The Big Island of Hawaii is shrouded in a deep mystique and whispers a quiet foreboding to all who enter her sacred land. Boasting pristine tree-lined beaches, active volcanoes, lush rainforests, black lava fields as far as the eye can see, and an unmistakable “If You Know, You Know” factor, the captivating southernmost point of the Hawaiian archipelago is worth the trip off the beaten path.
Fiercely protective of the mostly untouched interior, locals like myself and transplants alike (Matthew McConaghey is often spotted around town in Waimea) are often hesitant to share favorite hidden gems. Respect for the ‘aina (land) is a central tenet of Hawaiian culture and Western tourists tend to take advantage of the island’s expansive beauty and sheer remoteness. The old adage “Leave it better than you found it” is forgotten, along with trash and common decency.
So, before diving into a list of the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii, here are a few tips to ensure you’re visiting responsibly:
Courtesy of Go Hawaii
Tips for Visiting Hawaii
Pick up your trash and “take only photos, leave only footprints”
Respect the locals, their land, and their rules
Don’t drive like you’re in the city, most highways are 55 MPH
Wear reef-safe sunscreen only and don’t wear any sunscreen at all in fresh water bodies of water
Do not take anything natural off the island (shells, stones, coral, dried flowers, etc.) especially lava rocks—Pele’s Curse is very real
Now that the ground rules are out of the way, these under-the-radar activities will have you seriously considering whether you could break your lease and work remotely.
Courtesy of The Outdoor Project
Eagles Nest (Wai’ale Falls)
This swimmable, easily accessible roadside waterfall is located right outside of Hilo. It is free, which means the trails aren’t maintained, so it’s a little treacherous getting down to the waterfall to swim. Doable, and worth it, but you’ve been warned.
Courtesy of South Kohala Management
Pololu Valley Hike
This breathtaking 1.5-mile roundtrip hike drops you into a river valley complete with a sprawling black sand beach and wild cows. Be sure not to venture up the hill beyond the river mouth, as these are sacred burial grounds of the native Hawaiians who once inhabited the valley. Also note that this is not a swimming beach, rough currents and jellyfish are a regular occurrence. Make a stop at Rainbow Cafe in Kapaau on the way out for an authentic Hawaiian/Chinese plate lunch.
Courtesy of Big Island
Reed’s Bay Beach Park aka “Ice Ponds”
Swimmable, crystal clear, and, you guessed it, ice cold—these freshwater ponds in Hilo are perfect for a picnic and swim. The closer you get to the ocean, the warmer the water gets. Nene geese and sea turtles frequent the beach park, but please do not attempt to touch or get close to them.
Courtesy of Waimea Town Market
Big Island Farmers Markets
Produce grown on the Big Island is unmatched in flavor and variety, thanks to the ultra-rich volcanic soil and generous rainfall. You can find tropical fruits, eggs, honey, huge leafy vegetables and the like at one of the many farmers markets on any given day across the island. Hilo Waterfront Market (everyday), Waimea Market (Pukalani Stables Wednesdays and Saturdays), and Volcano Village Market (Sundays) are some of the best markets in terms of variety and accessibility.
Courtesy of Roots Skatepark
Big Island Skateparks
Love to skate? Bring your board and take an island-wide tour of the many skateparks the island has to offer. From Roots Skatepark in Kapaau to Shaka Paka in Hilo, and the legendary Kailua-Kona Skatepark, the Big Island has a booming skate community and the facilities to match. Fun fact: Roots Skatepark is completely community-funded and operated.
Courtesy of Hawai’i Land Trust
Kaloko Cloud Forest
High above Konatown on the dormant volcano of Hualalai lays the lush Honuaʻula Forest Reserve. The scenic seven-mile drive takes you to the trailhead where miles of forest is yours for exploring on foot or mountain bike. Be aware of weather as it changes rapidly and what once began as a pleasant, sunny afternoon can become a thick, dark fog or heavy downpour in what feels like a matter of moments.
Courtesy of The Nature Conservancy
Kiholo Bay
This brackish water bay is accessible with a short oceanfront hike. The milky turquoise water is the result of freshwater mixing with salt water and known for its bountiful sea turtle population. If you follow this hike, you will also see a black sand beach, abandoned beach shanty, and the bay itself, which is actually an ancient fishing pond used by native Hawaiians. Petroglyphs dot the lava rocks surrounding the bay, so be on the lookout.
Courtesy of Britannica
Honaunau Bay
Walk the ancient city and historical landmarks of the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park first, then cool off at Two Steps and do some snorkeling. The reef is one of the best on the island, and in the deeper waters you can often see dolphins. There is a sandy area for children, but no facilities other than a Porta-Potty.
Courtesy of Honomu Goat Dairy
Honomu Goat Dairy
Check out the Honomu Goat Dairy where you can frolic with baby goats and buy some handmade goat cheese, milk, fudge, caramels, soap, or lip balm. It’s free to enter, and right off the side of the road on the way to Akaka Falls (which you should also visit!)
Steam rises from Kilauea Volcano, just a few miles from Volcano Golf Course on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Matty Lee, Volcano Golf Course
For travelers willing to venture beyond the familiar resort corridors on the Big Island of Hawaii, Volcano Golf Course offers a truly memorable detour and golf experience.
