25 Favorite Things To Do On The Big Island Of Hawaii
Planning to visit the glorious Islands of Hawaii?
Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to visit Hawaii multiple times to reconnect with family and friends. Each island has its own unique charm, but the Big Island holds a particularly special place in my heart.
As Hawaii’s largest island, the Big Island is also one of the least visited, making it the perfect escape from crowded spots and tourist traps. Here’s my curated list of favorite things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii:
Big Island Highlights
🏝️ Visit Parker Ranch
🏝️ Hike to Waipiʻo Valley
25 Things To Do In The Big Island
The Big Island is famous for its volcanic landscapes, striking black sand beaches, world-class golf courses, and so much more. There’s truly something for everyone to enjoy on this diverse island!
1. Visit ‘Akaka Falls
‘Akaka Falls are also easy to get to with a ½ mile well maintained path, perfect for folks of all ages and athletic ability. The parking lot for ‘Akaka fills up quickly, if you can’t find parking you should be OK to park on the shoulder of the road as long as you don’t stay very long.
Shan’s Tip: ‘Akaka Falls is a 30 minute drive just north of the Rainbow Falls. The ‘Akaka Falls does have an entry fee of $5 for non-residents.
2. Visit the Abalone Farm
The Big Island Abalone farm is home to one of the largest abalone producers in the world. Visiting the farm is a perfect way to support a local business and learn about the production process. I had no idea how much kelp was needed to successfully grow Abalone.
The Abalone Farm tour is ideal for a quick half day activity. If you have kids under 8 they get a discount on the tour.
3. Visit the Hulihe’e Palace
Hulihe’e Palace was rehabilitated in the late 1920’s by the local community. If you’re a history buff, this is one of the best places to learn about the culture of the Island.
You need to make reservations ahead of time, and you can book it directly on the Palace website. I’d plan on spending at least an hour touring the Palace.
4. Visit Hawaiian Vanilla Company
The Hawaiian Vanilla Company are the first commercial growers of vanilla in the United States and have been in business since the late 1990’s. This is a perfect activity if you’re looking to get away from the beach for a few hours and support a local business.
They’ve recently changed their tour options to include lunch/culinary add-ons in addition to the facility tour. I’m currently obsessed with their Raspberry Vinaigrette. Another crowd favorite is the at-home extract kit, It’s usually sold out but you might get lucky!
5. Snorkel in Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay can be accessed via the Ka’Awaloa trail which will take a few hours. I recommend going through one of the local companies below, that will take you to the Bay via boat.
I wouldn’t recommend this to folks who don’t have a basic comfort level with swimming since you’re out in the open water for extended periods of time. Be sure to use your coral safe sunscreen on the beach!
🤿 Personal favorite (love to sail!) Sail and Snorkel tour
6. Grab a meal at Kona Brewing Company
What better place to kick back and enjoy a cold beer than at the original restaurant for Kona Brewery. My favorite thing about visiting the brewery is that they have a rotating beer menu! They also have local musicians performing on Tuesdays and Fridays.
7. Look for Sea Turtles on Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
The Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is located on the south part of the island where you can find Sea turtles all year long. This might not be ideal for kiddos to swim and snorkel since it can get rough.
The beach is very rocky, I’d recommend using some sturdy water shoes to protect your feet while swimming and snorkeling. If you don’t want to swim, there is a walkway next to the water where you can look for turtles and fish inside the cove.
When visiting, please be mindful that turtle nesting season is April through September on the Big Island, therefore swimming is discouraged during these times.
8. Be a Cowboy for a day at Parker Ranch
Parker Ranch should be at the top of your list of places to visit during your trip. It’s been in business for over 100 years and they offer anything from horseback rides to historical tours.
They host an annual Rodeo over the 4th of July weekend and it is incredible. Parker Ranch usually posts their rodeo schedule a few weeks before on their website.
9. Tea time on the Big Island
Did you know there are multiple Tea farms on the Big Island? As of today, there isn’t a tour for all of these farms but you can visit all of them individually.
