Things to do in Big Island of Hawaii
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Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes & Kilauea with Waterfall StopsYou get picked up from your Hilo hotel and spend the day moving between Kilauea's craters, steam vents, and the Thurston Lava Tube inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, then stop at Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls on the way back. Lunch and all park entry are included. The driver-guide narrates the geology and local history the whole time, and you're back at your hotel by late afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Kilauea and Hilo's main waterfalls in one day without renting a car or figuring out the park roads yourself — the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up at your hotel and the rest is arranged.
Kealakekua Bay Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Monument & Sea CavesYou snorkel for an hour in Kealakekua Bay's protected marine sanctuary with all gear provided, then cruise back along the South Kona coastline through sea caves and past cultural sites. The bay's calm, clear water makes it Hawaii's most beginner-friendly snorkel spot, and the crew includes water, snacks, and flotation devices so you can focus on the fish and the monument instead of logistics.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel Kealakekua Bay without renting gear separately or figuring out how to reach it — the boat handles the navigation, the crew handles the safety, and the protected water handles the rest.
Big Island Sunset Sail: Kohala Coast Catamaran & CocktailsYou board barefoot at Anaeho'omalu Bay, sail the Kohala Coast for 1.5 hours with cocktails and snacks included, and watch the sunset from a stable catamaran that rarely causes seasickness. The crew times the sail to catch the light at its best, and you return to the pier before nightfall with no transport logistics to arrange yourself.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to see a Hawaiian sunset without arranging their own boat or worrying about seasickness — the catamaran's size and design mean most people sail comfortably, and the crew handles the timing so you just show up and watch the sky change color.
Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary tour: Native plants & rare speciesA 2.5-hour guided tour of the Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary explores the only cloud forest in the United States, a family-operated ecosystem since 1982. You walk through montane jungle on uneven ground, learn about native and rare species from a live guide, and discover the climate, geology and human impact that shaped this microclimate. Children from age 5 are welcome; all fees and taxes are included.Is it for me?The guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably if that's your language. The walk demands moderate fitness and steady footing on uneven ground for the full 2.5 hours, which matters if you're recovering from injury or prefer paved paths—but it's what keeps the forest itself wild and the experience genuine.
Kailua-Kona: Ocean Kayak & Snorkel Tour with Sea CavesYou’ll paddle along Kona’s rugged coast with a local guide, watch for spinner dolphins in the early light, slip into sea caves if conditions allow, then snorkel reefs teeming with fish and maybe turtles. Small group size means you can actually hear stories and ask questions — plus there’s bottled water and all your gear sorted for you. You might come home with salt in your hair but also something softer inside.
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel: Small Group & Private CharterYou board a small boat in Kona at dusk, snorkel with manta rays under lights that attract their food, and watch them barrel-roll past you in the dark. The guide positions your group in the most active areas and stays with you the whole time. Snorkeling equipment, refreshments, and snacks are included; the whole experience runs one evening trip.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see manta rays without the crowd — the small group size means your guide can actually move you toward the action instead of anchoring everyone to one spot, which is what makes the difference between watching from far away and having the rays pass inches from your face.
Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Monument & Sea CavesA four-hour snorkel tour on the Kona coast visits Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay, two marine sanctuaries near Captain Cook's Monument and Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historic Park. The boat is a RHIB (zodiac-style), guides teach Hawaiian and geological history as you cruise past sea caves and lava tubes, and all snorkel gear is provided. Minimum age is 6 years old; swimmers must be comfortable treading water unassisted and able to climb a metal ladder back into the boat.Is it for me?You get two distinct snorkel bays and the full history of the Kona coast in one morning because the boat moves between them and the crew teaches as you go — no separate history tour, no second trip needed.
Big Island Kohala Waterfalls: Waterfall Hikes & Mountain Stream SwimYou meet in Kailua-Kona, drive north along the Kohala Coast past two volcanoes, then hike through a private nature preserve to reach multiple waterfalls where you swim in mountain pools. Lunch with a valley view is included, along with your guide, gear, and all entry fees. The group stays under ten people, which keeps the pace relaxed and the experience personal.Is it for me?Book this if you want to swim in real waterfalls without arranging your own transport, navigation, or lunch — the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you show up and spend the day actually in the water and on the trails instead of figuring out logistics.
Kona Coast Sunset Sail: Spirit of Aloha CatamaranThe Kona Coast Sunset Sail is a 1.5-hour sailing cruise aboard the Spirit of Aloha catamaran where you relax on deck with ocean views, tropical drinks and island-inspired light bites as the sky transforms at dusk. A live English-speaking crew manages the boat and keeps the atmosphere welcoming; dolphins are often spotted along the coast, and humpback whales appear during winter months (December–March). The boat has shaded and open-air seating, a full bar, and a restroom on board.Is it for me?The sail is a relaxed float on the water with no walking, no water entry and no early start—you board, sit and watch the sunset shift colors while the crew handles everything else. It suits anyone who wants an evening on the ocean without the effort of a longer or more active excursion.
