Big Island Bucket List: Top Things to Do on The Island of Hawai’i

Why the Big Island is a Must-Visit Destination

The Island of Hawai’i, known commonly as “The Big Island,” stands out among its sister islands for its remarkable diversity in both landscape and experiences. As the largest of the Hawaiian islands, it features an impressive range of ecosystems, from the volcanic slopes of Mauna Kea to the rainforests on the Hamakua Coast. Unlike some of the more developed islands in the archipelago, the Big Island maintains a more natural, untamed vibe, offering both the raw beauty and the vibrant culture of the Hawaiian islands. On Hawai’i, you can summit towering volcanoes, swim with giant manta rays and explore ancient lava flows – in one day, if you’ve got the stamina!

Overview of the Island of Hawaii’s Unique Features

I know this is going to sound crazy, but in all my trips to Hawai’i, this was my first time on the Big Island. I know! Listen, Kauai has lured me with her siren song for 20 years – and still does, really. But I’m so glad we finally branched out to see what else the 50th state has to offer. Because the Big Island delivers, bigtime.

What sets the Big Island apart is the striking contrast between its various environments. The island is home to the only active volcanoes in the state with ongoing eruptions (most recently late December 2024) shaping the landscape in real-time. The Big Island also spans 11 different climate zones, so a few hour’s drive feels like traveling through multiple regions at once. Whether it’s hiking across vast volcanic craters, enjoying fresh Kona coffee straight from a local plantation or experiencing the rich history of the islands through a luau, the Big Island is as immersive and as interactive as you want it to be. With geological wonders, cultural heritage and outdoor thrills, I’m thrilled to share just how much we loved our trip to the Island of Hawai’i. 

1. Nighttime Snorkeling with Giant Manta Rays

I know what you’re thinking… swimming… in the Pacific Ocean… at night?! What about…sharks?! 

You sound like my husband! 

The good news for you (and Rick) is that sharks are almost never spotted on this nightly experience. They’re just not interested in the mantas or you. 

And I might as well address the next question I get: remember what happened to Steve Irwin? These are not the type of rays dear Steve encountered. In fact, these giant mantas don’t have stingers, barbs or teeth. They are some of the gentlest giants in the sea and they only eat microscopic plankton, so you are as safe as can be. 

So now that the No. 1 and No. 2 fears are out of the way, I can tell you about one of the highlights of our trip to the Big Island. I’m the first to admit that I’m disappointed in hyped experiences more often than not on my world travels, but this hyped experience was the opposite of a disappointment. I could not stop gurgling “WOW!” into my snorkel for the whole hour we spent in the water with the mantas.

But let’s start at the beginning. We booked our tour with Anelakai Adventures, a unique tour company among the many in Keauhou Bay on the Kona Coast. Unbeknownst to me when booking the Outrigger in Kona, it’s an easy walk to the harbor for all the nighttime manta tours, so it made for an excellent home base for adventure activities. 

READ MORE: Hotel Review: The Outrigger 

The other manta ray snorkeling tours are on traditional boats with engines, or sails, or a mix of the two. You might be with 10 or 50 other passengers. Here’s where Anelakai Adventures is different: you’re in a traditional double-hulled canoe that carries just 6 passengers and a guide. And you are the engine – that’s right, you paddle out to the manta ray feeding site with your own strength.

Now that probably sounds like a lot of effort, but it really wasn’t. At this point in our trip, I couldn’t even use my left arm due to some nerve issues, and it didn’t make a bit of difference. We got to the site within 5-10 minutes. 

Anelakai Adventures provided wetsuit tops, snorkel gear, paddling and safety instructions. As we made our way out to the water on the boat, I was excited and maybe a bit anxious about what to expect. These manta rays are ginormous, with wingspans that can reach up to 16 feet. That’s like an SUV swimming up at you from the ocean floor! 

Once we arrived at the designated spot, the crew set up bright underwater lights to attract the plankton. I slid into the water in between the two canoe hulls, as gracefully as you might expect with one functioning arm, and there was a manta already swooping up toward me. I emitted my first squeal and pretty much didn’t stop until I got out.

Dozens of manta rays appeared, gracefully dancing from the ocean floor up toward the surface in a mesmerizing ballet. They flip upside down and swoop like an aquatic Cirque du Soleil act, feeding on plankton with their absurdly smiley mouths just inches away. 

That night we saw anywhere from 12-15 different mantas, an above average but not totally uncommon experience. 

