Big Island of Hawaii Tours &
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.
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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.
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.
Manta Rays
Night snorkel.
Mauna Kea
Summit & stars.
Akaka Falls
Towering waterfall.
Kona Coffee
Farm tastings.
Punaluu Beach
Black sand & turtles.
Lava Fields
Volcanic landscapes.
Coastal Cliffs
Aerial views.
Big Island in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Volcanoes & Hilo
- 2Day 2: Mauna Kea
- 3Day 3: Kona snorkel
- 4Manta rays
Big Island volcanoes
- 1Kilauea caldera
- 2Lava tubes
- 3Crater rim
- 4Lava glow at night
East side awayVolcanoes Park
Lava & craters.
Summit awayMauna Kea
Stargazing.
Hilo awayAkaka Falls
Tall waterfall.
Kona awayManta Snorkel
Night swim.
Kona slopes awayKona Coffee
Farm tastings.
South awayPunaluu Beach
Black sand.
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.
Big Island of Hawaii through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm, drier.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great value.
- Best for
- Beaches, snorkel.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Peak & busy.
- Best for
- Quiet, warm.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Sweet spot.
- Best for
- Whales, snow on summit.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wetter Hilo side.