The leading Big Island attraction is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where Kilauea Volcano, the most active volcano in the world, has been erupting for more than 20 years on this youngest of Hawaiian islands. Other Big Island attractions include Waipio Valley, the many Hawaii waterfalls, and the beautiful Hawaii beaches along the Kohala Coast and the Kailua-Kona area.
The Kailua-Kona area of the Big Island is known for its abundance of water activities. From Kona snorkeling tours to sport fishing, Kona is King of water activities. Some of the most popular Big Island activities include snorkeling tours, swimming with dolphins, manta ray night dives, luaus, and of course volcano tours.
With so much to do on the Big Island you are sure to find many adventures to suite your needs. You will leave the Island with memories, stories and photos to share with friends and family. You will definitely want to spend a few days on this Island.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
No Big Island vacation is complete without an excursion through the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with its museum, lodge, walk-through-lava tubes, steam vents and rain forest trails. The Big Island activities include several varieties while exploring the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Volcano hiking tours and volcano helicopter tours are just some of the ways for viewing lava. Many visitors are surprised to find that the things to do on the Big Island not only include a visit to a live volcano, but the water activities on the Kohala Coast and the Kailua-Kona are are almost endless.
Hawaii Beaches
The beaches on the lush and tropical windward side of the island are black sand and include one of Dr. Beach’s top 10 best beaches, Punalu’u, where Hawaii’s endangered green sea turtles lay their eggs. White sand and golden sand beaches stretch out along the Kona side. One of the best beaches in the United States is Hapuna on the Kohala Coast. Hapuna is a long stretch of white sand near the Waikoloa Hilton and Hapuna Prince resorts. Beach vacation activities at Hapuna include snorkeling, boogie boarding, volleyball and just enjoying the sun, the palm trees, and the clear turquoise water.
The Kohala Coast
The Kohala Coast of Hawaii is a resort area that features many great beaches and one of the best beaches in Hawaii, Hapuna Beach. There are many water activities such as kayak tours and snorkeling tours. Whale watching tours are among the best of the Hawaiian Islands along the Kohala Coast.
Kailua-Kona Area
The kailua-Kona area has some of the best Hawaii snorkeling. From catamarans to raft boats, Kona snorkeling tours usually visit either Pawai Bay or the famous Kealakekua Bay, both having excellent visibility. The Captain Cook Monument is also located at Kealakekua Bay. Among the most popular marine inhabitants are dolphins and whales. There are several swim with dolphins in tours in Kona that allow you to drop in the water near the dolphins to test your skill of swimming with dolphins in Hawaii. During the months of December through April, Hawaii comes alive with whales that mate and are giving birth to their young and allow close-up views. Kona has some of the best Manta Ray Night dives in the world, where you swim in the waters with these gentle giants, as they perform graceful underwater maneuvers. And a trip to Hawaii wouldn’t be complete without a luau, and there are several Luaus in Kona to choose from.
Hawaii Waterfalls
Within an hour drive of Hilo, you can visit many of the best Hawaii waterfalls. Located 10 minutes from Hilo are the popular Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Just a short drive from here is one of the most photographed Hawaii waterfalls, Akaka Falls, along with Kahuna Falls. An hour north of Hilo is the famous Waipio Valley and its many waterfalls. The most popular is probably Hiilawe and Hakalaoa waterfalls. Waipio Valley also has a black sand beach, where, depending on the rainfall, you can see several more waterfalls cascading into the ocean if you hike a little to the south. To get a birds eye view of the many Hawaii waterfalls, a Big Island helicopter tour is a great way to see all of these beautiful Hawaii waterfalls. There are also hiking tours, ATV tours, and horseback riding tours that also explore some of the best Hawaii waterfalls.
Waipio Valley
Waipi’o Rim Hike Adventure are excellent ways to enjoy the majestic beauty of the island.
