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The largest of Hawaii’s islands is also its most contradictory. In a single day you can stand on an active volcano, walk across a black sand beach, and watch the sun set from a summit nearly 14,000 feet above the sea. With 4,028 square miles of raw landscape, the Big Island offers more unexpected variety than the rest of the Hawaiian chain combined. Here are the things you absolutely should not miss when you visit.
Witness the Power of Kīlauea at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
No trip to the Big Island feels complete without facing the elemental forces at play in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kīlauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, has been erupting intermittently since the 1980s. Check the park’s website before you go, because the eruption status changes. When the lava lake glows, the caldera becomes an otherworldly sight after dark.
Drive the Chain of Craters Road — it drops 3,700 feet over 19 miles to the ocean, past old lava flows that swallowed ancient Hawaiian coastal trails. You can also hike through the pungent, sulfur-smelling steam vents and explore the 500-year-old Nahuku lava tube. For a fuller workout, the 4.4-mile roundtrip Kīlauea Iki Trail crosses the crust of a once-molten crater, pushing you through rainforest right up to a chilling crack in the earth.
Plan for the Weather and Traffic
The park sits at 4,000 feet, so it’s often cool and rainy even when the coast is sunny. Pack layers, carry rain gear, and start early. The parking lot at the main visitor center fills by 10 a.m. on weekends.
If you’re the kind of traveler who loves unspoiled, vast outdoors, you’ll find the Big Island’s volcanic terrain just as rewarding as the wild landscapes of Northern Norway — but with much warmer weather.
Stargaze at the Summit of Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea stands at 13,796 feet above sea level, but because its base sits on the ocean floor, it’s actually the world’s tallest mountain when measured from its base. The dry air and lack of light pollution make it the premier spot on the planet for astronomical observation. But you can’t just pull up to the summit without preparation. The last few miles are unpaved and require four-wheel drive, and the altitude can trigger nausea and dizziness.
Your best bet is to stop at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy (at 9,200 feet) to acclimatize for at least 30 minutes. As dusk settles, watch the clouds roll out like a fluffy mattress below you, then join a free stargazing program with volunteer astronomers. Many tour operators offer summit sunset trips, but only a few are permitted to drive you all the way up. Book ahead.
There’s no need to bring a telescope — the naked-eye view of the Milky Way through that thin atmosphere will astonish even seasoned travelers.
Hike to Green, Black, and White Sand Beaches
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is easy to reach off Highway 11, and you’ll likely spot endangered green sea turtles napping on the shore. But the most unusual is Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, located at the southern tip of the island near South Point. The sand gets its olive hue from olivine crystals eroding out of the cinder cone. Reaching it requires a 2.5-mile hike each way across an open ranchland — or a bumpy ride in a local’s truck for a few dollars. Don’t attempt the drive yourself unless you have a high-clearance 4×4.
For a more conventional sunbathing experience, head to Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. With 61 acres of white sand and generally gentle waves, it’s consistently ranked among Hawaii’s top beaches. If you’re a snorkeler, drive to the village of Hōnaunau (also known as Two Step), where you can swim with the colorful fish that swarm the rocky lava shelf.
The Big Island’s shoreline diversity rivals the unique coves you’ll find in the Greek islands — you could easily compare a day here with the pristine beaches of Milos, Greece, though Hawaii has its own volcanic twist.
Tour a Kona Coffee Farm
Kona coffee has a global reputation that doesn’t come from hype alone. The combination of rich volcanic soil, morning sun, and afternoon rain along the slopes of Hualālai creates beans with a smooth, nutty flavor that’s hard to replicate. You can visit any of the working farms along the Kona Coffee Belt, a 20-mile stretch of the highway between Kailua-Kona and Kealakekua.
Stop at small family operations like Greenwell Farms or Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation. Most free tours last about 30 minutes, walking you through the entire process from cherry picking to roasting. The tasting tables pour samples at various roast levels; you’ll likely leave with a bag (or three). The best time to see the red coffee cherries getting harvested is August through December.
Swim Beneath Waterfalls and in Cliffside Pools
On the rainy Hilo side of the island, waterfalls come easy. Akaka Falls drops 442 feet into a lush gorge, but you can view it via a short paved loop without breaking a sweat. Rainbow Falls, right above Hilo town, is also a quick stop — go early in the morning to catch the rainbow that formed in its mist (hence the name).
For a real adventure, push deeper into the Waipiʻo Valley. The lookout from the top is incredible, but you can hike down the steep, erosion-prone road into the valley floor, where wild horses roam and black-sand beaches wait below the big waterfall. The 4-mile roundtrip descent is steep and slick — not for the casual flip-flop wanderer. If you have a 4WD vehicle, you can drive down, but many locals recommend a guided horseback or ATV tour instead.
