Things to do in Big Island of Hawaii
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Big Island Hawaii Volcanoes E-Bike Tour: Crater Rim & Lava TubeYou ride an electric bike through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on your own schedule, with GPS audio commentary on geology and Hawaiian culture guiding you. The route takes you along the crater rim, through native fern forest, past steam vents, to the Thurston Lava Tube, and to viewpoints of active lava fountains over 1,000 feet tall. Lunch at Volcano House is included. You avoid crowds, parking delays, and fixed group schedules—the e-bike's motor handles the elevation gain while you control the stops and pace. Morning departures leave at 9:30 AM; afternoon tours (12:30 PM) require a minimum of four riders.Is it for me?This tour is built for cyclists who want to explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at their own pace without arranging transport, park entry, or timing themselves around a group—the e-bike's motor and the GPS audio guide mean you control both the speed and the knowledge, and access to trails closed to guided tours is what makes the best viewpoints reachable in a single day.
Big Island Kohala: Zip & Dip Tour with Waterfall SwimYou zipline through five lines and two suspension bridges in the Kohala forest, walk past ancient Hawaiian sites, then swim under a private waterfall fed by a mountain stream. Lunch with coast views is included, along with all gear, a certified guide, and hotel pickup from Kona. The full day out means you're back by late afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Kona who want both the adrenaline of ziplining and the calm of a waterfall swim in one day, with transport and all gear handled. Expect a full day out with early pickup and moderate physical demands — that's what lets you cover the forest canopy, ancient sites, and a private swim without rushing.
Big Island Helicopter Tour: Kilauea Volcano & WaterfallsA two-hour helicopter tour of the Big Island that covers Kilauea Volcano, Mauna Loa, the Hamakua Coast, Akaka Falls and the Kohala Mountains in a single flight. The Airbus EC 130 gives you individual business-class seats, expansive glass windows, and two-way communication with a State of Hawaii Certified pilot guide. Check-in is one hour before departure to allow for safety briefing and boarding.Is it for me?Book this tour for a morning or afternoon when you want to see the entire Big Island's geography in one flight — the helicopter covers volcanoes, waterfalls and coastline in two hours, so you don't need a full day or a rental car to see all of it.
Big Island Hawaii: Self-Guided Audio Tour Full Loop DriveYou’ll set your own pace around Hawaii’s Big Island with an audio tour that cues up stories right as you reach each landmark—from steaming volcano craters to lush waterfalls and old plantation towns. You’ll get directions, local tips, and cultural context automatically as you drive—even offline. It’s freedom mixed with discovery—and maybe a little rain on your windshield.
Waikoloa Whale Watching Tour: Small Boat or Catamaran OptionsYou’ll cruise Waikoloa’s coastline with an expert crew during peak whale season, choosing between a nimble powerboat or relaxed catamaran. Watch for humpback whales breaching nearby, listen to their songs, and maybe spot sea turtles or volcanic peaks on clear days. It’s not just sightseeing—it’s that feeling when nature suddenly feels much bigger than you expected.
Big Island Kealakekua Bay: Snorkel & Captain Cook MonumentYou board a boat with a maximum of 14 passengers and travel 45 minutes from Kona to Kealakekua Bay, a protected marine sanctuary. A swim guide leads you into the water for up to an hour of snorkeling across the coral reef near the Captain Cook Monument, with all gear provided. If you book the entire boat, you can customize the route and timing with the captain.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to snorkel Kealakekua Bay without the crowds of larger group boats—the 14-person limit is what makes it possible to spend real time on the reef and move at your own pace in the water.
Kona Catamaran Snorkel & Lunch: Sea Turtles & Reef FishYou board a spacious catamaran at Honokohau Harbor, snorkel a reef teeming with green sea turtles and tropical fish with all gear provided, enjoy a fresh lunch and drinks on board, and return in three hours. No experience needed; the crew handles safety and guidance for all ages and comfort levels.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Hawaiian green sea turtles and coral without arranging your own transport or gear—the catamaran handles the logistics and the crew handles the safety, so you just show up and get in the water.
Kona: Surf Lesson on Quiet Breaks with Local InstructorsYou’ll feel the Kona breeze as you paddle out with a local guide who actually surfs here every day. Learn to pop up right on the sand before heading into gentle waves—gear and rash guard included. Expect laughter, salty hair, some wobbly moments standing up, and those small details that stay with you long after you leave Hawai‘i.
Waikoloa: Catamaran Snorkel Sail & Lunch from Anaeho'omalu BayYou’ll set sail from Waikoloa’s Anaeho‘omalu Bay on a catamaran cruise with local guides, snorkeling among tropical fish and sea turtles before relaxing on deck with an island-style sandwich lunch and cocktails. Expect laughter, salt on your skin, and stories from crew who know these waters by heart.
