Big Island · Hawaii, USA
Big Island Tours, Excursions & Things to Do
Discover the best Big Island tours and things to do on Hawaii’s largest, most diverse island: watch glowing lava and steaming craters in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, snorkel with giant manta rays at night off Kona, stargaze from the summit of Mauna Kea, chase waterfalls around Hilo, and sail the Captain Cook coast. Compare top-rated experiences and plan your perfect Hawaii trip.
562 experiences Free cancellation Top-rated tours Instant booking
Sunset tours in Big Island of Hawaii
Departures that are under way when the sun sets in the coming weeks — start times checked against the local sunset.
Good for families in Big Island of Hawaii
Children can join from a young age and pay less than adults — taken from each operator’s price list.
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Explore Big Island of Hawaii by interest
Whatever brings you to Big Island of Hawaii — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
What to see
Top attractions in Big Island of Hawaii
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Kilauea Volcano
Active volcano.
160+ toursView tours
Manta Rays
Night snorkel.
120 toursView tours
Mauna Kea
Summit & stars.
90 toursView tours
Akaka Falls
Towering waterfall.
70 toursView tours
Kona Coffee
Farm tastings.
60 toursView tours
Punaluu Beach
Black sand & turtles.
50 toursView tours
Lava Fields
Volcanic landscapes.
50 toursView tours
Coastal Cliffs
Aerial views.
50 toursView tours
3 days
Big Island in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Volcanoes & Hilo
- 2Day 2: Mauna Kea
- 3Day 3: Kona snorkel
- 4Manta rays
Volcano focus
Big Island volcanoes
- 1Kilauea caldera
- 2Lava tubes
- 3Crater rim
- 4Lava glow at night
East side awayVolcanoes Park
Lava & craters.
from $100View trips
Summit awayMauna Kea
Stargazing.
from $120View trips
Hilo awayAkaka Falls
Tall waterfall.
from $80View trips
Kona awayManta Snorkel
Night swim.
from $100View trips
Kona slopes awayKona Coffee
Farm tastings.
from $50View trips
South awayPunaluu Beach
Black sand.
from $90View trips
Practical guide
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Big Island of Hawaii visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–May)
A great time, with warm, drier weather, fewer crowds and good prices before the summer rush.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm, sunny and busy, ideal for snorkeling and beaches, with peak crowds and prices.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm and quieter after summer, with good conditions and lower prices, a sweet spot to visit.
Winter (Dec–Mar)
Warm at the coast but wetter on the Hilo side; whale season and possible snow on Mauna Kea.
Whale season
Humpback whales visit the Kona coast roughly December to April, great for boat tours.
Two sides, two climates
Sunny dry Kona contrasts with lush rainy Hilo — pack for both when touring the whole island.
One day
The volcano and a manta ray snorkel.
Three days
Add Mauna Kea and Kona snorkeling.
A week
Explore both coasts at a relaxed pace.
Nature lovers
Volcanoes, summits, waterfalls and reefs.
Ocean fans
Snorkel, dive and the manta rays.
With kids
Turtles, lava tubes and easy snorkels.
Rental car
A car is the best way to explore this huge island at your own pace, with long drives between sights.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours with pickup are ideal for Mauna Kea, the volcano park and manta ray trips.
Plan for distance
Kona to Hilo or the volcano park takes 2+ hours each way, so plan routes carefully.
Two bases
Stay in sunny Kona for snorkeling, or Hilo or Volcano for the park and east side.
Mauna Kea by tour
The summit road needs 4WD; a guided tour is the safest, easiest way up.
Getting there
Kona and Hilo both have airports; Kona is the main gateway for most visitors.
US dollars
Hawaii uses the US dollar; cards are accepted everywhere and tipping (15–20%) is customary.
Book manta snorkels ahead
The popular manta ray night snorkel sells out — reserve in advance.
Dress for Mauna Kea
The summit is freezing; tours provide jackets, but bring warm layers for stargazing.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Use reef-safe sunscreen to protect Hawaii’s coral when snorkeling.
Check volcano activity
Lava viewing depends on current eruptions — check park updates before you go.
Respect the land
Treat sacred sites, turtles and nature with care and keep a respectful distance.
Manta ray snorkel
The top night experience sells out — book ahead.
Mauna Kea tours
Summit and stargazing trips have limited spots — reserve early.
Volcano tours
Guided park tours fill up — book ahead.
Kona snorkel sails
Captain Cook snorkel cruises are popular — reserve early.
Helicopter tours
Limited flight slots sell out fast — book ahead.
Whale watching
Winter whale tours fill quickly — reserve early.
Volcano tour
Around $100–180 for a guided national park day tour.
Manta ray snorkel
About $100–150 for the night snorkel with gear.
Mauna Kea tour
Roughly $120–250 for a summit sunset and stargazing trip.
Kona snorkel sail
Around $130–200 for a Captain Cook snorkel cruise.
Helicopter tour
About $300–550 for a volcano and waterfall flight.
How to save
Book combo tours, travel midweek and rent a car for flexibility.
When to visit
Big Island of Hawaii through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
Spring (Apr–May)
Apr–May
- Best for
- Warm, drier.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great value.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Jun–Aug
- Best for
- Beaches, snorkel.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak & busy.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Sep–Oct
- Best for
- Quiet, warm.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Sweet spot.
Winter (Dec–Mar)
Dec–Mar
- Best for
- Whales, snow on summit.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wetter Hilo side.
People also ask
Big Island of Hawaii travel FAQ
What are the best tours on the Big Island?
The highest-rated experiences are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a Kona manta ray night snorkel, Mauna Kea stargazing, the Hilo waterfalls, and a Captain Cook snorkel sail.
What should I book in advance on the Big Island?
Reserve the manta ray night snorkel, Mauna Kea tours, volcano tours and Kona snorkel sails ahead, especially in summer.
How many days do I need on the Big Island?
One day covers the volcano and manta rays, three days add Mauna Kea and Kona snorkeling, and a week lets you explore both coasts fully.
Is the Big Island worth visiting?
Yes — Hawaii’s largest island is astonishingly diverse, with active volcanoes and glowing lava, the soaring summit of Mauna Kea, world-class manta ray snorkeling off Kona, lush Hilo waterfalls and black-sand beaches with sea turtles.
When is the best time to visit the Big Island?
Spring and autumn offer warm weather and thinner crowds, summer is busiest and sunniest, and winter brings whales and possible snow on Mauna Kea.
How big is the Big Island?
It is the largest Hawaiian island, bigger than all the others combined, so allow plenty of time and driving between sights.
Can you see lava on the Big Island?
When Kilauea is erupting you may see glowing lava in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, especially at night; activity varies, so check current conditions.
562 Big Island of Hawaii experiencesfrom $60 · free cancellation
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