16 Great Places to Play on Hawaii's Big Island
Table of Contents
Stories and photos by Joeann Fossland (unless otherwise indicated)
Hike to a Black Sand Beach
Past Hawi, in North Kohala, you’ll literally come to the end of the road at the stunning Pololu Valley Overlook. There is a breathtaking view of the verdant green cliffs and black sand beach below. Parking is along the roadside, so take what you can find.
To hike down to the black sand beach, there is a wide path. It is a slippery hike if there’s been rain and it is a bit steep. A walking stick is a good idea. It is about a 30-minute hike down and, perhaps, a little longer coming back up.
If hiking isn’t your cup of tea, take some pictures from the Overlook.
Eat Chocolate Macadamia Ice Cream at Mauna Loa Store
The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp. is located a few miles outside of Hilo, towards the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. From Highway 11, you’ll drive a couple of miles through the 2,500-acre orchard to get to the visitor’s center. They offer free tastes of all their different kinds of macadamias and have a small deli counter.
On weekdays, you can tour tour the factory. We always stop here for the best chocolate macadamia ice cream in the world! While you eat your ice cream, you can get educated about macadamias by watching the short video that describes the whole, labor-intensive process.
See a Volcano Up Close and Personal
Covering 523 square miles, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, is a huge park that you can spend days exploring. From 1983-2018, there was continual volcanic activity culminating in May 2018 with earthquakes and lava flows that took out over 400 homes and created acres of new land.
Though still considered active, the Kilauea Volcano was quiet except for some steam escaping, when we visited in early 2020. Many areas, including the Jagger Museum, are still closed but you can drive the 22 miles on Chain of Craters Road, through the park down towards the sea. When you check in at the guard gate, they will give you a great map, showing the open roads and areas. Check online for the current volcanic activity.
Cowboy County Horseback Ride
Though you’ve probably come for the beaches, horseback riding is a popular activity on the Big Island. You’ll find large ranches, colorful paniolo (cowboys), and there are more horses and cattle than on any other Hawaiian island.
Most of the trail rides are in the northern part of the island. Waipio Valley is stunning, offering rides that take you places no vehicle can go — from waterfalls and taro patches, to cliff edges and valley floors.
In the Waimea and Kohala areas, you can ride across the range of a working cattle ranch to experience the life of a Hawaiian cowboy.
In South Kona, several stables take you right down to Kealakekua Bay and to the Captain Cook Monument where you can take a break from the trail with a refreshing swim and picnic.
This is the Land of Waterfalls
A few minutes from downtown Hilo is Wailuku River State Park, where you’ll find Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots. Most days, especially in the morning, you can see the rainbow in the mist as the falls cascade. There is an easy trail around the falls where you can hike up and stand at the top.
North of Hilo, you’ll find 422-foot Akaka Falls, on a half-mile loop trail in a state park ($5 admission per vehicle). There are good, easy paths to walk with spectacular views of the falls.
A little further north on Route 19, are the triple-tiered Umauma Falls. It’s an easy self-guided hike. For the more adventurous, there are zipline tours.
Hilo Botanical Gardens, Hawaii
Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden comprises forty acres, overlooking Onomea Bay. It has over 2000 species of plants identified with little signs along hiking trails. Wandering through the manicured trails, you’ll see plants clustered and identified.
There is also a wonderful gift shop at the entrance.
There is an entrance fee but it is totally worth it!
This free Rainforest Zoo & Gardens houses over 80 rainforest and endangered Hawaii animals and is home to a large botanical garden. Located on 12 acres, just outside Hilo, the zoo and gardens are home to many unusual animals, such as the “Kona Nightengale” donkeys, a couple of bengal tigers and a butterfly house with giant anteaters.
The petting zoo and playground will delight the kids.
Go To a Coffee Farm
South of Kona is coffee country. There are 650 farms covering 3,500 acres cultivating Kona’s famous coffee on the hills here.
