Best Big Island Activities

On Big Island, Everything is bigger

The Big Island, also known as Hawaii Island, is the youngest and most expansive island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Remarkably, it is almost double the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands put together. This island has been known as “The Big Island” since its early history. It features a diverse range of climates, from humid tropics to snowy mountain peaks.

Your time in Hawaii will go by too fast! Make sure to include some bucket-list items to check off while you’re visiting:

Want adventure? Go ziplining!
Love the ocean? Book a boat trip and some snorkeling. Bonus if you come during whale-watching season (Dec-April)!
See an active volcano or hike through a pristine forest filled with exotic plants.
Don’t forget to plan for some stargazing atop the tallest mountain in the world!
If you want to sit back and let someone else do the driving, plenty of guided tours are available. Pick up and drop off at your hotel with a full day of adventure in between.
Hawaii isn’t a top honeymoon destination for no reason: you and your sweetie can enjoy a gourmet sunset dinner sail or play in waterfalls ala “The Blue Lagoon.” Many a marriage proposal has happened in Hawaii! Many options will allow you to pick the perfect place and time to pop the question.
Experience Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the snow-capped heights of Mauna Kea; hike (or go by horseback) through lush valleys of the Hilo and Hamakua Coasts or play on the jet-black sands of Punaluu Beach. Whatever your preference is, you’ll find it here.

Lu’aus

A Big Island Luau is the perfect opportunity to experience the community and culture of the Hawaiian Islands. While luaus were not traditional in ancient Hawaii, where laws dictated that men and women weren’t allowed to eat together, today, they are a classic aspect of any Hawaiian vacation. Under the magical Hawaiian sky, while you feast on a lavish buffet of local foods, enjoy a dinner show with music and dance, including hula and fire dancers! Locations and starting times vary, so you can choose what suits you.

Volcano Tours

No visit to the Big Island is complete without visiting Volcanoes National Park. This massive park is home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. At 523 square miles, you’ll find plenty to explore! Discover 150 miles of hiking trails through volcanic craters, scalded deserts, and rainforests. Begin your visit at the Kilauea Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps, learn about the park’s hikes, and get the latest volcano updates here. Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984, and Kilauea’s last major eruption was in 2018, but it’s been erupting almost continuously since 1983! Nighttime visits to the caldera on foot or by helicopter will leave you humbled by the sheer power of nature.

Volcanoes National Park Kilauea Sunset Night Glow Big Island

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Stargazing Tours

The Big Island sky is protected by a strong lighting ordinance, which has preserved the dark night sky over the island. Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are ideal for stargazing. You can choose sunset/twilight packages with full dinner included or pick up at your hotel for a small group tour. There are also family-friendly alternatives, including a state-of-the-art telescope and a professional astronomer guide.

Mauna Kea Telescope and Stars shutterstock

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Helicopter Tours

Some of the most beautiful parts of Hawaii are so remote they can only be seen from the air. The Big Island is so massive that it can take a full day of driving to see just one side of the Island, but you can see it all from the air. Choose from several one- or two-hour tours to take in the spectacles of Kilauea’s active lava flow, spectacular waterfalls, and the tropical rainforests of the Kohala Valley. These tours leave from different locations and feature different scenery, so you can choose the one that best suits your desires.

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Snorkeling Tours

Snorkeling is a must-do when you come to Hawaii. Become transported to a different world under the sea along the pristine coastline. Day trips on well-equipped and comfortable yachts will take you to Kealakekua Bay and the Kona coast to see bright-colored coral and schools of tropical fish – Hawaiian turtle sightings are common. You MUST go night snorkeling with magnificent manta rays for your bucket list. See these gentle giants up close and learn about marine life from knowledgeable guides. All gear is provided, and you’ll enjoy snacks and drinks on board.

see hawaiian spinner dolphins on a dive kona big island

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Sightseeing Tours

There are plenty of things for visitors to see and do on Hawaii Island: stargazing, horseback riding, visiting historic cultural sites, hiking, snorkeling, and participating in a variety of eco-adventures. The island’s varied terrain features the world’s tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, and the active Kilauea Volcano in Volcanoes National Park. You’re sure to find a one-of-kind Hawaii experience.

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Adventure Tours

There’s no end to the adventures you can have on the Big Island! Want to go fishing? Choose your option and length of the trip – all gear included, and you get to keep what you catch. Imagine zipping through the jungle on a zipline, then walking through the canopy on an aerial walking course? A manta ray discovery adventure is an incredible night-time experience where you’ll watch these gentle giants swooping through the water below while you watch from just inches away. Or discover old Hawaii on horseback on a peaceful 2.5-hour ride through the Waipio Valley. You will receive personalized attention and care as you ride through the lush surroundings and enjoy the vistas. Did you know the Big Island paniolos (cowboys) have won many national awards for their horsemanship skills? Excitement awaits on Hawaii Island!

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Family Things To Do

Experience the best family activities on Hawaii’s Big Island, with fun times and adventure for everyone! You can take the whole day and tour the entire island, starting in Kona, and you’ll see Hawaii Island’s incredible diversity. Did you know that rainbows are a daily occurrence here?

