The Ultimate Big Island Bucket List – Top 10 Epic Experiences on the Island of Hawaii

Aptly nicknamed “Big Island,” Hawai’i is the largest island in the Sandwich Islands archipelago, and lives up to its moniker. This Hawaiian island is BIG. From active volcanoes, to sprawling lava fields, to tropical rainforests, pristine bays, to lush green cattle fields, to black, red, and even green sand beaches, the island of Hawai’i is home to a multitude of diverse landscapes – each of which is ripe for adventure and exploration. We spent a week road-tripping Big Island, and narrowed down our top things to do into this list of ten epic experiences. Find a video version of our Big Island bucket list here.

Visit the Tallest Mountain in the World

The dormant volcano known as Mauna Kea is actually the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its underwater base (33,500ft from base to peak) but is only 13,803ft above sea level. We recommend visiting for sunset and staying for some subsequent stargazing. When you go, be sure to allot enough time to acclimate on at the lower parking lot. You will have to wait for 30 minutes before you will be allowed to make the drive up to the summit. You are also required to have a four wheel drive vehicle as the roads to the top are unpaved and can get slick in the rain or snow. Yes – I said snow. We personally experienced snow while we were on the mountain, so bring warm clothes as temperatures at the top and can drop down into the teens.

Also, always Kapu Aloha and DO NOT climb to the physical summit of Mauna Kea. This is where benevolent spirits are believed to reside and is considered the “Region of the Gods.” When visiting Hawai’i it is particularly important to show respect to the land and history of culturally significant places like this.

Walk Across a Lava Field

One of the best places to do this is Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. We recommend driving Chain of Craters Road for the best views of lava flows sprawling from mauka to makai. If you drive the entire road, you will eventually end at a parking lot. Once there, take the path to Hōlei Sea Arch to experience a sea cliffs and coastline created by lava flows meeting the ocean.

Chase Waterfalls

Due to the ample rainfall and varying elevation on the island, Hawai’i is home to quite a few waterfalls. Our two favorites are Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls. Both are easily accessible, near downtown Hilo, and striking reminders of both nature’s beauty and power.

Explore a Lava Tube

Known as, Kaumana Cave, this jaw dropping lava tube was formed in 1881 by the nearby Mauna Loa volcano. Located just 10 minutes outside of downtown Hilo in Kaumana Cave State Park, this natural phenomenon is easily explorable for about 1.5 miles in either direction via a collapsed skylight. If you’re not familiar with caves, it’s always a good rule of thumb to bring at least two good flashlights, extra batteries, and plenty of water.

Swim with Dolphins

It is not uncommon for spinner dolphins to frequent popular snorkeling spots like Kealakekua Bay (pictured below). For your best chance of seeing them, arrive early. Also always remember to swim with caution and give any dolphins you encounter 50 yards of space. If they approach you, stay in one place, and never touch, feed or pretend to feed them. Remember that they are wild animals, and that you are a guest in their habitat.

Visit a Black Sand Beach

As a result of its frequent historic and modern volcanic activity, Big Island is home to several beautiful, black sand beaches. These were formed over time by the erosion of volcanic minerals and lava fragments that made their way to the coast. We visited two during our stay: Punalu’u Beach and Pololū Beach.

Punalu’u Beach: Easily accessible and lined with palm trees, this picturesque beach on the southeast part of Hawai’i is a sight to be seen. It is one of the only beaches in the world where green sea turtles (known as “honu” in Hawaiian) actually come ashore to bask. While honu are endangered, there is a good chance that you’ll see more than a few when you visit this beach. If/when you spot the turtles here, be sure to keep your distance as per local law.

Pololū Beach: When compared to Punalu’u, this beach is a bit harder to access. After about a 20 minute hike to the end of the Pololū Valley Trail, there lies a beautiful black sand beach aptly named Pololū Beach. This valley is located on the northwest side of the island and belongs to a group of seven other deep valleys connected to the Kohala volcano that partially fell into the ocean 250,000-300,000 years ago – providing hikers with breathtakingly stunning views along the trail all the way down to the beach.

Experience the Glow of an Active Volcano

We were lucky enough to experience an eruption of Kīlauea, Hawai’i’s most active volcano when we visited Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. We spent two full days exploring this national park, and we recommend checking out Kīlauea both durning the day and at night for two totally different experiences. Two of our absolute favorite hikes were Kau Desert Trail & Kilauea Iki trail (starting south from Halema’uma’u Bryon Ledge Trail). Crater Rim Trail, Devastation Trail, and the Steam Vents were some of our favorite sites in the park as well.

Visit the Southernmost Point of the USA

Aptly named “South Point,” the land along Big Island’s Southern Coast holds the title of the southernmost point of the United States. While you’re there, we highly recommend stopping at the local, family-owned Shaka Restaurant & Bar. Their food is delicious, but you really need to go for the bragging rights, i.e. so that you can say that you had a drink at the southernmost bar in the United States.

Hike to a Green Sand Beach

Hike, drive, or hitch a ride out to Papakōlea Beach. This green sand beach, located in the southern tip of Hawai’i, is one of only a few true green sand beaches in the entire world. The beach itself is located almost 2.5 miles from the parking area, and accessible via an easy, albeit long and unshaded, hike. If you want to save time, you also have the option to catch a ride with a local for a small fee or drive yourself to the beach in your 4×4 (you’ll need it). Don’t forget to bring enough snacks, sunscreen, and water for the day as there are not any stands or vendors at the beach or in the parking area. We also recommend pairing this experience with your visit to South Point – as the two locations are side-by-side.

Take a Night Swim with Manta Rays

Taking a night swim with manta rays is an experience that we will never forget. Jumping into the open ocean in the complete dark can feel a little bit scary at first, but swimming with these gentle giants is totally worth it! After you jump in, you’ll grab onto a long raft and float parallel to the surface of the water. Your guide will shine a light to attract plankton to your raft, and mantas will flock to the plankton. Tours take place nightly in Keauhou Bay which is located right off the coast of Kona. Click here to watch a video of our experience.

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When you visit the island, we recommend that you both rent a car to allow for easy access to all corners of the island and that you spend some time staying in both Hilo and Kona. Also, just like any vacation, a visit to the Big Island of Hawai’i can be relaxed or packed with adventure. If you’re looking for the latter, we have just the adventure-packed itinerary for you.