Activity Overview: 30 Things to Do on the Big Island

Knowing what activities are possible on the Big Island is key to choosing the activity that is right for you and helps to prevent you from having to change your plans last minute.

The “problem” of deciding what you want to do while on our island is making a choice, because there often too many bucketlist activities to choose from that fit in the 8 days that most people spend on the Big Island. Our preferred solution to this is to stick with only a few activities (no more than 1/day) and to make sure that they count. Enjoy the moment and take as much time as you and/or your family/friends need without having to stress about the next item on the itinerary.

Must-do Big Island Activities

We know that “just” picking a few activities is easier said than done, so we have made a small list of highlights to help you make the first cut. A few of these are unique to the Big Island (i.e. not possible from other Hawaiian islands, see also our guide to things to do on Oʻahu), while others can also be enjoyed at other islands albeit with a different setting.

Big list of Things to do on the Big Island

You can find outdoor adventures wherever you are on the island. The activities listed below in alphabetical order are the most common things to do on land, in the water, and in the air:

1. Go off-road and get muddy with an ATV ride
2. Explore our many world-class beaches
3. Rent a bicycle and explore the island at your own pace
4. Get tropical at one of the many botanical gardens
5. Go camping to be even closer to nature
6. Visit a Cacao plantation and taste our delicious locally made chocolate!
7. Join a farm tour to learn about the local agriculture
8. Explore the unique Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
9. Play a game of golf at one of the beautiful golf courses
10. See the Big Island from above with a helicopter tour
11. Put on your hiking boots to explore nature
12. Go horseback riding through lush rainforests
13. Soak in one of the volcanically heated hot ponds
14. See red-hot lava
15. Put on your hard hat and explore miles of lava tubes
16. Get cultural (and culinary!) with a luau show
17. Join the (unmissable!) manta ray night dive/snorkel
18. Pack some food and go for a picnic.
19. Rappel down two thundering waterfalls
20. Road trip! Pick one of our favorite scenic drives to see the island
21. There is no way to explore the underwater world like scuba diving
22. Snorkeling though, is a close second!
23. Go stargazing at the Maunakea Summit
24. Stand up and paddle along the scenic Hilo and Kona coastlines
25. See dolphins in a safe and respectful way
26. Catch a wave at the birthplace of surfing
27. Volunteer and give back during your stay
28. Soak in one of our beautiful waterfalls
29. See humpback whales from up-close during whale season
30. Soar through the treetops on one of our fun zipline courses

ATV Tours

ATV tours are a fun way to explore the beautiful difficult to access places such as the wild forests and cliffs on the Hamakua and Kohala coast. These tours typically take you on a 10+ mile drive through private lands with stops on the way at scenic points, historic sites, and waterfalls.

ATV tours are spread evenly along the coast (2 on the Hilo side, 2 on the Kona side) – you can read more about all of them on our list of ATV Tours on the Big Island.

Beaches

The Beaches are one of the main attractions of the Big Island and are great for being lazy, snorkeling, surfing or anything you want really. Here you can find world-class white sand beaches, but also black sand beaches and even a green sand beach!

Read more about the Beaches on the Big Island.

Green Sand Beach is of only two green sand beaches in the United States.

Biking

Biking here is rarely considered by tourists and commonly thought of as “something only those crazy triathlon types would do”. However, it can be a very rewarding and fun experience to rent a bike during the day and cruise around town and along the shore or to ride in the rainforest, or to see the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on an e-bike.

Put on your helmet and read more about Biking on the Big Island.

Botanical Gardens

The Hilo and Hamakua coasts are filled with rainforest, waterfalls, and tropical flowers and these natural treasures can be most easily seen in one of the botanical gardens on the Big Island. Exploring these gardens typically takes up to a few hours and can add a well-deserved rest-stop to your otherwise frantic itinerary.

Read more about Botanical Gardens on the Big Island.

The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Gardens near Hilo are our favorite botanical garden on the Big Island

Camping

Camping is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about how you will be spending your nights during your trip to Hawaiʻi. Sleeping outdoors however, adds an element of adventure or romance to your vacation. It lets you be closer to nature and will show you an element of the Big Island few other visitors will experience.

There are campsites to be found all around Big Island but plan ahead because most campsites need to be reserved ahead of time. Read more in our guide about Camping on the Big Island.

Visit a Cacao plantation and taste delicious locally made chocolate!

Thanks to its tropical climate Hawaii is the only state where chocolate can be made with locally produced ingredients. The cacao is grown and processed on the Big Island resulting in true, locally produced, American, chocolate.

If you would like to visit a chocolate orchard and learn more about making chocolate you can do so at 2 farms in south of Kona and 8 (!) close to Hilo and on the Hamakua coast.

