12 Things to Do in Big Island Hawaii for Nature & Culture Fans

The Big Island of Hawaii is a land of fire, water, and ancient stories. It’s the largest of all Hawaiian islands, offering active volcanoes, black sand beaches, lush valleys, and rich Hawaiian culture—all in one destination.

As I visited the Big Island, I was amazed by its raw beauty and deep connection to nature and history.

From exploring lava tubes to watching sea turtles bask on the sand, every experience taught me something new. Here’s a guide to 12 incredible things to do, filled with facts, tips, and real places you can explore too.

1. Visit Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

• Location: Southeastern Hawaii Island
• Address: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718
• Best Time to Visit: Morning or evening
• Operating Hours: 24/7
• Fee: $30 per vehicle (7-day pass)

 This park includes Mauna Loa and Kīlauea, two of the most studied volcanoes on Earth. The area spans 523 square miles and is designated as both an International Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lava activity often changes the landscape, making it a live geologic lab.

2. Explore Akaka Falls State Park

• Location: Northeast Coast of Big Island
• Address: End of Akaka Falls Road, Honomu, HI 96728
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning
• Operating Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Fee: $5 per person, $10 per vehicle

 Akaka Falls plunges 442 feet into a gorge and is fed by the Kolekole Stream. The surrounding rainforest supports endemic species like the ʻōhiʻa tree and hapuʻu fern. The falls are part of Hawaii’s hydrologic system, contributing to the island’s rich biodiversity and water cycle.

3. Relax at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

• Location: Kaʻū District, Southern Big Island
• Address: Punaluʻu Beach Rd, Naalehu, HI 96772
• Best Time to Visit: Sunrise or sunset
• Operating Hours: Open daily
• Fee: Free

 Punaluʻu’s black sand is formed from basalt created by lava flowing into the ocean and cooling rapidly. The beach is known for sightings of Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu), which are protected under the Endangered Species Act. It also features freshwater seeps under the saltwater shoreline.

4. Discover Mauna Kea Observatories

• Location: Mauna Kea Summit
• Address: Mauna Kea Access Rd, Hilo, HI 96720
• Best Time to Visit: Sunset for stargazing
• Operating Hours: Visitor station 12 PM – 10 PM
• Fee: Free (guided tours extra)

 Mauna Kea is 13,803 feet above sea level and is home to 13 world-class observatories from 11 countries. Its stable air and minimal light pollution make it one of the best astronomical sites globally. Temperatures often drop below freezing despite being in Hawaii.

5. Tour Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

• Location: South Kona
• Address: State Hwy 160, Hōnaunau, HI 96726
• Best Time to Visit: Late morning
• Operating Hours: 8:15 AM – Sunset
• Fee: $20 per vehicle

 This ancient place of refuge protected lawbreakers and defeated warriors under kapu law. It features reconstructed thatched huts, temple structures (heiau), and royal fishponds. The park covers 420 acres and offers insight into pre-contact Hawaiian society and spiritual life.

6. See Rainbow Falls in Hilo

• Location: Hilo
• Address: Waianuenue Ave, Hilo, HI 96720
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning (for rainbow effect)
• Operating Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
• Fee: Free

 Rainbow Falls is an 80-foot waterfall that often displays a rainbow in the morning mist. It flows over a lava cave believed in legend to house the Hawaiian goddess Hina. The Wailuku River feeds the falls and is the longest entirely within the Big Island.

7. Walk Through Thurston Lava Tube

• Location: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
• Address: Crater Rim Dr, Volcano, HI 96785
• Best Time to Visit: Mid-morning
• Operating Hours: 24/7 (Park hours)
• Fee: Included in park entrance

 The Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) is a 500-year-old tunnel formed by molten lava flowing underground. It’s 600 feet long and shows how lava moves below the surface. The tube was discovered in 1913 and is one of the most accessible lava tubes in Hawaii.

8. Visit the Imiloa Astronomy Center

• Location: Hilo
• Address: 600 ʻImiloa Pl, Hilo, HI 96720
• Best Time to Visit: Weekdays
• Operating Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (Closed Mondays)
• Fee: Adults $19.50

 Imiloa connects Hawaiian culture with astronomy through interactive exhibits and a planetarium. It explores native Hawaiian navigation methods and modern space science. The center is affiliated with the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and sits at the base of Mauna Kea.

9. Explore Waipiʻo Valley Lookout

• Location: North Hamakua
• Address: Waipio Valley Rd, Honokaa, HI 96727
• Best Time to Visit: Morning (clearer views)
• Operating Hours: Open daily
• Fee: Free (hiking or tour fees apply)

 Waipiʻo Valley is one mile wide and almost 6 miles deep, with steep cliffs over 2,000 feet high. It was once home to Hawaiian royalty and remains an agricultural site for taro farming. Vehicle access is restricted due to the steep grade of the access road.

10. Swim in Kapoho Tide Pools (now closed)

• Location: Puna District (pre-2018)
• Address: Kapoho Kai Dr, Pāhoa, HI 96778
• Best Time to Visit: N/A
• Operating Hours: Permanently closed
• Fee: N/A

 The 2018 eruption of Kīlauea destroyed the Kapoho tide pools, once a network of natural volcanic ponds filled with marine life. Before destruction, they served as a vital ecosystem and snorkeling site. Today, the area remains a study subject in volcanic land formation and habitat loss.

11. Hike Pololu Valley Trail

• Location: North Kohala
• Address: Pololu Valley Lookout, HI-270, Kapaau, HI 96755
• Best Time to Visit: Early morning
• Operating Hours: Open daily
• Fee: Free

 Pololu Valley is one of a series of erosional valleys along the Kohala Coast. The trail descends about 400 feet to a black sand beach and coastal forest. It’s part of a larger network of valleys carved by water and time, shaped by Kohala’s extinct volcano.

12. Visit Lava Tree State Monument

• Location: Puna District
• Address: 15800 Hwy 130, Pāhoa, HI 96778
• Best Time to Visit: Midday
• Operating Hours: 7 AM – 6:45 PM
• Fee: Free

 This park features petrified lava molds of tree trunks created during an 18th-century lava flow. When lava surged through the forest, it coated tree trunks in molten rock, preserving their shapes after the trees burned away. It’s a unique look at lava’s interaction with life.

My Unforgettable Journey Through the Big Island

Walking through ancient valleys, standing on fresh lava rock, and gazing at stars atop Mauna Kea—every moment on the Big Island felt like a discovery. I didn’t just see beautiful places; I felt the island’s deep spirit and history. 

Each site had a story, and I left with more than just photos—I left with a sense of awe. If you’re planning a trip, let curiosity lead—you’ll find more than you expect.

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