Things to do in Big Island of Hawaii
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Kealakekua Bay: Kayak & Snorkel Tour with Captain Cook MonumentYou’ll kayak across Kealakekua Bay with a local guide, watch for dolphins, snorkel above deep coral cliffs near Captain Cook Monument, and share snacks on shore. There’s time for stories, laughter, and those small moments when Hawaii feels close enough to touch.
Big Island Helicopter Tour: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & CoastlineYou fly from Kona over five volcanoes, including active Kilauea, then north to Kohala's 2,500-foot waterfalls and the Hamakua Coast's lush valleys. The route swings south along white-sand beaches and coral reefs before returning. All taxes, fuel, parking, and airport fees are included; you arrive thirty minutes early and fly with doors on.Is it for me?Right for travelers with limited time on the Big Island who want to see all five volcanoes, waterfalls, and coastline in one morning or afternoon without driving. Plan for a two-hour flight with thirty-minute check-in beforehand; that's what fits the whole island into a single trip.
Big Island Kona: Coffee, Bee Farm & Sacred Sites Day TripYou’ll walk ancient trails along Kona’s coast, spot sea turtles at Kaloko-Honokohau, sip fresh-brewed Kona coffee overlooking Kealakekua Bay, and taste island honey straight from local beekeepers. With hotel pickup and lunch included, you’ll feel both welcomed and quietly awed by Hawaii’s living history.
Hilo: Volcanoes Park, Rainbow Falls & Liliʻuokalani Gardens Day TripYou’ll stroll Hilo’s peaceful Japanese gardens, taste fresh island chocolate, climb past giant banyans to see Rainbow Falls up close, and walk through steaming volcanic landscapes at Kīlauea—all with pickup included and a local guide sharing stories along the way. Expect moments of quiet awe mixed with laughter (and maybe muddy shoes). This isn’t just sightseeing—it’s feeling Hawaii breathe beneath your feet.
Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls: 120-Foot DropWaterfall rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls is a guided activity where you descend 120 feet down the falls using professional equipment and instruction from a live guide. The experience takes 2 to 3 hours and includes access to the falls property, where non-rappelling companions can swim, kayak or paddleboard when river conditions permit. Tours depart from The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls and must be booked in advance; parking is available on site for registered guests only.Is it for me?You control the descent with the guide managing the rope, so this suits anyone with moderate fitness who wants to rappel rather than watch it done. If companions are coming along, they can purchase a day pass and spend the time in the water or on the trails while you're on the falls.
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay from Kailua Kona PierSnorkel at Kealakekua Bay, a protected reef next to Captain Cook's monument, aboard a 32-foot Zodiac with a professional captain and crew. The boat departs Kailua Kona Pier at 9:00 am (check-in at 8:45 am) and carries 19–28 passengers. You spend roughly an hour in the water watching turtles, reef fish and coral, then return to port; lunch, snorkel gear, flotation devices and all refreshments are included. Cruise ship passengers can book a departure timed to their ship's schedule.Is it for me?Book this departure if your cruise ship itinerary allows a 9:00 am start; if your ship requires a different time, choose the matching option at checkout so the return syncs with your ship's departure. The small Zodiac and the captain's knowledge of where dolphins and turtles gather make the difference between a crowded snorkel and a morning where you actually see what you came for.
Exotic Fruit Tasting Tour in Big Island of Hawaii: Sample Rare Hawaiian FruitsThe Exotic Fruit Tasting Tour at Aloha Adventure Farms in Kona takes you through the orchards of Holualoa on the Big Island to sample rare tropical fruits grown on-site, with a guide explaining each fruit's origins and how it thrives in Hawaii. The tour runs about 90 minutes and includes a take-home container for any fruit you don't finish tasting. Wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels, with infants welcome in a stroller.Is it for me?This is a shared guided tour, so you'll taste and learn alongside other visitors rather than alone. It suits anyone who wants to understand where tropical fruits come from and how they taste, without needing to arrange transportation or figure out which farms to visit on your own—the guide handles the education and the route.
Dolphin and Whale Watch in Kona: Kailua-Kona coastal cruiseA 2.5-hour dolphin and whale watching tour on Kona's coast departs from Kailua-Kona with a naturalist guide who narrates sightings of dolphins, sea turtles, and—during winter—migrating humpback whales, while the boat passes sea caves, lava tubes and volcanic cliffs unreachable from shore. The tour runs on a rigid hull inflatable vessel, suitable for ages 5 to 70, and does not include snorkeling. Check-in time is not departure time; two meeting points serve different areas of Kailua-Kona.Is it for me?If you're staying in Kailua-Kona without a car, the two meeting points mean you can reach the boat on foot or by short taxi from your hotel—no rental or transportation arrangement needed. The raft-style boat and open-water motion suit travelers comfortable with that setup; those with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or cardiovascular concerns should confirm suitability before booking.
Hala Tree Coffee Farm Tour in Hawaii: Kona Coffee TastingHala Tree Coffee Farm Tour is a guided walk through a working Kona coffee farm in Hawaii where you see the red cherries on the trees, learn about harvesting and roasting, and end with a tasting of three coffees you choose from the menu, served in French presses on the lanai overlooking the ocean. The tour runs about an hour and includes a complimentary helicopter flight for groups of four or fewer.Is it for me?You're here to understand coffee from the ground up, not just taste it—the orchards, the roasting and the tasting all connect, so you leave knowing why this coffee tastes the way it does. If you prefer to watch a demonstration rather than be hands-on with the roasting, ask about what the guide's role is before you book.
