Hawaiʻi Island: The Big Island
The island of fire and ice - witness the earth being born and gaze into the cosmos
Written by a Local Hawaii Expert
Leilani AkoThe Island of Fire and Ice
The Island of Hawaiʻi is, in a word, epic. It is a land of superlatives—bigger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined, and home to the world's most active volcano (Kīlauea) and the world's tallest mountain when measured from its base (Mauna Kea). Its incredible diversity is unmatched. You can explore eight of the world's thirteen climate zones here, from lush tropical rainforests and stark volcanic deserts to cool alpine highlands and sun-drenched beaches.
Don't Miss on the Big Island
- • Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: A front-row seat to the primal forces of creation
- • Mauna Kea Summit: For unforgettable sunset and world-class stargazing above the clouds
- • Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach: Iconic beach with jet-black sand and resident sea turtles
- • Akaka Falls State Park: A magnificent 442-foot waterfall plunging into a lush gorge
- • Manta Ray Night Snorkel: A truly unique and magical wildlife encounter off Kona coast
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the number one attraction on the Big Island, offering a direct connection to the raw power that created these islands. The park is home to two of the world's most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, and its landscape is in a constant state of change.
Check the Eruption Status!
The experience at the park is dynamic and depends entirely on volcanic activity. Before you go, it is absolutely essential to check the official National Park Service (NPS) website and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website for the latest updates on eruptions.
Kīlauea Summit
Drive the Crater Rim Drive to various overlooks that peer into the massive Kīlauea Caldera and the Halemaʻumaʻu crater within.
Walk past steaming vents and the pungent Haʻakulamanu (Sulphur Banks).
Kīlauea Iki Trail
This stunning 4-mile loop hike is a park highlight. The trail leads through rainforest along the crater rim.
Then descends onto the solid, still-steaming floor of a crater that was a molten lava lake during a spectacular 1959 eruption.
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano and the highest point in the state of Hawaii, reaching 13,803 feet above sea level. It is a place of profound cultural and spiritual significance to Native Hawaiians and, due to its clear, dry atmosphere, is also home to some of the world's most advanced astronomical observatories.
Visitor Information Station (9,200 ft)
Accessible by any standard rental car. Free public stargazing program where rangers set up powerful telescopes after sunset.
The Summit (13,803 ft)
Requires true 4x4 vehicle. Most rental agreements forbid this drive. Safest option is with a licensed tour company.
Sample Big Island Itinerary: The Volcano Explorer (Hilo Side)
Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Start in Hilo. Visit the easily accessible Rainbow Falls and stroll through beautiful Liliʻuokalani Gardens.
Lunch (11:30 AM): Grab a classic Hawaiian plate lunch from a local favorite in Hilo.
Afternoon (12:30 PM - 5:00 PM): Drive to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Walk through Thurston Lava Tube, hike Kīlauea Iki Trail, and drive the Chain of Craters Road.
Evening: Have early dinner in Volcano Village, then return to Kīlauea Overlook after dark to witness the mesmerizing glow from Halemaʻumaʻu crater (if eruption is active).
ℹ️ Big Island Quick Facts
- Size: Largest Hawaiian island
- Active Volcano: Kīlauea
- Highest Peak: Mauna Kea (13,803 ft)
- Climate Zones: 8 of 13 worldwide
🌋 Must-See Attractions
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Mauna Kea Summit
- Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
- Akaka Falls
- Kona Coffee Farms