Ultimate Guide To The Big Island: The Best Things To Do On The Big Island Hawaii
The Big Island of Hawaii is a dream come true for anyone looking for fun, adventure, or relaxation. With its amazing mix of landscapes and Hawaiian culture, there’s something for every kind of traveler. From watching lava glow at night to swimming in warm, clear waters, the Big Island is packed with unforgettable experiences.
Whether you’re traveling with kids, friends, or just your favorite travel buddy, the Big Island offers tons of things to do. You'll find easy walking trails, peaceful beaches, exciting tours, and places to just unwind and soak in the aloha spirit.
A little planning can go a long way. Figuring out where to stay and what to do ahead of time helps keep things smooth. This guide is packed with ideas and tips to help you enjoy the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History
Covers all the must-see sights in one day.
Expert guides make the day fun, educational, and stress-free.
Perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation.
Ideal for first-time visitors who want the full Big Island experience.
Best Tours on the Big Island of Hawaii
If you're not sure where to begin, start with a tour! These are some of the best things to do on Big Island of Hawaii. They’re fun, easy to book, and let you enjoy the highlights without doing all the planning yourself.
Here are some of our top picks (we’ve double-checked the reviews so you don’t have to!):
1. Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
5 ⭐ Reviews | Duration: 2.5 hours
This unforgettable evening tour lets you snorkel with manta rays as they glide beneath you under the moonlit ocean. After a sunset cruise, you'll gear up and slip into the water for a guided snorkel experience like no other. Doing this tour was the highlight of our trip to the Big Island and is a must-do on your trip to the Big Island!
Why we love it:
Swim with gentle manta rays under the stars—it feels like magic.
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride at sunset before you dive in.
Bright lights help bring in the manta rays so you can see them up close.
The crew is super friendly and keeps things safe and fun.
Best for: Confident swimmers, ocean lovers, teens and adults looking for a one-of-a-kind evening adventure.**** Confident swimmers, ocean lovers, teens and adults looking for a one-of-a-kind evening adventure.
What Past Guests Have Said-
“Stop and book this tour! The guides- Bryce, AJ and Vinny were extremely helpful and made our experience wonderful. The boat was spacious, safe and clean. Most importantly, the manta party was popping! Approximately 20 mantas swimming with us for the duration of the tour. Top rated experience!!!”
Star Rating: ⭐ 4.9 | Duration: 11 hours
This full-day small group tour covers the island’s biggest highlights in a single outing. From dramatic lava landscapes to lush waterfalls and scenic coastlines, it’s a deep dive into what makes the Big Island special.
Why it’s awesome:
This full-day tour hits all the big sights in one trip.
See real volcanoes, beautiful waterfalls, and black sand beaches.
The guides are fun, smart, and make everything easy.
Lunch is included, and you ride in a comfy van.
Best for: First-time visitors, families, and anyone who wants to see it all.
What Past Guests Have Said-
“This was the best way to see all the highlights of the island in one day. Our tour guide, Miexia, was so engaging and knowledgeable. My 10 year old daughter begged him to keep sharing his Hawaiian history. Worth every penny and more!”
Star Rating: ⭐ 4.7 | Duration: 7-8 hours
Head up to the summit of Mauna Kea to witness one of the most breathtaking sunsets, followed by an incredible night of stargazing with telescopes. It’s one of the highest-altitude experiences in Hawaii.
What makes it special:
Watch the sun set from one of the tallest spots in Hawaii.
Stay for some of the clearest stargazing you’ll ever see.
Warm jackets and hot drinks are included.
Best for: Space fans, couples, and travelers 13+ who love sunsets and stars.
What Past Guests Have Said-
“This tour was absolutely incredible and one of the highlights of our trip to the Big Island. Being at or near the summit felt like stepping onto another planet. The views were breathtaking—an unforgettable sunset, an amazing vantage point of nearby Mauna Loa, and a surreal scene above the clouds. And of course, the stargazing was spectacular.
The stargazing portion was super cool and a highlight for me. The guides were knowledgeable and fun. The telescope viewing was out of this world, targeting key galaxies, nebulae and stars. I highly recommend this tour!”
Star Rating: ⭐ 4.7 | Duration: 3-3.5 hours
Enjoy a leisurely boat cruise along the Kona coast with live Hawaiian music, delicious food, and incredible ocean views. The cruise also offers cultural history and a stop near the Captain Cook Monument.
Why we’d go again:
Cruise along the coast with live Hawaiian music.
Tasty food, relaxing vibes, and great views.
Learn local history and look out for dolphins!
Best for: Couples, families with young kids, and anyone who loves a laid-back day on the water
What Past Guests Have Said-
“Everything about this excursion was top notch! Great, friendly crew, delicious dinner, drinks, fun live music and informative historical info about the coastline. Definitely worth the price of admission! So glad we went. Would do again!”
Star Rating: ⭐ 4.8 | Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Soar through the rainforest and over rushing waterfalls on nine thrilling zip lines. This tour offers epic views, excitement, and an optional waterfall swim to cool off at the end.
Why it’s a hit:
Zipline over waterfalls and through tropical jungle.
Safe and fun for beginners.
Option to swim at a waterfall and enjoy lunch.
Best for: Thrill seekers, adventurous families with older kids, and outdoor lovers.**** Thrill seekers, adventurous families with older kids, and outdoor lovers.
