The Big Island is an excellent travel destination, boasting a rich blend of natural beauty, culture, and numerous fun outdoor activities and adventures, making it an enjoyable destination.

It is the largest island in the Hawaiian island chain and has various landscapes, including snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and an incredible local culture. Whether you travel to the Big Island for the adventure, nature, or a tropical getaway, this destination has something that everyone will enjoy.

1. See the Active Volcanoes

The Big Island is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can explore these active geological places. The park is most famous for Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, as well as Mauna Loa, the world’s largest volcano.

Depending on the conditions, you could see flowing lava flows, fresh volcanic landscapes, or steaming vents. Even if there is no eruption, you can see the park’s crater views, volcanic trails, and lava tubes, which will be a breathtaking experience.

2. Amazing Beaches – An Iconic Reason to Travel to the Big Island

Unlike the golden sand beaches you’d picture about Hawaii, this Big Island offers different types of beaches. For example, there are the black sand beaches in Punal’u made of cooled lava or the green sand beach at Pakakōea, which is covered in the olivine mineral.

Then, there are the white sand beaches, such as Hapuna Beach, perfect for swimming and suntanning with crystal clear turquoise Caribbean-style waters. The diversity in beaches makes your travel to the Big Island a unique and incredible adventure.

3. Great Snorkeling and Diving

The Big Island is known for having clear waters and is rich in marine life, making it a top snorkeling and diving location. When you travel to the Big Island, do not forget to visit the popular spots of Honaunau or Kealakeua Bay, which are home to colourful coral reefs, tropical fish, and Hawaiian green sea turtles. One of the best experiences is night snorkeling or diving with the manta rays, where you can witness an unforgettable sight, as they glide right by you. I love to snorkel in the Big Island!

4. Mayan Kea Stargazing

14,000 feet above sea level, there is Mauna Kea, one of the world’s best stargazing locations. This high elevation, dry climate, and minimal light pollution make this the perfect place for astronomical observation. Note that the road up to the top is tricky and you are at a high altitude, so be very careful and plan ahead.

Visit this place respectfully, as it is vital to the Indigenous Hawaiians. Another excellent place for stargazing is the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, located over 9000 feet high, where you can gaze at the stars using their powerful telescopes.

5. Incredible Waterfalls and Valleys

The Big Island’s northern and eastern regions are famous for their gorgeous green valleys and waterfalls. The Waipi’o Valley, once the home for Hawaiian royalty, offers incredible views of steep cliffs, black sand shores, and taro fields. You can also hike and horseback ride in this region, allowing you to witness Hawaii’s tropical beauty. When you travel to the Big Island, you will get a chance to explore another great natural beauty the breathtaking Akaka Falls, where you can even see a rainbow created by the mist.

6. The History and Culture

The Big Island is deeply rooted in Hawaiian traditions and history. Visitors can explore the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, once a refuge for those who violated ancient laws. Then, there is the temple of Pu‘ukoholā Heiau, built by King Kamehameha I. When you travel to the Big Island, do not forget to attend hula performances, local festivals, and traditional crafting workshops, allowing you to have an authentic experience seeing the island’s living culture.

7. A Hiker’s Paradise

The Big Island boasts both coastal trails and mountain hikes. You can walk across hardened lava fields, trek to isolated beaches, and climb through the beautiful forests. A famous place for hiking is the Pololū Valley hike, which offers a stunning view of the emerald cliffs. The trails in the Volcanoes National Park will lead you to craters, lava tubes, and other incredible sites.

8. Good Year-Round Weather

The Big Island’s weather depends on the landscape. On the Kona coast, there are warm and sunny days year-round, making it the perfect place to enjoy the beach activities. On the eastern side of the island in Hilo, there is more rainfall, creating lush waterfalls and greenery. At higher elevations, such as Mauna Kea, there can be a significant drop in temperatures, and even snow in the winter at times. This means that no matter what season you visit Hawaii, there are always climate zones where you can enjoy your favourite activities.

9. The Coffee – A Must When You Travel to the Big Island

Some of the best coffee in the world comes from the famous slopes of Kona. Make sure to visit a Kona coffee farm, where you can see how the cultivation process works and then get a chance to try freshly brewed coffee right from the place it grows. The island’s ideal climate and rich volcanic soil make it a perfect environment to grow coffee, and for coffee lovers to enjoy some excellent quality coffee.

9. Marine Life

Year-round, you can see the monk seals, spinner dolphins, and other marine life, making exploring the ocean just as fun as land activities. In the winter, the Big Island’s waters have migrating humpback whales. You can go on a whale-watching tour and witness these magnificent giants swimming and playing. The next time I visit the Big Island I am going to check out a whale watching tour. One should also mention that you can go night swimming with manta rays.

You can go on a tour that will let you float beneath the stars as manta rays glide past, wings wide and silent. Lights reveal plankton swirling like sparks, which enables the mantas to loop and feed, curious and calm, turning night swimming into a surreal, weightless ballet you never forget under moonlit seas. My family members did this tour and I hear it was amazing.

Why you should travel to the Big Island?

The big island of Hawaii is home to a lot of natural beauty and Hawaiian traditions that make this place truly special. From the glow of active volcanoes to peaceful Kona coffee country and the beautiful beaches you can find all around the island, every part of this land offers an enjoyable adventure. Whether you are there for fun outdoor activities, relaxation, cultural immersion, coffee-tasting, or enjoying nature, the Big Island has it all.

If you’re looking to travel somewhere warm and tropical next, make sure to visit the Big Island on your next vacation. Before you travel to the Big Island, make sure to purchase health coverage to avoid getting huge medical bills. My father had a friend who became ill on a flight to Hawaii and the medical bill was well over $300,000 USD, but luckily his travel medical insurance paid the bills.

Purchasing this coverage means you will have easier access to the right medical services, such as emergency care, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, and treatment for injuries or illnesses. By having health coverage, you can enjoy your trip to the Big Island without worrying about getting a substantial medical bill.

Written by Mark T. – Enthusiastic writer with extensive travel experience. Also, a history student living in Canada.