30 INCREDIBLE Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most unique and incredible places in the world. As Hawaii’s youngest island, the Big Island offers a completely different landscape and environment than the other Hawaiian Islands. Not to mention, it’s MUCH bigger – did you know all of the other Hawaiian Islands could fit inside the Big Island? All of this means there are so many things to do on the Big Island!

So if you’re planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii, you are probably wondering what activities you should include in your itinerary. Trust me when I say, there are a LOT to choose from! From scuba diving with manta rays to visiting the botanical gardens to hiking an active volcano, there is something for everyone on this incredible island.

Which you choose will depend on a few factors including: budget, travel style, accessibility, and how long you have! In this guide, I will provide a list of 30 different and incredible things that I personally think are the best things to do on the Big Island to help you decide!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

Best Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii: A Complete List!

1. Snorkel or Scuba dive with manta rays

Arguably the most popular and best thing to do on the Big Island, snorkeling or scuba diving with Manta Rays is my TOP recommendation as well. Why? Because it is so unique and Kona is one of the best places in the world to swim with these gentle giants.

There are tons of organized tours out of Kona that offer the famous manta ray night snorkel. The tours leave in the evening and you will get into the water right around sunset. It sounds terrifying, but I promise it’s worth it, and extremely safe!

Manta rays don’t have teeth or stingers so they can’t hurt you. You will be rewarded with one of the most beautiful and incredible sights you’ve ever seen!

Make sure to read my full guide on snorkeling with the manta rays here!

2. Hike to a volcano

There’s not many places in the world you can hike an active volcano.. well the Big Island is one of them! So of course this makes the list of best things to do on the Big Island.

The Big Island of Hawaii is actually made up 5 different volcanoes: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa (active) & Maunakea, Hualālai, and Kohala (inactive). Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are located within Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, which boats 150 miles of hiking trails.

Even if you’re a beginner hiker, I recommend conquering the Kīlauea Iki trail inside of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. On this trail, you will hike down into a lava lake crate that was formed by the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea. It’s a gorgeous hike and not too challenging – perfect for kids and families too!

3. See Lava

In addition to hiking a volcano, depending on when you visit, you might be able to glowing red lava while visiting the Big Island of Hawaii. You can visit the National Park’s website here to check out the current conditions.

However, if the volcanoes aren’t erupting on your visit, don’t fret! You can still see plenty of old lava fields all around the island, including along the Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road in the NP!

4. Snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument

Boasted to be one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, the Captain Cook monument definitely lives up to its expectations! To get here, you can hike the 3.7 mile out and back trail, kayak across Kealakekua Bay, or go on an organized tour!

We choose the kayaking option, which I highly recommend! You can rent a kayak from Ehu and Kai Adventures and make the moderately challenging 20 minute kayak across the bay. You will be rewarded with beautiful coral heads and tropical fish!

Read my full guide on kayaking to Captain Cook Monument here!

5. Visit a Kona Coffee Farm

Have you heard of Kona coffee before?! If not, you are in for a treat! The southwest side of the Big Island is home to a unique strip of land named the Kona Coffee Belt, where conditions from the volcanic activity are perfect for growing coffee!

Even if you don’t like coffee, a trip to a coffee farm still makes the list of best things to do on the Big Island. Some farms, like Greenwell Farms, offer free tours of the plantation and factory, making it one of the best free things to do in Kona!

Kona coffee is the perfect souvenir to bring home to your family and friends, and on a tour, you can learn about exactly what makes it Kona coffee!

6. Go ATV’ing

The Big Island is an adventure lover’s paradise, and if you’re looking for something to get your heart pumping, ATV’ing is a great option! There’s plenty of tours to choose from, and some include other activities as well. This tour on Get Your Guide teaches you about Polynesian culture along the way! Make sure to wear a helmet and be safe!

Planning a trip to the Big Island? Don’t miss my Ultimate One Week Big Island Itinerary for First Timers!

7. Visit ‘Akaka Falls State Park

Just 30 minutes from downtown Hilo lies the gorgeous ‘Akaka Falls State Park that is absolutely worth a visit. Plus, no intense hiking required! Some paved walkways and stairs lead you to the gorgeous ‘Akaka Falls which are truly stunning!

