Things to do in Island of Hawaii

Discover the gorgeous night waters of the Big Island of Hawaii on this nighttime manta ray-watching cruise. Seize the chance to float above manta rays from a safe distance and witness the majestic marine animals swim in spirals beneath you. Climb aboard a spacious catamaran at night and set sail to witness Kona's local scenery from the ocean. Learn all about manta rays from your guide and find out what brings these graceful animals to the warm shores. Keep your eyes open for fish and other marine life. Depending on your selected option, relax on board or put on your wet suit and jump into the water for the thrilling experience of seeing the rays from up close. Enjoy light snacks along the way and return to Kona after your adventure.

Get your photos taken by the stars during this sunset and stargazing adventure on the summit of Mauna Kea. Learn about the area from your guide as you sip on hot chocolate and eat snacks. Choose from pickup and drop-off options at several locations.  Delight in the awe-inspiring sunset at the top of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific. Get cozy with a parka, gloves, and hot drink as you learn historic accounts of Hawaii, the Big Island, from your guide. Stand amidst the world’s largest collection of research telescopes and see two of the eight telescopes which took the first photo of a black hole. Enjoy your very own private star show with our professional telescope (Weather Permitting). Capture your experience forever with photos taken by your guide on our camera. Get emailed these photos after your experience. After your unforgettable evening with the stars, depart back to your pickup location for drop-off.

Manta Ray night snorkel is a must-do while in Hawaii. It’s a lifetime opportunity to see up close giant manta rays at night feeding and interacting with other ocean creatures under the neon lights. Join us for a memorable and magical moment as we watch beautiful manta rays gracefully gliding through the water. („Ride along” option also available for those that do not wish to snorkel) After a safety briefing, gear up with the snorkeling equipment and wet suit tops provided. Relax and enjoy the cruise with drinks and snacks on board. Bring your underwater camera for photos and capture memories that will last a lifetime. It takes about 20/30 min boat ride to get to/from the manta sight and about 45 min water/watch time. Once we get to the manta sight, you’ll get ready to get in the water. Crew will put in the light boards to which you’ll be holding on while in the water at all times. Light attracts plankton and make a feast for the manta rays. Lay flat and enjoy the show!

Visit the Royal Kona Resort to experience an interactive luau show celebrating the rich cultural history of Hawaii with seating on the glimmering shores of Kailua Bay. Feast on a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet with traditional Hawaiian dishes made with local ingredients. Savor authentic island entrees such as teriyaki beef and freshly-caught fish. Be treated to Big Island flavors with sides like, coconut rolls, sweet potato-macaroni salad, and Waipio Valley Poi. Enjoy stir fry vegetables, kalua-style pork and cabbage. Finish off your culinary experiences with tasty favorites like Hawaiian haupia pudding and coconut cake. Sip Mai Tais, wine, beer, and soft drinks as you embrace the local culture and radiant sunset. Then, as drumbeats build, the sensational Voyagers of the Pacific Luau show unfolds on stage. Be captivated by a dramatic show inspired by Polynesian stories told through live music, song, and dance, culminating in the exciting Samoan fire knife dance finale.

The morning is filled with guided visits to some of the most majestic waterfalls on the Big Island. The views stop you in your tracks at the Waipio Valley lookout, where a dramatic backdrop of lush cliffs drops into the sparkling blue ocean. Continue riding along the Hamakua coast as more postcard-worthy views pass by your window before visiting Akaka Falls and the famous Rainbow Falls. Take a short walk through the rainforest for an up-close view and plenty of photo opportunities. In the afternoon, explore the wonders of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, including steam vents, the Halema’uma’u, and Kilauea Iki crater lookouts, and take a short hike along the crater rim trail.  From here, relax and take it all in at Punalu’u Beach, a great place to spot marine life from the black-sand shore. On the leisurely drive back around sunset, you’ll see views of South Point, the southernmost point of the United States, and Kealakekua Bay.  Finally, enjoy a visit to Kona Coffee Farm. Stroll through the orchards with your guide and learn about the harvesting and milling process while sampling a warm cup of Kona-grown coffee.

Experience One of the Best things to do while visiting Big Island. Step aboard our spacious and comfortable vessel for a 15-25 min ride. Guests are allotted at least 35 minutes snorkel time, with our expert experienced in water guides. Get up-close and personal with the gentle giant manta rays in the multitudes, reaching upward of a 16 ft wingspan. Prior swimming & snorkeling experience is required to book this activity. Guest's must be able to independently climb up a side boat ladder. Not recommended for guest's who have undergone surgery or have mobility/physical restrictions. Not recommended for pregnant women. Contact tour operator for exceptions. This family run business takes pride in sharing the importance of taking care of our land, ocean, animals, and each other. Please arrive on time for the start of your scheduled tour.

Hawaii is the only state in the United States where humpback whales mate, calve and nurse their young. Humpbacks may find Hawaii suitable because of the warm waters, the underwater visibility, the variety of ocean depths and the lack of natural predators. Mothers can be seen breaching alongside their calves and males can be seen competing with one another for females in fierce head-to-head battles. Join a 2.5-hour cruise as you follow these magnificent sea creatures and listen to their singing using the underwater hydrophones. Snacks and beverages will be available during your cruise providing a unique and memorable experience for the whole family.

Hop aboard a comfortable catamaran that has a bathroom and shade at the harbor in Kailua-Kona. Glide across the water, admiring the lush coastline on the way to the Captain Cook Monument in Kealakeukua Bay. Snack on chips and granola bars while sipping on juice and water as you make your way to the Captain Cook Reef. Savor a delicious lunch of gourmet sandwiches and fresh fruit. Select the option that includes swimming and snorkeling to explore the world beneath the waves with the included mask, fins, and life jacket. Search for marine life like boxfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, and Hawaiian sea turtles in the crystal-clear waters. Snap pictures of the Captain Cook Monument that marks that spot where Captain Cook met his end. Return to the harbor in Kailua-Kona with unforgettable memories at the end of your tour.

Take a helicopter ride over ever-changing scenery at Volcano National Park with this tour from Hilo. Journey over black sand beaches where lava once flowed into the sea. Take off from Hilo and fly directly to Volcano National Park. See the caldera of the Kilauea volcano. Admire the Pu'uo'o' volcanic cone. Snap pictures of the massive volcanos Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in the distance. Discover new lava fields that are forming and go over old lava fields. View how waterfalls create a deep blue pools amid jungle greenery. All site specific areas are weather dependent

Travel to the summit (13,800ft) of Mauna Kea to see the sunset and do stargazing at 12000ft. Enjoy a unique experience as your guide takes photos of the sunset and stars for you using their DSLR camera. All photos are free of charge and you will get them on your smartphone at the end of the tour. Start your tour with an easy meet up at either Target store in Kailua Kona or at the Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa resort. Then heading to the Onizuka visitor information center while hearing the variety of information about the Big Island from the tour guide. When you arrive, change into warm weather gear- snow parkas, ski pants, and gloves that are all provided for you. Also we will stay at visitor center to acclimate to the elevation and you canuse this time to shop at gift store in the visitor center. Enjoy a light meal of BLT sandwich (other option available for people with dietry restriction) while you acclimatize or when watching sunset at the summit. Head to the summit in a 4x4 van, arriving about 60min before the sunset time. Be ready to do some posing since your guides will take DSLR photos of you, which will be sent to you for free. After sunset, head back down to the 12,000ft to do stargazing for about an our and during this time, tour guide will explain abouthte cellestial objects and will take the photo of you with the stars in it (location may change depend on the weather). After stopping by the visitor center for the last bathroom break, we will head back to the pick up locations.