Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)
Walk on one of Earth's most active volcanoes — Kilauea's summit caldera and crater, steam vents, a walk-through lava tube, and the Chain of Craters Road down to the sea. Eruption viewing when Pele allows.
Hawaii
Big Island of Hawaii
The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest and largest island in the chain, a place where the land is still being made.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park puts you beside Kilauea, Mauna Kea rises above the clouds to some of the best stargazing on Earth, and black, white and green sand beaches ring the coast. Snorkel with manta rays after dark, sip Kona coffee on the farm where it grew, chase waterfalls along the Hamakua coast, ride horses above Waipio Valley or settle into a Kohala Coast resort. With dry sunny shores, rainforest valleys and alpine summits all on one island, the Big Island offers more variety than anywhere else in Hawaii.
Don't miss
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Big Island)
Walk on one of Earth's most active volcanoes — Kilauea's summit caldera and crater, steam vents, a walk-through lava tube, and the Chain of Craters Road down to the sea. Eruption viewing when Pele allows.
Mauna Kea Stargazing (Big Island)
Some of the clearest night skies on Earth — sunset above the clouds from Hawaii's highest mountain, then world-class stargazing from the Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet. Sacred ground; visit respectfully.
Akaka Falls State Park
A short paved loop through rainforest of giant bamboo, ginger and banyans to a 442-foot waterfall plunging into a stream-cut gorge — the most rewarding half hour on the Hamakua Coast.
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Jet-black volcanic sand fringed by coconut palms on the Big Island's Kau coast, where green sea turtles haul out to bask — the perfect stop on the drive to Volcanoes National Park.
Things to do in Big Island of Hawaii
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Mauna Kea Stargazing (Big Island)
Some of the clearest night skies on Earth — sunset above the clouds from Hawaii's highest mountain, then world-class stargazing from the Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet. Sacred ground; visit respectfully.
Akaka Falls State Park
A short paved loop through rainforest of giant bamboo, ginger and banyans to a 442-foot waterfall plunging into a stream-cut gorge — the most rewarding half hour on the Hamakua Coast.
FreePunaluu Black Sand Beach
Jet-black volcanic sand fringed by coconut palms on the Big Island's Kau coast, where green sea turtles haul out to bask — the perfect stop on the drive to Volcanoes National Park.
1 hourGet tickets →
Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel (Big Island)
After dark off the Kona coast, floating under lights while giant manta rays glide and somersault through the plankton just below you.
Big Island Volcano Day Tour from Kona (Big Island)
A guided small-group day from the Kona side to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with the crater, steam vents, a lava tube and the long drive handled by a driver-guide.
Hilo Helicopter Tour (Big Island)
A flight from the Hilo side over rainforest valleys, tall waterfalls and the Hamakua coast, with views toward Kilauea depending on the route and weather.
Kealakekua Bay & Captain Cook Monument Snorkel (Big Island)
Sail south from Kona to a protected marine sanctuary where spinner dolphins pass, coral gardens glow and a white monument marks where Captain Cook met his end.
Kona Coffee Farm Tour (Big Island)
Walk the shaded slopes where Kona coffee grows, follow the bean from cherry to cup and taste a fresh roast in the one place in the United States famous for its coffee belt.
Hale Hoaloha Luau at Mauna Lani (Big Island)
An oceanside luau on the Kohala Coast with imu ceremony, island buffet and a show of hula and Polynesian dance, set against lava-rock shores and warm Kohala sunsets.
Hilo Ghost Walks
An evening stroll through Hilo's old downtown with a storyteller guide, trading in tsunami history, plantation-era tales and the local legends of night marchers and restless spirits.
Downtown Hilo Walking Tour
A guided walk through Hilo's historic core, with its tsunami story, old storefronts, Hawaiian and plantation heritage and the farmers market streets that give the town its character.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$Four Seasons Resort Hualalai (Big Island)
Kona-Kohala Coast, Big Island
The Big Island's pinnacle — barefoot-luxury bungalows along the Kona-Kohala lava coast, seven pools including the fish-filled King's Pond, a Jack Nicklaus course, and Hawaii's most lauded resort service.