Manta Ray Experiences on the Big Island

• BOOK THIS TOUR: Anelakai Adventures – Manta Rays via Canoe Tour 
• Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
• Kona’s Magical Manta Ray Night Snorkel: Small-Group Eco-Tour
• Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour from Kona
• Big Island: Night Swim with Manta Rays with Hot Chocolate

Planning to snorkel with manta rays on the Big Island? Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

• The water is usually calm, but it can get a little chilly, so take advantage of the wetsuit tops provided. 
• I used a brand new GoPro to get footage and I thought it came out really well. The screenshots I took of the video aren’t as clear, but that’s about as good as you’re going to get in the dark. 
• If you’re super prone to motion sickness like I am, take those precautions before you head out. I didn’t and I very nearly lost my dinner, but I am SUPER prone to motion sickness so it could just be me. 
• If swimming in the ocean at night sounds like your idea of a horror movie, you can stay on the canoe and actually see them quite well in the crystal clear water.
• Manta rays are harmless, friendly and PROTECTED, so don’t even think about reaching out and touching them. This is one of the few wild encounters that doesn’t impact the animals negatively, so let’s keep it that way. 

2. Summit Mauna Kea: Explore Hawaii’s Tallest Mountain with a Guided Tour

One of the most unforgettable experiences we had on the Big Island was taking the Mauna Kea Summit & Stars tour with Hawai’i Forest & Trail. There are two main priorities on this tour: experiencing the magnificent sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea and then descending to a more breathable altitude to stargaze with state-of-the art equipment in the clearest skies you’ve ever seen.

The day begins on a roomy bus with a scenic drive from sea level on the coast to the very top of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain on Earth when measured from its base on the ocean floor. At over 33,000 feet (10,100 meters) tall, Mauna Kea is a mile taller than Mount Everest. It’s 13,803 feet (4,207 meters) when measured from sea level, making it the highest point in Hawai’i and still one of the tallest peaks on Earth. 

So what’s the big deal about going to the top of Mauna Kea? The summit offers some of the clearest skies on Earth. There’s almost no light pollution thanks to Hawaii’s geographic isolation, and once you reach about 9,000 feet, the clouds are below you, making it one of the best places in the world for stargazing and astronomical research. You’ll notice at the top there are a handful of international observatories with massive telescopes used for advanced astronomical research.

What I love about this tour is how many of the Big Island’s climate zones you get to drive through in just one day. You start at the warm and sunny beach and end up at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, possibly in snow. Where else can you do that?!

I have to rave about our guide Adam for a minute – he was one of the most knowledgeable guides I’ve ever met. He was a walking Wikipedia full of fascinating information about the mountain’s cultural significance, Hawaiian culture, geology, botany, astronomy and everything in between. I nerded out HARD. 

We stopped along the way to learn about Hawaiian star navigation, used by ancient Polynesians to traverse vast distances across the Pacific Ocean. Hearing these stories added so much depth to the experience, and it was amazing to think about how the stars had guided travelers long before modern technology. We also had a hot dinner of chicken stew at the visitors 

BOOK THIS TOUR

Once we reached the summit, the most stunning sunset I’ve ever witnessed was in progress. The sky transitioned from brilliant oranges and pinks to deep purples, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. And I’m not just saying that figuratively – the air is so, so thin at that 14,000 feet, breathing actually is pretty tough. 

Standing at the top of Mauna Kea, looking out over the expansive landscape and clouds below, it felt like I was on top the world. Or perhaps on another planet. There’s no other experience I can compare it to, it’s truly that singular. 

After sunset, we drove back down to the visitor’s center at 9,200 ft., where the air was a bit warmer and more comfortable to breathe. There, we enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies while preparing for the next sky spectacle of the night – stargazing. Adam set up a Celestron 11” for deep space objects and a Stellina digital telescope to capture images of the night sky we could share them once we returned home.

The experience didn’t just end with the visual beauty of the stars. Adam expertly pointed out various constellations, planets and galaxies. The combination of the summit views, cultural stories and unparalleled stargazing was well worth the price of the tour. Check pricing and availability here.

Planning to visit the summit of Mauna Kea? Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

