a vibrant coral reef ecosystem that’s protected by state law.
For the best experience, book an afternoon tour when the water is calm. Don’t forget to stop by the Captain Cook Monument while you’re there – it marks the spot where the famous explorer first landed in Hawaii.
Tip: This Morning Kealakekua Snorkel Tour is the top pick for a morning snorkel and the Afternoon Sail & Snorkel to the Captain Cook Monument is the best choice for afternoon snorkeling.
5. Akaka Falls & Rainbow Falls
Visiting a waterfall is one of the best things to do on any vacation to Hawaii and the Big Island has some beauties. You’ll find both of these gorgeous waterfalls on the island’s lush windward side (Hilo side).
Akaka Falls State Park
Akaka Falls is a stunning 442-foot waterfall located in a lush, tropical setting located just 11 miles north of Hilo.
The best part? It’s super accessible via a paved 0.4-mile loop trail that takes you through a dreamy rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and ferns. Along the way, you’ll also spot the smaller Kahuna Falls. This is one of the island’s best easy hikes and one of my favorite things to do on the island.
Tip: Visit in the morning before the crowds arrive and when the lighting is perfect for photos. There’s a small $5 entrance fee and a $10 parking fee for non-residents and ONLY credit cards are accepted. Remember to bring a light raincoat – this is the wet side of the island!
Rainbow Falls
Located in Wailuku River State Park, Rainbow Falls is just a short drive from downtown Hilo. So it’s a quick and easy stop if you’re exploring that side of the island.
It’s called Rainbow Falls because, on sunny mornings, you can often see rainbows in the mist created by the waterfall. The best time to catch the rainbow is early in the morning when the sunlight hits the water just right.
According to Hawaiian mythology, Rainbow Falls is home to Hina, the mother of the demigod Maui, and the cave beneath the falls is said to be her home.
There’s a viewing platform near the parking area that gives you a great view of the falls. The walk from the parking lot is very short and paved, making it easily accessible for people of all ages and abilities. The falls are about 80 feet tall and 100 feet wide, creating a powerful cascade, especially during or after heavy rains.
For a different perspective, you can take a short path to the top of the falls. The trail leads through a banyan tree forest, and from the top, you can see the river as it flows toward the falls.
6. Waipiʻo Valley
As the childhood home of King Kamehameha, Waipiʻo Valley is a sacred and culturally significant area for Native Hawaiians. This lush paradise stretches a mile wide and six miles deep, featuring towering 2000-foot cliffs and Hawaii’s tallest waterfall, Hi’ilawe Falls.
Located on the island’s northern coast, the road into Waipiʻo Valley is very steep and narrow and requires a 4WD vehicle.
The road has been closed to non-resident vehicles and hikers since 2022 due to unsafe conditions and unstable sections. For that reason, it’s not currently possible to visit the floor of the valley. Roadwork is underway and is expected to take 2-3 years.
However, you can get a birdseye view from the beautiful Waipi’o Valley Lookout. The lookout offers a stunning view of the valley floor and coastline, is easily accessible by car, and there’s a small parking area. From there, you can see the black sand beach and taro fields.
7. Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Located between Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Na’alehu town, Punaluʻu is one of Hawaii’s most famous black sand beaches.
The stark contrast between the jet-black sand (created by lava fragments), swaying green palms, and turquoise ocean makes it a unique and picturesque spot. It’s also a convenient stop when driving between Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and South Point.
What makes this place truly special is the Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) that frequently bask on the dark sand to rest and warm themselves. Just remember to stay on the right side of Hawaiian law and maintain the required 10′ minimum distance.
Tip: Don’t miss a stop for malasadas at the Punalu’u Bake Shop, home to the best malasadas on the Big Island.
Up for an adventure?
If you’re up for a good hike while you’re in this part of the island, head for the Big Island’s famous Green Sand Beach (Papakōlea Beach). One of Hawaii’s most unique and stunning natural wonders, this beach is one of only a few green sand beaches in the world. Its striking olive-green hue comes from tiny crystals of a mineral called olivine, eroded from the surrounding cinder cone, Puʻu Mahana, which was formed by an ancient volcanic eruption.