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$$$$Mauna Lani, Auberge Collection
Kohala Coast, Hawaii Island
A Kohala Coast classic reborn by Auberge — 32 oceanfront acres wrapped around ancient royal fishponds, CanoeHouse dining at the water, and two championship golf courses on the lava.
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$$Volcano House
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
The only hotel inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park — 33 rooms on the rim of Kilauea caldera, with a hospitality story dating to 1846 and the volcano outside your window.
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$$$$Fairmont Orchid (Big Island)
Kohala Coast, Big Island
An oceanfront Kohala Coast resort with Hawaiian gardens, a calm lagoon, a spa among the lava and a gracious pace beside the Mauna Lani coastline.
Check rates →Hilton Waikoloa Village
Waikoloa Beach Resort, Kohala Coast
A sprawling Kohala Coast resort with a lagoon, boat and tram transport, an extensive art collection and enough activities to fill a week.
Check rates →Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and Spa
Anaehoomalu Bay, Waikoloa
An oceanfront Marriott beside Anaehoomalu Bay, with a lava-framed pool area, easy beach access and shopping and dining a short walk away.
Check rates →Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa
Keauhou Bay, Kailua-Kona
A resort on sheltered Keauhou Bay, south of Kailua-Kona, with ocean views, a luau and snorkeling spots nearby.
Check rates →Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel
Kailua Bay, Kailua-Kona
A historic waterfront hotel in the heart of Kailua-Kona, steps from the pier, the seawall, Ahuena Heiau and the town's restaurants.
Check rates →Kona Seaside Hotel
Kailua-Kona town
A budget-friendly hotel near Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona, with a pool and a walkable location.
Check rates →Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Banyan Drive, Hilo
A bayfront Hilo hotel with views of Coconut Island and Hilo Bay, close to downtown and a good base for the volcano and waterfalls.
Check rates →Kilauea Lodge and Restaurant
Volcano Village
A cozy lodge in Volcano Village with fireplaces, gardens and a restaurant, a few minutes from the national park entrance.
Check rates →Big Island of Hawaii guides
Volcanoes of the Big Island: Kilauea, Mauna Kea & the Lava Coast
A volcano-lover's plan for the Big Island — Volcanoes National Park's best day, how to chase (or accept missing) active lava, Mauna Kea's sunset and stars, and the black- and green-sand coasts between.
Big Island First-Timer Guide: What to Know Before You Go
How the Big Island works for first-time visitors: its size, its two coasts, the climate zones, the must-see sights and how to plan a trip that does not waste days in the car.
Five Days on the Big Island: A Balanced Itinerary
A five-day plan that mixes volcano, snorkeling, waterfalls, culture and beach time while keeping driving manageable.
Where to Stay on the Big Island: Kona, Kohala, Hilo or the Volcano
Compare the Big Island's main bases, from the Kohala Coast resorts to Kailua-Kona, Hilo and Volcano Village, with hotel suggestions for each.
Kona Coffee Guide: Farms, Tastings and What to Buy
Everything to know about Kona coffee, from the growing belt and harvest season to farm tours, tasting etiquette and how to avoid blends masquerading as the real thing.
Big Island Snorkeling Guide: Manta Rays, Reefs and Kealakekua Bay
Where to snorkel on the Big Island, from the beginner-friendly bay at Kahaluu to the Captain Cook monument and the famous manta ray night snorkel.
Hilo and the Hamakua Coast: Waterfalls, Gardens and Valleys
A plan for the island's wet side: downtown Hilo, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, the Hamakua coast drive and the great valley of Waipio.
Big Island Beaches: White, Black and Green Sand
A guide to the Big Island's beaches, from Hapuna's white sand to Punaluu's black sand and the green sand of Papakolea, with safety notes and tips.
