Hawaii: Big Island Tours And Activities

Looking for some of the best things to do on the Big Island? From family-friendly activities to luxury tours, you will find fun activities from Kona to Hilo and everywhere in between. As the name suggests, the island of Hawaii – known as The Big Island – is the largest of the Hawaiian chain.  Home to two active volcanoes, lush rainforests, and incredible beaches, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

Where you are staying on the Big Island will depend on what tours are available. Located on opposite sides of the island, Hilo is wetter with tropical rainforests and huge waterfalls where Kona is much drier, making for wonderfully warm, sunny days. Book an adventure snorkeling (with manta rays), attend a luau, or watch the sunset and go stargazing. All are amazing experiences here!

Perhaps you will want to take a full circle tour of the island and visit some of our favorite spots, including the Waipi’o Valley, the Kona coast, views of Mauna Kea, and black sand beaches. Or choose individual tours to Volcano National Park or our famous Kona coffee farms and a winery. 

We are here to help you uncover all there is to see and do on the Big Island. We know the best companies to choose from for land, sea, and air tours, luau experiences, volcano visits, and neighbor island excursions that will bring you and your family stories to cherish for years to come!

Families love Big Island, especially those with a bit older children who can enjoy some of the activities like manta ray snorkeling, horseback riding, ziplining and hiking. We have a lot of family-friendly activities including sightseeing adventures and whale watching in the winter.

Many people choose to go to Big Island on their honeymoon. It has many romantic aspects to it. The long drives, helicopter tours, dinner cruises and stargazing are just a few activities. We enjoy staying near Kona and walking along the oceanfront in the evenings.

Dive in and explore the stunning underwater realm of the Big Island’s reefs. With hundreds of miles of coastline, you’ll have your pick of reef to explore! The reefs are full of life and the honu (turtles) swimming alongside you are magical. It could be said that half of Hawaiʻi’s beauty lies in its underwater reefs and we have plenty of ocean activities to choose from!

The landscape of the Big Island is formed by volcanoes, wind, and water, making every view dramatic. Take a trip across the island to see jagged cliffs and mountains that dominate the skyline while you get immersed into the rich history, culture, and beauty around every corner. Going sightseeing means seeing everything; Volcanoes National Park, the rainforests along the Hamakua and Hilo coastlines, and the beautiful beaches, coffee farms, historical sights of Hilo & Kona and so much more.

Seeing any of the Hawaiian Islands from the air is an amazing experience, but a helicopter tour of the Big Island is more worthwhile than anywhere else. The island is so extensive that it can take several days just to get an idea of where to go. By kicking off the trip with an air tour, you’ll get an invaluable overview of the entire island, learning all you need to know about where to go and what to do. That’s why we recommend doing an air tour early-on in your trip to grasp just how big the Big Island really is!

The skies across Hawaii are amazing for watching the stars but Big Island has some of the best in the world. Some of the top discoveries have been made right up on Mauna Kea. You can go make some discoveries of your own during our sunset or sunrise stargazing tours.

Luaus are celebrations of the Polynesian cultures that migrated to Hawaiʻi centuries ago. They also embody the meaning of “Aloha”, now known worldwide thanks to the welcoming spirit of Hawaiian culture. Check out these great luaus or read more about this history of these celebrations that are now a focal point of everyone’s Hawaiian vacation. It’s no mystery why that is: they are a lot of fun for the entire ʻohana (family)!

Ride across the land like an old Paniolo cowboy at various ranches. You will love the horses we have for you and the views on these open range and trail horseback riding excursions are breathtaking too.

Speeding across the land, hitting mud, turns, streams and more is all part of the ATV adventure. Check out the options currently available and book your fun now.

Zip lines can be found across Hawaii but like everything else on the island they are bigger and more exciting. Come get your adrenaline pumping.

Get away from the crowds and immerse yourself in nature on a hike. Go bird watching, check out a volcano or visit beautiful waterfalls. Even go inside a lava tube. Every trip to Hawaii should include at least 1 hike through our beautiful landscape.

On the more wet side of the Big Island, not far from Hilo, the rainforest environment provides a lot of opportunties for fun. Go river kayaking, rappel waterfalls and have a lot of fun swimming in waterfall pools. There are all sorts of opportunties some great river-based fun!

Deep sea fishing off the Kona coast is something most anglers will dream off. We pull up on incredible fighting fish including marlin, mahi, ahi, ono and others.

Having a nice cruise is a great way to unwind and relax. Our lunch or dinner cruise options provide just that. Have a tasty meal on the water with beautiful views.

Are you unsure what to choose or do? Let us design you a vacation you will love. We handle flights, activities, hotels and meals too. Check out our all inclusive vacation package options that include nights on Big Island below.