• If ever there was a time to book a tour, I’d say this is it. I love DIY experiences to save money, but this drive is not for the faint of heart. Once you pass the visitors center on Mauna Kea, it’s a real white knuckle journey on a narrow, unpaved road to the top. And then you’re driving it in the dark on the way down. No thanks. Rental cars aren’t allowed past a certain point, you need a special permit and 4-wheel drive. Book the tour, y’all. Trust me.
• Mauna Kea is sacred in Hawaiian culture, home to ancient burial sites and is considered the home of the gods. It plays an important role in Hawaiian history, so be a kind traveler and follow the recommendation of your guides to respect local traditions and customs.
• If you get motion sickness, take precautions. It’s a long time on the bus and while there are lots of stops to stretch your legs and acclimate to the changes in elevation, if you’re sensitive, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
• Hawai’i Forest & Trail recommends you bring a reusable water bottle, closed-toe shoes, long pants and a sweatshirt or sweater. The most amazing perk of booking this tour is that they provide winter parkas and gloves once you get to the top. You definitely need them, and t’s such a bonus that you don’t have to pack anything heavy or bulky in your suitcase just for your short time at the summit.
• While the tour is only at 14,000 feet for 30 minutes or so, that elevation can take a toll on even the healthiest of bodies. Read the precautions and warnings carefully before booking this tour, as there are numerous conditions and age limits to be aware of. For example, kids under 13 can’t do this tour because their lungs aren’t developed enough to handle the elevation. Crazy, right? Pay very close attention. 
• I couldn’t figure out the best settings on my GoPro for stargazing, but my iPhone actually got some decent shots – even without a tripod. If I were doing it again, I’d bring a tripod and read up on astrophotography tips beforehand. 

Other Tours with the Incredible Hawai’i Forest & Trail:

• Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure Tour
• Volcano, Chocolate and Waterfalls of the Big Island
• Full-Day Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure

3. Experience the Magic of a Hawaiian Luau

I have a crazy confession. I’ve been to Hawai’i more than half a dozen times in my life, spending a total of 3 months there over the years, and I’ve never once been to a luau. Partially because I thought perhaps it was just a silly thing for tourists but also because they can be pretty pricey and I’ve always been on a budget.

Attending the Hilton Waikaloa’s Legends of Hawai’i Luau was a charming addition to our trip, and it gave me a new perspective on the modern luau. The luau experience is deeply rooted in Hawaiian history, originally held to honor their gods and celebrate important occasions. Today, it serves as a way to showcase the island’s cultural heritage, and there are a variety of luaus to choose from, each offering a different experience. 

The Legends of Hawai’i Luau stood out with its vibrant entertainment, which included dancing from a variety of Polynesian cultures, traditional chants and an exciting fire knife performance that had the whole crowd mesmerized. 

Upon check in, I noticed that every single attendee was decked out in their finest Hawaiian shirts and flower prints – literally everyone got the memo. Once you are officially lei’d with fresh flowers, you make your way to the main area with long, family style tables set up in front of an outdoor stage. Drinks, both non-alcoholic and full octane, are unlimited and served in cute tiki glasses. Before anyone takes the stage, you’re already feeling the aloha.

As for the food, where do I even start? There was so much to choose from – kalua pig, which had been slow-cooked in an underground imu (oven), ahi poke, poi, haupia (coconut pudding), lomi-lomi salmon with Maui onions, short ribs, mahi-mahi, fried rice, curry, sweet potato salad with coconut dressing, fresh rolls from my favorite island bakery, Punalu’u Bake Shop, and oh, about 100 more things. I tried to eat at least a bite of everything and mostly failed, but Rick picked up the slack and went back for seconds. (And thirds.) 

Once you’re mostly done with dinner, the show begins. We were seated front and center (thank you, Hilton Waikaloa!) so I felt like I was a part of the show at times. And yes, there are some audience participation moments where, if the unlimited Mai Tais have hit just right, you or your wild Uncle Bill might be enticed to go up on stage and hula with the dancers. I appreciate all the cultural lessons I learned during the luau, but the tourist performances were a priceless bonus. 

Want to check out a luau in Hawai’i? Here are a few tips to keep in mind: 

• Each hotel offers its luau on a different night of the week, so we went to the Hilton’s luau, but it was about an hour drive from our hotel. And wouldn’t you know, our hotel – the Outrigger – had its own luau, but just not on the nights we were there. Keep that in mind when planning your visit. If you’re hopping around to different areas of the island, you might be able to save yourself a long drive by booking your hotel the same night it offers a luau. 
• If you want to ensure a really good view of the stage at the Legends of Hawai’i, book the Ali’i Seating package. You check in earlier than everyone else, have priority seating and priority access to the buffet, in addition to everything else including in General Admission. 
• Don’t forget your Hawaiian shirt!

4. Savoring Kona Coffee at a Working Coffee Plantation

If you love coffee, you’re going to love the Big Island. Kona coffee culture is more than just a slogan or an idea, it’s a way of life and a huge part of the island’s history. You might know that Kona is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest coffee beans, but did you know what makes them so special? Kona coffee is unique due to the ideal growing conditions in the volcanic slopes of the Kona district, where the rich soil, mild climate and abundant sunshine create the perfect environment for cultivating coffee. The history of Kona coffee dates back to the early 19th century when the first coffee plants were brought to Hawai’i. Over time, Kona coffee became highly prized for its smooth, rich flavor and low acidity, setting it apart from coffee grown in other regions. 

