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65 Things to Do on the Big Island Hawaii

Sherianne Higgins·
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Top Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii

If you are planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and looking for the best things to do, see, and eat while visiting, you are in the right place. The Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is also the most diverse with active volcanoes, rainforests, pasture land, and snow-capped mountains. Hawaii is most known for its waterfalls, colorful beaches, green sea turtles, coffee, and Volcanoes National Park. Browse the list of must-see attractions, off-the-beaten-path experiences, outdoor activities, and museums to create your personal Big Island of Hawaii bucket list. Then, plan the itinerary for your Big Island of Hawaii trip with these top things to do, see, and eat. Enjoy your time out of the office!

READ Things to Do in Kauai Hawaii
READ Things to Do in Maui Hawaii

Lava Field Volcanoes National Park Hawaii Big Island Best Things to do
Volcanoes National Park Hawaii

Things to Do in and Around Hilo Hawaii

Zipline through the rainforest past waterfalls

Don’t miss Akaka Falls 442 foot waterfall

Hike the loop to Kahuna Falls

Visit Rainbow Falls after sunrise to catch the rainbow

Hike to the Wailuku River’s Boiling Pots

Hike to the floor of Hi’ilawe Falls

Go for a swim in PeePee Falls (at your own risk)

Witness lava flow into the ocean by boat or helicopter ride

Watch the smoke rise from Kilauea Caldera in Volcanoes National Park

Drive the beautiful Crater Chain Link Road

Take a bike tour through the lava fields

Stop by the Jaggar Museum and Overlook at night to see the lava flow

Spend a night at Kilauea’s Volcano House

Walk the Thurston Lava Tube

Check out the lava flow at Pahoa Town

Go on a lava hunt tour

Check out the Holei Sea Arch

Stop at the Kalapana Lava Viewing Area

Explore Kaumana Cave

Visit the tasting room at Volcano Winery

Hike the Kilauea Iki Trail to the crater’s floor

Relax in Ahalanui Park’s thermal pool

Try mushroom chocolate at Hamakua Mushroom Factory

Photograph MacKenzie State Park’s shoreline

Hike the Malama-ki Forest Reserve

Visit Hawaii Botanical Tropical Gardens

Watch the sunset and stay to stargaze at Mauna Kea Summit

Check out the black sand at Kaimu Beach

Check out the old sugar plantations along Cane Haul Road

Explore Kapaho’s tidepools

Enjoy the log swing at Pololu Valley

Kona Waterfall Hawaii Big Island Best Things to do
Waterfall in Kona

Things to Do in and Around Kona Hawaii

Check out Papakolea’s green sand beach

Swim with Manta Rays

Snorkel the underwater sanctuary at Kealakekua Bay

Kayak past the Captain Cook Monument

Stop for samplings and tours along the Kona Coffee Belt

Learn about Hawaii’s history at Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Check out the sacred Hale O Kekuewa temple

See St. Benedict’s Painted Church

Stop by Huggo’s Bar at sunset for cocktails

Go paddleboarding

Take a glass-bottom boat ride

Shop in historic Kona Town

Eat Poke

Check out Hulihee Palace and Mokuaikaua Church

Swim with wild dolphins

Relax on the white sand beaches of Kaunaoa Bay

Stop by the Pololu Valley Lookout for gorgeous coastline views

Stop at Buddha Point for a picnic lunch

Relax in a beach chair with a cocktail for sunset at Lava Lava Beach Club

Cliff dive off the End of the World (or watch others)

Check out the bee colonies at Volcano Island Honey Farm

Explore the Puako Petroglyph Preserves lava carvings

Check out the tide pools at Mauna Kea Beach

Relax on Hapuna Beach

DIY a tour of the Great Hawaiian Nut Trail

Stop by Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company for samplings and souvenirs

Take a surfing lesson

Swim with sea turtles at Kahaluu Bay

Participate in a cattle drive at Waimea’s Dahana Ranch

Stop in Kona Brewery for a local beer

Learn to play the ukulele

ATV through Waipio Valley

Attend a luau

Take a sunset dinner cruise

Check the Hawaii Tourism Board website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.

