Things To Do In Hawaii: Big Island

There is no shortage of amazing things to do in Hawaii: Big Island. As the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, the Big Island of Hawaii (also known as Hawaii Island) offers visitors a wide variety of activities and experiences. From taking in the island’s stunning scenery to participating in adrenaline-pumping outdoor pursuits, visitors of all ages will find something to love about the Big Island.

When asked what to do on the Big Island, visitors almost universally recommend a sightseeing tour. Helicopter rides, excursions to live volcanoes, and visits to Kona coffee farms are just some of the tours that may be booked. Helicopter tours give tourists a bird’s eye view of the island’s natural beauty, including its active volcanoes, waterfalls, and beaches.

Image: Things To Do In Hawaii: Big Island

These tours are a once-in-a-lifetime chance to witness the beauty and vastness of the island for yourself. Volcano tours take visitors to the island’s active volcanoes like Kilauea and Mauna Loa, where they may witness volcanic activity up up and personal. Tourists can visit the volcano and see the lava flows, steam vents, and craters, as well as learn about the island’s volcanic past. These tours typically include visits to ancient Hawaiian temples and other historic places, taking visitors on a journey through the island’s rich cultural past. This is done so that visitors can learn more about the island’s history and culture and gain a deeper understanding and respect for the islanders and their way of life.

Booking Tours Online

Most of the popular tours and activities on The Big Island can be booked online. During peak season, many of the tours and activities sell out, so it’s best to book in advance. We’ve listed some of our favorite tours and activities on this page, and you can book them directly from the activity providers.

Water Activities

Some additional common water activities on the Big Island include snorkeling and scuba diving. Several species of dolphins, sea turtles, and a wide variety of fish of many colors call this island home. Through snorkeling and scuba diving trips, guests can discover the island’s underwater volcanic structures, shipwrecks, and coral reefs. Activities on the island give guests a chance to get up close and personal with marine life and appreciate the underwater beauty of the island. Divers and snorkelers go to the Kona Coast, Puako, and Honaunau Bay for the best conditions on the island. Each of these spots offers something truly special, and visitors can choose the one that best suits their interests and skill levels.

Volcanoes

When visiting the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is another must-see attraction. The park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes—Kilauea and Mauna Loa—providing tourists with an unparalleled opportunity to witness the power and beauty of a volcanic eruption firsthand. Visitors to the park can go on guided tours to see the lava flows, steam vents, and volcanic craters. The park also features a variety of hiking trails, such as the Kilauea Iki Trail and the Mauna Loa Trail, both of which lead to spectacular vantage points of the volcano’s peak. Hiking one of these trails allows visitors to get up up and personal with the island’s volcanic landscape and experience the island’s pristine natural beauty.

Cruises

Cruises are a popular alternative for getting about the Big Island while on vacation. Going on a whale watching boat, a dinner cruise, or a cruise to watch the sunset off the shore of the island is a great way for tourists to get a close look at the marine life and spectacular shoreline beauty of the island. Guests can kick back and unwind while taking in the stunning scenery of the island from the sea on one of these tours. Divers and snorkelers can go on excursions to the island’s surrounding volcanic cliffs and coral reefs. Tourists can enjoy the underwater scenery of the island and get up close to the local aquatic life on these excursions.

Zipline

Tours on the island’s ziplines are a thrilling and exciting way to take in the scenery. Guests may soar above the island’s green rainforests and picturesque waterfalls on a thrilling zipline trip. These tours provide visitors a unique adrenaline rush while also revealing the island’s breathtaking landscapes from a new vantage point. These excursions provide a wonderful chance to see the island’s natural wonders and experience the island’s unique ecosystem.

Fishing

The Big Island is also a popular destination for anglers. Visitors can reserve a space on a fishing charter and try their luck at catching a broad variety of fish, including tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi. Charter fishing gives tourists the opportunity to get up up and personal with the island’s marine life while also taking in the stunning scenery of the island’s coastline. Sport fishing charters are available for guests, giving them the opportunity to catch a large game fish. Sport fishing charters provide visitors the chance to try their hand at catching a giant fish and experience the thrill of being out on the water.

Outdoor Adventures

Plus, the Big Island is a fantastic location for a variety of outdoor pursuits, including swimming, hiking, sailing, biking, kayaking, ATV touring, and water sports like sailing and kayaking. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, from swimming in the clear waters of the island’s beaches to exploring the island’s lush rainforests to riding bikes along the island’s scenic roads to exploring the island’s rugged terrain on an all-terrain vehicle tour to paddling kayaks along the island’s bays and coastlines to trying their hand at water sports like surfing, parasailing, and stand-up paddleboarding. Guests can enjoy the island’s natural beauty and the many options for outdoor recreation that the island provides without leaving the premises.

Whale Watching

One of the most popular things to do on Hawaii’s Big Island is to watch whales. During the winter, tourists can embark on whale watching trips to see humpback whales that have come to the island’s warmer waters to breed and give birth. In addition to the beautiful environment, tourists can also see dolphins and sea turtles. Participants in these tours will learn about the island’s ecology and have the chance to see the marine creatures that calls it home.

Surfing

On the Big Island, surfing is consistently regarded as one of the top water sports. Many different surf breaks, suitable for both beginners and seasoned pros, can be found on the island. The island’s best surfing can be found at Honoli’i Beach Park, Makaha Bay, and Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Visitors can get up close and personal with the marine life and stunning coastal landscape by participating in surfing activities on the island. And, of course, there’s the thrilling prospect of riding the waves, which provides tourists with a mental and physical challenge.

Parasailing

Visitors to the Big Island often go parasailing, which is another popular pastime there. Guests can soar far above the island’s beautiful beaches and coastlines on a parasail and take in breathtaking views of the countryside below. Parasailing provides tourists with a novel way to experience the island’s stunning scenery and gain a deeper appreciation for its natural wonders.

Paddleboarding

Paddleboarding is quickly becoming another popular water sport on the Big Island to join surfing. While exploring the island’s coves and coasts, visitors may get up close and personal with the island’s aquatic life on a paddleboarding trip. Stand-up paddleboarding (or “paddleboarding”) is a great way for island visitors to get some exercise and take in the island’s stunning scenery. Furthermore, it allows visitors to explore the island’s waterways and become acquainted with the marine life and coastal beauty.

Overall, the Big Island of Hawaii offers visitors a wide variety of exciting activities and sights to see. Visitors visiting Hawaii’s Big Island have the opportunity to explore the island’s natural beauty and participate in thrilling outdoor activities, all while learning about the island’s illustrious cultural history. Any kind of traveler, regardless of age or interests, would find something to do and see on this island. If you’re looking for a spot to fish, swim, walk, sail, bike, take ATV tours, kayak, whale watch, surf, parasail, paddleboard, or any other form of water recreation, the Big Island is your best bet. You may walk, sail, bike, snorkel, dive, take a tour, cruise, zipline, fish, visit the volcano national park, and take a cruise, zipline, fish, all in one day. The island’s rich cultural heritage and vast range of recreational opportunities make it a fantastic vacation spot for individuals of all ages and interests. With a wide variety of sights to see and experiences to partake in, vacationers will be able to tailor their trip to their unique interests and tastes. When tourists visit the Big Island, they will have the chance to see Hawaii at its finest and make memories that will last a lifetime.

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