Stop to learn about Kona coffee’s history, science, and culture with a free tour at Greenwell Farms. This plantation is one of the oldest on the island. Sip some coffee and, perhaps, purchase some to take home. You’ll see several other farms and tasting rooms along the road.
See and Hold the Seahorses
This hidden gem is located behind the airport on three acres. Since 1998, Ocean Rider Seahorse Farms of Kona Hawaii has operated as a self-sufficient, family-run business that established itself has one of the world’s first farm raised seahorse facilities. They have one hour guided, educational tours that include holding one of them. You must make reservations for the paid tours.
World Class Snorkeling
Hawaii’s crystal clear water offers amazing snorkeling opportunities. From the Mauna Kea Beach Resort, snorkeling is easy in calm waters and a protected bay. For a splurge, book a half day on one of the snorkeling tours. All the equipment will be included and they will take you out to the bays that have the best viewing.
Snorkel with Manta Rays: Nighttime is the time to see or swim with these amazing creatures. They eat plankton and lights at night attract them. These gentle creatures have no stingers or barbs. The Keauhou Bay, just south of the Kona Airport, is home to a large school of manta rays with wingspans of up to 20 feet.
South of Kona, you can snorkel (or even dive) with these majestic creatures after the sun sets, just off the coast of the Sheraton Keauhou Bay. There is a manta ray learning center at the Sheraton Kona. Presentations are given most nights around 6 PM with information of the behavioral patterns, life cycles and feeding.
Eat a Malasada
Don’t leave Hawaii without having a malasada!
Hawaiian (or Portuguese) pastries, called malasadas, are rolled in sugar stuffed with chocolate, guava, mango, haupia or Bavarian cream. On the side of the road right before Hapuna Beach, you’ll see the Hot Malasadas Truck (395 A Mamalahoa Hwy).
Or, if you are on the other side of the island, stop at the Tex Drive In.
Helicopter Ride Gives a Bird’s Eye View
A big splurge offering unparalleled views is a helicopter ride over the Waipi’o Valley or the active volcanic activity. You will see waterfalls and cliffs and valleys that are wild and beautiful. When there is volcanic activity, this is the best way to see Mother Nature’s power and beauty.
Whale Watching
South Point
Thousands of Humpback whales visit the Hawaiian waters each year from November to May. They birth their babies in the warm waters here. If you look for the splashes off shore, you can catch a glimpse of these whales from the land, especially driving north towards Hawi from Kona and Waikoloa. Boat tours and whale watching cruises are plentiful, allowing you a close-up experience.
Here is one you can check this off of your bucket list! South Point (or properly called Kalae) is the most southern point in the United States.
South of Kona about 45 minutes, you turn off Route 11 onto the narrow, but well-marked road and travel in about 12 miles. It will feel surreal when you pass through a field of huge wind generators on the way. At the parking lot at the end of the road, you will be standing on top of some steep cliffs. I was satisfied just standing at the southern-most point. You may be more adventurous and want to take a 5.5 mile hike. If you do, from the parking lot, the trail will take you to the Papakōlea Green Sand Beach. Swimming is not recommended here due to treacherous tides.
Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s Markets are found all over the island and most have more than just produce. While you can buy coffee, honey and organic fruits and vegetables, these are the best places to buy your souvenirs. You will find jewelry, Aloha shirts and dresses, artwork, foods and more.
The Hilo’s Farmer’s Market is the biggest and the best. Go on Wednesday or Saturday when there are over 200 booths! You can plan on lunch and then shop for hours.
This baby boomer hippie chick was bitten by the travel bug decades ago and has never recovered. She has adventured through over 30 countries and 4 continents and can often be found on a warm island beach. Sharing tips and experiences to inspire others to live their dreams makes her filled with joy. She loves hot springs, historic hotels, beaches, food and tennis. A member of TravMedia, Travel Massive, ITWPA (International Travel Writers & Photographers Alliance) and IFWTWA (International Food Wine Travel Writers Association), she is published in numerous magazines and e-zines. Her blog is at http://www.JoeannsView.com