14 of Our Favorite Things to Do on Hawaiʻi Island

Hawaiʻi Island is the youngest and largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, rightly earning its nickname, the Big Island.

I’m always impressed not only by the sheer size of the island, but also its unique terrain, from lush tropical forests in Hilo to otherworldly lava fields in Kona and the snow-capped summit of Mauna Kea .

Here are 14 of my favorite things to do on the Big Island.

1. Witness a Volcanic Eruption

On the Big Island, visitors can witness the power of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess.

Since December 2024, sporadic eruptions at Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, have sent fountains of lava up to 1,000 feet above Halemaʻumaʻu crater. The most recent eruption ended Aug. 6, 2025, after 12 hours of continuous fountaining—and it’s no surprise that visitors from around the world have traveled to Hawaiʻi Island over the last few months to witness the activity.

The national park also includes Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano. After being dormant for nearly 40 years, Mauna Loa’s 2022 eruption made headlines. The once-in-a-lifetime eruption lasted 12 days and lured throngs of visitors to the area, including me.

READ MORE: We Missed Kīlauea’s Lava Fountains but Still Had an Epic Vacation

2. Hike in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Even when there’s no volcanic activity, there’s still lots of reasons to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Spread across 335,259 acres, the park is massive and includes more than 150 miles of hiking trails. You can spend a day (or two) exploring its unique trails, traversing lava fields, rainforests and more. You’ll want to check out Halemaʻumaʻu Crater for yourself, explore the steamy Haʻakulamanu (Sulphur Banks), and hike Devastation Trail.

READ MORE: The 5 Best Hiking Trails on Hawaiʻi Island

3. Swim with Manta Rays at Night

There are few places in the world where you can watch a volcano erupt and swim with manta rays, all in the same day. Manta rays feed off of plankton, and the ocean surrounding the Kailua-Kona area is abundant with it.

Visitors looking to swim with these creatures can choose from a handful of nighttime tours off Kailua-Kona. It’s an unforgettable experience, jumping into the ocean and floating next to these gentle giants—they can grow up to 15 feet from wing tip to wing tip—as they feed on plankton.

READ MORE: 10 Things You May Not Know About Manta Rays in Hawaiʻi

4. Chase Waterfalls

Two beautiful waterfalls are easily accessible in Hilo on the island’s east side. Just a short drive from Downtown Hilo is the Wailuku River State Park, home to Waiānuenue (nicknamed Rainbow Falls). On sunny mornings, rainbows can sometimes be seen in the mist of the cascading 80-foot waterfall, hence the nickname.

ʻAkaka Falls is located at ʻAkaka Falls State Park along the Hāmākua Coast, about a 20-minute drive from Downtown Hilo. It’s much taller than Waiānnuenue, plunging 442 feet into a deep gorge.

READ MORE: Your Guide to ʻAkaka Falls State Park on Hawaiʻi Island

5. Play with Baby Goats

After visiting ʻAkaka Falls State Park, you’ll want to visit Honumū Dairy Farm (you’ll pass it on your way to the park). The 15-acre farm is home to a herd of Nubian goats. You can pick up fresh cheeses and caramel made with milk from the goats. But the best part is playing with the adorable baby goats, or kids. The farm calls it “goat therapy.”

READ MORE: We Played With Baby Goats at This Dairy Farm on Hawaiʻi Island

6. Shop at the Hilo Farmers Market

One of my favorite activities on the Big Island is simply strolling through the Hilo Farmers Market. The market in Downtown Hilo is open seven days a week; the best days to go are when the most vendors are there, and that’s on Wednesdays and Saturdays. But any day of the week, you can find a vibrant variety of fruits and veggies, fresh baked goods, jams made from local fruits, and grab-and-go foods. You can also browse local apparel, jewelry and crafts.

READ MORE: Why Hilo Should be on Your Travel Bucket List

7. Chow Down on Different Loco Mocos at Café 100

The loco moco is a simple dish that’s unique to Hawaiʻi. The classic loco moco consists of a hamburger patty on a bed of white rice, topped with running eggs, all smothered in brown gravy. It’s humble and hearty and birthed right here in Hilo. In fact, Café 100 calls itself the “home of the loco moco.” The old-school restaurant opened in Hilo in 1949 and serves more than a dozen varieties of the dish. You can order the traditional loco moco, or swap the patty with different proteins like Spam, Portuguese sausage or a veggie burger.