Just keep in mind this one takes a bit of work to reach. It’s a 2.5-mile hike (one way) from the parking area to Green Sand Beach. The trail is unpaved and has no shade. It can be hot and dusty so wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of water, and pack sun protection.
8. Helicopter Tours
There’s no better way to appreciate the Big Island’s sheer magnificence than to see it from the air. Soaring over Kilauea’s active lava flows and witnessing the dramatic coastline where molten rock meets the ocean is an experience you will never forget.
I always recommend booking the Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour with Blue Hawaiian – they’re the best in the business. The early morning flights offer the clearest views and best photo opportunities. You’ll glide over the east coast of the Big Island, marvel at the 2,000-foot waterfalls of Waipio Valley, and get an eagle’s eye view of the volcanic landscapes that shaped this island.
Tip: Reserve your flight for the first day of your trip. If bad weather causes a cancellation, you’ll have more flexibility to reschedule.
9. Hapuna Beach
When it comes to white sandy beaches on the Big Island, Hapuna Beach is #1. Consistently voted one of the best beaches in the world, Hapuna stretches for half a mile along the Kohala Coast. The crystal-clear waters are usually calm during the summer months so it’s perfect for swimming, bodyboarding, and sunbathing.
Arrive early – by 8 AM if possible – to snag a prime parking spot and the best beach real estate. The facilities here are excellent, with clean restrooms, showers, and picnic pavilions. Pack a cooler with lunch and plenty of water, the nearest food options require getting back in the car (or a walk to the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort).
Head to the beach’s south end for the best snorkeling when conditions are calm. And don’t forget to stay until sunset – the views from here are absolutely magical, especially during winter months when you might spot whales breaching offshore.
Which brings me to…
10. Whale Watching
While Maui and Kauai get all the press for incredible whale watching, the Big Island is no slouch in the whale department either.
Read More: Ultimate Guide to the Best Kauai Whale Watching Tours
Peak whale watching season runs from December to April in the Hawaiian Islands.
During these months, humpback whales migrate to Hawaii’s warm waters to mate, calve, and nurse their young. A visit to Hawaii during these months is an incredible opportunity to see them up close.
The Kona side of the island is your best bet for whale-watching tours.
The waters off the Kona coast are calm and provide an ideal environment for boat trips. Operators often depart from Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa, and morning trips tend to have the smoothest seas and clearest views.
The Hilo side, on the other hand, isn’t as popular for whale watching because the ocean is rougher, and the whales tend to favor the leeward, or western, side of the island.
The top two whale-watching tours on the Big Island are:
Tip: If you’re prone to seasickness, choose the larger and more stable catamaran tour. For an up-close whale adventure, you can’t beat the zodiac tours.
While Maui is considered the whale-watching capital of Hawaii, the Big Island’s calmer atmosphere and unique coastal vantage points make it a great choice for spotting these majestic creatures.
More Top-Rated Tours (& my favorite app!)
For more fun things to see and do around the island, here are all of my favorite, top-rated tours in one handy place:
If you’re not much for group tours (I totally get it!), most of the Big Island is easy to explore on your own. If you’re planning to explore with your own wheels, I highly recommend downloading the Shaka Guide App, we have used it all over the Hawaiian Islands:
The Shaka Guide App
If you’re a DIY kind of traveler like I am, this is the perfect app to download for your Hawaii vacation. These GPS-guided audio tours are fun, easy to follow, and a super affordable way to explore the islands. I bought the whole Hawaii package when we moved here but you can also purchase individual tours.
Tackle the Best of the Big Island!
From the unique experience of fiery Kilauea to the star-studded summit of Mauna Kea, these Big Island activities will show you the best of the island and leave you with plenty of memories for the long flight home.
The Big Island isn’t just another tropical destination, it’s a fascinating place where nature’s most spectacular forces are on full display.
Just one word of warning, most of the best things to do on the Big Island are quite a distance apart. If you’re just visiting for a week, seeing everything on this list will require a long drive or two, but it’s totally possible.
Be sure to take your time, embrace the island’s slow pace, and don’t try to squeeze too much into each day.
