40 Best Non-Touristy Things to Do on Hawaiʻi Island (The Big Island)
The Island of Hawaiʻi, or more commonly known as the Big Island, is the largest of all the Hawaiian Islands and is renowned for its vastly diverse landscapes and natural beauty.
From the towering snowy alpine summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, to the lush rainforests along the Hāmākua Coast and the Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaiʻi Island offers a wide range of adventures and geologic wonders to explore!
Why am I Recommending these Big Island Tours?
One of my favorite things about booking through Viator is the reserve-now-and-pay-later option. As long as you’re booking more than three days in advance, you have the option to book ahead and cancel in the future if you change your mind.
Additionally, I’ve included these tours for two reasons. First, venturing out to some of the local spots that I’ve listed below might not be the way you want to go, but more importantly, some experiences simply can’t be done without booking a tour.
That being said, the tour options that I’ve listed below are a great way to have a 'more guaranteed experience,' which can definitely be safer and more kid-friendly than some of my recommendations.
40 Best Things to Do on Hawaiʻi Island
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst, but more importantly, I talk about what NOT to do at the end, such as how to keep your car from getting broken into. Don’t skip over the end!
That being said, when I wrote about Maui, I talked about how big the island was in terms of driving, and while the Island of Hawaiʻi may be much bigger, the roads on the Big Island are significantly less windy.
Moreover, since a drive on the Big Island can take anywhere from 1-3 hours, depending on where you are going, I recommend that you break up your trip with some nights on the Hilo side and some nights on the Kailua-Kona side.
1. ʻAkaka Falls
ʻAkaka Falls is a beautiful 442-ft. (135 m) waterfall located just a few miles outside of Hilo along the Hāmākua Coast.
Since ʻAkaka Falls is such a quick stop, I personally recommend visiting the waterfall on a day where you’re driving to or from Hilo, such as making the long drive along the Hāmākua Coast out to Waipiʻo or Pololū.
Google Maps Directions: ʻAkaka Falls
2. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Simply recommending Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a bit of a loaded suggestion, as you could spend many days in all different areas of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and still not see it all!
That being said, I wrote an entirely separate post, very similar to this one, where I list the best things to do in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, so that you can make the most of your time.
Read My Separate Post: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
3. Kaulana Manu Nature Trail
Distance: 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
The Kaulana Manu Nature Trail is one of the most beautiful and pristine native Hawaiian forests that you can hike through!
The quick and easy 0.6-mile (1.0 km) trail makes for a great family-friendly adventure, as well as a wildlife photographer’s paradise.
All said, Kaulana Manu is my personal favorite trail off Saddle Road that I recommend exploring, along with some of the other trails off the highway, like Kaūmana or Puʻu Huluhulu, because Kaulana Manu is so easy!
Read My Separate Post: Kaulana Manu Nature Trail
4. Kohala Helicopter Tour
When you think of Big Island helicopter tours, break them up into three categories.
First, there are helicopter tours that circle the entire island, seeing everything along the coast but with less time over each location. Second, there are tours that focus entirely on Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and third, there are helicopter tours that fly solely along the Kohala Coast, which is exactly what this recommendation is about.
I suggest breaking them up like this because the Island of Hawaiʻi truly has that many areas to see, meaning that you’ll want to decide which sounds most interesting to you.
I can tell you from experience on the Kohala Coast that the ruggedness and sheer beauty of the sea cliffs and waterfalls are second to none, and all this can be experienced with an optional waterfall landing in one of the most remote and pristine valleys on the Big Island!
5. Ola Brew (Hilo & Kailua-Kona)
Everyone thinks of the Kona Brewing Company when talking about Big Island Breweries, but what most don’t know is that the vast majority of Kona Brewing’s operation is not local to Hawaiʻi.
It’s for this reason and many others that I prefer Ola Brewing over Kona Brewing any day of the week.
You can find them in both downtown Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
Yelp: Ola Brew Co
6. Rainbow Falls (Hilo)
Similar to ʻAkaka Falls, Rainbow Falls is another beautiful drive-up waterfall on the east side of the Big Island.
Personally, I think that Rainbow Falls makes for a great stop when you don’t have too much planned for the day because the waterfall is so easy and quick to see.
Google Maps Directions: Rainbow Falls
7. Hilo Farmers Market
[Open Daily: 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.]
