The Best Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii...According to Me
Hawaii’s Big Island was never very high on my list of places I needed to visit. I don’t know why exactly, but I wasn’t drawn in by the idea of volcanic landscapes. I like lush mountains, tropical landscapes, sandy beaches… you know the aesthetic I’m talking about. But when David and I had the opportunity to do a house sit on the Big Island, meaning a week to stay *for free* in Hawaii, the Big Island suddenly skyrocketed to the top of my bucket list. And I'm so glad it did.
The Big Island, also known as Hawaii island, is one of the most important islands in the chain. It is rich with cultural history, having been the birthplace of King Kamehameha I. It’s also exceedingly beautiful because of its volcanic landscape, not in spite of. In fact, the topography of the Big Island is one of the most diverse in all of Hawaii, featuring beaches, jungle, volcanic desert, and forest. Needless to say, we had an amazing adventure driving all around the Big Island (a huge endeavor because the Big Island is BIG), discovering its many pockets and corners.
I’m always hesitant to say I’m an expert on a place after visiting for only a week. So I’m going to state right away that I am certainly not an expert on the Big Island. But during our week there, we did 10 hikes, hunted for waterfalls, went to the beach, explored Hilo and Kona, and hit its two national parks. We did more than most do in a week, that’s for sure. Which reminds me — you need to rent a car. You can certainly visit the Big Island and hunker down in a resort, but if you want unique things to do on the Big Island, you’re going to need a car.
Anyway, if I were to go back again, and I hope I do, these would be the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Unique Things to Do on the Big Island: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
This was my absolute favorite thing we did on the Big Island, so if you do nothing else make sure you visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It's home to two of the world's most active volcanoes: Kilauea and Mauna Loa. I never knew I needed to see a volcano erupt until I went to this park, and now I'm seriously considering chasing lava flows around the world.
Well, maybe not. But I wouldn't be opposed to seeing more lava in my life.
Since Kilauea and Mauna Loa have been erupting, you may be asking yourself, is it safe to visit Hawaii volcanoes national park
The answer is YES! And areas are unsafe, the park will close them. Safety is the top priority in the park and not once did I ever feel unsafe, even as I watched the steam rise from the cone of the volcano and the lava bubble and spurt. It was *wild*!
What's cool about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is that it is open 24/7 and if you go after dark, you'll have a front row seat for the fire show. You can actually see the molten, goopy lava glow underneath a sky blanketed with stars. It's bizarre, beautiful, and completely out of this world.
The overlook you're going to want to get to is called Keanakākoʻi Crater Overlook and if you plan to go after dark you'll want to head there well before sunset to get a parking spot. If that lot is full, you'll be directed to the other side of the park to the Uekahuna overlook. That's where we went and it was really great, but I do hear that the other overlook is even better.
The park is also fantastic for hiking and, if you followed our Instagram adventures, you know we have become *quite* the avid hikers. We did the Kilauea Iki trail, which is a 3.2-mile loop trail that skirts the rim of the crater and descends down to the caldera floor. It crosses through so many different types of landscapes, but no doubt the best part was crossing the hardened lava bed and gazing up at the rim of the crater around us. You can also actually feel the heat from the steam vents. I cannot say enough fantastic things about this park. It's certainly the best of Hawaii's national parks, in my opinion.
Just note that if you're going from Kona to Volcano National Park, give yourself plenty of time. It's a 2.5-hour drive and we were exhausted by the time we got back to Kona. The park is much closer to Hilo.
Things to Do on the Big Island for Free: Drive up Mauna Kea
One landmark you won't miss while on the Big Island is Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that looms high above the island, its summit capping out at 13,800 feet above sea level. Surrounded by miles upon miles of hardened volcanic lava fields, the landscape around Mauna Kea is some of the most desolate on the Big Island, though incredibly beautiful.
If you're driving between Kona and Hilo, you'll likely take the scenic Saddle Road, which connects both sides of the island. This drive also features some of the best views of Mauna Kea. But for a real treat, you have to drive all the way to the top of the volcano for the most incredible views out across the island.
