Things to Do

The Kona coast is lined with beaches that feel like private discoveries — from powdery white crescents to volcanic black shores and hidden coves reachable only on foot.

From rainforest crater walks to exposed summit scrambles, the Big Island’s trails traverse some of the most dramatic geology on Earth.

Submarine rides, waterfall walks, volcano drives, and snorkel cruises — Big Island adventures that are as thrilling for the adults as they are for the keiki.

Ancient temples, places of refuge, and royal palaces — the Big Island’s cultural sites connect you to centuries of Hawaiian history and the spiritual traditions that shaped the islands.

Swim with manta rays under moonlight, kayak to sacred bays, zipline above Kohala valleys, and stargaze from the summit of the world’s tallest mountain.

The Kona coast is one of the world’s great snorkel destinations — calm protected bays, vibrant reef, and water clear enough to read by. These are the shops, lessons, and boat tours that get you in.

Tour the slopes where Kona coffee is grown, taste single-origin chocolate still warm from the roaster, and meet the seahorses and octopuses raised on Big Island farms.

Coastal fairways bordered by black lava rock, views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific, and layouts by Nicklaus and Jones — Kona-side golf is unlike anywhere else on Earth.

The Big Island has a deep ranching heritage — ride through rolling pastures, along volcanic ridgelines, and across working cattle ranches with views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific.

From the world’s most famous triathlon to sacred hula competitions and Kona coffee harvest celebrations — the Big Island’s calendar is rich with events worth planning a trip around.