What Past Guests Have Said-
“This experience was top notch! The crew here made the experience wonderful! At the beginning when getting everyone their equipment the team was very knowledgeable and made you feel comfortable as your suited up! The crew always checked in with everyone before and after each zip line and were there to make sure you felt safe! It was a wonderful experience and the views from each platform were amazing!! Make sure to bring your camera as the terrain your zip line over is amazing! Definitely a wonderful experience!!”
Star Rating: ⭐ 5.0 | Duration: 3.5 hours
Experience Hawaii’s volcanic power from both the air and the ground in this combo tour. A scenic helicopter flight is followed by a guided drive through Volcanoes National Park.
Why we recommend it:
Helicopter tour + guided land tour = epic views and stories.
See lava fields, volcanoes, and lush rainforest all in one day.
Best for: Travelers who want to splurge on an unforgettable day
What Past Guests Have Said-
“Amazing experience!! We got to see volcano erupting. Pilot & crew were very nice and helped us feel safe the whole time. Pilot was also very well informative, providing us with facts & history on what we were flying over, so we knew what we were looking at. I would highly recommend anyone visiting the big island to book this flight.”
Star Rating: ⭐ 4.6 | Duration: 1 hour
Perfect for all ages, this quick trip lets you view coral reefs and tropical fish through glass panels while staying completely dry. Great narration from the guides adds fun facts along the way.
Perfect for non-swimmers:
See fish and coral without getting wet.
Short tour, great for small kids or those who just want to chill.
Guides make it fun and educational.
Best for: Families with young children, seniors, or anyone who prefers to stay dry.
What Past Guests Have Said-
“This was a fantastic experience! The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and kept up a running commentary of everything we were seeing inside, outside, and under the boat. We got to see dolphins in the bay, and every kind of fish you can imagine around the coral, in several different areas we went to.
Not only that, my two toddler grandkids and one newborn grand-niece were doing what little kids do, and the whole crew took it in stride, and one of them even came over to try and distract and redirect them with toys. It was an amazing experience on every level. We would give more stars if that was an option.
FANTASTIC!!!”
Star Rating: ⭐ 5.0 | Duration: 3 hours
Pedal your way through Volcanoes National Park with ease on an electric fat-tire bike. You'll cruise past craters, lava fields, and steaming vents while learning about the island’s volcanic history.
Why it rocks:
Ride e-bikes through one of the coolest national parks in Hawaii.
Explore volcanic landscapes without breaking a sweat.
Learn interesting facts from knowledgeable guides.
Best for: Active travelers, solo explorers, couples, and eco-conscious tourists
What Past Guests Have Said
“Excellent tour, just as advertised with great guides and fully functional equipment. Tylor and Nicole were very knowledgeable and great guides throughout the park, providing helpful photography hints in capturing the lava flow and other sights.”
Star Rating: ⭐ 5.0 | Duration: 2 hours
Get off the beaten path on an ATV and explore rugged trails, pastures, and scenic viewpoints on the island’s south side. It’s dusty, muddy, and ridiculously fun.
Why we love it:
Ride ATVs through beautiful backcountry terrain.
Great mix of scenery and fun.
Local guides ensure a safe and exciting adventure.
Best for: Adventure seekers, groups of friends, and anyone who loves getting off the beaten path
What Past Guests Have Said-
“I loved this experience so much. You get to drive an ATV through Hawaiian back country to green sand beach and beautiful coast line that would be very hard to get to otherwise. Bumpy trails but that just made the experience even more fun! This tour exceeded my expectations and was well worth the cost. Our tour guides were very friendly and also taught us about history and plants along the way.”
Star Rating: ⭐ 4.8 | Duration: 4 hours
Paddle along the Kona coast on a guided kayak tour and snorkel in some of the island’s clearest waters. Along the way, learn about local history and spot colorful marine life.
Why it’s a must-do:
Paddle your own kayak along the beautiful coast.
Stop and snorkel in crystal-clear waters.
Spot tropical fish and maybe even dolphins.
Best for: Nature lovers, active couples, and travelers who want to get close to ocean life
What Past Guests Have To Say-
“Our tour guide was Ryan. He was very helpful with getting in and out of the kayaks, he also told us about the manta rays and other marine life in the area. He took us to a local cliff jumping area and of course to an amazing snorkeling spot. Ryan’s knowledge of the local history was very interesting and kept us entertained throughout the trip. I highly recommend!”
These tours are some of the best things to do on Big Island of Hawaii. They’re exciting, easy to book, and give you a fun and stress-free way to explore.
Why the Big Island Has Something for Everyone 🌴🌋🌈
The Big Island is packed with adventure, culture, nature, and relaxation. Whether you want to zipline over waterfalls, float on a boat with a cocktail, or walk through a lava tube, this island delivers.
It’s also one of the most unique islands in Hawaii, with everything from snow-capped mountains to black sand beaches. The Big Island is all about variety, and that’s what makes it so special.
You’ll find:
Outdoor adventures like hiking, snorkeling, and ziplining.
Cultural sites where you can learn Hawaiian history and traditions.
Local eats and coffee tours that give you a taste of the island.
Beautiful beaches and peaceful places to relax.
Whether you're visiting for a weekend or a full week, the Big Island of Hawaii will leave you in awe—and have you planning your next trip before you even leave. 🌟🏕️🛫