Big Island
Active volcanoes, manta ray night dives, and stargazing from Mauna Kea.
🌺 Чем заняться
26 избранных занятий
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Volcano
The only place in the world to witness an active shield volcano in real time. Kilauea has erupted continuously in various forms since 1983. Drive Crater Rim Drive, walk Thurston Lava Tube (free, 10 min loop), and drive all 19 miles of Chain of Craters Road to where lava met the ocean — the road simply ends in a lava field. Kilauea Iki Trail (6km crater floor hike) is the best single activity in the park. Check current eruption status at nps.gov/havo before going. Always check the vog index (vog.higp.hawaii.edu) before the day — sulfur dioxide from the caldera can cause serious respiratory distress for anyone with asthma or heart conditions.
Mauna Kea Summit Stargazing
Mauna Kea
At 13,796 feet, Mauna Kea is one of the world's premier astronomical sites — the Milky Way looks painted on. Two very different experiences: (1) The Visitor Information Station (VIS) at 9,200ft — free, no 4WD required, open nightly 6–10pm, telescopes available. VIS staff run a free public stargazing evening with larger telescopes once a month (reservation required; check ifa.hawaii.edu/vis). This is excellent for anyone without a 4WD vehicle. (2) Summit at 13,796ft — requires a 4WD vehicle above the VIS; rental cars are neither permitted nor insured on the unpaved summit road. Mandatory: acclimatize 30+ minutes at the VIS before going higher. No children under 13 above 13,000ft recommended. Temperature at summit: 30–45°F with extreme wind chill regardless of the coast forecast.
Aliʻi Drive Evening Stroll & Dinner, Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona
Easy, flat, walkable strip along Kailua Bay past Mokuaikaua Church and Huliheʻe Palace, ending at oceanfront restaurants for sunset dinner; good low-key evening for travelers already based in Kona town.
Maunakea Visitor Information Station Sunset & Stargazing
Mauna Kea
Free sunset viewing and naked-eye stargazing with staff-led sky talks at 9,200 ft; there have been no public telescopes since 2019 (safety/overcrowding), so this is not a telescope-viewing stop.
Island Breeze Lūʻau, Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona
The in-town Kona lūʻau (no shuttle needed for clients staying in Kailua-Kona), set at Kamakahonu / Ahuʻena Heiau, Kamehameha the Great's former residence — standard buffet-and-Polynesian-show format. Schedule and price are third-party-confirmed, not pulled from the operator's own price page, so verify the current adult rate and that the date is running before quoting a client.
Kīholo Bay
Kohala Coast
Turquoise lagoon and black-lava bay north of Kona with green sea turtles in the shallows; a fifteen-minute walk in from the highway lot. Bring water — no shade.
🥾 Походы
2 тропы
Green Sand Beach (Papakolea)
Ka Lae
One of only four green sand beaches in the world — color from olivine crystals eroding from a cinder cone. The dramatic crescent bowl is hidden behind a cliff, making arrival genuinely surprising. Strong waves crash directly onto the sand — swimming is dangerous here.
Pololū Valley Lookout & Beach Trail
North Kohala
The most dramatic valley viewpoint on the Big Island — a sweeping panorama over Pololū Bay and the green-walled valley, with the north Kohala sea cliffs stretching beyond in both directions. The 10-minute descent to the black sand beach is steep but manageable and completely worth it (swimming is prohibited due to powerful shore break and currents). The black sand, wild vegetation, and total isolation create a landscape that feels genuinely primordial. An ideal drive-and-stop on the way back from a North Kohala day.
🏨 Где остановиться
25 проверенных объектов
Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
★ РекомендуемKohala Coast
Gracious resort on Pauoa Bay with a protected swimming beach (rare for the Kohala Coast). Spa Without Walls treatment areas are outdoor, set in lava rock gardens. Brown's Beach House at sunset is romantic and excellent.
Hilton Waikoloa Village
Kohala Coast
62-acre fantasy resort: monorail, boat rides, dolphin lagoon, multiple pools. Overwhelming in the best way for families. The Dolphin Quest program (swim with dolphins) is world-class — book months ahead. Buy the resort fee package upfront — it saves money.
