21 Top Things to Do on Hawaii's Big Island

Hawaii's Big Island, known for its diverse landscapes, features active volcanoes, lush rainforests, and stunning beaches. It's home to Mauna Kea and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, offering unique outdoor adventures and rich cultural experiences.

All Things To Do

Museum admission $7 for adults; $2 for children 6-17; House tours: $3 for adults; $1 for children
tour-the-lyman-museum-and-mission-house

Tour the Lyman Museum and Mission House

#21 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

276 Haili St
1 to 2 hours
See Details
Free
shop-at-the-hilo-farmers-market

Shop at the Hilo Farmers Market

#20 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Corner of Kamehameha Avenue and, Mamo St.
1 to 2 hours
See Details
Free
tour-pu-ukohola-heiau-national-historic-site

Tour Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

#19 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

62-3601 Kawaihae Rd.
1 to 2 hours
See Details
$16 for adults; $10 for kids 5-12; $1 for children 4 and younger
learn-about-hawaiian-royalty-at-hulihe-e-palace

Learn about Hawaiian royalty at Hulihe'e Palace

#18 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

75-5718 Ali‘i Dr.
1 to 2 hours
See Details
Free
traverse-the-kaumana-caves

Traverse the Kaumana Caves

#17 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

1492 Kaumana Dr.
Less than 1 hour
See Details
Free
explore-kailua-kona

Explore Kailua-Kona

#16 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

-
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
Free
visit-white-sands-beach-park-magic-sands-beach-park

Visit White Sands Beach Park (Magic Sands Beach Park)

#15 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

77-650077 Ali‘i Dr.
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
Free
see-an-actual-rainbow-at-rainbow-falls

See an actual rainbow at Rainbow Falls

#14 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Rainbow Falls
Less than 1 hour
See Details
Free
go-snorkeling-at-kealakekua-bay

Go snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay

#13 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
Free
snorkel-at-captain-cook-monument

Snorkel at Captain Cook Monument

#12 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Captain James Cook Monument
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
Free
see-turtles-at-kaloko-honokohau-national-historical-park

See turtles at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

#11 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

73-4786 Kanalani St. #14
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
Free
discover-punalu-u-black-sand-beach

Discover Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

#10 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Highway 11
1 to 2 hours
See Details
Free
admire-the-views-from-pololu-valley-lookout

Admire the views from Pololu Valley Lookout

#9 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

52-5100 Akoni Pule Hwy
1 to 2 hours
See Details
Prices vary by tour company
take-a-mauna-kea-stargazing-tour

Take a Mauna Kea stargazing tour

#8 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Mauna Kea Access Road
Half Day to Full Day
See Details
Free
watch-the-sun-set-at-anaeho-omalu-beach

Watch the sun set at 'Anaeho'omalu Beach

#7 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

69-275 Waikoloa Beach Dr.
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
Free
spend-the-day-at-kauna-oa-mauna-kea-beach

Spend the day at Kauna'oa (Mauna Kea) Beach

#6 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

62-100 Mauna Kea Beach Dr.
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
$32 for adults; $22 for children 6-12; free for kids 5 and younger
stroll-through-the-hawai-i-tropical-botanical-garden

Stroll through the Hawai'i Tropical Botanical Garden

#5 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

27-717 Old Mamalahoa Hwy
1 to 2 hours
See Details
$20 per car; $15 per motorcycle or $10 per pedestrian
visit-pu-uhonua-o-honaunau-national-historical-park

Visit Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

#4 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Highway 160
1 to 2 hours
See Details
$5 per person; $10 per car
go-boogie-boarding-at-hapuna-beach-state-recreation-area

Go boogie boarding at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area

#3 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

Old Puako Rd.
2 hours to Half Day
See Details
$5 per person; $10 to park
take-a-walk-at-akaka-falls-state-park

Take a walk at 'Akaka Falls State Park

#2 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

VR3X+P5 875 Akaka Falls Rd.
1 to 2 hours
See Details
$30 per car; $15 per pedestrian
see-an-active-eruption-at-hawai-i-volcanoes-national-park

See an active eruption at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

#1 in Best Things To Do in Hawaii - The Big Island

1 Crater Rim Dr.
Half Day to Full Day
See Details

You might also like

Rehoboth Beach
6
Nashville
32
Portland, ME
23
Tulsa
10
Maui
29
Hilton Head
16
Joshua Tree National Park
13
Sacramento
12
Amelia Island
9
Daytona Beach
14