Things to do in Big Island of Hawaii
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Mauna Kea Stargazing: Astrophotography with Astronomer GuideA two-hour stargazing experience on Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa led by both an astronomer and astro-photographer, combining live telescope views of galaxies and nebulae with professional portraits under the night sky. You sit in a reclining chair at a remote, dark location away from crowds, watch the astronomer control a Celestron Origin smart telescope from a smartphone to show real-time images, and receive medium-resolution photos by email within 48 hours. A stargazing guarantee means the tour is free if clouds block the stars.Is it for me?The two-hour sit-down format on a mountain slope means this suits travelers who want to watch the night sky without standing at a railing or hiking—you're settled in a chair with hot chocolate while the astronomer and photographer handle the equipment and the views come to you.
Kona Coastline Manta Ray & Wildlife Boat Tour: Small Group SafariKaimana Ocean Safari is a four-hour wildlife observation tour along the Kona coastline aboard a vessel limited to six people, guided by trained ocean guides and boat captains who scan for sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, sharks and deep-water marine life. The tour operates safari-style, covering vast stretches of coastline in search of wildlife rather than following a fixed route; snorkeling gear and snacks are included, and you'll spend time both in the water and aboard the boat. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed—the operator emphasizes that nature is unpredictable and refunds are not offered for lack of sightings.Is it for me?The six-person limit and guide-led search approach mean you're not competing with dozens of other tourists for the crew's attention or the best vantage points—the boat adjusts course based on what appears rather than following a fixed itinerary. Book this if you want to spend four hours actively hunting for wildlife with experienced guides rather than stopping at predetermined spots.
Big Island volcano tour from Oahu: Kilauea and black sand beachA 12-hour volcano tour from Oahu to Hawaii's Big Island includes roundtrip airfare from Honolulu, entry to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and a local guide narrating the geology and cultural history as you move through the park. The itinerary covers Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, lava tubes, steam vents, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and the Kona region, with lunch at Punaluʻu Bake Shop. Meals are at your own expense; bring cash for roadside stops and local vendors.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying on Oahu or arriving at Honolulu airport without a rental car—the included roundtrip flights and ground transport mean you don't arrange anything beyond the booking. The 12-hour day is full and requires comfort with walking on uneven volcanic terrain and exposure to volcanic gases; it's not suitable for those with significant mobility challenges or serious respiratory conditions like asthma that sulfur dioxide can aggravate.
Kona Coffee Farm Tour: Walk the Trees, Taste Five PicksA guided tour of a working coffee farm in Hawaii's Kona Coffee region where you walk among the trees, learn how 100% Kona coffee is cultivated and processed, and taste five of the farm's top picks on the lanai. The tour runs about an hour and includes three candy samples; mobility assistance is available on request.Is it for me?If you have a free morning or afternoon on your first day in Kona, this tour fills the time without rushing and leaves you with a real understanding of what makes the coffee here different—plus five tastes to compare and a gift shop to browse before you leave.
Kona: Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour with Soup & GearYou’ll slip into Kona’s dark ocean with a local guide as manta rays swirl beneath glowing dive lights—so close you might forget to breathe. Warm up with homemade soup and bread after your swim. This tour includes all gear and wetsuits so you can focus on that surreal feeling of floating above gentle giants.
Sunset Manta Ray Snorkel in Kailua-Kona: Small Groups Under 10A sunset manta ray snorkel tour in Kailua-Kona limits each group to no more than 10 swimmers in the water, with two crew members, a guide in English, and all gear provided. The boat departs from an in-water slip for fast boarding, travels 10–15 minutes to the snorkel site, and gives you 35–40 minutes in the water watching manta rays feed on plankton attracted to LED lights. Snorkel gear, wetsuits, bottled water, hot cocoa, tea and snacks are included; a minimum of 4 guests is required to run the tour.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want a small-group encounter rather than a crowded one—the 10-person cap in the water means you're not jostling for position or watching the animals from a distance. If you're visiting Kailua-Kona for the first time and have a free afternoon or evening, this is a single, self-contained activity that requires no planning beyond showing up at the slip; gear, transport and timing are all arranged.
