5 Can’t Miss Unique Big Island Experiences
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When you’re planning a trip to the island of Hawai’i, or The Big Island, there is probably a lot on your list to see. While every Hawaiian island has beautiful beaches, stunning views, and tropical landscapes, there are some things that are truly unique to the Big Island and make it such a special place to visit.
Here are five truly unique Big Island experiences that you won’t want to miss:
1. Witnessing An Active Volcano Eruption
Kilauea is one of the most active volcanoes in the world, and if you time your trip right, you might be able to witness the glow of lava as it fills Halemaumau Crater. For the most up-to-date information about the volcano’s eruption status, check the USGS daily updates.
Even if Kilauea isn’t erupting, visiting the national park for the Hawaiian history and the geological sites is worth the trip. If you have time available on your trip to dedicate to this, we recommend staying close to the park. There are plenty of inns and vacation rentals in the area, but consider staying within the park at Volcanoes House for a special stay.
Related read: where to stay on the Big Island
But if a multiple-day trip isn’t in the cards, it is possible to do a day trip. You’ll just need to be strategic about the drive. One option is to take the southern route from Kailua-Kona to the park. Once there, stop by the visitors center, warm your hands over the steam vents, a lookout over the Kilauea crater, drive the Chair of Craters Road, and visit the Thurston Lava Tubes. The lava tube might be our favorite part if we had to pick. Located in a deep, tropical rainforest, you can take a short hike through one of the lava tubes.
Our Big Island itinerary gives you a step-by-step planned out day for a day trip from Kailua-Kona to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park so you can enjoy exploring volcanoes even when you’re short on time.
2. Night Snorkeling or Diving with Manta Rays
This might be one of our favorite experiences we’ve had living in Hawaii so far. There is nothing like swimming in the ocean at night with giant manta rays swimming inches from your face. Thrilling? Yes. Scary? Not when you’re with a great guide.
While other islands have manta rays, the Big Island has reliable sightings in three locations on the leeward coast: Manta Point (Kohala), Manta Heaven (North Kona), and Manta Village (South Kona).
When heading out for night snorkeling, you’ll enter with your guide from the beach or a boat. The guide will shine a light that attracts the plankton that the manta rays then eat. As they eat, barrel rolls sweep past you, making this an incredibly exciting experience.
We have a full guide on snorkeling or diving with manta rays to help you have the best experience. Plus, it includes a video of our snorkel experiences so you can see just what you’re in for.
For more snorkeling information, see our 5 favorite snorkel spots on the Big Island.
3. Sip Kona Coffee
We love coffee, so this one made our “can’t miss” list. While you’re on the Big Island, you can’t skip out on touring the famous Kona coffee country. You can tour a coffee plantation, sip samples of 100% Kona coffee for free (really), and take in the spectacular views. It’s a beautiful place to spend part of your day.
Located above Kailua-Kona town on the windward (or west side) of Hawaii, Kona coffee country is a lush, tropical jungle dotted with cute plantation-era towns and wonderful roadside food stalls. Spend the day up here hopping from plantation to coffee shop to tasting room. See a coffee roasting or learn how coffee is grown.
During most of our visits, we like to get a vacation rental up here to soak up that early morning mountain air while we enjoy our coffee.
There are so many places to visit up here, but a few of our favorites include:
- Mountain Thunder Coffee: enjoy a free coffee farm tour, a private 4×4 plantation tour, or a private roasting experience.
- Kona Coffee Living History Farm: Take a self-guided tour of this farm to learn more about the history of the coffee plantations and enjoy talking with costumed interpreters that bring the history to life.
- The Coffee Shack: Not a coffee plantation, but this is a great coffee shop to stop for a cup of coffee and enjoy the views from the top of the hill in coffee country.
Check out the full list of our favorite coffee farm tours on the Big Island. You don’t want to miss these!
4. Snorkeling at the Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay
Snorkeling is always such a treat in Hawaii, but this snorkeling experience is the best on the island (in our opinion). Kealakekua Bay is located south of Kona and is a marine sanctuary. It has crystal clear waters, and the reef is healthy and abundant, which makes your snorkeling experience even better.
Getting here can be a bit of a challenge, in a good way. Who doesn’t love a challenge? There are three ways to get to this spot: boat tour, kayaking, or hiking.
Our personal preference is kayaking or boating because the hike can be hot, and carrying snorkeling equipment down and back isn’t my idea of a good time. Plus, when you take a boat or kayak, you can enjoy more of the scenery in Kealakekua Bay. During one kayaking experience, we were taking in the lovely mountain views when a pod of spinner dolphins swam past us. It’s a moment that I won’t soon forget.
We have recommendations for both a boat tour of the area as well as a kayak tour.
If you are going to snorkel on the Big Island, snorkel here. It doesn’t get better than this. Captain Cook Monument made our #1 spot on our favorite Big Island snorkeling spots.
5. Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
There are other black sand beaches in Hawaii (like the beautiful Waianapanapa black sand beach on Maui), but we think nothing compares to the beauty of Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Located on the southeastern coast of the Big Island in the Puna district, Punalu’u Beach is easy to access. The sand is shiny and jet black, made of basalt from previous volcanic eruptions. While we love a beautiful white or golden sand beach, seeing a black sand beach is really a spectacular sight.
You’ll also likely find turtles sunbathing on the beach (make sure you give them at least 10 feet of space). While it’s not a great place to swim, it’s an awesome place to spend a few hours. Pick up some sandwiches and malasadas from Punalu’u Bake Shop down the road and enjoy a great picnic.
If you’re planning a trip to the Big Island, there is a lot more to discover than just these five amazing experiences. To help with your planning, we have a full Big Island Travel Guide where you can learn more about the geography of the island when to visit, where to stay, and where to go. Check out our Big Island Travel Guide and start planning your trip today.