Plus, the walk to get there is full of lush rainforest, tropical plants, and birds singing. It was drizzling when we visited which made things even more magical.

Pssst: ‘Akaka Falls State Park is a great stop along the drive from Kona to Hilo! Make sure to check out my Ultimate Guide to Driving from Kona to Hilo!

8. Visit the Waipi’o Valley Lookout

Once home to Hawaiian royalty, Waipi’o Valley is worth the quick pit stop as you make your way around the island. You can park your car and make your way down the stairs to the lookout in less than 5 minutes. The views here are stunning, and you can immediately see why it is a sacred place for the Hawaiian people.

The Waipiʻo Valley Road is closed to non-residents; however, you can visit the Valley itself through an organized tour!

9. Attend A Luau

Did you even go to Hawaii if you didn’t go to a luau? But in all seriousness, attending a luau is a great way to learn more about Hawaiian culture and history through dance (there’s much more than just the hula!).

There are many different Big Island luaus to choose from at a variety of resorts! We visited the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at Royal Kona Resort, which I would rate a 7/10!

10. Visit a Black or Green Sand Beach

The Big Island of Hawaii boasts both a black and green sand beach, in addition to the multitude of gorgeous white sand beaches! Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever been, with tall green palm trees and Hawaiian sea turtles along the sand.

The green sand beach, Papakolea, requires a bit more effort to get to – a 2.5 mile hike! But considering it’s one of four green sand beaches in the entire world, it’s probably worth a visit!

11. Go Ziplining

Another heart-pumping adventure you can tackle on the Big Island: ziplining! Who doesn’t want to soar through the lush Hawaiian rainforest and then jump into waterfalls? This tour allows you to check both these things off your bucket list. Expect to pay a pretty penny though!

12. Swim in a Tidal Pool

Kinda random, but there are so many beautiful tidal pools on the Big Island of Hawaii – I had to add it to the list!

The best one we visited was on the east side of the island at Carlsmith Beach Park. I’ve never seen just beautiful, clear water (although it was very cold!) This is certainly one of the top things to do in Hilo!

There’s also tidal pools at the Royal Kona Resort, Onekahakaha Beach Park, and a few more around the island!

13. Eat tuna poke and fish tacos

The Big Island has some incredible seafood, and you can’t leave without trying two things: poke bowls and fish tacos! Luckily, I have two perfect recommendations for you.

Visit Da Poke Shack for the most incredible poke bowls of your life, and Shaka Tacoz for the most incredible fish tacos of your life!! Don’t leave the island without trying both – you can thank me later!

14. Watch the Sunset

It’s no surprise that the Big Island has some amazing sunsets! I think we made a point to watch the sunset every single night, but you should make sure to catch at least one where you are doing nothing but watching the sun dip down into the ocean! Keep your eyes peeled and you might even see that famous green flash!

Here are some of the best places on the island to watch the sunset: https://hawaiianislands.com/big-island/blog/8-incredible-locations-to-catch-a-sunset-on-the-big-island/

15. Take a helicopter Tour

If it fits within your budget, taking a helicopter tour is one of the most incredible ways to see the Big Island! You’ll get to see the island from a whole other perspective that not many people get to see. Soar past waterfalls, over volcanoes, and through lush rainforests.. how incredible is that!

However, plan to spend a pretty penny on a helicopter tour on the Big Island!

16. Go Whale Watching

If you’re visiting the Big Island between November and April, you absolutely need to add whale-watching to your itinerary. During these months, humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaii to escape the cold waters. It really is one of the best things to do on the Big Island in the winter.

You can read my full guide to Whale Watching on the Big Island here!

17. Look for Spinner Dolphins

If you’re missing whale season, you can still look for dolphins off the Big Island year round! There are plenty of tours that sail along the Kona coast in search of the friendly Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins.

Just remember, Hawaiian law prohibits swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards of spinner dolphins!

18. Visit Rainbow Falls

A very quick drive (and even quicker walk from the parking lot), Rainbow Falls is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been. If you visit in the morning, you should see how this waterfall got its name – a perfect rainbow forms as the morning light hits the falls mist!

