What to see and do on the Big Island of Hawaii

The Big Island of Hawaii is a spectacular place to explore. You will enjoy a wide range of activities including sightseeing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, water sports, dolphin swim tours, deep sea fishing, whale watching and much more. Plan your own island exploration itinerary or just take the Big Island tour and let them drive you while you take in the beauty of Hawaii.

No matter where you start your exploration from, you must visit the city of Hilo, which is the largest city on the island of Hawaii. When you arrive in Hilo, go to the Jaggar Museum located at the Halemaumau Crater Lookout. Halemaumau is the home of Pele, the goddess of the volcano. The Hilo Farmers Market is also a very popular place to visit and sample local cuisine, buy fruits and vegetables, perhaps some delicious macadamia honey, and peruse an endless variety of handicrafts. The best days to go are Wednesdays or Saturdays, when generally more than 200 local farmers and artisans attend.

No trip would be complete without visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The two active volcanoes are Kilauea and Mauna Loa. The 4,000 foot tall Kilauea is the one everyone wants to see. The Kilauea Visitor Center will provide you with up-to-date information on the trails and where you can see the lava flow. Plan to spend most of the day here because you are looking for a 3-hour hike or 11-mile drive along Crater Rim Drive. The scenery is breathtaking as you pass through the Kilauea caldera and through lush rainforest. This is a place you’ll talk about for years, even if you didn’t see the lava flow while you were there.

Anaehoomalu Bay is located within the Waikoloa Resort complex and is a great place for swimming and snorkeling. This is an amazing place to observe sea turtles in the ocean and on the beach. The beach is widely known as A-Bay Beach and to get there, simply take Highway 19 North from Kona towards the Kohala Resort area. It is approximately 27 miles from Kona. The Hilton Waikoloa Village has some of the most beautiful pools and tropical scenery on the island and is worth a visit for these reasons alone. They also have a 175ft waterslide in their Kona Pool and their Kohala River Pool is actually 4 pools interconnected by waterslides.

The Kona Coast is called the Blue Marlin Capital of the World for good reason. If you like deep sea fishing, the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the best places to go out on the water. Fishing is excellent with the opportunity to fish for Marlin, Mahi Mahi, or Wahoo. Book your favorite fishing boat and get ready for a great day. As a bonus, you can experience seeing humpback whales. Some fishing boats include amazing snorkeling near the Captain Cook Monument, where you’ll see a fantastic variety of fish as part of your deep sea fishing package.

This large island in Hawaii has a unique spectrum of incredible things to see and do that you won’t find on the other islands. Consider visiting two or three Hawaiian islands on your next vacation, and make sure Hawaii is on your must-see list.

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