Adrenaline on land and sea
One of the most extraordinary wildlife encounters on Earth. As darkness falls, floodlights attract plankton — and the plankton attracts oceanic manta rays with wingspans up to 16 feet. They glide inches beneath you, barrel-rolling through the light, utterly indifferent to your amazement.
Tip Multiple operators run nightly tours from Kona. Book at least two weeks in advance during peak season. Ages 5+, intermediate swimmers required.
Paddle across one of Hawaiʻi’s most pristine marine reserves to the Captain Cook monument, where the reef is so healthy and the water so clear that even first-time snorkelers see spinner dolphins, eagle rays, and clouds of tropical fish.
Tip Guided tours are recommended — the bay is a state marine life conservation district with specific access rules.
Nine lines strung across the canopy of a former sugar plantation in North Kohala, with views of deep gulches, waterfalls, and the distant ocean. The guides are knowledgeable, the safety standards are excellent, and the longest line stretches over 1,200 feet.
Tip Open Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Check in 30 minutes before your tour. About 1 hour 15 minutes from the condo.
At nearly 14,000 feet, above 40% of the Earth’s atmosphere and far from any light pollution, Mauna Kea offers some of the clearest night skies on the planet. Several outfitters run sunset-and-stars tours that include telescopic viewing, hot chocolate, and parkas.
Tip Book 2–3 weeks ahead — tours sell out. Dress warmly; summit temperatures regularly drop below freezing.