To truly experience Kona coffee, visitors can tour one of the many coffee farms in the region, where you can see the cultivation and harvesting process up close. Did you know Kona coffee is all harvested by hand because the topography of the region makes it impossible to do it with machines? 

If you happen to visit in November like we did, your trip may coincide with the annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, the oldest food festival in Hawai’i. It’s a unique way to dive deeper into the island’s coffee heritage and to celebrate all things Kona coffee, featuring farm tours, tastings and cultural performances.

RELATED COFFEE EXPERIENCES ON THE BIG ISLAND

• Sea Turtles, Historic Kona & Coffee
• Romantic Kona Coffee & Landing: Private Helicopter Tour
• Kona Tour: Coffee and Bee Farm, Kealakekua Bay and City of Refuge

5. Experience the Wonders of Volcanoes National Park

Two things get me super jazzed: geology and national parks, so you know I was beside myself to visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. It’s one of just two national parks in Hawai’i. (The other is Haleakala on Maui.) As national parks go, it’s one of the most far flung, naturally because Hawai’i is such a hike from the mainland, so its features are wildly unique to the Big Island. 

Located on the southeastern coast of the Big Island, the park is home to two active volcanoes—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa—both of which have shaped the landscape over thousands of years. Kīlauea, in particular, has been one of the most active volcanoes in the world, providing a front-row seat to the processes that create and destroy land. The park covers more than 330,000 acres and has everything from steaming craters and lava tubes to lush rainforests and barren lava plains.

The first thing I recommend you do before arriving at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is to download the Shaka Guide for the park. It’s a GPS-based audioguide with a friendly narrator and easy to follow instructions. I’ll never drive without a Shaka Guide again as it really made our road trip along the Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road so much richer and more informative. We actually ended up buying the bundle and used it everywhere we went the rest of the week. Please note that this isn’t sponsored by Shaka – we just found it while researching and really ended up loving what it added to our experience. 

Get the Shaka Guide Big Island Audio Tour here 

Hawai’i Volcanoes NP is best experienced via either self-driven car or tour, and because the Big Island is so large, you probably will rent one if you’re hoping to see a lot of the island. One of the best ways to experience the park is by taking the Crater Rim Drive, which offers access to several key areas. We started the drive at the Kīlauea Visitor Center, where we grabbed a map, watched a short film and bought souvenirs. (I needed a new national park hat!)  From there, we drove to the Kīlauea Caldera, the park’s main attraction. What you see depends on how the Earth is behaving on that particular day. We saw the ground smoking above dried up lava – super cool! But visitors just a few weeks later saw an eruption with active lava so, yes, I’m wildly jealous.

I felt an overwhelming sense of awe as we stopped at various lookout points, where the caldera stretched out before us, the land marked by deep cracks and fumaroles sending wisps of steam into the sky. It was a surreal experience to be on a road carved right through where earth’s raw power is on full display. 

NOTE: The drive around the caldera itself wasn’t challenging, which is always a relief for me – the girl who is weirdly scared of driving near edges, but not heights. 

One of the most unforgettable parts of our journey was the Chain of Craters Road, which takes you all the way down to the ocean. This road was remote and winding, and the drive became more intense as we descended down the slopes of Mauna Loa, passing through areas covered with thick, swirly, black lava flows from previous eruptions. It felt a bit like driving through an alien landscape, with vast stretches of hardened lava on either side, and rugged terrain as far as the eye can see. The road itself is well-maintained, but it is a winding, slow descent, with a couple of hairpin turns. The air gets warmer and saltier as you get closer to sea level.

The road ends at where the hardened lava once met the crashing sea in a sizzling encounter. It’s pretty rare to see lava flowing into the ocean these days, but even so, standing at that point, looking out over the black lava and the vast Pacific, it was clear just how much the land has been shaped by volcanic activity. It felt like the perfect culmination of the drive—a stark, beautiful contrast between the volcano’s powerful fire and the cooling effects of the ocean.

In terms of difficulty, the drives weren’t particularly challenging, but they did require some time and patience. Crater Rim Drive can be done in an hour or two, especially if you stop frequently at the viewpoints, but Chain of Craters Road takes longer a few hours once you factor in stops. 

Both drives offered plenty of opportunities to pull over and take in the views, but make sure you have enough gas and water before setting out, as services are limited within the park. 