Manta Night Dive and Snorkel: Kona's Resident RaysA night dive and snorkel activity in Kona where you enter the water with resident manta rays on the same charter, whether you're a certified diver or snorkeler. The boat carries both groups together, with soda, ginger tea and snacks provided; divers must hold current certification and be able to show proof from an accredited agency, and snorkelers and non-diving observers are welcome. Children can join from age 10.Is it for me?Book this if you're a certified diver or confident snorkeler who wants to see manta rays in their active feeding window at night—the same boat takes both groups, so you're not separated from non-diving companions, and the resident population in Kona means the encounter is reliable rather than a long-shot chase.
Humpback Whale Watch Tour: Kona Coast from Honokohau HarborA whale and wildlife watching tour on the Kona coast departing from Honokohau Harbor with a professional onboard naturalist, complimentary beverages and a whale guarantee. The boats are US Coast Guard offshore-certified, which means they can reach the pelagic zone — deep water where pilot whales, beaked whales, sperm whales and whale sharks live — something very few tours access. Children are welcome from age 8.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want access to the pelagic zone — the deep water where rarer whale species live — rather than staying in the near-shore shallows. The offshore certification and tour duration are what make that deeper search possible, and it's what separates this operator from the many tours that stay closer to the coast.
Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling: Zodiac access to sea caves and reefsSnorkel the coral reefs and sea caves of Kealakekua Bay aboard a small-group Zodiac RIB boat with snorkel gear and water included. The fast, agile boat reaches hidden lava tubes and remote coves larger vessels cannot access, and gives you a chance to see wild dolphins or whales along the Kona Coast. A 2.5-hour activity; minimum age 6, basic swimming skills required.Is it for me?If you're staying without a rental car or arriving for just an afternoon, the boat operates from a local launch point and requires no hotel pickup—you arrange your own transport to the departure site, which keeps the price down and the schedule flexible. The Zodiac's speed means you get a full reef and cave snorkel inside 2.5 hours, so it fits a partial day without eating your whole itinerary.
Kona Snorkeling: Two Tank Reef Dive with Local GuidesA five-hour snorkeling and scuba activity in Kona with two dives at the island's best reef sites, led by local guides who point out dolphins, mantas, turtles and endemic species. Certified divers bring their own gear or rent it; snorkelers explore the same reefs from the surface. Children from age 10 are welcome. Freshly brewed Kona coffee and snacks are included.Is it for me?Book the snorkeler option if you want to see the same reefs and wildlife as the divers without needing certification—you'll stay at the surface and watch the volcanic formations and marine life from above. Choose the certified diver option with or without rental gear if you want to descend into the lava tubes and caves the reefs are built from, and see the structure up close.
UFO night sky observation on Big Island of Hawaii with night vision gogglesThis 1.5-hour UFO observation activity on the Big Island puts you in a comfortable outdoor setting with military-grade night vision goggles, where you identify known aircraft and satellites before turning your attention to unexplained sightings. Dr. Lisa Thompson, a Galactic Ambassador, leads the experience and shares personal UFO encounters. The exact meeting location arrives within 24 hours of your tour, and the activity runs between 6 and 7:30 p.m. depending on the season's sunset time. Children from age 6 are welcome.Is it for me?You'll watch the night sky through military-grade night vision goggles in a group setting while Dr. Lisa identifies satellites, planes, and unexplained objects—choose this if you want guided interpretation rather than independent spotting.
Day Trip from Oahu to Hilo: Active Volcanoes & Helicopter TourA 12-hour day trip from Oahu to Hilo combines interisland roundtrip airfare, ground transport, a guided sightseeing tour of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and a 45-minute helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, all in one booking. Your driver-guide narrates the route through Kilauea and Mauna Loa, both active volcanoes; lunch is included. The helicopter flies over recent volcanic activity and waterfalls (weather permitting). Kilauea last erupted in June 2023, with lava fountains reaching 50 feet high from vents in Halema'uma'u crater. A mandatory 45-minute safety briefing precedes the flight; weight restrictions apply for the helicopter due to FAA regulations.Is it for me?Book this if you want interisland airfare and ground transport bundled in one package; choose the helicopter add-on if you want an aerial view of the volcanoes rather than seeing them only from the ground.
Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tour: Small vessel, more time in waterA three-hour snorkeling tour of Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island of Hawaii travels the Kona coastline to a reef rich with fish life, where a guide teaches you about the ecosystem. The small vessel keeps groups intimate and maximizes time in the water; light snacks and drinks are provided, and all snorkeling gear is included.Is it for me?The three-hour window fits a half-day plan—you're back by early afternoon and can do something else on the island. If you want a full-day reef experience or prefer a larger group boat, look at the all-day options instead.
Green Sands ATV Ride, Big Island: Off-road through emerald forestA small-group ATV ride on Big Island's green sand trail takes you through Hale Koa forest and an ancient Kiawe forest on CF Moto 600 Touring ATVs with automatic transmission and power steering, ending at ocean cliffs where turtles gather. The two-hour route includes a possible short hike, and all safety gear—helmets, goggles, dust masks and gloves—is provided. A live guide in English leads groups of 2 to 4 people through secluded off-road locations.Is it for me?The guide speaks English throughout, so you can follow the commentary and ask questions as you ride. This works best for riders with at least a moderate level of fitness, since you're on the ATV for two hours and then hiking at the end—the combination of riding and walking is what makes the ocean cliffs reachable in a single outing.
Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona Airport: Private Transfer EaseYou’ll get picked up right at your hotel in Waikoloa or Waimea by a friendly local driver who knows all the shortcuts. Settle into a comfy minivan or passenger van (depending on your group), enjoy an easy ride with flexible timing, and arrive at Kona International Airport without any stress. It’s more than just a transfer — it’s one last bit of island calm before you go.
