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.
keep exploring
Throughout the Big Island, you’ll find amazing natural beauty, but nowhere else but Kohala offers the adventure and sightseeing opportunities – and Kohala Zipline is the perfect provider.
One of the most exhilarating and memorable adventure experiences on the Big Island, Umauma Falls and Zipline Experience Tours is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the whole family.
One of the most unique and engaging farms you can experience on the Big Island, Big Island Bees offers tours and a great gift shop with their island-made goods.
Spanning throughout the Big Island’s most notable natural attractions, Paradise Helicopters offers luxury aerial tour experiences the whole family can enjoy.
A splendid aerial tour experience soaring above the Big Island, Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours brings the best of Hawaii to you with a unique perspective.
With knowledgeable guides and access to some of the Big Island’s most prized lands, Hawaii Forest and Trail brings you closer to the true beauty of the island.
An award-winning aerial tour that takes you throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Blue Hawaiian is a reliable and exciting air tour for the whole family.
The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corporation offers a fun and tasty visitor center experience for guests to the Big Island.
The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden is a 40-acre natural garden of tropical plants and a nature lover’s paradise located in the Onomea Valley.
Teeming with protected and endangered species, Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm allows you and your family to see and interact with these unique animals.
The Waipio Valley Shuttle is an easy and safe way to explore the wondrous “Valley of the Kings” along the northeastern end of the Big Island, the tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing experience.
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.
Na’alapa Stables and their unique take on Big Island horseback riding provides an incredible opportunity for adventurous visitors to enjoy the beauty and grace of Hawaii.
Sunshine Helicopters is a Big Island institution in the aerial tour industry, offering incredible views of the greatest natural attractions on the Island of Hawaii.
Nani Mau, meaning Forever Beautiful, is a gorgeous botanical garden with fruit orchards, orchids, ginger and hibiscus gardens as well as an anthurium grove.
Locally-owned and operated right on Hawaii’s Big Island, Wasabi Tours does things different. With expert guides and ever-changing adventures, you’ll be as excited as you’ll be blown away.
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.
When the lava reaches the ocean, Hawaii lava boat tours are an unforgettable experience that brings you to the incredible ocean entry of the lava flows for an impressive view.
An incredible opportunity to experience the lava flows in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park up close and personal, Volcano Bike Tours offers affordability and reliability throughout your tour.
An exciting zip-line tour company that combines aerial action with treks through the rainforest, this makes for a fun family vacation activity.
For those seeking soaring sightseeing and adventure opportunities on the Big Island, KapohoKine Adventures can make it happen in incredible style.
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.
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.
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.
This educational botanical garden, started by Professor Don Hemmes in the 1980s, is home to some rare and beautiful plant collections.
One of the main agricultural exports on the Big Island, macadamia nuts are a delicious, healthy treat and there’s no better place to try them yourself than at Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company.
A specialized tour company with an emphasis on customer service, a tour with Keikana Tours promises an action-packed adventure.
A small, convenient tour company with decades of experience on Hawaii’s Big Island, the Volcano Van helps you make the most of your vacation.
Offering a well-rounded tour experience that takes you to the top of the Big Island’s greatest geologic feature, Mauna Kea Summit Adventures makes reaching the summit easy.
Helping to maintain the history and culture of the Big Island’s past residents, the Lyman Museum and Mission House holds an important role in preserving their contributions.
Renown for being the first patented, trellised coffee plantation, Kona Joe Coffee is among the world’s finest 100% Kona Coffee.
For over 15 years, Hula Daddy owners Lee and Karen Paterson have provided some of the world’s very best coffees in small batches, winning dozens of tasting awards along the way.
An organic and widely acclaimed producer of authentic Kona Coffee on the Big Island.