The 2.5 hour Hamakua Chocolate Farm tour takes you through their farm, gardens and cacao processing facilities. Image credit: the Hamakua Chocolate Farm.

Farm Tours

Farm tours are a great way to make a deep connection with the land and to explore our exotic farms and animals. Learn about (and taste) our local coffee, vanilla, honey, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and more. Animal lovers can also find e.g. a seahorse farm, a petting zoo and (exotic) animal sanctuaries.

Read more about the Farm Tours on the Big Island.

You can hold a seahorse during the tour at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm. Image credit: the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm

Farmers Markets

Farmers markets are one of the little-known gems of the Big Island. They are spread over the whole island and with only a little planning you can stop by one for breakfast or lunch, or pick up a few souvenirs.

Read more in our complete list of Farmers Markets on the Big Island.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is by far the most popular tourist destination on the Big Island!

Here you can hike over recently solidified lava fields, immerse yourself in rain- and fern forests that make you feel like you are in Jurassic park, see the lava glow over the Halemaʻumaʻu crater at night (if there is a lava lake), and much more!

Read more about the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Golfing

The Big Island is known as the golf capital of the state, and Kona is in the heart of it. Some of the biggest names in course design have carved championship golf courses into the island that will call you back to the green – again and again.

There are courses for every level of experience: from inexpensive municipal courses to challenging mountainside challenges up to breath-taking championship courses. Read more about Golfing on the Big Island in our complete guide.

Helicopter Tours

The Big Island hides many of its awe-inspiring wonders behind obstacles that are impassable and are impossible to see – except from the air! Think about hidden waterfalls and fresh lava flows, or what about the lava lakes in the Halemaʻumaʻu and Puʻu Oʻo craters the Kilauea volcano?

Read more about taking a helicopter tour on the Big Island.

The steep cliffs of the Kohala coast are extra spectacular when seen from a helicopter. image credit: Paradise Helicopters

Hiking

The Big Island hosts some GREAT hikes through barren lava fields, lush rainforests or to secluded beaches. Or do you feel like hiking through a crater that was filled with lava only 50 years ago? That is also possible!

Hiking is a great way to get off the beaten path and explore the island in peace. Did you know that 8 out of 13 climate zones worldwide are represented on the Big Island? This means that there can be a totally different view hidden around every corner.

Read more about Hiking on the Big Island or skip ahead to our 5 favorite short Big Island hikes.

The Kilauea Iki trail is one of our favorite hikes on the island

Horseback riding

Several ranches around the island offer the opportunity to explore their (often very large) range as part of a guided tour of the pastures with spectacular views of the coastline and peaks. It is also possible to make it off the range and explore other spectacular parts of the island, such as Waipiʻo valley.

You can go on a horseback riding tour close to Waipiʻo Valley, in the Waimea + Kohala region, near Hilo and the Hamakua coast Tours, and even in Kaʻu (South Point) and South Kona (Captain Cook area). Read more about all those tours in our guide about horseback riding on the Big Island.

A group on a Horseback riding tour in Waipiʻo valley. Photo credit: Mike Neenan

Hot Ponds

Many hot ponds on the Big Island have been overrun by lava in the past decade, but some remain! You can find these in the Puna district on the east coast of the Big Island. Most are publicly accessible and make a great addition to your itinerary, especially if you are staying more than 7 days on the Big Island!

Learn more about hot ponds on the Big Island.

The 5 hot springs at Pohoiki. In this aerial picture of the new black sand beach at the Isaac Hale Park taken on 21 January 2020 you can see that the basaltic sand from the 2018 lava delta (right) continues to accumulate, both widening and elongating the beach in Pohoiki Bay. Image credit: USGS (public domain)

See Red-hot Lava!

Lava viewing is a must-do activity if you are lucky enough to be on the Big Island while one of the volcanoes is actively erupting. Hawaii wouldn’t exist if it were not for the continuous volcanic activity that created all the islands, and seeing this happening in “real-time” is, for many people, a once in a lifetime experience.

First lava of the June 7, 2023 Kilauea eruption. Image credit: USGS

Both Hilo and Volcano Village are well suited to use as a base when you want to go and see the lava. Hilo is closer to the lava flows in Kalapana (when active), while Volcano Village is literally around the corner of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. People visiting from the Kona coast need to drive for longer and often opt to spend a night in Volcano or to join a (paid) day-tour.

Use our guide to lava viewing on the Big Island to plan your own adventure!

Hiking tours to the lava flow can be tiresome but are worth every drop of sweat you shed!