The Hilo Farmers Market is not only one of the best ways to buy locally-grown produce, but on certain days, you can find a variety of crafts made by local artists, great food truck vendors, and so much more!
Check out their Facebook page to learn more.
Google Maps Directions: Hilo Farmers Market
8. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Helicopter Tour
If you haven’t, read my longer breakdown about Big Island helicopter tours under the Kohala tour up above.
That being said, these Big Island helicopter tours focus solely on seeing the best of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which can include both Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
If Kīlauea happens to be erupting during your visit, then this is the tour I recommend booking over any other! There’s nothing quite like seeing an active eruption from the air, especially during the early and late hours of the day.
9. Hawaiian Style Café (Hilo)
The Hawaiian Style Cafe in Hilo has been consistently rated as one of the best places to eat to in all of Hawaiʻi.
If you’re looking for an amazing local place to sit down for breakfast, make sure to check them out!
Yelp: Hawaiian Style Café
10. Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
Distance: 0.4 miles / 0.6 km
Personally, I feel that some of the best things to do within the National Park are worth highlighting outside of my separate Hawaiʻi Volcanoes post, and the Nāhuku Lava Tube is easily one of those destinations.
Overall, Nāhuku is a quick and easy hike through one of the most beautiful and biodiverse parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, and I highly recommend putting this one on your list when exploring the Chain of Craters Road!
Read My Separate Post: Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) Trail
11. Walk the Bay Front (Hilo)
Exploring the bay front in downtown Hilo is a great way to see some of the best local shops that Hilo has to offer!
There are restaurants, coffee and gift shops, and some of the best photography galleries across all the islands! One of the photographers is a friend of mine, but I can honestly and unbiasedly say that the photos he has created during the Mauna Loa and numerous Kīlauea eruptions are second to none!
12. Luquin’s 454 (Hilo & Pāhoa)
Luquin’s is arguably the best Mexican restaurant on the Big Island!
Whether you’re just checking out Rainbow Falls or staying a few nights on the east side, I highly recommend dining in at Luquin’s!
Yelp: Luquin’s 454
13. Manta Ray Tour
Unlike a whale tour, which is seasonal across all the islands, Manta Rays can be seen year-round in Hawaiʻi!
Before booking, consider in your planning that Manta Ray tours are always night tours, which is the best and only way to experience these beautiful creatures!
14. Mauna Loa Trail (Puʻu ʻUlaʻula)
The Red Hill Cabin on Mauna Loa is one of the best overnight backpacking trips that you can do on the Big Island!
If you think you’re up an epic backcountry adventure, consider reserving the Red Hill Cabin permit, which you can read about in more detail in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Puʻu ʻUlaʻula (Red Hill Cabin)
15. Aaron’s Cottage (Hilo)
If you’re looking for a quiet and more affordable place to stay in Hilo, I personally recommend Aaron’s Cottage.
Aaron’s Cottage is located just minutes away from the airport, and all of the great shops to walk around and see in downtown Hilo.
On top of this, there’s a little-known local beach at the end of the dead-end road, which is only a few minutes away on foot from Aaron’s Cottage!
Aaron’s Cottage
16. Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
Distance (Roundtrip): 5.6 miles / 9.0 km
If you’re visiting the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, add the Green Sand Beach to your must-see bucket list!
Papakōlea is truly on of those places where photos simply don’t show how beautiful and green the sand really is!
Overall, there are generally three different ways to make the journey out to the Green Sand Beach, which I strongly encourage you to read more about in my separate post, as there are a few things to consider when deciding between the drive, the shuttle, or the hike.
Read My Separate Post: Papakōlea Green Sand Beach Trail
17. Hilo Town Tavern
The Hilo Town Tavern is exactly what you’d expect to find in a small town bar.
There’s great food, great drinks, and on some nights, you can even enjoy some live music located right in downtown Hilo.
Yelp: Hilo Town Tavern
18. Puʻu Huluhulu Trail
Distance: 1.3 miles / 2.1 km
Next to the Kaulana Manu Nature Trail, the Puʻu Huluhulu Trail is a close second for being the best hike off Saddle Road.