My Favorite Booking Resources

  • Discover Cars Search, compare and save on car rentals.
  • Trainline Explore effortlessly by train and bus.
  • Booking.com Search Booking.com to find the perfect property.
  • Hostelworld Hostelworld has great inexpensive options.
  • Get Your Guide Don’t chance it, the best attractions sell out.
  • Tiqets Get your tickets now, relax when you arrive.
  • Big Bus Tours Hop-on Hop-off at all the iconic landmarks.
  • Go City Card Save up to 50% on attractions, tours and activities.
  • Welcome Pickups Airport and port transfers.
  • Visitors Coverage Pick the right travel insurance for you.
  • Use code SAVE10 to pick up a travel guide from Lonely Planet to browse on the plane.
  • Shop my Amazon travel essentials and have them delivered to your home. 

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21 Responses

  1. Its a big Island features so many possible activities that not being able to do all activities you would like in your vacation is an often-encountered “problem”. Our personal preference is to stick with a few activities and to make sure they count. Picnicking is fun and can add much value to your vacation on the Big Island.

    1. Agreed. And I love using lists like this when planning my time to ensure I pick the best activities for me!

  2. Where was the first photo in this post taken (the trickling waterfall)? It’s a beautiful shot.

    1. That was taken while on a tour through some private land to another waterfall for swimming. The whole area was very pretty!

  3. Snow-capped mountains? Totally threw me for a loop. I had no idea elevations were high enough for snow. Really neat and nice change up from the warm tropical paradise images and descriptions I am accustomed to.

    Ryan

  4. We got married in Maui, though unfortunately didn’t have the chance to take in the Big Island, it sounds like there are some incredible things to see and do though. I’ve seen photos of Papakolea’s green sand beach and do want to make it there at some stage. And it would be so amazing to swim with Manta Rays!!

  5. Wow! I had never imagined that there are so many things to do in Hawaii. Such a big list! I am a great fan of nature and spend a lot of time hiking and in the mountains during my travels so I would love most of these I guess. I would love to check out all the waterfalls. Also, I have never seen larva carvings before, so I would want to check them for sure!

  6. There are so many fun activities to do in Big Island! I’d love to drive ATV through Waipio Valley. Swimming with the dolphins and turtles would be amazing!

  7. I’ve always wanted to visit Hawaii! A helicopter ride to see the lava flows has to be my dream trip, and although I’m not a fan of hiking there seems to be so many amazing hikes here I’d have to do at least one!

    1. It doesn’t have to be a huge hike! I did a simple hike that ended with a waterfall swim, it was perfect!

  8. Hawaii is 1 of 2 states I have left to visit. It always seems so tricky to book a trip because each island has its own character and soo many things to do. I’d love to hike and snorkel. The sanctuary at Kealakekua Bay sounds great and the manta ray experience would be unforgettable. Definitely keeping the Big Island in mind for my Hawaii itinerary.

  9. This list of recommendations is so exhaustive in the best possible way! Hawaii looks like an absolute paradise. I was looking into it for our honeymoon, but just couldn’t scrounge up enough $$ at the time unfortunately. This list would be a blast to check off when traveling there!

  10. I’ve only been to Maui and would love to go back and explore the Big Island. So much to do and experience. Do you have any recommendations or not to miss experiences? I’m most interested in attending a luau and sampling the local cuisine!! Great tips all around.

  11. Wow, I’ve been to the Big Island several times but have yet to do most of these! Could be that the Aloha spirit takes over and I turn into a slug. I need to get there and work this!

  12. What a comprehensive list! I didn’t realize you could do a bike tour of the lava fields — how did you organize that? Do you actually cycle over the lava fields or are you on flat ground?

  13. Lots of cool things to see and do in Hawaii. I haven’t been in years but would enjoy a return visit. I want to see Rainbow Falls and go for a helicopter ride. 😉

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