A shortlist of my all-time favourite things to do on Hawaii, the Big Island.
These must-do experiences are waiting for you on Hawaii Island, surprise package of the Hawaiian Islands.
01. Night swim with giant manta rays
02. Stargaze on the summit of Maunakea
03. Hike Hawaii’s active volcano fields
04. View centuries old petroglyphs
05. Take timeout in Hilo town
06. Taste Hawaii’s famous Kona coffee
07. Immerse yourself in mother nature
08. Try Hawaii Regional Cuisine
09. Helicopter over diverse landscapes
10. Soak up the sunny Kohala Coast
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Big Island of Hawaii Tours
01. Night swim with giant manta rays
Jack’s Diving Locker, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @laurenbata
Jump into the ocean at night for a surreal snorkel or scuba dive with hese gentle creatures, tour participants are given a torchlight to illuminate plankton and attract the mantas.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Snorkelling; Scuba Diving
02. Stargaze on the summit of Maunakea
Mauna Kea, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @hannah_fiveyears
Don’t miss the opportunity to stargaze atop Hawaii’s tallest mountain at 14,000 ft (4200 m), arguably the best astronomical site on Earth due to low humidity, clear skies and a lack of light pollution.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Mauna Kea Summit & Observatory
03. Hike Hawaii’s active volcano fields
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @gabgelinas28
Journey through lava fields, walk through underground lava tubes and witness the beauty of the flaming caldera of Kilauea in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
04. View centuries old petroglyphs
Puako Beach, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @elle_beezy
Discover the well-preserved fields of petroglyphs created by Native Hawaiians. These etched shapes and designs in the hard pahoehoe lava are found all throughout the big island of Hawaii.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Big Island of Hawaii Cultural Tours
05. Take timeout in Hilo town
Downtown Hilo, Hawaii Island | @hilofineartcenter
Hilo is the largest settlement on Hawaii Island, yet it remains a small quaint town full of aloha. Wander the historic storefronts and array of interesting local shops.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Hilo
06. Taste Hawaii’s famous Kona coffee
Hula Daddy Coffee Plantation, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @crystalfoth
Where better to enjoy a hot cup of Kona coffee than fresh from where it’s cultivated, at a working coffee farm on the slopes of the Hualalai or Mauna Loa mountains.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Coffee Plantation; Kona Coffee Adventure Bike Tour
07. Immerse yourself in mother nature
Akaka Falls, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @hawaiiadmirer
Lush tropical foliage, scenic vantage points and two cascading waterfalls await your discovery on a self-guided trek through the natural beauty of Akaka Falls State Park.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Akaka Falls
08. Try Hawaii Regional Cuisine
Merriman’s Waimea, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @alohamemorabiliaco
Dine on Hawaii’s island ingredients including cattle raised on the upland pastures, fresh local seafood and fruits and vegetables grown in rich volcanic soil at a farm-to-table restaurant.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Food, Wine & Nightlife
09. Helicopter over diverse landscapes
Kona, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @hawaiiadmirer
With 11 climate zones concentrated on Hawaii, the Big Island, it’s one of the most ecological diverse places in the world and a wonderful destination to examine from the air.
SEARCH ACTIVITY SHOP: Helicopter Tours
10. Soak up the sunny Kohala Coast
Kaunaoa Bay, Hawaii Island Must Dos | @hawaiiadmirer
For those seeking a traditional sun, sand and surf experience, the southern end of the Kohala Coast is dotted with the islands finest white sand beaches.
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