Puʻu Huluhulu is a personal favorite because the trail winds around a beautiful ancient cinder cone through one of the most pristine native forests for seeing various native Hawaiian birds. On top of this, you get great views of Mauna Kea, the tallest peak in Hawaiʻi, from the summit of Puʻu Huluhulu.
If you’re thinking about doing the hike, I recommend reading more about all the different loop trails around Puʻu Huluhulu, as I personally believe there is a best route to see it all, while starting an finishing on a slightly different trail.
Read My Separate Post: Puʻu Huluhulu Trail
19. Punaluʻu Bake Shop
The Punaluʻu Bake Shop is a South Point (Nāʻālehu) favorite!
After a hot hike out to Papakōlea Green Sands or jumping off the cliffs at South Point, the Punaluʻu Bake Shop is the best place to stop in for ice cream and tons of freshly baked goods!
Yelp: Punaluʻu Bake Shop
20. Mauna Kea [4x4 Needed]
Standing at 13,803 ft. (4,207 m) Mauna Kea is the highest point in Hawaiʻi. That being said there’s essentially three ways to reach the summit of Mauna Kea.
First, if you have a 4x4 vehicle, which is strictly enforced, you are allowed to drive up the Mauna Kea Access Road to the summit. Second, if you don’t have a 4x4 vehicle, booking one of the Mauna Kea tours below is the best hassle-free way to visit the summit. Finally, you can hiked the Humuʻula Trail, which you can read more about below.
Google Maps Directions: Mauna Kea Summit
21. Humuʻula Trail (Mauna Kea Summit)
Distance (One Way): 6.9 miles / 11.1 km
Elevation Gain: ~4,600 ft. / 1,402 m
Those in the hiking/ climbing community know that the Humuʻula Trail is the only true way to make summiting Mauna Kea count as one of the 50 state high points.
However, while the trail itself doesn’t present any significant challenges, many hikers aren’t ready for a sea-level to near 14,000-ft. (4,267 m) peak in just a matter of hours.
That being said, if you think you’re up for the challenge, I encourage you to read more about the Humuʻula Trail to Mauna Kea in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Humuʻula Trail (Mauna Kea Summit)
22. Hilo Burger Joint
Hilo Burger Joint is a great local restaurant for the biggest and messiest specialty burgers that you can imagine!
There’s so many different options at the Hilo Burger Joint that everyone in your party is bound to find something they’ll love.
Yelp: Hilo Burger Joint
23. Circle-the-Island Helicopter Tour
Last but certainly not least, a circle-the-island helicopter tour is the last kind of helicopter tour to consider on the Big Island.
These tours will always be the most expensive, but that comes with spending the longest amount of time in the air!
On a circle-the-island tour, you’ll have the opportunity to see both Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and the Kohala Coast, which may make deciding a challenge. However, if cost is a factor when making your decision, I would personally choose between Kohala or the Kīlauea Volcano individually, with Kohala being slightly higher on my list.
24. South Point (Southernmost U.S. Point)
South Point on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi is not only known for being the southernmost point in the United States, but also the infamous cliff jump!
Warning
On account of the open ocean exposure, the surf at South Point can be huge! On top of this, there can even be hidden ocean currents that aren’t visible on a day like the one shown in the photo, and visitors have been swept out to sea before.
Therefore, if you are considering the jump, make sure that the water looks as calm and as glassy as the photo below, and I would still advise talking to the locals to see what they have to say about the conditions.
That being said, before you decide to jump, always check to ensure that the ladder is in place and reaches the water. This coastline gets pounded by waves, and a big wave can easily take the ladder away at any time.
Finally, it takes a lot of upper body strength to pull yourself out of the water and up the ladder, especially if the ladder isn’t at the water level.
Overall, jumping off the cliffs at South Point is definitely not for everyone, but regardless, I recommend making the visit to, at the least, enjoy the panoramic views along the coast.
Google Maps Directions: South Point
25. Kona Coffee Tour
Locally grown coffee from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi has made quite the name for itself!
That being said, along the slopes of both Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, there are a number of unique areas that fall within the right elevation and rainfall gradient for growing this famous coffee.
This is why, if you’re visiting and interested in learning more about the world-renowned Kona coffee, I recommend booking one of the tours below!
26. Hāʻena Beach (Puna Trail)
Distance (Roundtrip): 4.8 miles / 7.7 km
Hāʻena Beach on the east side of the Big Island is one of the most private and secluded beaches that you can find!