READ MORE: The Best Loco Moco on Hawaiʻi Island

8. Make Cakes at Baumkuchen Farm

Every once in a while, I find myself craving a slice of baumkuchen. The first time I learned about and sampled a piece of the German cake was at a little family-run farm in Pāpaʻikou—about 10 miles north of Hilo. Marie and Markus Stolz moved with their kids from Germany to the Big Island six years ago, and today they churn out baumkuchen on their family farm. Visitors are invited for farm tours and to sample their cakes. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays guests can even roast their own baumstriezel, a similar Hungarian-style spit cake. I felt like a kid again, roasting the sweet pastry dough, which is wrapped around a stick, over a campfire.

READ MORE: Baumkuchen Farm Makes Sweet Cakes and You Can, Too

9. Drive the Hāmākua Heritage Corridor

I recently made the scenic drive along the Hāmākua Heritage Corridor and was captivated by the beauty all around and the charming towns along the way. The journey on Hawaiʻi Belt Road stretches about 50 miles on the northeastern side of the island, from Hilo to the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout. The road runs through the towns of Honomū and Honokaʻa, which are home to a blend of old-school businesses and new shops. From picking up jellies at Mr. Ed’s Bakery to chowing down on gyozo at I Luv Dumplings, there’s plenty of pitstops on the way to Waipiʻo Valley.

10. Relax at Hāpuna Beach

Hāpuna Beach is one of my favorite beaches on the Big Island. The waters off this white sand beach on the west side of the island are crystal clear, with great conditions for swimming and snorkeling. Of course, it’s also an idyllic place to just lounge on the sand all day.

11. Explore Waimea

Also called Kamuela, Waimea is considered paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) country. And you know when you’ve reached it. The town on the northern coast of the Big Island is home to green pastures—a stark contrast to the black lava fields of Kona. In Waimea, you can explore the island’s cowboy history on a self-guided tour at Parker Ranch, or check out the Paniolo Heritage Museum at Pukalani Stables. The Kamuela Farmers Market is also held at the stables on Saturdays. Along with its rich history, Waimea is becoming a unique destination for dining. You can stop by Pâtisserie Nanako, a family-owned bakery known for Japanese-style pastries. Here, you can indulge in delicious desserts like Japanese cheesecake, fruit tarts and Japanese pan (bread). You can also sit down to dine at Merriman’s Waimea, one of the best farm-to-table restaurants on the Big Island.

READ MORE: Your Guide to Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island

12. Get Sweet Bread at the Southernmost Bakery in the U.S.

Punaluʻu Bakeshop in Nāʻālehu is the country’s southernmost bakery. But the real reason to visit is its heavenly sweet bread, made from a secret family recipe. Head south to pick up loaves of the traditional sweet bread and try the guava and taro versions too.

13. Stay in Unique Accommodations

The Big Island is anything but ordinary. And if you’re looking for accommodations that stray from the typical resort experience, you’ll find quite a few options.

Nestled on 22 lush acres, the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls invites guests to disconnect from modern-day life and be immersed in nature. Guests can kayak or paddleboard to Kulaniapia Falls, a 120-foot waterfall, and the adventurous

The Hāmākua Hotel, situated on 25 tranquil acres overlooking the Pacific on the east side of the Big Island, is a great home away from home. After a day exploring the island, guests can return to the estate to swim in the infinity pool, relax in a sauna or take a dip in the cold plunge. Twice a week, guests can feast on a six-course dinner prepared by the hotel’s chef.

14. Tour a Coffee Farm

If you love coffee, you’re going to love Hawaiʻi Island. After all, there’s a reason Kona coffee is famous. There are dozens of coffee farms on the Big Island and many welcome visitors. Those curious about coffee cultivation can book tours to learn how coffee is grown and milled and how the beans are processed. You can also sample world-class coffee and take a bag or two home.

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Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.