Royal Kona Resort
Kona
Oceanfront in downtown Kona with a saltwater swimming lagoon. Not luxurious but the location and views are excellent at the price. Walking distance to restaurants and the snorkeling at Snorkel Bob's. Skip the garden-view rooms — only ocean view is worth it.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort
Kohala Coast
Directly above Hapuna Beach — consistently voted Hawaii's #1 beach for swimming. Contemporary renovation completed 2019. Beach access alone justifies the room rate. Excellent value compared to its Four Seasons neighbor.
Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa
Kailua-Kona
Built into a lava flow on Keauhou Bay — manta rays feed below the restaurant terrace on most evenings. Oceanside pool over lava. Best resort in Kailua-Kona proper.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Autograph Collection
Kohala Coast
A classic — opened in 1965, the first true luxury resort in Hawaii. Private Kauna'oa Beach is exquisite. An extraordinary Asian and Pacific Art collection (1,600 pieces) lines the corridors. Lunchtime at the Pavilion is a Hawaii tradition.
🍽️ Где поесть
8 мест, где едят наши эксперты
Da Poke Shack
Kailua-Kona
Da Poke Shack (Kailua-Kona) — the best poke in Kona and consistently rated among the best on the island. Small counter, limited daily batches — arrive before noon or it sells out; closed Saturday and Sunday. Ahi shoyu and spicy ahi are the moves. Take it to the seawall.
Huggo's on the Rocks
Kailua-Kona
Huggo's on the Rocks (Kailua-Kona, on Alii Dr) — toes in the lava, drinks in hand as the sun drops into the Pacific. Not the strongest menu but the location is the point: an open-air bar built directly on the volcanic rock above the water. The best sunset drink spot in Kona. Go for drinks, not dinner.
Island Lava Java
Kailua-Kona
Island Lava Java (Kailua-Kona, Ali'i Drive) — oceanfront cafe with local Kona coffee. Eggs Benedict with Portuguese sausage and macadamia nut pancakes are essential. Best breakfast in Kona with open-air ocean seating.
The Coffee Shack
Captain Cook
The Coffee Shack (Captain Cook, on Hwy 11) — breakfast and lunch with one of the best views of any restaurant in Hawaii: a cliff-edge terrace looking directly down over Captain Cook Bay from 1,200 feet. Eggs, sandwiches, and genuinely good coffee from the farms below. Closed Wednesdays. ~15 min from Kealakekua Bay.
Hilo Farmers Market
Hilo
Hilo Farmers Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays, corner of Mamo St and Kamehameha Ave) — the best farmers market in Hawaii for local atmosphere and product quality. Arrive by 8am for the best produce and the fewest people. Wednesday is larger than Saturday. Buy fresh coconuts, rambutan, lychee (in season), and watch the prices drop to half what they are in Kona.
Ken's House of Pancakes
Hilo
Ken's House of Pancakes (Hilo) — the local institution; no longer 24 hours since 2020, now daily 6am–9pm. Order the Portuguese sausage omelette with rice. Enormous portions at astonishing prices. Cash preferred but cards accepted.
📅 События
49 событий в календаре
2026-01-01
New Year's Day Virtual Run - Hilo (Big Island)
2026-01-03
Quadrantid meteor shower (peak)
The Quadrantids are one of the year's strongest meteor showers, with a brief, sharp peak in early January that can produce 40 or more meteors per hour under dark skies. Because Hawaiʻi has some of the clearest, darkest skies in the U.S., the islands are a superb place to watch. Look in the hours before dawn, away from town lights — a high-elevation spot or a dark leeward beach is ideal. No telescope needed; just let your eyes adjust for 20 minutes.
2026-01-18
Playtri Hawaii Camp
2026-02-28
Big Island Road Runners Waikaumalo Fun Run
2026-03-29
HATA 5K Fun Run
2026-04-04
43rd Annual Mac-a-thon
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