This is because the Hāʻena, also known as Shipman Beach, is surrounded by private property, meaning that the only way to visit the secluded black sand beach is by hiking the 2.4-mile (3.9 km) Puna Trail in Keaʻau.
Personally, I love visiting Hāʻena Beach whenever I can, which makes the long trek through the rainforest all worth it!
Read My Separate Post: Puna Trail
27. Nector Cafe (Hilo)
Whether you’re looking for an early morning coffee or ice cream on a hot day, the Nector Cafe in downtown Hilo is a great all-in-one coffee, ice cream, and dessert shop located right in the storefronts along Hilo Bay.
Yelp: Nector Cafe
28. Kaūmana Trail
Distance (One Way): 1.5 miles / 2.4 km
The Kaūmana Trail is an easy out-and-back hike off of Saddle Road that makes for a great adventure when you’re driving between Kona and Hilo.
Like Kaulana Manu and Puʻu Huluhulu, Kaūmana is also one of the better trails on Hawaiʻi Island to see a variety of native Hawaiian birds, which cannot be found in lower more coastal areas.
Read My Separate Post: Kaūmana Trail
29. Private Snorkel Tour (Kona)
Snorkeling/ diving off the Kona Coast is truly one of best tours on the Big Island!
That being said, if you would rather have a more personal experience with your group and the guide, a private tour is always the best way to go.
These local guides out of Kona will take you out to some of the best places off the coast to enjoy the beautiful turquoise blue water that is only accessible by boat!
30. Antics Pizza (Hilo)
Antics Pizza is not only a great hole-in-the-wall pizza shop, but it’s also a fun local restaurant to relive some childhood memories while you wait for your food!
Think Nintendo 64 and the original Super Mario Kart on the 92 Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) when you think of Antics!
This little spot is located right in downtown Hilo, and I highly recommend them after any of the great adventures on this list.
Yelp: Antics Pizza
31. Kīlauea Iki Trail
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
In my opinion, the Kīlauea Iki Trail is one of the best day hikes in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
I say this because Kīlauea Iki is such a diverse trail. It begins in one of the wettest rainforests on the Big Island, descends into a vast and barren volcanic crater, and ends with an even easier hike back out of the crater on the far side before looping back around.
If there’s one day hike to add to your bucket list within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, make it Kīlauea Iki.
Read My Separate Post: Kīlauea Iki Trail
32. Buying Local Hawaiian Coffee
While Hawaiʻi may have a reputation for its famed Kona Coffee, I found my favorite by a long shot to be 100% Maui Coffee from the Maui Coffee Company! Locally, it can be bought at Safeway stores and Target, but to make it easy, you can order it below on Amazon, so that you don’t have to fly home with it.
In my opinion, Maui Coffee is the best followed, by 100% Kauaʻi Coffee. I put these two before anything grown on the Big Island, which in third I choose 100% Kona Gold Roast by Lion Coffee. This is just one person’s opinion, but I’m only saying to not let the famous Kona name convince you that it’s the best.
33. Waipiʻo Lookout/ Beach
[Residential Vehicles Only] - Do not plan on driving the road into Waipiʻo Valley.
Similar to Pololū Valley on the other side of Kohala, Waipiʻo Valley has a trail (road) down to the beautiful black sand beach where you can enjoy the day.
Overall, the hike to the beach in Waipiʻo Valley is a bit longer and steeper in comparison to Pololū, but if you cross the river once you’re down there, the beach gets much less crowded, making it all worth the effort!
Google Maps Directions: Waipiʻo Lookout
34. Whale Watching Tour (Winter Only)
These are Humpback whales that have migrated down from Alaska during the winter months to the warmer Hawaiian waters, where mothers will give birth to their calves.
Unfortunately, this is very season-specific. Meaning, if your trip is too early or late in the winter, they may not have arrived yet, or they are already on their way back to Alaska.
Overall, while you can see the whales from beaches along the coast, the best way to experience the whales on the Big Island is on the water, as there’s truly nothing quite like an up-close experience through one of the local operators!
35. Pololū Valley Lookout & Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
Elevation Change: ~400 ft. / 122 m
The Pololū Valley Trail is easily one of the best things to do on the Big Island, and I would even go as far to say that the Pololū Black Sand Beach is more beautiful than Waipiʻo Valley on the other side of the Kohala Mountains.
