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Top 10 Activities on The Island of Hawaii

Whether you have a full week to vacation on the Island of Hawaii or a shorter stay before heading to a neighboring island, you will want to make the most of your stay and see as much of the Big Island as you can. Below we have highlighted some of the top attractions, activities, and sights when visiting!

Helicopter Tour

It is called the “Big Island” for a reason. At 4,028 square miles (and growing), it is over five times as large as the second largest Hawaiian Island, Maui. A helicopter tour of the Big Island is the perfect way to see as much of the island as you can while you are visiting. Take in views of active lava beds, waterfalls, remote beaches, and secluded areas that a pedestrian visitor will never get to visit.

Visit the Volcanos

There are numerous impressive volcanos on the Island of Hawaii to see, such as Mauna Lea, Mauna Koa, and Kilauea. Depending on the time of year you visit, some of these peaks may even be dusted in snow. Spend a day at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you can learn all about the unique geography found around an active volcano!

Coffee Tour

Kona coffee is known to be some of the best coffee in the world. Kona’s climate paired with traditionally low winds and volcanic rich soil create the perfect setting for growing tasty coffee beans. There are numerous family farms in Kona that offer tours of the grounds to learn about the coffee growing process. Even if you are not able to join a tour, you can still pick up a bag or two of grounds or beans to take home with you to share with your coffee-loving friends.

Hiking

The magic of Hawaii can best be felt by getting out in nature and walking trails that traverse the rugged coastline, pass historic cultural sites, and bring you face to face with lava fields. Whether exploring the mountaintop elevations of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea or hiking to the green sand beach at Mahana Bay, there are plenty of stunning hikes on the Big Island. Review our top hikes.

Seahorse Farm

What is a seahorse farm you ask? Exactly what you think it is! Visit the Ocean rider Seahorse Farm, located in Kona, which has been a visitor-favorite activity since 1998. Naturalist and marine biologist will lead you through various seahorse-specific exhibits as you learn about dozens of species and even get to hold a live seahorse!

Kona Brewing Company

The Kona Brewing Company has been brewing beer in the 50^th state for over 25 years. In 2021 they just opened a brand new 30,000 square foot brewery. Stop by to sample a beer or two and also take a tour of the beer-brewing process.

Ancient Petroglyphs

The Island of Hawaii has a rich cultural history. King Kamehameha I was born in Kohala and there are numerous ancient heiaus (temples), traditional fish ponds, and even petroglyph carvings that date back to the 16^th century. Visit the Waikaloa Petroglyph field or the Pukao Petroglyph field where you can see ancient carvings of birds, canoes, humans, and more.

Visit South Point

Travel to the southernmost point of the United States. The region of Ka Lae is also believed to be the original location that the first Polynesians made landfall around 750 A.D. As you visit, try to imagine how the first inhabitants to Hawaii called this area home.

Swim with the Manta Rays

Looking for a truly unique and memorable Big Island experience? A night time swim with giant manta rays should be near the top of your list. Due to the deep ocean waters off the Kona coastline, this part of the island is abundant with plankton. Flashlights in the water draw the plankton to the surface and the manta rays follow close behind for feeding. As you float at the surface, you will witness the rays coming up from the depths with their mouths wide open.

Explore Lava Tubes

Underground caves in Hawaii, more accurately called lava tubes, are formed when molten lava traveled underground thousands of years ago along designated passageways and tubes. Once an eruption occurred and the lava was emptied, all that was left was the empty lava tubes. While there are numerous lava tubes on the Island of Hawaii, the most popular is the Thurston Lava Tube located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can walk this 600 ft cave that is illuminated with lights for better viewing.