Explore Lava Tubes

Exploring lava tubes is a great way to get to know more about the volcanic processes that continue to shape the Big Island, especially when there is no lava flowing on the surface. Because they are easy to access and have a fascinating formation history (rivers of lava!) they are a perfect family outing, but more hard-core multiple-hour spelunking guided tours are also possible.

Most lava tubes are on the south and east side of the Big Island. Read more about the ones you can visit for free or as part of a guided tour in our guide to Big Island lava tubes.

The Kaumana Caves in Hilo (free access) give access to many miles of underground lava tubes.

Luau Shows and Hula Performances

A luau is a traditional Hawaiian party usually including food and entertainment. For most visitors to the Big Island however, going to a luau means joining other visitors at a luau show. This experience includes a buffet with traditional foods and entertaining cultural performances from Hawaii and greater Polynesia that include music, dance (hula), and storytelling.

There are about 10 luau show on the Big Island, all with their own highlights. Some are great to visit with kids, others have an open bar, great sunset views, or are very authentic. Learn more in our comparison of Luau shows on the Big Island.

Manta Ray Night Snorkel + Dive

The famous manta ray night dive in Kona is widely regarded as one of the most memorable dives on the planet. We agree with the experts and think that swimming with manta rays is one of the Big Island activities that you shouldn’t miss.

Read more about the Manta Ray night dive on our website.

A female scuba diver swims with a young male Manta ray in the Kona district / Big Island. By Steve Dunleavy from Lake Tahoe, NV, United States – Nick and Isabelle, Kona Hawaii, CC BY 2.0, Link

Manta Ray Tours

Our guide is filled to the brim with information on how, where, and when to see the mantas, but we also recommend a few manta ray tours. The one below is our favorite because of their manta-friendly approach and good price/quality ratio (which explains why they get such stellar reviews):

Picnic spots

Having a picnic is an easy and fun way to add value to your excursions. By packing a cooler with cold drinks and snacks you can fit a picnic in between the activities you plan in the morning and the afternoon, saving time and money and adding an experience.

Read more about picnicking on the Big Island.

Rappel down a thundering waterfall

Somewhere between ziplining and rock climbing, waterfall rappelling is an outdoor adventure that combines the thrill of descending cliffs with the beauty of cascading waterfalls. Here on the Big Island, participants get the chance to rappel through lush tropical landscapes and stunning waterfalls.

Read more about waterfall rappelling on the Big Island.

There are two waterfalls you can rappel down from:

1. The Kulaniapia Falls
2. tripple-tier Umauma Falls.

Both options are family friendly but for true beginners we recommend the Kulaniapia falls.

Rappel down the famous Triple-Tier waterfalls, swim, or float in river tubes. Image: Island Mountain Guides.

Scenic drives

A small detour to your destination can often open up a whole new face of the Big Island. These scenic drives are made to show some of the beautiful places on the Big Island that you would have missed if you rushed from destination to destination.

Take your time, drive slowly, and enjoy the views. Stop on the way at a fruit stand or at a small cafe for refreshments, and don’t forget your camera. These scenic routes will bring you closer to the “real Hawaii”.

Read more about Scenic drives on the Big Island.

The scenic chain of craters road in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ends after 23 miles at lava flows that covered the road in several eruptions between 1986 and 1996

Scuba Diving

The underwater world around all Hawaiian Islands is a #1 destination for Scuba divers world wide. Diving on the Big Island is a great way to get away from the crowds and to explore the underwater landscapes on your own. The abundance of sea life in each color of the rainbow is amazing and you can spend your whole vacation exploring the many sea caves, submerged lava tubes, and coral belts that surround the island.

See for example the next tour, that visits two dive sites along the northern Kohala coast. The sites here are are less crowded than those around Kailua Kona and the Kohala Coast offers some of the best reefs in the state with extremely high coral cover and fish biomass.

Read more about the dive sites and tour options in our guide to Big Island Scuba Diving.

Snorkeling

Hawaii is famous for its warm tropical waters and extremely diverse marine life. The waters around the Big Island are teeming with tropical fish of every size and color, and snorkeling is the perfect way to explore this beautiful underwater world.

In our guide to Snorkeling on the Big Island you will learn about our favorite snorkeling spots, snorkeling tips, and snorkeling tours. We also give our two cents about how to snorkel responsibly (both for yourself and for the reef + fish).

Kealakekua Bay  is one of the best places for snorkeling on the Big Island

Snorkeling tours

If you are not confident you can find all the best snorkeling spots on your own, or just don’t want to invest the little time you have on the Big Island into renting gear and taking care of everything yourself, you can choose to go on an organized snorkeling tour.

