Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Home to two of the world's most active volcanoes — Kilauea and Mauna Loa — this UNESCO World Heritage Site spans sea level to 13,680 feet, offering crater overlooks, lava tubes, steam vents, and the rare chance to watch a living planet reshape itself. Kilauea has been erupting on and off since December 2024, with…
Mauna Kea Summit and Stargazing. At 13,796 feet, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain on Earth measured from its oceanic base, and its summit hosts some of the world's premier astronomical observatories. The Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet runs free nightly stargazing programs with laser-guided sky tours above the cloud line.
Kealakekua Bay Snorkeling. One of Hawaii's most pristine marine sanctuaries, Kealakekua Bay protects thriving coral gardens, Hawaiian green sea turtles, and a dizzying variety of tropical fish just offshore from where Captain Cook first landed on Hawaii Island in 1778. Boat tours and guided kayak paddles bring you to the calm northwest corner,…
Manta Ray Night Snorkel, Kona. Giant Pacific manta rays — some with wingspans exceeding 14 feet — barrel-roll through the plankton-rich water below dive lights off the Kona Coast virtually every night. This is one of only a handful of sites in the world where you can reliably snorkel alongside wild manta rays after dark.
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach. One of only four green-sand beaches on Earth, Papakōlea owes its vivid olive color to olivine crystals eroding from a 49,000-year-old cinder cone near South Point, the southernmost tip of the United States. Reaching it requires a 5.5-mile round-trip hike across a dramatic, wind-scoured headland.
Hapuna Beach. Repeatedly named one of America's best beaches, Hapuna stretches nearly half a mile of bright white sand along the sunny Kohala Coast with crystal-clear water, a year-round lifeguard, and calm summer surf ideal for swimming and bodyboarding. In winter, lucky visitors may spot humpback whales spouting offshore.
Waipio Valley Lookout. Known as the Valley of the Kings, Waipio is a sacred valley of Hawaiian royalty framed by 2,000-foot emerald cliffs, a mile-long black sand beach, and the dramatic Hi'ilawe Falls plunging 1,200 feet to the valley floor. While the valley road is currently closed to visitors, the dramatic overlook at the road's end…
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. This jet-black beach formed from lava cooling in the sea is one of the most reliable places in Hawaii to see endangered Hawaiian green sea turtles — honu — basking on the shore. Lifeguards are on duty daily, and the beach is a natural gathering point between the Kona and Volcano sides of the island.
Top-rated tours & activities in The Big Island of Hawaii
Award Winning Farm Tour: Coffee, Chocolate and Unique Gifts — 5.0★ (546 reviews)
Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History — 4.9★ (6,986 reviews)
Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch — 4.9★ (2,470 reviews)
Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls (250-ft Waterfall!) — 4.9★ (1,122 reviews)
Kealakekua Bay Afternoon Snorkel: Family Fun on the Kona Coast — 4.9★ (700 reviews)
Kaimana Ocean Safari — 4.9★ (272 reviews)
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo — 4.8★ (1,740 reviews)
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour — 4.9★ (1,617 reviews)
Award Winning Farm Tour: Coffee, Chocolate and Unique Gifts — 5.0★ (546 reviews)
Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History — 4.9★ (6,986 reviews)
Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch — 4.9★ (2,470 reviews)
Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls (250-ft Waterfall!) — 4.9★ (1,122 reviews)
Kealakekua Bay Afternoon Snorkel: Family Fun on the Kona Coast — 4.9★ (700 reviews)
Kaimana Ocean Safari — 4.9★ (272 reviews)
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo — 4.8★ (1,740 reviews)
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour — 4.9★ (1,617 reviews)