Big Island Activities

The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most fascinating places on earth, and truly worth your time, especially if you like nature and volcanoes. At 95 miles long and 80 miles wide, the Big Island is larger than the other three major Hawaiian Islands combined. And there's plenty for you to see and do.

Come see the Volcanoes!

The Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands and is still forming today because of Kilauea, the world's most active volcano, which is part of Volcanoes National Park. At this incredible place, you will see sites that just aren't possible anywhere else, and the unique characteristics of volcanic activity, both recent and ancient, will captivate you.

Plus, only on the Big Island can you witness the breathtaking natural phenomenon of lava flowing into the ocean, and there are specialized volcano tours that can take you right into the middle of the action. Suffice to say, the volcanoes will completely astound you.

Not only does it have volcanoes, but the Big Island also sports some of the world's tallest mountains, which are perfect for stargazing. Also part of this diverse landscape are lush, deep valleys; plunging waterfalls; 266 miles of coastline; black sand beaches; astounding agricultural plantations; picture-perfect tropical waters; Polynesian fishing villages. the list could go on forever. This is because the Big Island is truly a place of matchless beauty, and is a prime destination if you love unusual landscapes and also want to immerse yourself in South Seas Culture.

Come take an Eco-Tour and do some exotic bird watching; wander through tropical rainforests; or even ride a horse into the Polynesian countryside.

If you prefer the exciting experience of riding off-road, you can do that too.

Of course, you can also take off in a helicopter to see everything this tropical paradise has to offer from a bird's-eye view, or perhaps take an all-day land tour and cap it off with a sunset dinner cruise. In addition, the Kona region is where the world-famous Kona Coffee is grown on huge coffee plantations. Ever have Kona Coffee? It's heaven in a cup.

The ocean-lover in you will be delighted on the Big Island, as the choices of ocean-based activities are astounding. Scuba diving, snorkeling, snuba (a super-fun combination of snorkeling and scuba), are available for you to partake in. The wealth of colorful undersea life will truly amaze you. If you prefer to stay mostly above-water, there's kayaking, sport fishing, and parasailing, just to name a few.

And if diving deep beneath the sea is more to your liking, Atlantis Submarines operates a 48-passenger submarine out of Kailua-Kona Harbor. Many of the activities start in Kona.

Do you like whales and dolphins? The great sperm whale of Moby Dick fame, as well as the smaller Hawaiian pilot whale, false killer whale, beaked whale, melon-headed whale, and the Pacific Humpback Whale can all be found in the warm, aqua-blue waters surrounding the Big Island. And then there are the dolphins - the wildly acrobatic spinners and the familiar bottlenose dolphins we all know and love. There are a variety of daily tours that can bring you into contact with these majestic marine mammals.

Kealakekua Bay (virtual tour) is also home to the Captain Cook Monument, a 26 ft (8 m) tall obelisk, reminding visitors of this great navigator and explorer of the South Seas.

Explore the links on this page to get a taste of the kinds of activities and sights the Big Island has to offer. Luaus, dinner cruises, land tours, snorkeling, classic lei greetings, dolphin encounters, and volcanoes - they're all here for you, wrapped up in a Polynesian paradise that is second to none.

Tours and activities fill up fast, so when you find the tours and activities you want, make your reservations quickly.