🫖 Big Island Tea: In order to tour the facility you’ll have to contact them ahead of time for a reservation.
🫖 Mauna Kea Tea: This is probably my favorite Tea farm to visit, the guided tour includes tea and snacks in their beautiful garden. Reservations are required!
🫖 Tea Hawaii Company – Probably the most financially friendly option with tours starting at $25. This farm is located in the Volcano Village so it’s a perfect pit stop after visiting the National Park.
10. Go stargazing on Mauna Kea
Unless you are staying with locals who have a 4WD vehicle, you’ll need to book this experience via a tour. The rental companies have stipulations with where you can take your car, even if you have 4WD. Best to leave the car at your hotel/airbnb and opt for a tour to enjoy this experience!
11. Make traditional Leis in Waimea
What better souvenir than creating your own traditional Hawaiian Lei. The best part of this experience is that it is intentionally intimate.
You’ll have a one on one experience with your instructor where you not only learn about the significance of leis. Reservations are required and I recommend booking a couple of months in advance.
12. Tour the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The Hawai’i Volcanoes Park is a member of the National Park Services from the mainland. The National Park Annual pass will work here! Be sure to check-in with the visitors center upon arrival to make sure you’re aware of current volcano activity.
Shan’s Tip: I recommend building an extra day in your trip to visit the volcano if it’s high on your must-see list. There’s no guarantee as to what parts of the park you’ll be able to visit pending the volcano activity.
13. Spend time in Volcano Village
This is probably one of the best kept secrets on all of the islands! Volcano Village is right outside of the National Park and is open to the public. There are a few art galleries and restaurants worth checking out.
You must try the Tuk Tuk Thai Food truck!!!
14. Visit Rainbow Falls
Located around 20 minutes north of Hilo, Rainbow Falls is a gorgeous waterfall. I’d recommend visiting early in the morning to catch a rainbow and to avoid crowds. This is a perfect activity for folks of all ages and athletic ability since the walk is less than .2 miles.
15. Attend a Traditional Luau
No visit to Hawaii is complete without attending a Traditional Luau. The Luau is full of incredible food, entertainment and Island views. All of the Luau’s offered on the Big Island are on hotel properties. Here are my top three:
🌺 Sunset Luau at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort: Best food of all the Luaus! This Luau is available every Monday and Wednesday.
🌺 Feast & Fire Lūʻau at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa: The performers at this Luau are descendents from the Royal Family in Hawaii, very big deal! This Luau is available every Monday and Thursday.
🌺 Hawaiʻi loa Luʻau: The best Luau to bring your kids, they have interactive experiences available before the show. This luau is available every Monday and Wednesday.
16. Shop at Hilo Farmers Market
The Hilo Farmers Market is known among locals to be the best market on all of the Hawaiian Islands. It’s a great way to see the local community and grab some fantastic fresh fruit and veggies.This isn’t your ordinary market, it’s not just one or two blocks.
The market is huge! It’s so big that it’s separated into sections for produce, arts/crafts and an indoor food court. Be mindful when shopping and use reusable/packable bags when shopping.
17. Snorkel with Stingrays at Night
This has easily become the most popular activity on the island. Be sure to book your tour as soon as you book flights, these tours sell out fast especially in the winter months. This is another activity that I wouldn’t recommend if you’re not a strong swimmer.
– Snorkel with Rays for 2 hours → this group will let you book another tour at no charge if you don’t see any Stingrays 🙂
18. Walk around Tropical Botanic Gardens
The Gardens are less than 30 minutes from the Hilo airport and a perfect activity to do as your last taste of Hawaii before departing. This is a perfect activity for families and folks looking for a low key activity during vacation. Heads up the Gardens are open everyday from 9-5, except major holidays.
19. Visit the Kona Salt Farms
Fun fact, the Kona Salt Farm is the only farm in the world that uses ocean water that is almost 1000 years old. The Kona Salt Farm Tour is a great break from the beach that includes a guided tour of the facility and salt tastings.