Located about 4,000 feet above sea level in the cool uplands of Volcano Village – several hours from resorts like Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea on the sunny Kohala Coast — the more-than-100-year-old course sits across the street from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and just a few miles from the active Kīlauea volcano. With sweeping mountain views and a setting shaped by volcanic terrain and rainforest, Volcano delivers a side of Hawaiian golf that feels unpolished, far removed from lush resort fare, and deeply connected to its surroundings.
Just outside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, Volcano Golf Course is a 100-year-old+ layout at 4,000 feet above sea level that offers a fun, pure golf experience in a unique setting.
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Erik Matuszewski
The setting alone makes Volcano Golf Course quite possibly the most unique golf facility in the Hawaiian Islands. Few courses anywhere can claim proximity to one of the planet’s most active volcanoes, and even fewer allow golfers to play a round in the cooler mountain air before getting a chance to witness glowing lava flows after dark.
While Volcano Golf Course isn’t affiliated with a resort, it now offers a special stay-and-play opportunity through a partnership with nearby Kīlauea Lodge & Restaurant, a cozy inn nestled in the heart of Volcano Village less than five miles down the road. The Kīlauea Stay & Play Package combines three nights at the lodge with two rounds of golf, carts, range balls and even a full-size rental car, creating an easy and immersive way to experience this special part of the island.
A photo from the walking trails and botanical gardens behind the Kilauea Lodge just a few minutes down the road from Volcano Golf Course and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Erik Matuszewski
Tucked into rainforest surrounds, the lodge mirrors the spirit of the course — intimate, warm, historic, and deeply local. There are guest rooms with stained glass windows, fireplaces and local artwork, along with an award-winning restaurant. The property is a perfect jumping-off spot for trips to Volcanoes National Park, which not only has a spectacularly active summit caldera – the Halema’uma’u crater – but more than 150 miles of hiking trails, lava tubes, steam vents and dramatic volcanic rock landscapes.
It’s possible to see steam rising from the volcano on certain parts of the nearby golf course. And with its brisk breezes, cooler temperatures, occasional misty conditions and cloudy skies, and turf that’s more seasonal than always a lush green, Volcano Golf Course at times can feel less like Hawaii and more like a rustic linksland in Ireland.
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At times, Volcano Golf Course has a feel more akin to a links-style layout in the U.K. than to Hawaii’s typical resort courses.
Erik Matuszewski
The conditions even tend toward fast and firm, rewarding creativity on what is an immensely fun layout. There’s no luxurious clubhouse, no greens on the ocean, no overdone landscaping, and really no intent to be anything other than it is — a pure golf experience in a unique setting.
The wide fairways are framed by dense vegetation and native ‘ōhi‘a trees bloom with bright red blossoms. The Nēnē goose, Hawaii’s state bird, is a frequent companion for local and adventurously itinerant golfers alike.
Nene and golfers share the fairways at Volcano Golf Course.
Erik Matuszewski
For a time, Volcano’s future was uncertain.
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The course was closed in 2020 when the then-operator abruptly ceased operations. Kamehameha Schools, which owns the 156-acre parcel of land the golf course is on, would later step in to regain control of the facility and reopened it in 2022 after two years of dormancy.
Troon’s Indigo Sports arm was brought in to manage day-to-day operations and the course today continues to only get better as it embraces its unique place in not only the Hawaii golf environs but even more broadly. Matty Lee was recently appointed as the property’s head professional and is excited about the opportunity at Volcano, including plans for a new, permanent clubhouse.
Hitting a shot at Volcano Golf Course with steam rising from the active Kilauea Volcano in the background.
Matty Lee, Volcano Golf Course
Part of the commitment for Volcano, which is a 45-minute drive from Hilo and about two hours from Kona, is a stewardship, and responsibility to care for, the local environment. The unique setting is the biggest reason Volcano Golf Course stands out from the dozens of other Hawaii courses.
In a state known for tourism and escapist luxury, Volcano is authentic and pure – a golf experience set in one of the most dramatic natural environments in the game.
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Several hours from the resorts on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast, Volcano Golf Course has sweeping mountain views and a setting shaped by volcanic terrain and rainforest.
UH kicker Kansei Matsuzawa reacted after making a game-winning field goal to beat the Stanford Cardinal at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in the Warriors’ opener on Aug. 23.
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Kicker Kansei Matsuzawa today became the University of Hawaii football program’s first consensus All-American.
Matsuzawa, 26, earned the distinction after being selected today to the American Football Coaches Association’s All-America first team.
The NCAA recognizes five All-America teams. A “consensus” All-American is selected to three of those organizations’ first teams. Matsuzawa previously was named to the All-America first teams by the Walter Camp Foundation and the Associated Press. The Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America will announce their All-America teams this week.
“This is a result of my teammates and coaches,” Matsuzawa said, noting without them “I couldn’t have done this. I appreciate my family, and the state of Hawaii and Japan.”
Matsuzawa is a self-taught kicker from Chiba, Japan. The school-promoted “Tokyo Toe” converted his first 25 field-goal attempts this season to tie an FBS record for best start. The streak ended when he was wide right on a 30-yard attempt in the fourth quarter of the regular-season finale against Wyoming.
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Last week, UH special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield declared Matsuzawa as “the best kicker in the country. And I’ll stand on the tallest mountain and scream it from the tallest mountain until the cows come home.”
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The Rainbow Warriors will play Cal in the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl at the Ching Complex.
