The youngest of Hawaii’s islands is still alive—and still fiery. The Big Island of Hawaii claims two of the most active volcanoes in the world, which means opportunities for spotting lava, hiking through basaltic fields, sun-soaking on black-sand beaches, and more. Those are definitely some of the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii, but they’re just a taste of what’s in store on a trip here. Travelers will also find idyllic coffee farms, endless fresh fruit and seafood, epic snorkeling sites, forest reserves, and more.
There’s no “bad” time to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, but each season has a draw. In winter, from December–March, you’ll get cooler weather, lower prices (barring holidays), and humpback whales. In April–June, you’ll get spring's warming temps, coffee and chocolate festivals, and shoulder-season crowds. In July–August, you’ll get summer's buzzy beaches and warm, sunny days. And in fall, September–November, you’ll get the smallest crowds and a chance of rain—which can make for great photographs.
The Big Island is big. If you want to see it all, you’ll either need your own four wheels or an itinerary full of guided tours. If you’re fine staying in one spot, though—say Hilo, Kona, or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park—you could get by with some combination of on-foot travel, rideshares, and buses. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with camping at your hotel and making most of your travel on the water, either.
Leave a day or two in your itinerary wide-open—the Big Island is the kind of place where you’ll run across hidden viewpoints, roadside food stands with million-dollar ocean views (check out Fresh Off the Grid), and local farms (likely flowers, coffee, or fruit) that you won’t want to miss. If you have four wheels, just hop on one of the island’s two main roads, and let the journey be your destination.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone HST (UTC -10) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 68 | Tours 427 | Reviews 53,197 |
The Big Island of Hawaii is known for its natural attractions, from white and black sand beaches to emerald cliffs, misty valleys, and steaming lava fields. Most famous is the active Kilauea volcano in the UNESCO-listed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest (but not highest) mountain.
...MoreIdeally, you should spend seven days on the Big Island of Hawaii. If that’s not possible, aim for at least five days to see much of what the island has to offer. Try splitting your time between Kailua-Kona on the west side of the island and Hilo on the east.
...MoreYes. There is much to see and do on the Big Island of Hawaii—even a week-long stay may not be long enough. From the peaks of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to the Waipio Valley and from white sand beaches to the lush rainforest, the island is brimming with adventure opportunities.
...MoreOne place that you should not miss on the Big Island of Hawaii is the UNESCO-listed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, home to the active volcano Kilauea. Other unmissable attractions include the Mauna Kea Summit and Observatory and the Waipio Valley, where tall cliffs plunge to a black sand beach.
...MoreIf you have a week on the Big Island of Hawaii, split your time between the two: four nights in Hilo and three in Kailua-Kona. If you have less time, opt for Kona as it has more accommodation options, better beaches, and easier access to the island’s main airport.
...MoreIt takes up to eight hours to drive all the way around the Big Island of Hawaii. To drive between Kailua-Kona and Hilo, it typically takes just under two hours on the scenic Saddle Road, which offers views of lava fields and the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa volcanoes.
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