About an hour drive north of Hilo is the beautiful Waipio Valley, of which many Hawaii waterfalls can be found. Waipio Valley is a lush and tropical treat away from the hustle and bustle of it all. Enclosed by 2000 foot sheer walls, Waipio Valley features a black sand beach, many waterfalls, rocky streams, taro fields, and even wild horses roaming about.
Waipio Valley used to have thousands of inhabitants, but in 1946 a tidal wave drove most people to higher grounds. It is considered sacred land and has claim to the nickname, “Valley of the Kings”, as Hawaiian Royalty often used it as a retreat.
Hiking down and back out of Waipio Valley can be a strenuous task. Only four-wheel drive autos are allowed by law to enter into Waipio Valley. If you do not have four-wheel drive you may enjoy one of the guided Waipio Valley tours. Preservation of this sacred land has limited the commercial transportation into Waipio Valley.
Wapio Waterfalls and a Black Sand Beach
About half way down the steep, paved road to the floor of Waipio Valley is a turn to your right. This road leads you to Waipio’s black sand beach. Once arriving at the beach, you may be in for a surprise if you look to your right. Kaluahina Fall, featured in Kevin Costner’s movie Water World, will come into sight and come crashing towards the ocean if enough rain has fallen.
If you care to hike down the coast past this waterfall you will come to Waiulili and Kukuihaele waterfalls. If time permits, it is highly recommended to drive back to the main valley entrance road and continue down into the opposite side of Waipio Valley. You will get to witness Waipio Valley’s Twin waterfalls, Hi’ilawe and Hakalaoa Waterfalls.
Throughout Waipio Valley you will be able to find smaller waterfalls by hiking, taking an ATV tour or by a horseback riding tour. Waiamea Falls, Na’alapa Falls, Nanaue Falls and Papala Falls are a series of cascading waterfalls also found in Waipio Valley. The last in this series of cascading waterfalls is Papala Falls, a small twin waterfall that splashes into a small pool below.
Waipio Valley Tours
Some Waipio Valley tours are Waipio horseback tours, Waipio ATV tours, Waipio Valley Wagon Tours and the Waipio Valley Shuttle. The Waipi’o Rim Hike Adventure is another excellent way to enjoy the majestic beauty of the island. Big Island Helicopter Tours will allow you to get a bird’s eye view of Waipio Valley. But if you don’t have time to journey into the Valley or participate in one of the Waipio Valley tours, at least make it a priority to go to the Waipio Valley Lookout.
World Botanical Garden
Hawaii Botanical Garden, previously three hundred acres of sugarcane plantation, now houses several waterfalls, thousands of tropical plants, flowers, birds and other wildlife. The highlight of the World Botanical Garden is Umauma Falls, a 300 food triple tiered waterfall.
It is well worth visiting the World Botanical Garden and spending an hour or two exploring and witnessing the beautiful Hawaiian landscape.
If you’re looking for things to do on the Big Island of a botanical nature, keep in mind that Hilo is the orchid capital of the world, and botanical garden tours are a major Big Island attraction. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens and the World Botanical Gardens, located near Hilo, house an abundant variety of orchids and other plant species. And let’s not forget about the waterfalls. Onomea Falls is located in the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and the impressive multi-tiered Umauma Falls is located in The World Botanical Garden and both allow you to get close-up views of these Hawaii waterfalls.
Big Island Eco Tours
The Big Island Zipline Tour, located at the very northern part of the Big Island, is a very popular activity. For all those bird lovers, there are great Birdwatching Adventures for the expert and the beginner. If rain forest are what your seeking, enjoy the RainForest and DryForest Adventure. You may also find Hakalau Forest NWR Adventure a great top 10 attraction. It was the first National Wildlife Refuge in the country.
Big Island Travel Facts
Airports: the Big Island’s main airports in Kona and Hilo service direct flights to and from the United States and Canada.
Average Year-Round Temperature at Sea Level: 75 to 85° F.
For the best vacation deals for you Big Island travel adventures, book for the off-season. To ensure your spot, always book early, but especially if your Big Island vacation is planned for summer, spring break or over any major holiday.