Big Island: Afternoon Sail & Snorkel at Captain Cook MonumentYou sail the Kona Coast for three hours, snorkel in Kealakekua Bay's marine sanctuary near the Captain Cook Monument, and watch for spinner dolphins and reef fish. All gear, sunscreen, and snacks are included. The boat departs from Keauhou Bay and returns the same way—no transfers needed if you're staying nearby on the west side of the Big Island.Is it for me?Right for snorkelers and confident swimmers who want to see Kealakekua Bay's reef and marine life without arranging their own boat—the three-hour window is what fits both the sail and the snorkeling into one afternoon without rushing either one.
Big Island: Volcano, Chocolate Farm & Rainbow Falls Day TripYou’ll stand at Kilauea’s steaming rim with a local guide who knows every story, taste fresh cacao at a working Big Island chocolate farm (yes, you get samples), and watch Rainbow Falls thunder into lush jungle mist. Includes pickup, snacks, lunch and someone who’ll answer every odd question you throw their way.
Kealakekua Bay snorkel tour by Zodiac: Beat the crowdYou’ll skim across Kona’s waves by Zodiac with a local guide, snorkel among tropical fish in Kealakekua Bay’s crystal waters, snack on sandwiches while watching for dolphins, and slip into secret sea caves along volcanic cliffs. Expect laughter, salt spray, and moments of total quiet you’ll remember long after you’ve dried off.Is it for me?The Zodiac's shallow draft gets you into coves and caves where catamaran tours can't go, which is what makes the rugged coastline and the resident marine mammals part of the same morning instead of a choice between them.
Kealakekua Bay Outrigger Canoe Tour: Paddle to Cook MonumentAn outrigger canoe tour in Kealakekua Bay combines paddling to the Captain Cook Monument with snorkeling in a Marine Life Conservation Area, guided by locals whose families are rooted in the bay's history. The double-hull canoes hold up to ten passengers and require minimal paddling effort from you; the guide provides the muscle and narration while you take in the sights. Infants sit on an adult's lap; moderate fitness helps but the canoe's stability makes the experience accessible.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to experience Kealakekua Bay's history and marine life without paddling yourself—the outrigger canoe's stability and the guide's narration mean you can sit back and absorb the bay while the crew handles the work.
Big Island: Volcanoes, Black Sand Beach & Kona Coffee Day TripYou’ll sip fresh Kona coffee on Mauna Loa’s slopes, walk barefoot on black sand beside sea turtles at Punaluʻu Beach, and feel volcanic heat rise beneath your feet at Kilauea. With local stories guiding you through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and time to taste sweet bread at the southernmost bakery in the U.S., this day trip from Kona leaves you feeling both awed and oddly connected.
South Kona snorkeling tour: 3 remote locations, small groupA small-group snorkeling tour on the South Kona Coast that visits three remote locations—Kealakekua Bay, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, and a private black sand beach accessible only by boat—with all snorkeling gear, lunch, snacks and drinks included. The custom vessels are built to navigate sea caves and lava tubes, and the captain shares the cultural history of each stop. Children from age 5 are welcome; swimming and snorkeling experience are recommended, and you'll need to be able to climb a short pool ladder.Is it for me?If you're staying without a car or arriving for a free afternoon, the boat picks you up from a public transportation-accessible location and handles the entire route—no driving, no planning the stops, no figuring out which beaches are reachable. The small group and custom boat mean you'll reach places and see wildlife that larger tours and land-based snorkeling cannot access.