Big Island: Hilo Craft Chocolate Farm Tour & Tasting RoomYou’ll walk through living cacao orchards near Hilo with local guides who know every tree’s story. Taste fresh cacao pulp right off the branch, then sample over ten craft chocolates in a breezy tasting room overlooking green valleys and distant ocean. Expect real conversations, plenty of laughs, and sensory surprises you’ll remember long after leaving Hawaii.
Big Island Scenic Tour: Volcano, Hilo & Rainbow FallsA full-day guided tour from Hilo covering Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, the Hilo Farmer's Market and coastal stops, with lunch and water included. Groups stay under 14 guests and a local guide leads in English. Pickup is available in the Hilo area; children from age 5 are welcome. The tour runs seven hours and includes rain gear.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and Hilo's farmer market in one seven-hour day with a local guide steering the route and pacing.
Hilo Town Tour Hop on Hop Off: Five escorted stopsThe Hilo Town Tour Hop on Hop Off is a three-hour city tour with five escorted stops—Liliʻuokalani Gardens, King Kamehameha Statue, Big Island Candies, Wailoa River State Park and Rainbow Falls—where the bus waits and your seat is held. After the escorted portion, you have time to wander the historic old town Hilo, browse the farmers market, visit shops and museums, and stop at Richardson Ocean Park and Coconut Island to look for green sea turtles. An air-conditioned vehicle and live English guide are included; Rainbow Falls entry is optional and costs extra if you choose it.Is it for me?Small groups work well here because the escorted stops move at a pace that lets everyone explore without the pressure of a large tour keeping time. Families with children and older travelers who prefer not to rush benefit from the saved seats and the flexibility to skip Rainbow Falls if the waterfall entry feels like too much for the day.
Kona Coffee Farm Tour: Tree to Cup with Tasting RoomYou walk through a working Kona coffee farm on the Big Island, see the wet processing, hulling, and roasting methods in action, and taste freshly roasted 100% Kona coffee in the tasting room. A $5 voucher is included, and the pace suits all fitness levels, so you're not rushed or left behind.Is it for me?Right for anyone curious about how coffee actually gets made, from soil to cup, without needing a car or guide service arranged separately. The walk covers the full process on one farm, so you're not jumping between locations.
Oahu Pearl Harbor Day Trip from Kona with Flights & LunchYou’ll fly from Kona to Oahu for a guided Pearl Harbor day trip packed with emotion: stand on the USS Arizona Memorial, walk historic decks of Battleship Missouri, and squeeze through submarine corridors. With lunch and all transport included, you’ll feel Hawaii’s history under your feet—and maybe carry it home with you.
Hilo: Volcano, Black Sand Beach & Rainbow Falls Day TripYou’ll feel volcanic heat rising at Kilauea’s rim, taste island flavors over lunch in Volcano Village, and watch green sea turtles resting on Punaluʻu’s black sand beach. With pickup in Hilo and a local guide sharing stories along every stop—from Rainbow Falls’ misty roar to walking through ancient lava tubes—you’ll come home with more than photos.
Big Island Kona: Polynesian Wood Carving with Master CarverYou’ll sit hillside above Kona learning Polynesian wood carving from a Tongan master carver using local Big Island wood. Expect laughter, hands-on guidance, and time to shape your own tiki to take home. The scent of fresh wood and stories shared make this more than just an activity — it’s an honest piece of Hawaii to keep.
Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary: Guided Walking Tour & Native BirdsYou’ll wander through Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary’s misty trails with an expert local guide, breathing in fresh mountain air as you spot native birds and rare plants from around the world. Feel the soft moss underfoot and pause beneath ancient trees while learning about conservation efforts—a peaceful experience that lingers long after you leave.
Big Island: Hawaii Loa Luau Buffet & Polynesian Show TicketsYou’ll step into an evening of Hawaiian flavors and music on the Big Island’s Kohala coast — from smoky kalua pork at the buffet to Polynesian dance under palm trees. With local stories, open bar drinks, and a warm welcome for all ages, this luau leaves you feeling connected long after you leave.
Kona: Private Surf Lesson with Gear & Local InstructorsYou’ll paddle out with a local instructor in Kona for a private surf lesson tailored to beginners — gear included, no experience needed. Learn to pop up on your board with hands-on help, laugh through wipeouts, and maybe spot turtles nearby. Expect salty hair, sandy feet, and a little bit of pride that sticks with you long after you leave the beach.
Big Island: Mauna Lani Luau Night & Hawaiian Buffet DinnerYou’ll be welcomed into Kalāhuipuaʻa with traditional chants before joining locals for hands-on activities and watching an imu-roasted pig emerge from its smoky pit. Savor Hawaiian buffet favorites as hula dancers move between tables and finish your night under Big Island stars with a fire knife performance—it’s something you’ll remember long after you leave.