If you want to extend your day at the farms, you should absolutely consider doing a salt soak for your feet. You get to sit on the porch and relax for a half hour!
20. Golf in Paradise
Outside of my brief highschool golf career, I don’t have a lot of expertise when it comes to golf. I can however confirm that the Big Island is home to some of the most beautiful courses in the world. After speaking with locals on the Island, here are the top three they recommend:
⛳️ Mauna Kea Golf Course
⛳️ Makani Golf Course
⛳️ Hapuna Golf Course
Free Things to Do on the Big Island
A trip to Hawaii is already a big expense, here are a few free things to check out!
21. Enjoy Lili’uokalani Gardens
A wonderful gem on the island, the Lili’uokalani Gardens is right in Hilo. The last time I visited I just grabbed some take out from Two Ladies Kitchen and had a picnic in the Garden.
22. Tour Parker Ranch Historic Buildings
If you’re not up for horseback riding or hunting, Parker Ranch offers elaborate tours onsite. I was able to tour without a reservation but I was also visiting in the middle of summer.
I recommend still booking a time slot to be safe, once you arrive the team will give you a detailed guide for you to use on the self-guided tour of the historic buildings.
23. Discover the Petroglyphs
The Puakō petroglyph preserve is on the Northwest side of the Island. When I visited there were a few families having their own scavenger hunt trying to find the Petroglyphs. Please be mindful of the historic significance when visiting and be respectful of the land.
24. Tour the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company
The visitor center is open all year long and allows you to walk around the facility for free. If you’re hoping to see the folks hard at work in the factory, try stopping by during the week.
25. Hike to Waipiʻo Valley
The main road leading to Waipi’o Valley is known to be the steepest with its length in the United States.The road has been closed sporadically the past few years due to local politics and construction.
This road is no joke! Bring plenty of water and snacks to get down and up the road safely. I recommend going early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid midday heat. As of fall 2024, access to the valley is limited to locals only.
Getting Around the Big Island
The best way to get around the Big Island is with a rental car. The roads are well maintained, except for off-roading in the parks and going to Mauna Kea Summit. Be sure to read the fine print on your rental agreements, most companies do not allow you to go off-roading, even if your car has 4 wheel drive.
Big Island FAQs
Looking back, I wish I’d known the following tips before visiting the Big Island.
What is the #1 thing to do on the Big Island, Hawaii?
Visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park must be at the top of your list when visiting the Big Island. Whether you’re stargazing at night or exploring during the day, the park is perfect for visitors at any age.
How many days do you need in the Big Island?
Plan to spend six days on the Big Island for your vacation. If you can add an extra day or two that would be ideal so you can have travel days built in. The six days will give you plenty of time to enjoy all the Big Island has to offer.
What is the prettiest part of the Big Island?
As they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I personally think the prettiest part of the Big Island is in the Waipiʻo Valley. As I mentioned earlier, this part of the Island is closed to locals only due to infrastructure concerns.
With that in mind, I think the second prettiest part of the Big Island is Mauna Kea at night time when the stars are shining their brightest. If you’re in for a longer night, start out by watching sunset and then enjoy stargazing!
When is the Best Time to Visit the Big Island of Hawaii?
If budget is at the top of your travel concerns, visiting in the fall before the holidays is your best bet. However, if you are hoping to get the most out of the Big Island’s beauty, summer is going to guarantee the best weather.
Like most warm and tropical locations, the worst time to visit the Big Island of Hawaii is between December and early April. All of the hotels and restaurants are priced higher due to the high volume of tourists.
Final Thoughts
The Big Island of Hawaii is an incredible destination year-round. Whether you’re snorkeling at vibrant beaches, hiking through lush valleys, or supporting local farms, you’re sure to have the trip of a lifetime. Do you want to explore a hidden gem in the Caribbean? Consider adding Montserrat Island to your bucket list to visit their incredible beaches.
Now it’s time to start planning your own adventure, Cheers!
