The 7 Best Things To Do on The Big Island of Hawaii

Hawaii is one of my favorite travel destinations that I keep going back to – it is a true vacation where you can sit back and just enjoy the beach and good food without having a packed itinerary. I typically visit Maui but this past winter I did my first big trip to the Big Island. For my Maui guides, check out my Top Things to Do in Maui, a Guide to Sunrise at Haleakala Summit, and The Top Mile Markers on the Road to Hana. For the big island, keep on reading for the best tips on what to do while visiting Hawaii.

Some Key Tips Before Booking

Get a Rental Car

The Big Island, as the name suggests, is the biggest of the Hawaiian islands meaning you will likely be driving quite far to do various activities on the different coasts + mountainous driving for some of the key activities mentioned below. Public transportation doesn’t really exist like this on the island so be sure to get a rental car. It is very easy to pick up from the airport – you will just take a 2 minute shuttle ride from right outside the gates to get to any of the rental car companies!

when to visit

One of the best parts of Hawaii is that they have amazing weather year-round. Especially if you are staying on the west side of the Island, it is usually always sunny and clear skies so you can go any time of year. If you are interested in whale watching, plan for December through April! I personally liked going in the winter time as a break from the cold and rainy weather back home.

Where to Stay: Kona vs. Hilo

Hilo, located on the lush eastern side, offers easy access to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stunning waterfalls but tends to be rainier. Kona, on the drier western side, has consistent sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and some of the best snorkeling opportunities.

We opted to stay on the Kona side at the Fairmont Orchid which was a beautiful beachfront resort with amazing amenities. It was sunny every day we were here even though it was cloudy in Hilo! The hotel had morning yoga on the beach, free snorkeling, a private beach, and a wonderful breakfast buffet!

The Top 7 Things to Do on The Big Island

1. Mauna Kea Observatory

Mauna Kea Observatory sits at an elevation of 13,796 feet, and is home to the some of the world’s largest telescopes which represent 11 countries. This includes Japan’s Subaru Telescope and 12 others, which can show celestial objects up to 13 billion light-years away. It has some of the best stargazing opportunities in the world with minimal light pollution, dry air, and elevation well above the clouds.

This was the #1 highlight of my trip to Hawaii as I’ve never been able to see such a clear picture of the stars and the Milky Way Galaxy. We also saw a handful of shooting stars and it felt like you were enwrapped in a blanket of stars.

Guided Tour vs Self-Guided

As you do research online, you are going to see that a lot of tour companies offer ~$300/person tours to take you up to the very top of the summit for sunset and then do stargazing. Keep in mind that to go to the very top of the summit, you are required to have an AWD vehicle as the road is very tricky terrain. Most rental car companies have strict rules against driving up here so a tour is the most feasible option.

However, the summit itself closes 10 minutes after sunset and you are required to head to the Mauna Kea Observatory to watch the stars. We simply drove ourselves to the observatory (very simple, paved road up the mountain) that is feasible for anyone to go to. If you aren’t dying to do the sunset, don’t feel trapped to book one of these pricey guided tours!

Dress Accordingly

Intermixed with all of my swimsuits and shorts for this trip, was a full winter outfit for this night of stargazing. It is COLD up here at this kind of elevation. The night we went it was about 32 Fahrenheit so be sure to bring proper clothing with you – beanies, gloves, pants, and a warm jacket.

2. Visit Ākaka Falls

Ākaka Falls is a stunning 442-foot waterfall that plunges into a gorge, making it one of the Big Island’s most iconic spots. The walking path is very beginner friendly with it being a paved 0.4-mile loop trail from the parking lot, which has beautiful greenery and feels like a tropical rainforest. There is a longer path you can take which is about 0.7-miles and has more stairs to climb if you want a bit of a longer walk. Be sure to pay for parking and entry in advance on their website, as there is no cell service at the park to process payments on-site.

You unfortunately can’t go all the way down to swim in the falls due to really strong currents, steep rocks, and the area being protected and preserved for Native Hawaiians.

A 20 minute drive away in downtown Hilo is Kula Shaved Ice which was AMAZING – the most authentic and tasty shaved ice I’ve had in Hawaii. I highly recommend stopping by here after.

3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park spans over 500 square miles and is home to Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and Mauna Loa, the largest volcano on Earth by volume. While here, you can walk through lava tubes, explore steam vents, and walk hiking trails that wind through lava fields and rainforests. The park also offers nighttime viewing of glowing lava flows when active, which you can check on their official website.

4. Visit Some of the World’s Best Black Sand Beaches

The Big Island is home to some of Hawaii’s most stunning black sand beaches, formed by volcanic activity and offering dramatic coastlines. As you explore the island, you’ll see a lot more volcanic influence here than the other islands which most beaches being black sand and lots of lava rocks surrounding the roads on the island.

• Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach: Famous for its sea turtles and coconut palms.
• Kaimū Beach: A striking black sand beach created by lava flows in 1990.
• Kehena Beach: A secluded and picturesque beach often visited by dolphins.
• Waipiʻo Valley Beach: Accessible by a steep hike, this black sand beach is surrounded by towering cliffs.
• Pololū Valley Beach: A rugged and scenic beach reached by a short but steep trail.

5. Resort Time

One of the best parts of a trip to Hawaii is also just relaxing and sipping a pina colada by the pool, with a good book, and getting a sun tan. I highly recommend leaving at least one day to just take it really slow and relax! If you aren’t staying in a resort, you can always check out Resort Pass to get daily access to one or plan a chilled beach day!

6. Visit Kona Coffee Farm

Kona Coffee is a world-renowned coffee that comes right out of the big island of Hawaii. The farms host about 1.5 hour tours to visitors which include a walk through the orchards, an explanation of harvesting and roasting techniques, and a chance to sample freshly brewed Kona coffee. Prices typically range from $15 to $30 per person, depending on the farm, and tickets can often be purchased online or directly at the farm. Be sure to check availability and book in advance, especially during peak summer season.

7. Go Snorkeling at Turtle Coves

Hawaii is famous for the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle which you can almost guarantee seeing when you go snorkeling! We ended up seeing an entire family one day we went out which was unreal. I highly recommend getting snorkel gear for the duration of your stay to swim whenever you go to the beach. If you are looking more adventure, there are also popular group night snorkeling activities you can book to see Manta Rays; check out Viator for a bunch of class options.

We stayed at The Fairmont Orchid which actually has a private beach and free snorkel gear. We were able to snorkel in the morning each day here and saw so much marine life – sea turtles, octopus, eels, sting rays, and many schools of fish.

Overall, each Hawaiian island has so much to offer and the Big Island is no different. Hopefully this helps you plan your trip to the big island with knowing some of the top things to do!