Things to do · Island of Hawai'i, Hawaii, US

Things to Do in Island of Hawai'i

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Getting there
Most visitors arrive via Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA), which sits roughly 45 km south of Kailua‑Kona, or via Kahului International Airport (OGG) about 170 km north of Hilo; both handle regular flights from the U.S. mainland and a few Pacific islands. A drive or shuttle from the airport to the main towns is the usual way to reach your base, with car rentals widely available.
Who goes
The island welcomes roughly two million tourists each year, drawing a mix of adventure‑seeking families, solo backpackers and retirees looking for a relaxed pace. The busiest period falls between December and March, when mainland travelers escape winter, while the quieter stretch runs from late spring into early summer, offering more space on popular sites.
Budgeting
A careful traveler can expect to spend around $80‑120 USD per day (≈ ¥11,000‑¥16,500), while a comfortable pace runs closer to $150‑250 USD (≈ ¥21,000‑¥35,000), with lodging and meals taking the biggest share. To stretch your dollars, consider staying in a locally‑run guesthouse or vacation rental and cooking a few meals from fresh market ingredients. Estimate →

  1. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    park · 4.7 rating · $30

    A vast volcanic landscape centered on Kīlauea, with crater overlooks, lava tubes, rainforest trails, and the Chain of Craters Road; the listed fee is the seven-day private-vehicle pass.

  2. ʻAkaka Falls State Park

    park · 4.5 rating · $5

    A short paved rainforest loop to the 442-foot ʻAkaka Falls; the listed nonresident fee is per person, with separate nonresident parking.

  3. Mauna Kea Summit

    mountain · 4.7 rating · Free

    Hawaiʻi’s highest summit, renowned for high-altitude sunsets and astronomy; check road, weather, vehicle, and cultural-access guidance before going.

  4. Rainbow Falls

    waterfall · 4.2 rating · Free

    An easily reached Hilo waterfall where morning light can create rainbows in the mist above the Wailuku River.

  5. Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area

    attraction · 4.7 rating · $5

    One of the island’s best-known white-sand beaches, popular for swimming and sunsets when ocean conditions are calm.

  6. Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

    park · 4.6 rating · $20

    A deeply significant Hawaiian place of refuge with reconstructed temples, kiʻi, royal grounds, and a coastal trail; the listed fee is the seven-day private-vehicle pass.

  7. Papakōlea Green Sand Beach

    beach · 4.4 rating · Free

    A remote olivine-sand cove reached by a hot, exposed coastal hike; carry water and avoid unauthorized vehicle rides.

  8. Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

    park · 4.5 rating · Free

    A striking black-sand cove where Hawaiian green sea turtles often rest; admire wildlife from the required respectful distance.

  9. Kīlauea Iki Trail

    trail · 4.8 rating · $30

    A signature crater hike descending through rainforest onto the solidified 1959 lava lake; admission is included with the national-park pass.

  10. Manini'owali Beach

    beach · 4.7 rating · Free

    A favorite beach in Kona known for clear water.

  11. Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm

    aquarium · 4.5 rating · $79

    An educational Kona aquaculture tour with seahorses, sea dragons, tide pools, and a supervised seahorse encounter; advance booking is recommended.

  12. The Vanillerie

    experience · 4.9 rating · $27

    Farm tour to see, smell, taste, and feel vanilla growing on the vine in shade house oases near Kona.

  13. Waipiʻo Valley Lookout

    attraction · 4.6 rating · Free

    A dramatic overlook across a sacred, steep-walled valley and black-sand shoreline; valley-road access is restricted, so use lawful tours or the lookout.

  14. Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm Tours & Konalani Coffee Bar

    experience · 4.9 rating · $27

    Scenic, hands-on working coffee farm experience above the Kona coastline.

  15. Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach

    beach · Free

    An iconic crescent of pale sand and generally calm water fronting Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Public beach parking is limited, so arrive early and check ocean conditions before swimming.

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