Welcome to the Big Island
(Welina mai i ka mokopuni nui)
Explore the Big Island
Although the Big Island may be best known for volcanoes and coffee, this island has so much more to offer than its rugged volcanic landscape. Bursting with history and natural beauty you’ll never run out of places to explore or things to do!
The island of Hawaii, commonly referred to as the Big Island, is the youngest and the largest of all the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, it is so large that you can fit all the other islands inside it. The leeward (western) side is dry and sunny while the windward (eastern) side receives more wind and rain. As a result, you’ll find all the beachside resorts built along the leeward side (Kona and the Kohala Coast). Likewise, you’ll find lush rainforests, waterfalls, and farmland on the windward side.
Volcanoes and remnants of their past eruptions are everywhere on the Big Island. Volcanoes created the island, which is still growing today. There are five shield volcanoes on the Big Island. The main three are: Mauna Loa, the largest active volcano on Earth. Kilauea, the world’s most active, gives brief lava shows a few times a year. And the long-dormant Mauna Kea, the tallest and most sacred to the Hawaiian people. Mauna Kea is also the site of the largest observatory in the world with more than a dozen massive telescopes located at the summit (closed to the public).
Both Mauna Loa and Kilauea are partially located inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The park is the most visited spot on the island. Visitors can look into Kilauea’s massive sunken crater or walk through an ancient lava tube. There are also steam vents, lava fields, and a historic hotel built on the caldera’s edge to check out.
While volcanoes are the main attraction, the island is also teeming with cultural and historic sites. Here you can find petroglyphs etched in stone centuries ago and three National Historic Sites dedicated to preserving and sharing ancient Hawaiian culture. You can see the former estate of King Kamehameha the Great on the shores of Kona Beach. Or stroll through the public gardens donated by Queen Lili’uokalani in Hilo. Or take a hike or a boat ride to the spot where Captain Cook was slain. You won’t run out of interesting places to explore.
The Big Island has many historic sites, volcanoes, waterfalls and other off-the-beaten-path places to discover. Just be sure to bring your hiking shoes and your sense of adventure!
Top Things to do on the Big Island
- Explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Go on a Night Snorkel with Manta Rays
- Zipline Past Waterfalls
- Take a Sunset Dinner Cruise around Kealakekua Bay
- Snorkel in Red Hill's Underwater Lava Formations
- Go on an Off-roading Adventure
- Take a Canopy Tour of the Kohala Coast
- Hike to Waterfalls
- Look for Humpback Whales in the Winter
- Hike to Kilauea's Caldera
- Visit the Waipio Valley Lookout
- Visit Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
- Explore Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
- Tour a Kona Coffee Farm
- Daytrip to Pearl Harbor
The Big Island's Top Excursions
Highlights of Pearl Harbor Tour from Kona
Tour Length
14 Hours
Price
525.00
Step into history with a full-day tour from Kona. Experience the best of Pearl Harbor and Downtown Honolulu. Your airfare is included!
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
Stand on the deck of the USS Missouri
Guided tour of historic downtown Honolulu
View Punchbowl National Cemetery
Mauna Kea Summit and Stars
Tour Length
8 hours
Price
$295.00
Where better to see the stars than from the highest summit in Hawaii? Dress warm and prepare to be amazed!
Watch the sunset from 13,796 feet!
See the stars through a powerful telescope
Tour the night sky with expert guides
Personalized, small group tours
Keauhou Manta Ray Snorkel (South Kona)
Tour Length
1.5 Hours
Price
$99.00
The Keauhou Manta Ray Snorkel travels only a few hundred yards through calm protected waters, to arrive at the Manta Ray viewing site.
Swim with giant Manta Rays at night!
Short boat ride to diving site (under 5 mins)
Personalized, small group tours
Most affordable way to visit the Manta Rays
Manta Ray Night Snorkel (Kona)
Tour Length
3 Hours
Price
$130.00
Meet the crew at Honokohau Harbor before setting off to find the giant Manta Rays under a starry sky in Kona.
See the Manta Rays up close and personal!
Enjoy a night on the water under a starry sky
Ride to diving spot in comfort
Hot chocolate & snacks served after the dive
Manta Ray Snorkel Big Island (Waikoloa)
Tour Length
1.5 Hours
Price
$175.00
Take a nighttime trip on the water with a small, intimate group to witness Manta Rays up close and personal.
Snorkel with Manta Rays at night!
Watch as they feed on plankton
Located just 10 minutes from Waikoloa Village
Personalized, small group tours
Kona to Pearl Harbor Memorial Tour
Tour Length
14 hours
Price
$550.00
Spend the day at Pearl Harbor. See the all the sites, plus enjoy lunch at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Airfare, transportation, and entrance fees included.
Ride the ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial
Guided tour of the USS Battleship Missouri
Audio-tour of the USS Bowfin Submarine
Explore the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Whale Watching Cruise (December-March)
Tour Length
2.5 hours
Price
$110.00
Keep your eyes peeled and camera ready! This seasonal whale watching cruise will take you to the winter home of migrating humpback whales.