Kealakekua Bay: Kayak & Snorkel with Dolphin SightingsYou paddle a kayak into Kealakekua Bay, one of Hawaii's most protected and culturally significant spots, then snorkel a coral reef teeming with tropical fish and the occasional spinner dolphin. Gear, water, and a fresh breakfast from a local coffee roastery are included. The tour runs in the morning and takes about half a day, with pickup and drop-off at the launch site.Is it for me?Book this if you want to snorkel one of Hawaii's best reefs without arranging your own kayak, gear, or breakfast — the small group size and local operator knowledge are what make the experience feel less crowded than the bigger tour boats that also visit the bay.
Big Island: Volcanoes, Black Sand Beach & Kona Coffee Day TripYou’ll drive Saddle Road past fresh lava fields, walk barefoot on Punaluʻu’s black sand beach beside sea turtles, sip Kona coffee where it grows best, and eat lunch overlooking Kīlauea’s caldera with steam rising below you. With a local guide leading every step (and snacks plus raincoats included), this day trip from Waikoloa leaves you feeling both tiny and lucky.
Kona: Night Manta Ray Snorkel Tour & Catamaran CruiseYou’ll head out from Kona at sunset on a catamaran, then slip into calm waters for a night snorkel with wild manta rays—watching them glide just inches away under glowing lights. Afterward, warm up with hot drinks as you cruise back under the stars. The memory lingers long after you’re dry.
Private Surf Lesson at Kahaluu Beach Park, Big IslandA private surf lesson at Kahaluu Beach Park on the Big Island pairs you with a professional instructor for 90 minutes of one-on-one coaching on gentle waves. The instructor tailors the session to your level, whether you're starting from scratch or refining technique; surfboard, reef shoes and a surf shirt are provided. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the beach is accessible by public transportation.Is it for me?Group lessons split the instructor's attention across multiple surfers; a private lesson means every correction, every wave, and every moment of progress is about you. Book this one if you want to actually improve instead of just get wet.
ATV Riding on Big Island: Honda & UTV OptionsATV riding on Big Island's Hamakua ranch land with your choice of Honda 4x4 ATV or Side x Side UTV, including instruction on a practice track, scenic photo stops with views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific, and a 20-minute break with snacks and a dip in Umauma's private waterfall pond. All experience levels are welcome; a valid driver's license is required, and riders must be at least 16 years old.Is it for me?Pick the single-rider Honda ATV if you want full control of the machine and the freedom to set your own pace on the trail. Choose the two or four-seater UTV if you're riding with family or friends and want to share the experience in the same vehicle.
Hilo: Volcanoes, Rainbow Falls & Liliʻuokalani Gardens Day TripYou’ll walk through ancient lava tubes in Hawai'i Volcanoes Park, feel mist from Rainbow Falls on your face, wander peaceful Japanese gardens in Hilo, and end with fresh-baked treats at Big Island Candies—all with a local driver who knows every shortcut and story. There’s something quietly moving about seeing steam rise from new earth; you might find yourself thinking about it long after.
Kona Coast snorkel tour: Honaunau & Kealakekua BayA 4.5-hour snorkel tour on the Southern Kona Coast visits Puʻuhonua O Honaunau and Kealakekua Bay aboard a covered boat with a live guide, lunch, snorkeling gear and flotation devices included. The later start time means you skip the pre-dawn departure common on other Kona tours. Children from age 5 are welcome; you'll need to climb a short ladder to reboard the boat.Is it for me?The later start time and covered boat make this tour work if you're staying in Kona without a rental car — pickup is arranged from your location, and you're back by early afternoon. The two-bay route and included lunch mean you're not building the day yourself or stopping to eat separately.
Hawaii Volcanoes: Private Tour with Local Guide & Custom StopsYou’ll walk through ancient lava tubes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a local guide who adapts every stop for your group’s pace and curiosity. Feel steam rising from Kilauea’s vents, see rare rainforest plants up close, and ride along Chain of Craters Road past dramatic eruption sites. You’ll leave with new stories—and maybe a bit of volcanic grit under your shoes.
