Island Guide
Big Island
The Orchid Isle
Watch lava meet the ocean. Swim with manta rays at night. Stand at the summit of the world's tallest mountain. The Big Island is Hawaii at its most elemental.
Island Nickname
The Orchid Isle
Main Cities
Hilo / Kona
Best For
Volcanoes, Nature, Adventure
Airports
KOA (Kona) / ITO (Hilo)
Big Island
Top 10 Things
To Do on the Big Island
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
One of the most extraordinary places on earth. Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and the park offers access to lava tubes, crater rim walks, and — when conditions allow — the sight of molten lava flowing into the sea. The Kilauea Iki Trail descends into a solidified lava lake. The Chain of Craters Road winds through ancient lava fields to the coast.
Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Off the Kona Coast, a nightly gathering of Pacific manta rays — some with wingspans exceeding 14 feet — comes to feed on plankton attracted by underwater lights. Snorkelers float face-down at the surface as the mantas glide inches below in slow, balletic loops. It is one of the most remarkable wildlife encounters in the world.
Mauna Kea Summit at Sunset
At 13,796 feet, Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain on earth when measured from its oceanic base. The summit sits above 40% of the earth's atmosphere, making it one of the finest stargazing sites on the planet. Drive to the visitor center at 9,200 feet for sunset, then join a ranger-led stargazing program after dark.
Snorkel at Two-Step (Honaunau)
Two-Step is a natural lava ledge entry point near Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, offering access to one of the richest reef ecosystems on the Big Island. Sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and an extraordinary variety of reef fish are regular sightings. Arrive early — parking is limited.
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau — Place of Refuge
This National Historical Park preserves one of the most sacred sites in ancient Hawaii — a place of refuge where kapu-breakers and defeated warriors could seek absolution. The restored temple platforms, carved ki'i (wooden images), and royal fishponds offer a profound connection to pre-contact Hawaiian civilization.
Waipio Valley Lookout
The Waipio Valley — the Valley of the Kings — was once home to Hawaiian royalty and is still farmed by taro cultivators today. The lookout at the valley rim offers one of the most dramatic views in Hawaii: a mile-wide valley floor of taro fields, black sand beach, and waterfalls dropping from 2,000-foot walls. The road into the valley is extremely steep — 4WD only.
Akaka Falls State Park
A short, paved loop trail through lush tropical forest leads to two spectacular waterfalls — Kahuna Falls (100 feet) and Akaka Falls (442 feet), one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii. The trail is easy, the vegetation is extraordinary, and the falls are most powerful after rain.
Kohala Coast Beaches
The Kohala Coast on the Big Island's northwest shore is home to some of Hawaii's finest beaches — Hapuna Beach, Mauna Kea Beach, and the secluded Kua Bay. The contrast between the white sand, turquoise water, and the black lava fields behind the beach is uniquely dramatic.
Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)
One of only four green sand beaches in the world, Papakolea Beach gets its distinctive color from olivine crystals eroded from the surrounding cinder cone. Reaching it requires a three-mile round-trip hike across open lava fields — or a bumpy ride in a local's truck. The beach itself is small, remote, and extraordinary.
Kona Coffee Farm Tour
The Kona Coast produces some of the most prized coffee in the world, grown on the volcanic slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa. Several family farms offer tours of their operations — from cherry picking to wet milling to roasting — followed by a cupping session. Greenwell Farms and Mountain Thunder are well-regarded options.
Where to Stay
Big Island Hotels
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
LuxuryKohala Coast
The finest resort on the Big Island and one of the great hotels of the Pacific. Bungalows open onto the ocean, the snorkeling pond is stocked with manta rays, and the service is extraordinary.
Check RatesMauna Kea Beach Hotel
LuxuryKohala Coast
A landmark of Hawaiian hospitality since 1965, the Mauna Kea sits on one of the finest beaches in the state. The art collection alone — over 1,600 pieces of Asian and Pacific art — is worth a visit.
Check RatesVolcano House
HistoricHawaii Volcanoes NP
The only hotel inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, perched on the rim of Kilauea Caldera. Waking up to the sight of the crater — and the glow of lava at night — is an experience unlike any other.
Check RatesWhere to Eat
Big Island Restaurants
Brown's Beach House
Hawaii RegionalKohala Coast
Set on the beach at the Fairmont Orchid, Brown's Beach House is one of the finest dining experiences on the Big Island — locally sourced fish, exceptional cocktails, and a sunset view over the Pacific.
Reserve a TableMerriman's Waimea
Hawaii RegionalWaimea
The original Merriman's, where the Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement began in 1988. The menu is built around the farms and ranches of the Kohala highlands — beef, lamb, and produce grown within miles of the kitchen.
Reserve a TableCafe 100
Local HawaiianHilo
The home of the loco moco — a Hawaiian invention of rice, hamburger patty, fried egg, and brown gravy. Cafe 100 in Hilo has been serving the original since 1946. It is essential, unpretentious, and delicious.
Reserve a Table