The geographic diversity on the Big Island allows for incredible scenic and sightseeing experiences no matter where you go. No other place on Earth provides world-renowned stargazing, up-close lava viewing, stunning waterfalls, and scenic drives through dense rainforests and arid deserts. There is no corner of Hawaii Island without an incredible sight to see and exploring all of our Big Island sights is the best part of any island adventure.
If youʻre looking for history, Big Island sightseeing includes incredible historic villages, religious sites and the island was home to generations of Aliʻi (Hawaiian royalty) with fascinating stories to tell. The rich history of the island is encompassed in several National and State Parks that are definitely worth a visit on your sightseeing adventures.
Natural beauty abounds in Hawaii and Big Island sightseeing will take you from the 14,000 foot volcanic mountain tops of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to the depths of the blue Pacific Ocean to catch a glimpse of it all. If you are looking for stunning vistas, every road on the Big Island leads to a new sightseeing adventure and the number of beautiful scenic drives is only limited by the length of your visit and the toughness of your vehicle.
From fresh lava fields to tropical botanical gardens, the sheer diversity of Big Island sightseeing will keep you guessing at what you will encounter each day of your visit. Because of the size of the Big Island, our advice is to prioritize your most important, must see places on the Big Island then plan a full dayʻs activity in that area or region. This will give you plenty of time to explore the many destinations on the Big Island without having to zip back and forth, saving yourself drive time that you can then spend on more sightseeing or relaxing.
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Thurston Lava Tube, dating back 350-500 years is an exemplar example of the many lava caves on the Big Island formed by continual volcanic activity.
The Big Island experienced an eruption of Kilauea during the summer of 2018, marking some of the most significant seismic activity in decades.
The Waipio Valley is a stunning scenic destination with a black sand beach, beautiful waterfalls and Hawaiian historical & cultural significance.
The Valley of the Kings is a stunning place, brimming with history and Hawaiian cultural significance.
For those interested in the unique and exciting nature of Hawaiian volcanoes, the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum offers a detailed and interesting exhibit.
Nani Mau, meaning Forever Beautiful, is a gorgeous botanical garden with fruit orchards, orchids, ginger and hibiscus gardens as well as an anthurium grove.
The Ironman World Championship is the ultimate physical and mental test of strength, resilience, and endurance in the world.
Home to gorgeous valleys, exotic plants, and the heart of waterfall country, the Hamakua Coast is a breathtaking adventure waiting to happen.
If you’re visiting the Kona Area, here are the state and national parks you should see to gain a taste of Hawaii’s culture and unique natural wonders.
As you cruise around the Big Island taking in the sights, consider taking one of these incredible scenic drives.
The 2018 Ironman World Championship was one for the record books, with five course records being broken.
Easily accessible and with plenty of scenic lookouts, you’ll want to check out these amazing hiking and walking trails in Volcanoes National Park.
For those seeking an adventurous alternative to the typical tourist activities, a horseback riding tour with Paniolo Adventures promises a unique look at rural Hawaiian life.
Silver Crest Farms provided horseback riding tours on the Big Island’s southeastern side until the 2018 Kilauea Eruption devastated their property and the nearby trails.
For history buffs and those fascinated by Hawaiian culture, the Big Island has many fascinating attractions to visit.
The cultural and historical significance of the Kailua-Kona area simply can’t be missed. Make sure to see these historical sites on your stroll through town.
Offering a fun evening activity for the whole family, Makani Stargazing and Glow Golf Experience is an amazing opportunity to view the starry night time skies.
Mauna Kea is the tallest sea mountain in the world, offering unprecedented views of the heavens above. So get ready for some stargazing like you’ve never seen before.
Specializing in ocean tours, Kalapana Lava Boat offers lava tours when lava is flowing and whale, dolphin and waterfall tours in season.
Experience the Big Island’s volcanic activity, a miracle of nature that isn’t found elsewhere on planet Earth. Hawaii provides incredible access to see the red glow of molten lava.
No visit to the Big Island would be complete without heading out to see flowing lava. There are many ways to see the flows but a Lava Boat tour is a real treat.
The original lava boat tour company on the Big Island, Lava Ocean Tours offers a variety of ocean adventures.
Hawaiian-owned and operated, this Lava Boat tour brings you to the incredible ocean entry of the lava flows for an impressive view.
An oversized and affordable lava tour, Kalapana Cultural Tours offers everything you need to be comfortable and entertained on your adventure.
Experience The Painted Church, where Father John Berchmans Velghe painted the interior walls of Saint Benedict’s Catholic Church with beautiful murals depicting biblical scenes.
A historic agricultural wonder located south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, the Kona Coffee Living History Museum and H.N. Greenwell Store is everything a coffee lover could ask for.
Should you find yourself on the Island of Hawaii, whale watching is an unforgettable experience that will be a highlight of your vacation.
World-renowned for the quality and consistency of its beans, Kona Coffee alone is worth a trip to the Big Island.
The Botanical Gardens on the Big Island of Hawaii are as diverse as the island itself, with everything from tropical gardens, to orchid farms and rainforest zoos to explore.
A place of both historic and natural importance, Kealakekua Bay along the Big Island’s western coast is a remarkable spot to hike, snorkel and see the sights.
in historic downtown Hilo you will find the beautiful Lili’uokalani Gardens, the largest, authentic Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan.
This colorful botanical garden is home to many lovely plants, roaming peacocks and unique sculptural elements located around the grounds.
This 12 acre zoo and garden offers a fun and free family activity in Hilo, Hawaii and is celebrated as the only naturally, occurring tropical rainforest zoo in the United States.
With over 500 blooming orchids on display, the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens is an incredible collection of rare and beautiful, high quality plants.
The peace sanctuary is 7 acres of a tropical botanical paradise with manicured pathways, rare Hawaiian plants and peaceful settings for meditation.
This beautiful botanical garden offers over 400 acres of incredible lush tropical plants, a massive collection of wild orchids as well as exciting Zipline and Segway tours.
