Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii

The Big Island is the largest island in the Hawaiian chain and is home to five volcanoes, multicolored beaches, sparkling waterfalls, black sand deserts, tropical rain forests, and alpine meadows. Not surprisingly, many of the best things to do on the Big Island involve nature and adventure. The island of Hawaii isn’t just geographically diverse, however; it’s also a cultural melting pot that is packed with interesting historical sites. If you’re planning a visit to the Orchid Isle, be sure to explore this list of things to do.

Visit Kamehameha’s Birthplace

The birthplace of Kamehameha the Great, Hawaii’s fierce warrior king, is located west of Hawi, near the ruins of the temple Mookini Heiau. The birthplace of Kamehameha is breathtaking and is one of Hawaii’s most significant historical sites. If you visit the site on the third Saturday of the month, you can listen to Leimomo Mookini Lum, whose ancestors built the temple, talk about Hawaiian history and share family lore.

Observe the Night Sky from the Summit of Mauna Kea

After visiting the world’s largest astronomical observatory and watching the sun set from the 4,200-meter summit of Mauna Kea, drive to the visitor’s center to observe the night sky from large, amateur telescopes. On Saturdays and Sundays, free guided tours are offered at the observatory by university students.

Snorkel or Dive with Pacific Manta Rays

Kona, Hawaii is ranked the #1 spot in the world to see manta rays. Get up close and personal with Pacific manta rays on a night snorkeling or dive tour. Manta rays don’t bite or sting, so it’s perfectly safe to get within inches of them.

Hike the Smoking Craters of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

The Big Island is home to an array of stunning natural attractions, but Hawai’I Volcanoes National Park certainly takes the cake. This national park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The park’s constantly changing landscape boasts unique geological formations, rare birds, endemic species, forests, and giant ferns.

Visit a Kona Coffee Farm

See how Kona coffee is farmed and milled and drink a complimentary cup of 100% Kona coffee during a tour of a Kona coffee farm in Hawaii. You’ll learn about every stage of production of Kona coffee and discover why Kona coffee is preferred by gourmet coffee aficionados around the world.

Explore Downtown Hilo

Taking a stroll in the historic downtown of Hilo, Hawaii will give you a glimpse into what a Hawaiian plantation town looked like. This 10-block community is easily walk-able and features a variety of unique shops, art galleries, and museums.

Watch the Lava Flow at Kalapana

Get a glimpse of molten lava as it pours into the sea at the Kalapana Lava Viewing Site, which is located at the end of Highway 130 in the Puna District. The site is open from 5pm to 8pm, and as of 2009, it is the only place on land from which you can watch lava flow into the Pacific from the Kilauea volcano.