The Big Island has excellent outdoor activities for families with children of all ages. They will enjoy manta ray snorkeling, zip lines, snorkeling boats, and sightseeing trips. See Madame Pele in all her glory and bring your family on an in-depth experience at Volcanoes National Park. Stay after dark to see the lava glow at night while enjoying a gourmet meal.

We can even create a custom package for your family at a Big Island resort with protected beaches, great amenities, and beautiful pools.

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Luxury Tours

Choose a personalized experience from one of several private tours available on Hawaii Island. On land, you will have your own guide and tour the island at your own pace on an all-day, private vehicle excursion. Or maybe you will want to spend time on the ocean on a chartered fishing boat leaving from Kona daily for half-, full-, or ¾-day trips. Book a private snorkel and sailing trip on an incredible sailing yacht to Kealakekua Bay if you would rather be IN the ocean. Meals included! And don’t forget to check out a helicopter tour along the Kohala and Hamakua coastlines – considered by many to have the most spectacular scenery on the Big Island.

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Horseback Tours

A fantastic way to see the Big Island is on horseback. Hawaii Island is known for its paniolo or cowboy culture. An experienced guide will take you past the ruins of an ancient Hawaiian community, through the lush foliage of a tropical jungle, and along a cool stream to a beautiful waterfall. If you want, we have standup paddleboards available so you can cool off before you ride back to the barn. Helmets, saddlebags, and food included!

a relaxing hour horseback ride big island waipio on horseback

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Ocean Tours

Here in Hawaii, we love the ocean. It’s such a huge part of our culture and everyday lives that we want time on the water to be part of your favorite memories. There are so many ways you can enjoy the ocean it’s hard to pick just one – so choose a couple to round out your experiences.

Snorkeling is a must-do. Choose from options that include dolphin or whale watching, nighttime snorkeling up close and personal with graceful Manta Rays, or perhaps a submarine trip like a National Geographic film where you can explore a 25-acre natural coral reef! All snorkeling adventures include gear, and reef-safe sunscreen, and most include food and snacks.

Does a catered lunch following an adventurous day surrounded by waterfalls and lush forest sound perfect? Kayaking and ziplining go together like peanut butter and jelly in Hawaii! Ziplining through the jungle canopy will have you screaming with delight and will make for some fantastic photographs to share.

Paddleboarding is another fun way to experience the ocean, and you can enjoy it with several options for beginners or experienced paddlers. Lessons are available daily from Kona.

You’ve seen pictures of Hawaii’s famous outrigger canoes – now you can ride and paddle one. These traditional Hawaiian Wa’a canoes will seat 6 guests for a fun 1-hour ride. An experienced guide will give you a beach-side orientation, and you will launch from the protected beach at Kamakahonu Bay. Explore some of the local landmarks, learn about the history of the area, and learn about the role of the wa’a in Hawaiian culture as you paddle into Kailua Bay.

No trip for an ocean adventurer would be complete without a day of fishing for mahi-mahi, tuna, marlin, and ono. All gear is provided on these modern, well-kept fishing boats. Your experienced captain knows the best places to catch fish, and you get to keep what you catch! Excursions are available daily.

Tours from Hilo

The Hilo side of the island is known for its lush forests and rich history. It’s a little closer to the volcanoes than Kona, and the abundance of rainfall produces some magnificent waterfalls.

The Waipio Valley is home to an enormous ranch where you can ride horseback through the forest or ATV for epic views of the Hamakua Coast. Ziplining is popular here, and you’ll feel like you’re flying through the jungle canopy. Safety gear, instruction, and lunch are included.

If you’d rather take a personalized tour, that can be arranged to your liking. You’ll have a private guide and spend the day exploring whatever areas are of interest to your group. Varying sizes of groups can be easily accommodated. Your local expert guide will “talk story” about some of the rich histories of the island’s east side.

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Tours from Kona

The Kona Coast is home to most hotels, condos, and resorts for vacationers on the island. The warm, sunny weather on Hawaii Island’s west side makes for perfect vacation days. Many activities start in Kona or include pickup at your accommodation. Travel a little further, and you can explore some of the activities available in Waikoloa or Kohala.

Take a cruise along the coast to Kealakekua Bay, where you can swim in premier marine sanctuaries and see an abundance of colorful fish, turtles, and coral. The pristine beaches on the Kona side are a natural draw for most visitors, as is the ease of finding a perfect snorkel spot. The Captain Cook monument is an important piece of local history you will want to see while in the Bay. Kayak and snorkel tours are available – all gear is included.

Night dives to see magnificent Manta Rays feeding in their natural habitat should be at the top of your must-do list since there is no better way to see these gentle giants up close. You might want to attend a luau with local entertainment and traditional foods in the evening while you admire the sunset. Take a sunset photography tour, or perhaps you will want to go stargazing atop the world’s tallest mountain instead. This is an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Personalized tours can also be arranged. You’ll have a private guide and spend the day exploring whatever areas are of interest to your group. Varying sizes of groups can be easily accommodated. Your local expert guide will “talk story” about some of the rich histories of the island’s west side.

Best Big Island Activities