Things To Do In Big Island Hawaii

Discover the ultimate guide to the Big Island of Hawaii! Your perfect vacation starts here with our top recommendations on things to do and see on the Big Island.

Although less popular than its sister islands Oahu and Maui, Big Island is still a popular and excellent vacation destination. From amazing beaches to active volcanoes and stargazing at over 9,000 feet, Big Island has a lot to offer.

Standing at 13,796 feet above sea level Mauna Kea volcano and its smaller sister Mauna Loa effectively divides the island into east and west creating very distinctive weather patterns.

On the east of Hawaii, the weather is tropical, wet, and lush, while the west side of the island is dry, volcanic, and arid.

Kona is the largest city on the west coast of Hawaii. It is known for its volcanic rock from previous lava flows, its beaches, and some good beer brewing.

In this post, we’re sharing with you some of our favorite things to do when we visit the west side of the island of Hawaii.

Things To Do In Kona

The main road in downtown Kona is Ali’i Drive. For a long stretch, there is an ocean to one side and on the other shops, restaurants, and homes.

Hanging out on Ali’i Drive is one of the coolest things to do on the Big Island.

Kona Recommendations:

Hulihe’e Palace

Explore Hulihe’e Palace, the summer home of Hawaiian royalty with furniture and articles of the royal family from the Victorian era.

Mokuaikaua

Cross the street and visit Mokuaikaua the oldest Christian Church in Hawaii dating from the 1800’s.

Kona’s Farmer Market

Buy fresh fruit and local souvenirs at Kona’s Farmer Market.

Open Wednesdays through Sunday from 7 AM to 4 PM

Eat Shaved Ice

Eat shaved ice at Ululanis Hawaiian Shaved Ice. Hawaii shaved ice is a local favorite.

You can find several places to eat shaved ice but our favorite is Ululanis at the Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.

Sit on the pier and watch the waves while you enjoy the sweet treat.

Shop in Ali’i Drive

Shop for Kona coffee, art, and jewelry made by local artists at the shops along Ali’i Drive.

After all that walking take a break with another sweet treat.

Enjoy locally made gelato at Gypsy Gelato. The Kona coffee ice cream is outstanding.

Ola Brew Co.

Try the hard tea or a local brew at Ola Brew Co. in Kona.

If you’re looking for something refreshing but a little stronger get yourself to Ola Brew and try one of their hard teas or seltzers; Lemongrass Mint or Hibiscus Lavender?

Choices, choices…

Kona Brewing

Take a tour of the original Kona Brewing then have lunch or appetizers at the pub.

This iconic Kona brewpub is located right in the middle of town and is a tourist attraction that can render long lines during peak seasons.

But the beer on tap is even better than that in the can and you will find seasonals before they are distributed outside of the island.

Things To Do Near Kona

If you want to see anything besides the beach outside your hotel or resort, you’ll need a car. Or you’ll have to take a day tour.

When you head north from Kona and head towards Hualalai, you’ll find the temperature drops significantly and the lava fields give way to green pastures.

We recommend that you rent a car for at least a day so you have the freedom to explore some of the suggested places below and find some exciting places of your own.

Start the day by driving up to Waimea and the Pu’u O Umi Natural Reserve.

Head north from Kona on Road 19, Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. Or use the scenic route, road 190 to reach Waimea.

Then:

• See the paniolos (Hawaiian Cowboys) and experience a working ranch in cowboy country.
• Stop for a brew and good food at Waimea’s Big Island Brewhaus.
• Head towards Hawi on Road 250 and stop at Pololu Valley Lookout. If it’s early and you’re up for it you can take a 25-minute hike to the black sand beach below. Beware this beach is not for swimming as there are strong currents here.
• Drive on through Kapaau & Halaula, stopping for coffee, some local shopping, and a photo with the statue of King Kamehameha I.
• From Hawi head down Road 270 and visit Lapakahi State Historical Park. A partially restored ancient fishing village by the ocean.

Big Island West Coast Beaches

There are so many beaches on the west side that it is impossible to name them all here.

Part of the fun with a car is that you can go exploring through the lava fields and State Parks and find your favorite.

To get you started, you can enjoy the beach at Kailua Pier in downtown Kona.

Keiki Beach or Queens Bath across the aquatic center in town is a nice quiet bay. Good for small children and relaxing.

A good surfing beach for starters and juniors is Pine Trees Surfing Beach. This area has parking and bathrooms and is usually full of families. Bring your umbrella or tarp as there is limited shade.

Some other favorite beaches are Kekaha Kai and Makalawena Beach. To reach them you’ll go through the lava fields which is a unique experience.

Or drive up to Waikoloa where you can find several beaches including 49 Black Sand Beach.

With so many beaches to choose from; just grab your sunhats, lather on the sunscreen, prepare a cooler and enjoy some fresh poke while staring at the blue water of whatever beach catches your fancy. Just hear the stress melting away…

One Last Recommendation

Because the Island is home to one of the best observatories in the World, the Big Island has strict regulations regarding lighting to maintain a very low level of light pollution.

This means that you can enjoy the beauty of the stars from anywhere on the island.

Nevertheless, if you love the stars, astronomy, and everything that has to do with the skies then you’re in luck. On Mauna Kea, at 9,200 ft above sea level, you’ll find the Observatory VIS or Visitor Information Station.

Our last recommendation is to go stargazing at Maunakea Visitor Information Station. On a clear night, the telescopes come out and you’ll get a chance to see the stars and planets with no light pollution.

You can visit the Visitor Information Station with a tour or you can go on your own (make sure you have a good car, the terrain is tough). Check the VIS Website for opening hours and to check the weather.

Oh, did we forget to mention that it is cold at night on Mauna Kea and that it gets its fair share of snow each year?

Yep. We forgot this and had to purchase a pair of long pants and a sweater to keep the cold away during our visit. So be sure to plan well if you want to visit.

On that night, after remembering to walk slowly to avoid altitude sickness, we were gifted with a view of three aligned planets and so many stars it looked like a black blanket full of glitter.

Also on that night, students had set up three telescopes and we enjoyed the Pleiades and Jupiter with its rings. So worth it.

We hope this post gives you some good ideas of some fun things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii. Have a fun visit and let us know what new places you discovered during your trip. Have fun!