Explore Historic Hilo and Its Food Scene
Hilo is the island’s underdog town. It’s cloudier than the sunny Kona coast, but that’s why it’s blanketed in orchids and lush gardens. Start by spending a morning at the Hilo Farmers Market, where you can grab a papaya and some freshly roasted macadamia nuts for a few bucks. Then walk through the cool, quiet streets of the old downtown, where wooden storefronts date back to the 1920s, including the Sig Zanfakis family’s legendary bakery.
The Pacific Tsunami Museum tells the harrowing stories of the 1946 and 1960 waves that reshaped the town, and the Lyman Museum & Mission House offers a decent dose of Hawaiian geology and culture. For lunch, join the queues at Suisan Fish Market for poke, or at Cafe Pesto for wood-fired pizza made with local produce.
Discover Ancient Hawaiian Sacred Sites
While the volcanic geology steals the show, the Big Island is also rich with cultural history. Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, on the southern Kona coast, is a restored ancient place of refuge. Here, defeated warriors and individuals who broke kapu (sacred laws) could find pardon. The site includes a heiau, royal fishponds, and an impressive 965-foot lava wall that predates European contact. Walking the grounds, with the surf booming against the rocks, you get a tangible sense of old Hawaiʻi.
Another must-see is the Mookini Heiau, an even older and more spiritual site near Upolu Point. It’s remote — the journey along winding dirt roads is part of the experience — and you should keep a respectful distance. As you explore these places, you may find yourself thinking about how ancient cultures and nature intertwine, much like the historical depths you’d uncover in Athens, Greece, though the Hawaiian version is far more quiet and contemplative.
Take a Day Trip to Mauna Kea’s Southern Slopes
If you have extra time, drive the Saddle Road (Route 200) to the Mauna Loa Observatory side. You’ll pass through endless lava fields that look like a red and black ocean frozen in time. This is also where you’ll find the ʻĀinapō Trail — a lesser-known, 5-mile roundtrip hike that guides you up the isolated cone of ʻĀinapō, offering views of both Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. The trailhead sits at 6,000 feet, and the path gradually ascends to 7,500 feet over bare, moonlike terrain.
For a gentler stop, check out the Pōhaku Loa Scenic Overlook which offers jaw-dropping panoramic views toward the coast. The drive itself feels like passing through another planet.
Watch for Whales in Kailua-Kona
From December through April, humpback whales make the 3,000-mile journey from Alaska to Hawaiian waters. The Kona coast is an ideal place to see them breaching and spouting. If you want a more intimate experience, join a small-group whale-watching boat tour, which typically costs between $60 and $100. Careful: many operators don’t adhere to the federal 100-yard no-approach rule, so do your research and pick a reputable company.
Don’t have the budget? Simply walk along the Kona seawall in the mornings; you’ll still catch dorsal fins and sometimes a tail slap close to shore.
Tour the Hulihee Palace and More Royal History
In Kailua-Kona, step inside the Hulihee Palace, a two-story, seaside royal vacation home built in 1838. It now serves as a museum filled with Hawaiian royal furniture, artifacts, and a pleasantly creaky history. It’s a short, affordable stop that gives context to everything else you’ll see.
Afterwards, head down Ali’i Drive to the Ahu’ena Heiau — another historical spot that was once a royal temple complex. Though you can’t enter the enclosure, you can peer at it from the sea wall.
Take a Free Stroll Through Akatsuka Orchid Gardens
Much like the free attractions you might find in other cities, the Big Island has its own budget-friendly botanical gems. Akatsuka Orchid Gardens near Hilo offers a free self-guided tour of its colorful orchid greenhouses. It’s real local charm, not a tourist trap. You’ll see thousands of blooming cymbidium, dendrobium, and other hybrids. If you’re there at the right time, you can catch the staff repotting or propagating new plants — a fascinating craft to watch. It’s reminiscent of the kind of city-based free experiences you could have in Cape Town on your birthday, only here the “free” is entirely run by nature and a friendly family.
Ride the Shaka Gold Card Tour (or Just Hop on a Moped)
If you’re short on time, a guided Moped rental along Ali’i Drive is a fun way to feel the breeze. Many renters will give you a helmet and a map, but honestly, driving a moped can be a bit dangerous due to narrow roads and distracted tourists. If you want to avoid that, simply take the Hele-On bus from Kailua-Kona to Hilo — it’s only $2 and it’s a gorgeous, winding ride through the island’s interior, complete with a stop at Akaka Falls.
Plan Your Big Island Adventure According to Season
Timing can greatly shape your experience. The summer months (May through October) bring dry, sunny days on the Kona side, perfect for beach hopping and snorkeling. However, the Hilo side sees more rain, which makes the waterfalls extra dramatic. Winter (November through April) brings swell to the north and west coasts — great for surfers but tricky for novice swimmers. It’s also when the humpback whales arrive.
No matter the season, always check weather and ocean advisories before heading out to any beach or trail. The Big Island’s environment is delicate; respect the land, stay on marked paths, and never turn your back on the ocean. With a little planning, you’ll find that this island’s singular combination of fire and water makes it one of the most unforgettable destinations on Earth — and you’ll leave already dreaming of your return.
