Manta Magic, a night manta rays snorkel experience by Hawaii Oceanic.These preferred operators guarantee a sustainable manta rays tour with attention for the well-being of these intriguing animals on Big Island Hawaii. The second option is a manta ray night diving tour for certified divers who can watch the manta rays from the ocean floor. There are two options to see manta rays up close: The first one is a manta ray snorkeling tour, during which snorkelers hold on to a lit up flotation device and see the manta rays below the surface. These majestic animals are active after dark when they feed on plankton. Ever since our visit, our kids have been obsessed with volcanoes and they take every opportunity to give a lecture about it in the classroom.Īnother creature that calls the Hawaiian waters home are manta rays. Do take into account that there are is no gas station or food stand along the Chain of Craters Road.Īnd a special note to our fellow family travelers: “Travel is still the most intense mode of learning” by Kevin Kelly is one of our all-time favorite family travel quotes and certainly applies to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can drive all 18.8 miles (30.3 km) of the Chain of Craters road with a regular car. Other popular attractions in this national park are the Thurston Lava Tube, the Crater Rim Drive and the Chain of Craters road. We just had to list this experience in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park first in this list of best things to do on the Big Island because it was nothing short of sensational. This Kilauea Iki crater is not the main Kilauea caldera but a side crater, hence the name Kilauea Iki which translates as Little Kilauea. This loop trail known to be one of the most spectacular hiking trails in Hawaii since it leads hikers all the way to a volcanic crater. We were lucky enough to visit this national park just 2 weeks before the 2018 Kilauea eruption and hiked the Kilauea Iki Trail. This magnificent Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site is home to two active volcanoes: the Mauna Loa and the infamous Kilauea. Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is an incredible experience. We’re over half-way this Big Island bucket list ourselves and can’t wait to return to this amazing place in order to tackle the other essential activities on Big Island. What are your favorite things to do on the Big Island?įrom Hilo attractions to Kona experiences and everything in between, the order in which the activities on the Big Island are listed, is purely the result of our personal preference.įirst up, the best things to do on Big Island Hawaii that we consider truly essential must-do’s, then we continue with other awesome Big Island attractions and travel tips that are perfect for longer (or second) trips.Getting around on the Big Island of Hawaii.Map of these things to do on Big Island Hawaii.Enjoy a mai tai at the Lava Lava Beach Club Watch the waves crash at Laupahoehoe Point Take the Pepe’eko scenic drive to the Hamakua Coast Explore the bay and ponds of the Kiholo State Park Reserve Admire the original King Kamehameha statue Get some freshly sliced coconut from a local food stall Spend the night in a dreamy cabin in the woods Join a horse-riding tour at the historic Parker Ranch in Waimea Swim with turtles at Carlsmith Beach Park or Richardson Ocean Park See where the hot lava flows into the ocean Spend the night in your very own waterfall retreat Discover the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens Go whale-watching (seasonal activity: winter only) Learn about Hawaiian culture at Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park For more information, visit the Disclaimer page. As Amazon Associates, we also earn from qualifying purchases. Clicking on such a hyperlink and booking on the accommodation platform it refers to, may result in a commission for CosmopoliClan at no additional cost to you. Let’s have a look at the most mind-blowing things to do on Big Island Hawaii in 2023.Īffiliate links are sprinkled throughout the site content. We truly consider it to be the best Hawaiian island for families with a love for outdoor travel. Combine this with the many cultural sites that dot Hawaii Big Island, the delicious local produce and the most unique accommodations and you know you’re in for an unforgettable trip. This natural abundance makes the Big Island the perfect place for an action-packed vacation in Hawaii. Did you know that the Big Island of Hawaii is home to 3 active volcanoes (2 of which make up Hawaii Volcanoes National Park), features 8 different climate zones and gets bigger every day? Let us introduce you to some of the best things to do on Big Island Hawaii. Are you looking to plan an adventurous Hawaiian vacation? You’ve come to the right place.

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