Hawaii Big Island Adventures
The Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is home to some of the best hikes and adventures in Hawaii. Its diverse terrain ranges from lush jungles on the Hilo side to the barren Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Highlights of the Big Island are beautiful black sand beaches, the overnight hike to Waimanu Valley, 4x4ing to the summit of Mauna Kea and the night snorkel/dive with Manta Rays. This page has videos and downloadable guides of some of the best hikes and adventures on the Big Island.
Kaumana Caves
The Kaumana Caves are one of the largest lava tube formations in Hawaii. They’re free to explore and you can go as far as you’re comfortable with. The rocks are sharp so remember to bring some good shoes!
Difficulty Rating: 4/10
Narnia FOR REAL
Hawaii is well known for many things, one of those being beautiful waterfalls. We made it to the REAL Narnia and it delivered!
Difficulty Rating: 5/10
Big Island Gravity Skydiving
No better way to kick off a week of wedding celebrations than to jump out of an airplane! Thanks to everyone at Big Island Gravity for the amazing morning. If you’re an adrenaline junkie Skydiving on the Big Island of Hawaii is a must do!!!!
Snorkeling With Mantas
One of the most unique adventures on the Big Island of Hawaii is getting into the water at night with the Mantas. Many tour companies offer this as either a snorkel or scuba diving trip and they have made it easy enough that a beginner snorkeler can enjoy the amazing experience.
Difficulty Rating: 3/10
End Of The World
End Of The World is one of the most popular cliff jumping spots on the Big Island. It is also one of the more dangerous. Large swells can make climbing out of the water challenging, and the 40 foot drop into the water is enough to give anyone butterflies. Always take into consideration ocean conditions and your swimming ability before jumping.
Difficulty Rating: 7/10
Kiholo Bay
Kiholo Bay is a beautiful picturesque bay that was once an ancient fishing pond. On a sunny day, the striking contrast between the black lava rock, green palms and turquoise water look straight off a postcard. The hike to Kiholo Bay is relatively short and there is a flooded lava tube that can be explored along the way. If you’re lucky, Kiholo Bay is an excellent place to spot sea turtles.
Difficulty Rating: 3/10
White Road
White road is a favorite hike on the Big Island! This hike travels along a sketchy trail on the edge of a lush green canyon. The views from the top of the canyon are some of the best Hawaii has to offer! Winding its way along an aqueduct it eventually comes to a natural waterslide.
Difficulty Rating: 6/10
Searching For Narnia
Hawaii is well known for many things, one of those being beautiful waterfalls. Despite our enthusiasm in the video it turns out we didn’t actually find Narnia. Guess we will have to plan a return trip to the Big Island to find the true location of Narnia. This guide will give you the details of our hike and where we went in our failed attempt.
Difficulty Rating: 5/10
The Jello Mold
The “Jello Mold” is an ancient cinder cone between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa with a stunning view of the Kona Coast. It is known as the Jello Mold due to its resemblance to an upside-down mold. The hike to the summit requires a relatively high level of fitness as the elevation gain is constant. A bike makes the first half of the hike much faster and the way down a lot easier.
Difficulty Rating: 6/10
Hiking Pololu Valley
Pololu Valley is located on the north shore of the Big Island of Hawaii. The 300-foot walls on either side of the valley provide stunning views on the hike down. Pololu Valley has a black sand beach to relax at, and if you’re feeling energetic and adventurous, the adventure up and over into the next valley is a lot of fun.
Difficulty Rating: 7/10
Adventure Guide Coming Soon!
Mauna Kea Summit
Standing 13,800ft above sea level, Mauna Kea is the highest peak in all of Hawaii. The neighboring volcano, Mauna Loa, is just south of Mauna Kea and can be seen from the peak. Visiting the summit of Mauna Kea is an experience you cannot pass on while in Hawaii.
Difficulty Rating: 1/10
Hiking Pu'u Oo Trail
Although Pu’u Oo Trail isn’t the most thrilling adventure on the Big Island of Hawaii, its diverse terrain offers a unique hiking experience. The trail crosses barren lava flows with patches of lush rain forest separating them. At the far point of the hike a pristine lava tube can be explored so bring a headlamp!
Difficulty Rating: 5/10
Adventure Guide Coming Soon!
Hiking To Nanue Falls
The hike to Nanue Falls is very short and only 18 miles north of Hilo. Although this hike is short and doesn’t require much time, it is challenging as there is no trail and you must rock hop along slippery boulders up the creek. The waterfall is beautiful and worth the trek, but even the most sure-footed hikers are likely to take a slip and end up getting wet at some point.
Difficulty Rating: 4/10
Hiking To Honomalino Bay
Honomalino Bay is quiet, secluded and not well known to tourists. It isn’t accessible by road, which provides people the peace and quiet you don’t get at many public beaches. The hike to the beach from the parking lot is just under a mile and requires little effort. When you reach the beach you’ll be rewarded with picturesque scenery and a beautiful black sand beach to relax on.
Difficulty Rating: 3/10
Green Sand Beach & South Point
A visit to the big island of Hawaii isn’t complete without a trip to Green Sand Beach and South Point. Papakolea Beach, also known as Green Sand Beach, is a small bay surrounded by cliffs with a beautiful green sand beach to relax on. It is fairly secluded, not usually very busy and has crystal clear blue water. Just down the road from Green Sand Beach is South Point. The most southern point in the united states a great spot for cliff jumping.
Difficulty Rating: 5/10
Surface Flow Hike
Kilauea is the youngest and most southeastern volcano on the island of Hawai’i. It is also one of the most active volcanoes in the world. The conditions of the eruption are ever changing but under the right circumstances, up close viewing of lava is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Difficulty Rating: Variable depending on current conditions
Hiking To Apua Point
Apua Point is located on the south shore of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. The Puna Coast Trail to Apua Point takes you over hardened lava flows and along the coastline, where waves crash violently into the sea cliffs. There is no shade along this hike but a handful of palm trees at the picturesque Apua Point bay make it a scenic location to spend the night.
Difficulty Rating: 7/10
Volcano Day Hikes
The day hikes in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offer unique hiking experiences through diverse terrain. Steps from the Jaggar Museum parking lot you can view lava bubbling and splashing inside Halema’uma’u Crater. If you’re up for a longer adventure you can hike our favorite trail, Kilauea Iki Trail, through lush rainforest, into the Thurston Lava Tube, and down to the solidified Kilauea Iki Crater floor.
Difficulty Rating: 4/10
Adventure Guide Coming Soon!
Hiking To Akaka Falls
Akaka Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls on the Big Island of Hawaii. The walking trail through Akaka Falls State Park is a loop, with views of both Kahuna Falls and Akaka Falls. Although there are larger waterfalls on the Big Island, the accessibility of Akaka Falls allows adventurers of all ages to enjoy its beauty.
Difficulty Rating: 2/10
Hiking To Waimanu Valley
Waimanu Valley is one of the best overnight hikes on the Big Island of Hawaii. The hike from Waipi’o Valley to Waimanu Valley along the Muliwai Trail is very challenging but the experience of camping overnight in this remote valley is well worth it. In Waimanu Valley you can cool off in the ocean at a black sand beach, or explore deeper into the valley to reach the base of the amazing Wai’ilikahi Falls.
Difficulty Rating: 9/10