10 Epic Things to Do in Big Island Hawaii You'll Absolutely Love (Free & Must-See)
This post is all about 10 Epic Things to Do in Big Island Hawaii You'll Absolutely Love (Free & Must-See)
Whether it’s your first time going to Big Island Hawaii or you’ve been here before, it can be challenging to figure out what the best things to do in Big Island Hawaii are.
I remember my first trip to Big Island Hawaii, I had so many things I wanted to do and so few days, I had no idea what would even be worth my time.
Well, have no fear. I’ve put together the ultimate guide for the 10 life-changing things to do in Big Island Hawaii, including unique things to do in Big Island Hawaii, free things to do on the Big Island, and the #1 thing to do in Big Island, Hawaii. Sit back, relax, and lets explore the most beautiful island together.
This post is all about 10 Epic Things to Do in Big Island Hawaii You'll Absolutely Love (Free & Must-See)
Green Sand Beach - Papakōlea Beach guide
The Green Sand Beach or Papakolea Beach, is one of the rarest beaches in the world. It is also one of the most unique and free things to do on the Big Island.
There are only four green sand beaches, the others in Guam, Norway, and the Galapagos Islands. They are pretty difficult to visit, requiring an almost four-hour roundtrip drive and a five-mile hike, but I’ve laid out the best possible way to visit in my Green Sand Beach guide here.
It was truly one of my favorite things to do on The Big Island.
Need A Car? We rented ours from Sixt and absolutely loved it. You can rent one here.
2. Akaka Falls
Located closer to the Hilo side, Akaka Falls is one of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in Hawaii and certainly one you need to put on your list of things to do on the Big Island.
The waterfall is taller than Niagara Falls and as tall as the Status of Liberty! It’s a super easy hike through the park and only about $5-15 for parking and admission.
The trail is incredibly scenic, surrounded by dense vegetation such as towering trees, vibrant flowers, and beautiful bamboo groves. It’s a must-see if you’re looking for things to do on Big Island Hawaii that immerse you in nature.
It can be a bit overwhelming to visit all these spots in one day, so I recommend booking a tour here to see it all in one day!
3. Da Poke
Da Poke was hands-down one of my favorite meals in Big Island Hawaii! It served some of the freshest poke I’ve ever tasted.
A pro tip? Grab your poke and head to the beach next door, sit on a bench, and enjoy both incredible ocean views and the best poke on the island. This is easily one of the top free things to do on the Big Island—plus, there’s free parking!
4. Hawaii Volcano National Park
What is the #1 thing to do in Big Island, Hawaii? For most travelers, it’s visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This is the crown jewel of the island and it’s truly massive—you could spend an entire week here! If you’re lucky, you might catch an eruption or see glowing lava flows.
While most suggest visiting at night for the lava, I recommend arriving around 4-5 PM. This gives you time to explore before the sun sets. It gets REALLY cold here as well, so be smart and bring a jacket, I was freezing here and really regretted it.
Pro tip: I suggest hiking the Volcano Devastation Trail, but turn left by the bathrooms to discover a less crowded path. Since navigating this area at night can be tricky, I highly suggest booking a tour for a stress-free experience and to hit multiple highlights in one trip.
5. Swimming With Manta Rays At Night
If I had to personally suggest the #1 thing to do in Big Island Hawaii, it would be snorkeling with manta rays at night. It’s one of the most magical experiences you’ll ever have.
We recommend Eka Canoe Adventures, a local business that offers tours on a traditional Hawaiian double-hull canoe. Unlike other boats that have to drive an hour out, they’re only five minutes from the manta ray site!
Definitely go at 6 PM, so you get to watch the most epic sunset, and it makes it that much more magical; it’s priced at about $118 a person.
The lights on the board attract plankton and the manta rays come to the surface to eat them!
6. Punaluu Black Sand Beach
If you’ve never seen a black sand beach, your jaw is about to drop with Punaluu Black Sand Beach!
It’s one of the easiest black sand beaches to get to compared to the one in Maui and it’s one of the top free thing to do in Big Island.
If you’re also looking for information on this beach, don’t miss my post on Is Punaluu Black Sand Beach in Hawaii Worth It? An Honest Review —it’ll give you a deeper dive into the black sand beach and what to bring!
7. Waipiʻo Valley Lookout
For something a bit more under the radar, check out Waipiʻo Valley Lookout. It’s one of the more unique free things to do in Big Island Hawaii.
Most visitors skip this spot, but if you’re chasing those picture-perfect waterfall views you’ve seen all over Instagram, this is where you’ll find them.
It’s just a short drive from Akaka Falls and offers breathtaking scenery for zero dollars.
8. Hapuna Beach
Another gem when looking for things to do in Big Island Hawaii is Hapuna Beach. Not all the beaches in Big Island are built the same and some are a little smaller than others.
However, Hapuna Beach is a local favorite, and the sunsets here are truly out of the world. Plus, the parking meters sometimes don’t work, making it a potential free thing to do in Big Island Hawaii. Don’t forget your camera—you’ll want to capture every golden moment.
9. Kaloko Honokohau National Park
Looking for free things to do on the Big Island and want to see wildlife up close? If you’ve never seen a green sea turtle before, I can’t wait for you to visit this place. Kaloko Honokōhau National Historical Park is a must-visit!
We ended up seeing eight green sea turtles, and it is truly one of the most unique and free things to do in Big Island, Hawaii, that no one talks about.
Just make sure not to touch them, as it’s illegal in Hawaii and could damage them.
10. Southernmost Point
Last but not least, one of the most bucket-list-worthy things you can do in Big Island, Hawaii, is to go to South Point, also known as Ka Lae.
It’s the Southernmost point of the entire United States, and you feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world.
You can even go cliff diving here, but locals recommend only doing it in the summer as there is no supervision, and you can really get swept up during the winter.
Loved these 10 epic things to do in Big Island, Hawaii?
Check out my other posts on 10 Things to Do in Oahu for your first time and 8 Things To Do In Maui Hawaii For Your First Time for even more must-see spots and insider tips to make your trip unforgettable!"
And there you have it! 10 life-changing things to do in Big Island, Hawaii that will definitely make you fall in love.
From volcanic landscapes to rare green sand beaches and even mindblowing sunsets, the Big Island has it all.
After this trip, the Big Island became one of my favorite islands, and I know you will absolutely love it here, too. I hope you have the most amazing trip!
This post was all about 10 Epic Things to Do in Big Island Hawaii You'll Absolutely Love (Free & Must-See)
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