Big Island Tourist Attractions

Information about the Big Island's must see sights

The Big Island is Hawaii's largest island and the boasts the world's tallest peak, Mauna Kea, when measured its sea floor base. The island is also home to the world's most active volcano Kilauea, which along with Mauna Loa continues the Island's growth towards the sea.

The Big Island, also known as Hawaii Island, is a top tourist attraction because of its stunning natural beauty and diverse climate zones (11 out of the Earth's 13 climate zones can be found here). The island is one of the only locations where you can find dense rain forest, desert, snow-capped mountains, breathtaking black and white sand beaches, crystal clear ocean, and temperate grasslands within 100 miles radius.

Visitors to the Big Island will find numerous must see attractions spread throughout the island. The west side of the island (Kohala coast) boasts world class resorts and is home to the majority of the Island's golf courses. The west side also offers beautiful beaches perfect for snorkeling and swimming and other ocean activities.

Most of the Island's premiere resorts can be found in main town of Kailua Kona while the picturesque view of the coastal town's beachfront setting serves as a cozy backdrop to exceptional shopping and dining.

In stark contrast, the east side of the Island's natural beauty if found in the forms of lush rain forests, waterfalls, and active volcanoes. Visitors will also find popular Big Island attractions like the historic town of Hilo, Parker Ranch, Rainbow Falls, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to name a few.

Big Island Attractions

Hamakua Coast - Hawaii's sugar cane industry thrived here for many years on the north eastern end of the Big Island. Visitors will find ocean cliffs with waterfalls pouring fresh water into the sea below. A few attractions in Hamakua include Akaka Falls, Hawaii Tropical Botantical Garden, and Kolekole Beach.

Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center - This educational center in Kailua Kona was dedicated to Hawaii's first astronaut, Ellison Onizuka, who was tragically killed aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.

Hapuna Beach - This beach on northwest coast is the most popular and widely visited beach on the Big Island due to good public facilities and great ocean conditions. Hapuna is also the Island's driest spot so visitors to this popular attraction will encounter sunny weather most of the year.

Old Kona Airport State Park - The old airport is located just west of Kailua Kona. The unique reef and lava formations make for great snorkeling and scuba diving as well as surfing when surf permits. This area is part of the Hawaii Marine Life Conservation District.

Pacific Tsunami Museum - Created to promote public tsunami awareness and education, the Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo provides a glimpse into tsunami history, its impact on Hawaii, and demonstrates the perseverance of people who have been affected by one of nature's most destructive natural phenomena.

Parker Ranch - Located in Waimea (north of Kohala), the Parker Ranch was founded in 1847 and is one of the oldest and historic ranches in the United States. Visitors can learn about the Ranch's history and culture in the islands and Hawaiian cowboys, also known as paniolo.

Waipio Valley - This sacred valley was once home to many Hawaiian rulers and is home to a number of ancient heiaus (sacred temples for kahuna and alii or high chiefs). Access to Waipio Valley is somewhat difficult, requiring 4WD transportation or a laborious hike to the bottom. However, visitors who make the difficult trek will find a stunning black sand beach fronting the valley, towering sea cliffs and waterfalls in the area that was once one of Hawaii's most fertile regions.

Rainbow Falls - Found on the Big Island's eastside near the historic town of Hilo, Rainbow Falls got its name from the rainbows that can be seen in its mist during most mornings. Located at Wailuku River State Park, visitors will also see a popular Big Island attraction called Boiling Pots, which consists of large pools connected underground which gives the impression of the water boiling.