8 Things You Can't Miss on the Big Island

Hawaii, or the “Big Island”, has some of the most unique landscapes and adventures of any of the Hawaiian islands. I think this island should be on your list just for the opportunity to night snorkel with manta rays. If there is active lava flowing at Volcanoes National Park, it should jump even higher on your list. Keep reading the top 8 things you can’t miss when you visit the Big Island!

Night snorkeling with manta rays

We did the 9 PM start time which they said is nice because the mantas are more active. But if you do the earlier time you get to see the sunset on the water.

Volcanoes National Park

You can check online ahead of time to see if there is active lava flowing. There wasn’t when we went but there are still other things to check out!

What to do in the park:

Kilauea Ike Trail takes you across a solidified lava lake in the Kilauea Ike Crater (4 miles)
Thurston Lava Tube
Chain of Craters Road, stopping at the Holei Sea Arch

Akaka Falls State Park

There is a 0.5-mile loop hike that takes you to one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve ever seen. You do have to pay $10 pp for entry, plus a parking fee if you use the parking lot. Instead, park on the street and walk in then you won’t have to pay for parking.

Hike to Papakolea Beach (Green Sand Beach)

5.6-mile round trip hike, go first thing in the morning because it gets hot! There is an option to pay a local to drive you there and back, we didn’t do this, and technically it’s illegal.

Visit the “Southernmost Point in the United States”

This is a quick stop near the green sand beach, but if you’re feeling adventurous you can try cliff jumping here!

Get a poke bowl

Some of the best poke we’ve ever had has been in Hawaii! I recommend Da Poke Shack.

Punalu’u Beach (Black Sand Beach)

Great place to see a sea turtle!

Snorkeling at Two Step

There is a 2-mile hike down to the snorkeling spot, which means a grueling 2-mile hike back up, almost a 1,300 ft elevation gain. Follow the Ka’Awaloa Captain Cook Monument Trail on AllTrails. You can also pay for a snorkeling trip and most places will bring you here. You do need to jump off a small concrete pad into the water and the only way back up is by the ladders that the snorkeling companies have out.