With the tropical plants around it, and the Hawaiian history of the area, Rainbow Falls is a spot you don’t want to miss on your trip to the Big Island!

Pssst: For a list of other falls, make sure to check out my guide to the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island!

19. Cliff Jump at the Southernmost point

You may have heard of the Southernmost Point in Key West.. well this is the REAL southernmost point of the USA (non-contiguous, that is!). Called South Point or Ka Lae, this spot on the south end of the Big Island boasts cliffs that drop straight into the sea.

If you’re bold enough, there are even spots along the cliffside where you can jump off into the ocean! Make sure to only do this where there are others taking part! There are specific spots that are safe, and others that are not.

20. Stroll through historic kailua village

If you’re staying in Kona, it’s impossible to miss the historic Kailua Village! Home to tons of restaurants, condos, and shops, Kailua Village is the perfect place to spend an evening, watching the sunset, grabbing ice cream, or watching the beach volleyball players! No trip to the Big Island is complete without visiting this area.

21. Golf at Mauna Kea or Hapuna Beach Resort

Even if you are not into golfing, the views at Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach Resort are both worth the ride along! With greens that overlook the ocean on the Kohala coast, it’s hard to beat the landscapes at these golf courses.

If you’re not into golfing, I recommend making a spa appointment at one of the resorts so you can see the incredible views!

22. Watch (or try) surfing

If you’re feeling adventurous, taking a surf lesson is one of the most epic things you can do on the Big Island! Even if you’ve never surfed before, there are plenty of spots on the Kona coast with beginner waves.

If you don’t want to try surfing but still want to watch, grab a blanket and head down down to one of the many beaches to watch the locals do their thing!

23. Go Horseback Riding

Did you know there are dozen working cattle ranches operate on the Big Island?! This makes the Big Island the perfect place to ride horses if you’re interested! You can even experience the rolling hills and lush rainforest of the historic Waipi’o Valley on horseback!

24. Stargaze at Mauna Kea

There’s a reason there’s an Observatory and Astronomy Center at the top of Mauna Kea. The clear skies atop the volcano make it the perfect place to look at the stars. Unfortunately, the free public events are shut down because of Covid, but you can still book a private tour if you are interested!

25. Drink a mai tai (or two or three)

Rum, rum, and more rum! Oh and a little Curaçao and lime juice. You’ll find mai tais of all varieties around the Big Island. If you drink cocktails, you should try at least one!

26. Hike the Onomea Bay Trail

A half-mile trail found just off the Old Mamalohoa Highway outside Hilo, the Onomea Bay Trail is the perfect morning activity during your time in Hawaii! A quick walk down to the ocean boasts gorgeous views. Make sure to pack lots of bug spray!

27. Visit the Hawai‘i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden

If you decide to hike the Onomea Bay Trail, you’ll also come across the Hawai’i Tropical Gardens. The gardens boast over 2000 species of tropical plants, plus waterfalls, streams, and more! It’s a gorgeous spot to spend the morning if you’re in the Hilo area.

28. Visit Kona Brewing Company

If you’re a fan of craft beer, no trip to Kona is complete without visiting the famous Kona Brewing Company! Although the food is just okay, it’s worth visiting to try the small-batch “backyard” beer that you cannot get anywhere else in the world!

29. Snorkel at Two Step Beach

Two Step Beach at Honaunau Bay is supposed to be one of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island. Here you will find tropical fish and underwater lava fields, free of charge to explore! As a bonus, nearby is the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park which boasts a strong Hawaiian history.

30. Learn about Hawaiian History and Culture

Last but not least, I highly recommend dedicating some of your visit to learn about the rich history of Hawaii and the Hawaiian Islands. Some places on the Big Island you can visit are Lapakahi State Historical Park, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, and Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.

Final Thoughts

Add that’s a wrap on my 30 BEST things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii! As you can see, there is so much to experience on this island. We were able to do (almost) all of these things in about a week on the island.

If you can’t fit them all in, that just means you have to plan another trip 😉 I hope you found this guide helpful in planning your trip to the Big Island!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!