Don’t Feel Like Driving? Prefer a Guided Tour? Here are some highly rated excursions in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park:

Where to Stay Near Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

For accommodations, there are a few options within the park and nearby. The Volcano House, perched on the rim of the Kīlauea Caldera, offers ridiculous views into the crater and is convenient to park attractions. It’s one of the oldest hotels in Hawai’i and provides a great base to explore the park at dawn or after dark, when the glowing lava will be most enjoyable (if it’s happening while you’re there). If you don’t stay there (it does book out early), definitely make a reservation for dinner at The Rim. Book around sunset if you can – it really is spectacular.

If you prefer to stay closer to nature, the park also offers a couple of campsites. The nearest town is Volcano Village and it’s filled with vacation rentals, cute treehouses and guest houses. We had a rough experience at our vacation rental and ultimately would’ve preferred to be onsite the whole time. If I had it to do again, I’d stay at Volcano House. 

Check pricing and availability at Volcano House

Visiting Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park? Here are some planning tips from our last visit:

• Getting to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is straightforward and easy with a rental car. The entrance is a 45-minute drive from Hilo or a 2.5-hour drive from Kailua-Kona. 
• Want to do a hike while you’re in the park? The Devastation Trail offers a glimpse of what happens to the land when an eruption occurs. The trail cuts through a landscape that was once forested but now shows the scars of past lava flows.
• On that note: bring sturdy shoes for short walks that might accidentally turn into longer hikes. I was wearing flip-flops and it was not ideal. The ground can be uneven, muddy, rocky and sharp. 
• Bring plenty of water and snacks, especially if you’re planning on spending a few hours exploring. You can stock up at the visitor center / Volcano House, but expect to pay a premium. There wasn’t much shopping in nearby Volcano Village, so if you’re coming from Hilo or Kailua-Kona on a day trip, hit up a store before head out. 
• Check the latest updates from the park’s website before you visit to stay informed about trail closures or volcanic activity. This IS an active volcanic area and conditions can change quickly. You don’t want to be caught off guard.

Whether you’re marveling at the vastness of Kīlauea’s ever-changing caldera or hiking through a lava tube, a visit to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park provides an up-close look at one of the most dynamic and geologically significant places on the planet. And what’s even cooler? The next time you visit, there’s a significant chance the landscape will look totally different. Pele will make sure of that.

Making the Most of Your Big Island Experience

How Long Should I Spend on The Big Island? 

We stayed 5 nights on the Island of Hawai’i and if I’m completely honest, it was not quite enough. The Big Island is – shocker – quite BIG, so to see the whole thing in one visit, you’ve got to spend a good chunk of time in the car. We crammed a lot in, as you’re about to see, but I would’ve loved the chance to take things slower, spend more time exploring the various ecosystems, snorkeling in beach parks and even just relaxing poolside at our hotel. You’d have a more reasonably paced adventure with 7 nights, and you’d be able to properly relax, enjoy multiple areas of the island at 9 or 10 nights. There are so many things to do on The Big Island, you’ll never get bored, that’s for sure.

When to Visit the Big Island for the Best Weather and Events

The best time to visit the Big Island largely depends on your preferences for weather, activities and local events. The dry season, from April to October, offers warm, sunny days with temperatures ranging from 75-85, making it ideal for beach activities, hiking and exploring volcanoes. For those looking to experience fewer crowds and lower prices, the rainy season from November to March is a great option, though rainfall is typically confined to the northern and eastern parts of the island. This season also coincides with whale watching season, as humpback whales migrate to the island’s waters.

The Big Island hosts several annual events that draw visitors, including the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in November, the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament in August and the Ironman World Championship in October. For stargazers, Mauna Kea’s summit offers clear skies year-round, but visitors should avoid the rainy months for optimal visibility.

Why the Big Island Should Be on Your Bucket List

I can’t help but feel like we only scratched the surface of the Big Island. Hawai’i just has a way of sneaking up on you with raw beauty, warm people and endless opportunities to get immersed in nature, history and culture, and this first visit to the Big Island had me breathless more than once. From standing on the summit of Mauna Kea and stargazing under the clearest skies I’ve ever seen to marveling at the mesmerizing manta rays up close, every moment on the Big Island was memorable. And let’s not forget the drive through Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park—it’s the perfect place to stand face-to-face with nature’s power. But even with all these big-ticket experiences under my belt, there’s so much more waiting to be discovered next time and I’m already plotting my return.

For more info, check out: 

• PODCAST: Coffee, Culture and Volcanoes: Exploring The Big Island with Rob Taylor via Traveling with AAA
• PODCAST: Wonders of Hawaii’s Biggest Island from But Did You Die?!
• My Aloha Trip