This is one of the best things to do on the Big Island for free, too, which is always a plus in Hawaii seeing as the state is so very expensive.
Best Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii: Go Hiking
The Big Island is positively packed with gorgeous hiking trails — and we found many of them! Because the landscape of the Big Island is so diverse, you can be sure you'll never get tired of hiking there.
I already told you about my favorite hike, Kilauea Iki in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but I also really loved the Malama Trail within the Mauna Lani resort area. This easy trail winds through a volcanic landscape, through gnarled branches that form tube-like passageways, and across grassy fields before ending up at a sectioned off area containing petroglyphs that date back nearly 1,000 years.
It's an easy walk but you'll want to wear proper footwear because if you stub your toe on a volcanic rock, you're going to be very unhappy. Speaking from experience.
We use the AllTrails app when we look for hikes. I love this app because you can download the maps, search for hikes based on features or difficulty, and can track your progress.
Unique Things to Do on the Big Island: Visit Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
The Big Island is home to two out of the three national parks in Hawaii. Everyone will go to Volcanoes National Park (as they should), but don't miss out on Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, either!
This place was fascinating and it was our last stop on the Big Island. I wish we had gone sooner because it is definitely one of the unique things to do on the Big Island and also one of the cooler things to do near Kona.
The beachfront park is considered to be sacred ground as it is said to be protected by Lono, the Hawaiian god of life. The 180-acre park was once the home of the royal grounds and a place of refuge for those who had broken sacred Hawaiian laws.
Today it's a beautiful beach area with lovely hiking trails, as well as historic thatched workhouses, ancient fish ponds, and the original historic wall that protected the area. It's a beautiful spot to come learn a little bit more about ancient Hawaiian culture. Definitely don't leave this for your last day.
Tip: Get the Tri-Park Hawaii national park pass. It gets you entrance to all three Hawaii national parks and is valid for up to a year. It's a great value, too. Entry to one park is $30, but the park pass is $55 and gets you access to all three.
Best Things to Do on the Big Island: Look for Waterfalls
The Big Island is a veritable treasure trove of gorgeous waterfalls, and you don't even have to try very hard to find them. Many of them can be visited directly from the road.
Rainbow Falls is probably the most accessible. It's just outside of downtown Hilo within Wailuku River State Park. There is no entrance fee and you can simply park your car and walk to the viewing platform that overlooks the falls.
Akaka Falls is another easy one to visit, though if I'm being honest, it's not exactly worth the price. The falls are within Akaka Falls State Park, which costs $10 per vehicle and an additional $5 per person. This gets you access to the half-mile (very crowded) walking loop that overlooks the falls. If you're a diehard waterfall person, go ahead and pay the money. The waterfall is beautiful. But in my opinion, you may as well just hold onto the money.
If you want more free waterfalls, Boiling Pots and the Pe'epe'e Falls is another cool one. The Wailuku river cascades down from the falls and creates these magical little pools. Just don't try to go swimming in them — they are very dangerous, but beautiful to look at.
Best Things to Do on the Big Island for Free: Go to the Beach?
I say this with a question mark because in my opinion, the Big Island does not have the best beaches. I found the beaches we visited to be either really crowded, a little dingy, or supremely rocky. If you are looking for long, sandy beaches with beautiful, calm water, Big Island is not the island for you.
However, if you like volcanic rock beaches, or simply like being near the water without actually going in it, I’m sure you’ll find a beach or two on the Big Island. Note that the beaches on the Kona side are sandier, but the beaches on the Hilo side were, in my opinion, more beautiful to look at. The beachiest beach we found on the Big Island was Hapuna Beach.
Where to Stay on the Big Island
I’m not the best person to ask about this because we stayed for free with Trusted Housesitters. But I can tell you that I liked the Hilo side a lot better than the Kona side. Kona is basically a ton of strip malls and is really quite far from most of the things you want to see and do. Hilo is a lot more lush and tropical and if we were to go back that is likely where I’d want to stay.
The other area that looked interesting to me was the Captain Cook area, which is just south of Kona, closer to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. This was a very tropical spot, as well and I liked the laid-back vibe, which was very different from the overcrowded frenzy of Kona.