Big Island: ATV Ranch Tour with Fruit Picking & Farm AnimalsYou’ll feel the island’s heart on this Big Island ATV tour at Ohana Ranch — riding through tropical trails, picking fresh fruit straight from the tree, meeting curious farm animals, and hearing real stories from locals. It’s hands-on, a little muddy, and full of small moments you’ll remember long after you leave.
Big Island: Volcanoes, Black Sand Beach & Kona Coffee Day TripYou’ll crunch across black sand beaches where sea turtles nap, sip real Kona coffee on a working farm, watch steam drift from Kilauea’s caldera over lunch, and feel mist on your face at Rainbow Falls—all with stories from a local guide who seems to know every twist of Saddle Road. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s feeling Hawaii under your feet.
Big Island Snorkeling: Kealakekua Bay & Pu'uhonua O HonaunauYou snorkel at two South Kona sites — Kealakekua Bay and Pu'uhonua O Honaunau — with a captain who explains the cultural and geological history as you explore sea caves and lava tubes. All gear, flotation devices, snacks and water are included; groups stay under fifteen people. The morning departure means you're done by early afternoon.Is it for me?Right for people who want to snorkel two quality South Kona sites in one morning without renting gear separately or managing their own flotation — the small group size and included equipment mean you show up ready to go.
Kona Coast: Snorkel Kealakekua Bay & Lava Reefs with Plant LunchYou’ll swim through clear waters at Kealakekua Bay and explore wild lava reefs along Kona’s rugged coast, guided by locals who know every story and secret spot. Taste fresh plant-based lunch on deck after spotting tropical fish or maybe even turtles. The salty air lingers long after you’ve dried off — this day leaves its mark.
Big Island Hawaii Volcanoes: Kīlauea & Crater Hikes Private TourYou descend into Kilauea Iki crater, walk through a 500-year-old lava tube, and explore Chain of Craters Road with a professional guide trained in geology and Hawaiian culture. The tour includes National Park entry, flexible departure timing, and small-group access to areas most visitors miss. You arrange your preferred start time and itinerary details directly with the operator after booking.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to understand the volcano's geology and Hawaiian culture rather than just see it from a bus window — the small-group format and professional guide are what make the crater walks and lava tube exploration possible without the crowds.
Waipi'o on Horseback: Mountain to Ocean ViewsYou ride horseback from mountain pastures down to the Hamakua coastline on a working Big Island ranch, passing through gardens, fishponds, and native forest. The tour includes fruit sampling and stops at ocean cliffs where you can see Maui on clear days. Arrive 30 minutes early for your chosen time slot — 9:30am, 1:30pm, or 4:30pm sunset — and bring your own transportation to the ranch.Is it for me?Right for riders who want to understand Hawaiian land and culture while exploring the Big Island's valley and coastline on horseback. Plan for your own drive to the ranch and a 30-minute early arrival; the rides start promptly at 9:30am, 1:30pm, or 4:30pm.
Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes & Kilauea Crater Small Group TourYou hike through a 500-year-old lava tube in the rainforest, stand at Kilauea's active caldera rim, drive Chain of Craters Road through frozen lava fields, see Rainbow Falls, taste local chocolate and coffee, and stroll Liliuokalani Gardens. The tour includes park entry, professional guide, and hotel pickup from Hilo (or terminal meeting point). Plan for a full day with moderate walking on uneven ground.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Kilauea and the main volcanic landmarks of the Big Island in one day without arranging your own transport, park entry, and timing—the small group format and fixed itinerary handle all three, and the guide's knowledge of the geology and Hawaiian history makes the landscape readable instead of just spectacular.
Kealakekua Bay: Dolphin & Sea Cave Snorkel Tour Small GroupYou’ll speed along Kona’s rugged coast in a small group Zodiac boat, snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay near the Captain Cook Monument with all gear provided. Explore sea caves if weather allows, watch for wild dolphins gliding past, and snack on fresh pineapple between swims. It’s lively, unscripted—and leaves you with salt in your hair and a real memory to take home.
Big Island volcano tour from Kona: Kilauea and Hamakua CoastA small-group guided tour from Kona that covers the Big Island's volcanic landscape in a single day: the Hamakua Coast along Mauna Kea, Akaka Falls, and Kilauea volcano in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Hotel pickup, picnic lunch, bottled water and snacks are included; the tour runs eight to nine hours and holds a maximum of six people per group.Is it for me?Book the shared tour if you want to meet other travelers and split the cost, or the private tour if you prefer the vehicle and guide to yourself — both versions cover the same route and include the same stops, so the choice is about who you travel with and the pace you set.
Big Island: Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel & Lunch CruiseYou’ll float above glowing manta rays off Kona after sunset, guided by locals who know every trick to spotting them up close. All your gear is sorted — wetsuit, mask, fins — plus lunch and snacks on deck with new friends afterward. That hush when a manta glides right beneath you? It stays with you long after you’re dry.
Waikoloa: Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise Anaeho'omalu Bay ViewsYou’ll step right into Anaeho’omalu Bay’s clear waters for a glass-bottom boat cruise from Waikoloa, spotting sea turtles and bright reef fish with a local guide who knows every corner of these reefs. Kids will love peering through the windows while adults get caught up in stories about Hawaiian marine life. It’s peaceful, easygoing — you might even forget about your phone for a while.