I say this because, unlike Waipiʻo Valley, which is accessible by road (trail for visitors), Pololū Valley is only accessible via the Pololū Trail, inherently making the Pololū Black Sand Beach a much more quiet and remote place to enjoy the day!
Read My Separate Post: Pololū Trail
36. The Fish and the Hog (Waimea)
The Fish and the Hog is best BBQ on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
While it’s not conveniently located in Kona or Hilo, The Fish and the Hog makes for a great stop after visiting the beautiful Pololū Trail.
Yelp: The Fish and the Hog
37. Waimanu Valley (Muliwai Trail)
Next to the Red Hill Cabin listed above, backpacking into Waimanu Valley is easily one of the best backcountry adventures on Hawaiʻi Island.
On a different note, if you want to buy a print after your vacation, click on the image below to see one of my favorite photos from the Big Island. It ships anywhere in the lower 48 states for free. I recommend buying an HD Metal or Acrylic print for the highest quality.
Read My Separate Post: Muliwai Trail (Waimanu Valley)
My Print - Waimanu Valley
38. Ken’s House of Pancakes
Ken’s House of Pancakes is one of the best local breakfast spots in Hilo!
Personally, I love recommending breakfast spots more than any other type of restaurant, and after trying a number across the island, Ken’s is definitely a favorite!
Yelp: Ken’s House of Pancakes
39. Big Island Lūʻau
This is one of those things where there’s no non-touristy way around it.
However, I hope you have taken a number of my recommendations from this list because if so, give yourself a nice night out at one of these Lūʻaus.
Below, I have provided a number of Lūʻau options to choose from, which can be found in both Kailua-Kona and Waimea.
40. Kahaualeʻa Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 7.6 miles / 12.2 km
I’m including the Kahaualeʻa Trail on this list, not as a recommendation, but to clear up any curiosity.
Curiosity is exactly why I decided to hike Kahaualeʻa. Therefore, if you want to know more about this very untrafficked state trail, I encourage you to read the opening section of my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Kahaualeʻa Trail
What NOT to Do!
Don’t ever leave bags or anything valuable visible in your car.
Treat the Big Island like you would any crime-ridden city, and you will be fine. Smash and grabs happen often, especially to cars that are obviously rentals. Some of my favorite trailheads have glass all over the place because people just don’t understand this.
Don’t look like a tourist.
This is a hard one, but hear me out. I’m recommending some local things in this blog that will potentially take you to parts of the island where you don’t want to stand out, and this goes back to my number one under this section. Tourists are good, easy, and vulnerable targets for crime and petty theft.
So how do you not look like a tourist? Try not to make your rental look like a rental. Don’t have your rental full of suitcases, beach toys, and towels that you just got from the ABC store.
Take any rental car stickers/ logos off the side of the car. I’ve seen rentals with stickers over the door seals to show that it has been through enhanced cleaning.
I’m really just trying to come up with things that come to my mind when I can obviously spot a tourist. To me, tourists really stand out to me when they pronounce the names of other islands wrong.
Do NOT approach or harass our native wildlife.
This happens all too often with visitors harassing our endemic and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals. There are strict penalties for doing this, and visitors have been hunted down and prosecuted because of social media posts in the past.
The Hawaiian Monk Seal, among many other native Hawaiian species, are on the federal list for endangered species. This also goes for sensitive mountain environments that are home to some of the rarest species in the world. Please use common sense.
Native Hawaiian Plants on Hawaiʻi Island
I wanted to include this last section on this post because this is a subject that’s personal to me.
The native plant biodiversity in Hawaiʻi is insane! 90% of the native plants that you will see around the islands are found nowhere else on earth, and I say these things for two reasons.
The first is that I ask that you please do everything you possibly can to minimize your impact on our trails because so many of our native plants are at risk of extinction. The second is that if you have personal interest in the subject or may be curious about something that you found, I wrote a separate post entirely about native Hawaiian plants. I wrote it to help others around Hawaiʻi ID anything that you might be curious about.
For example, this species in the photo below can only be found on the Island of Hawaiʻi and nowhere else on earth.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
Visiting Other Islands
If you are heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, and Molokai in my separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