Witness the yearly humpback whale migration
See dolphins, sea turtles, and more
Tour narration provided by a marine life expert
Guaranteed whale sightings or return for free
Umauma Falls Zipline Tour (Hilo Area)
Tour Length
2.5 hours
Price
$229.00
Enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and fulfill your need for speed on this one-of-a-kind course with ziplines that can reach up to 65 MPH!
Waterfalls, rainforests, fern grottos, and more!
Cross a suspension bridge over a river gorge
Automatic braking does the work for you
Fun for the whole family!
Umauma Zip & Waterfall Dip (Hilo Area)
Tour Length
4 Hours
Price
$314.00
Zip past waterfalls while reaching speeds up to 65 mph! When you finish the course, enjoy a swim beneath a waterfall, followed by a picnic lunch.
Two miles of exhilarating ziplining!
Cross a suspension bridge over a river gorge
Swim under a waterfall when you finish!
Enjoy a picnic lunch beside the waterfall
Umauma ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim
Tour Length
2 hours
Price
$217.00
Kick up some dirt and enjoy some of the best views of the Big Island. And when you finish the 5.5-mile course, cool off with a swim under a waterfall!
Scenic and tropical 5.5 mile private course
Swim under a waterfall when you finish
Fun-filled family adventure!
First-timers welcome (instruction included)
Big Island Tour Comparison
| Tour Name | Price | Duration | Tour Times | Rating | What's Included | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlights of Pearl Harbor Tour from Kona | 525.00 | 14 Hours | 6:00 AM | 4.9 | Ground transportation in Oahu, Boat ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial, Exhibits at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, Admission to the USS Battleship Missouri, Narrated tour of historical downtown Honolulu, King Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, Punchbowl National Cemetery, Kawaiahao Church, Round-trip flights included | |
| Mauna Kea Summit and Stars | $295.00 | 8 hours | 1:30 PM | 5.0 | We provide a warm picnic dinner, assorted teas, hot chocolate and dessert. , Learn about Hawaiian celestial navigation. , Pictures taken of the night sky shared with you by email. , Warm weather gear is included: hooded parka and gloves., Round trip transportation from Kona and Waikoloa in our 4-wheel drive mini coach. | |
| Keauhou Manta Ray Snorkel (South Kona) | $99.00 | 1.5 Hours | At Sunset (Times Vary) | 4.8 | All snorkeling gear is included., Clean, dry wetsuit to keep you warm in the water., Certified Lifeguard keeping an eye on all guests in the water., Approximately 30 minutes of in-water snorkel time. | |
| Manta Ray Night Snorkel (Kona) | $130.00 | 3 Hours | 5:30 PM, 8:30 PM | 4.8 | All your snorkeling gear is provided., Floatation devices and wet suits are included., Guided narration with fun facts about Manta Rays , Hot drinks and snacks after the snorkel., Our ship has clean restrooms, a top deck and a covered cabin. | |
| Manta Ray Snorkel Big Island (Waikoloa) | $175.00 | 1.5 Hours | 6:30 PM | 4.8 | Short 10 minute boat ride to the viewing site., Learn about these amazing creatures and their behaviors that draw them to the viewing site. , Wet suits, life jackets and snorkel gear are all provided., Drinks and a snack are served after your snorkel. | |
| Kona to Pearl Harbor Memorial Tour | $550.00 | 14 hours | 6:00 AM | 4.8 | Roundtrip Airfare from Kona to Honolulu, Time Spent at Memorials: Arizona Memorial: 2 hours; Battleship Missouri: 2 hours; Bowfin Submarine: 1 hour; Pacific Aviation Museum: 1 hour, All ground transportation on Oahu, All entrance fees, Lunch at the Aviation Museum Cafe | |
| Whale Watching Cruise (December-March) | $110.00 | 2.5 hours | 1:00 PM | 4.4 | Deluxe round trip sailing from Kailua Pier, Complimentary snacks: fresh tropical fruit, hummus dip, and more, Complimentary beverages: soda, juice, tea, coffee, & water, Cash bar available | |
| Umauma Falls Zipline Tour (Hilo Area) | $229.00 | 2.5 hours | 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM | 5 | Access to two-mile zip line course , 200 ft suspension bridge and 9 ziplines with 4 dual racing lines reaching speeds of 65 MPH , Lava tube, waterfalls, river gorge, and rainforest scenery, Use of safety gear and rain gear (if needed) | |
| Umauma Zip & Waterfall Dip (Hilo Area) | $314.00 | 4 Hours | 10:00 AM | 5.0 | Two-mile course with 9 ziplines, 4 dual racing lines, and suspension bridge, Rainforest, lava tube, 14 waterfalls, and 2,000 feet of river to zip by or over, Safety and rain gear, Use of kayaking & stand-up paddle boarding equipment, Picnic lunch & beverages | |
| Umauma ATV Tour & Waterfall Swim | $217.00 | 2 hours | 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM | 5 | 75-minute ATV tour on a 5.5 mile long course, 45-minute break at waterfall for swimming and snacks, Rental of 1,2, or 4-seat ATV, All safety gear and snacks included |
