Top 33 Things to do on the Big Island!
#33- Kau Coffee Mill
The Kau Coffee Mill offers free tours of their coffee orchards as well as the roasting and milling facilities! You can enjoy some samples and buy some of their amazing coffee or other unique items!
#32- Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo has a wide variety of animals and birds to see. It has free admission and just got two Bengal Tigers!
#31- Punaluu Bakery
The Punaluu Bake Shop is a must-stop on the Big Island! They offer a variety of malasadas, pastries, and sweet bread. It’s very close to Punalu’lu Beach Park and on the way to South Point!
#30- Whittington Beach Park
Whittington Beach Park is a beautiful stop for a day trip or overnight camping. You can sit on the black sand beach, watch the water and possibly spot some sea turtles! There are picnic tables, BBQs, and restrooms with showers here, so it’s a great place to stop and have a relaxing lunch!
#29-Imiloa Astronomy Center at UH Hilo
‘Imola Astronomy Center has an Exhibit Hall and planetarium presentations and shows that are available to go see. They teach you about local science research, the natural history of Mauna Kea, astronomy, and more!
#28-Boiling Pots (Pe’epe’e Falls)
The Boiling Pots is about 1.5 miles upstream from Rainbow Falls and is a succession of eroded, hollowed-out lava formations that fill with the flow of the river. When the river is engorged with storm run-off, the “pots” fill to the brim, become turbulent, and appear to “boil”.
#27- Botanical Gardens
The Botanical Gardens is a beautiful spot to learn and experience all of the tropic and subtropic plants, flowers, and nature Hawaii has to offer! You could spend hours here taking in all of the amazing views. On their website, they give some tips on what to wear/bring and more info.
#26- Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
At Pu’uhonua o Honaunau you can explore the history of Hawaii. There is a self guided walking tour as well as a cell phone audio tour!
#25- Orchid Maze at Akatsuka Orchid Garden
The Atkatsuka Orchid Garden is right down the street from us at Volcano Inn! They offer tours of the beautiful orchids they grow there. You can go here for more information.
#24- Volcano Winery
The Volcano Winery is a great place to taste some fantastic wines and relax for a little!
#23- Mokupapapa Discovery Center
The Mokupapapa Discovery Center features a 3,500-gallon saltwater aquarium, educational exhibited, lifesize models of wildlife, and artwork.
#22- Hilo Farmers Market
The Hilo Farmers Market has some great local food, artwork, and souvenirs to take home with you. It’s in Downtown Hilo so make sure to check out some of the shops!
#21- Zipline Tours!
There are a ton of different Zipline Tours you can take here on the Big Island. With any of them its a fun way to get to experience the Island and all of its beauty.
#20- Historical Banyan Drive
Banyan Drive has a beautiful scenic walk or drive right next to Hilo Bay!
#19- Forest Bathe at Volcano Inn
After a day full of adventuring, come back to Volcano Inn and relax in the Hot Tubs! We have a total of three on both properties surrounded by lush rainforest.
#18- Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park
A beautiful scenic stop off the beaten path!
#17- Kalae | South Point | The Southernmost part of the USA
South Point is you guessed it, the Southernmost part of the USA! It has breathtaking views, great sunsets and you can jump of the cliff!
#16- Pololu Valley
Pololu Valley is the northern and westernmost of a series of valleys that open to the ocean.
#15- Magic Sand Beach
Magic Sands Beach is a stunning white sand beach that is a local favorite!
#14- Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)
Rainbow Falls is one of the most gorgeous waterfalls in Hawaii! You can almost always see a rainbow coming from the water hence its name.
#13- Coconut Island: Moku Ola
Coconut Island is a small grass beach park off Hilo Bay. You can swim and take the jump off the 20ft tower.
#12- Liliuokalani Gardens
Liliuokalani Park and Gardens is a 24 acre park with Japanese gardens. It is located on Banyan Drive in Hilo!
#11- Richardsons Black Sand Beach Park: Waiuli
Richardson’s Beach is a nice black sand beach close to Downtown Hilo!
#10- Carlsmith Beach Park
Carlsmith Beach Park is a grassy beach park that’s a nice place to relax and swim. You will see some sea turtles and are usually swimming right next to them! However, make sure to never touch or feed them.
#8- Night Manta Ray Snorkeling
You can go night snorkeling with Manta Rays in Kona!
#7- Kona Sunset
You must experience a sunset in Kona while on the Big Island, they are some of the most beautiful in the world.
#6- Waipio Valley
Waipio Valley is a gorgeous valley on the Big Island. It has a lookout with a stunning view or you can hike all the way down to the beach.
#5- Akaka Falls
Akaka Falls is the biggest waterfall on the Big Island!
#4- Mauna Kea
You can hike up Mauna Kea or drive up (in a 4WD car). You can read more about Mauna Kea here!
#3- Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Punuluu Black Sand Beach is a beautiful beach to spend the day. You will find sea turtles resting on the sand and sitting in the black sand is unlike anything else.
#2- Papakolea Green Sand Beach
The Green Sand beach is one of four in the whole world! Read more about this one of a kind beach and how to get there here.
#1- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park has many amazing hikes and spectacular views. You can easily spend a full day here exploring all the park has to offer.
The map to the right pinpoints where all the activities above are located on the Big Island!
If you’re looking for a place to stay while you tour around the Big Island we have the perfect spot! Volcano Inn is situated in the perfect area for you to visit the top 3 attractions. It’s also centrally located to everything you want to see and do including Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Green Sand Beach, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and so much more. It’s about 30 minutes to an hour drive from all the attractions in Hilo, making it convenient to take a day trip to all of the sightseeing in Hilo. You can also get a great rate at Volcano Inn because we have the most affordable accommodation in the Volcano area.