Snorkeling tours typically last 3 to 6 hours and use a boat to take you to some favorite snorkeling spots. Snorkeling gear, food and drinks, and entertainment are often taken care of. We are always happy with the tours offered by Body Glove (operating from Kona) and by Sea Paradise (operating from the Keauhou harbor south of Kona).

Stargazing and the Mauna Kea summit

Hawaii is one of the world’s best places for observing the stars, and there are many stargazing options that fit in your itinerary: from a (free) nighttime picnic to a midnight photo session on the Maunakea slopes to an adventurous visit to the world-class telescopes on the summit of Mauna Kea.

In our guide to Stargazing on the Big Island we explain how you can visit the Maunakea Visitor Center and see the telescopes and sunset at the summit.

Stargazing Tours to the Maunakea summit

Joining a stargazing tour is a good solution for people that do want to go to the Maunakea summit to see the sunset and then go stargazing, but don’t want to drive the perilous road to the summit or go through the hassle of organizing a 4×4.  If this sounds like you have a look at the following tour which we highly recommend because of their knowledgeable and interpretive guides that respect the local customs and habits.

Stand Up Paddle boarding (SUP)

Stand up paddle surfing (SUP) or, in the Hawaiian language, Hoe he’e nalu, is an emerging global sport with a Hawaiian heritage. Kona and Hilo both offer SUP board rentals and lessons and are great places to try out SUPping.

Read more about SUP.

Seeing and/or swimming with Dolphins

Swimming with dolphins is often described as an unforgettable experience that will leave you with memories for a lifetime. On the Big Island it can be done by people of all ages and swimming skills but there is one BIG “however” to consider when researching this activity: the well-being of the dolphins.

‘Swim with dolphins’ tours can be harmful to the dolphins themselves and at the moment we don’t recommend any of these tours. Read more on the how and why in our guide to swimming with dolphins on the Big Island.

Spinner dolphins swimming off the Kona coast. Credit: Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) / Julie Hotz

See dolphins on a tour the sustainable way

Seeing dolphins and going snorkeling are two activities that go very well together, and there are many tour operators offering dolphin swim and snorkel tours. However, since October 2021 dropping people in the water close to dolphins or actively approaching them is not permitted. Therefore, one of the best and most dolphin-friendly ways to see dolphins now is to join a (snorkeling) cruise that takes you past places with healthy dolphin populations. Those dolphins will often follow the boats and play in the wake of the boat.

One of these tours is the 4.5 hour morning snorkel cruise which offers an excellent chance of dolphin and other marine mammal sightings while they cruise to the snorkel site (note: there is no dolphin guarantee).

Surfing

Hawaii is the birthplace of surfing and the Big Island offers surfing for all levels. If you have never experienced the thrill of riding a wave but want to you should try signing up for a surfing class at a local surf school.

Read more about surf spots and board rentals in our guide to surfing on the Big Island.

Kahaluʻu bay is one of the more popular (and easy) Big Island surf spots.

Volunteer and give back during your visit

One way to have fun AND do good at the same time is to become a volunteer on Hawaii. Giving something back to mother nature is guaranteed to be a memorable experience and, besides, it will take you into the wilderness that few other visitors (and locals for that matter) will ever experience!

Read more about the volunteering opportunities on the Big Island.

See one (or more) of our many tropical waterfalls

You can find many waterfalls on the north and east side of the Big Island thanks to lots of rain and a large gradient in elevation (volcanoes!). The size of these waterfalls and their location in the lush and tropical rainforest makes them a popular and spectacular attraction to check out.

You may have a luxury problem though: there are more waterfalls on the Big Island than you can reasonable visit during your stay! This is why we list the tallest, most popular, and most easily accessible waterfalls in our guide to waterfalls on the Big Island.

The Rainbow Falls in Hilo score high points for being very easy to access and of course for the rainbows you can see during (early) morning visits!

Whale Watching

Humpback whales make their annual journey to Hawaii between the months of November and April (whale season), and the Big Island is our favorite of the Hawaiian islands to see them. There are many ways to experience these majestic animals:

• you can listen to the whales under water,
• spot them from shore,
• or see them up-close from a boat.

All of this (and more) is explained in our guide to whale watching on the Big Island (or see directly which whale watching tours we think are the best).

A humpback whale breaches the surface.

Ziplining

Ziplining is an activity where you are attached with a harness to a rope that is strung between a high and a low point. The zip lines are built high above scenic areas and features such as ravines, jungles, meadows, and forests, and there are plenty of those on the Big Island.

There are 3 zipline courses near Hilo and one north of Kona. You can learn more about all 4 of these ziplines in our guide to Ziplining on the Big Island.

A zipline at the Umauma eXperience that lets you soar by the famous triple-tiered Umauma Falls.