Top 13 Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii with Kids
For a family vacation, my husband and took our 4 kids to the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii. This is one of the best places to enjoy the Hawaiian sea life, beaches, and the uniqueness that you will only find on the Big Island.
This remarkable destination drew us in with its unique charm, notably the visually stunning and fascinating black lava flows. Of all the Hawaiian islands this one is the most unique as it has one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea.
In this post, you will discover the top things to do on the Big Island with your family, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone.
1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park hosts two of the world’s most active volcanoes, the Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. As a recommended top thing to do on the Big Island with kids, we took a journey to Volcano National Park on the Hilo side of the island.
The drive from Kona took roughly two hours, and the landscape fascinated us throughout the trip. There are three routes you can take, we took what’s called the middle route which is called Saddle Road. You’ll pass by some very interesting landscape depending on which route you take. The town of Hilo is a good place to stop along the way.
Above all, Volcano National Park felt like a different world entirely and was worth the drive. Below are some of the top must-see spots at Volcano National Park.
Things to do at Volcano National Park
Visit the Park Store & Kīlauea Visitor Center
This was our first stop and it was worth the stop. There were park rangers there and they could tell you if there were spots you could walk to to see the lava flow. Unfortunately the day we were there was rainy so we didn’t take the hike to see the flowing lava.
The park store offers an extensive selection of merchandise, including books, maps, guides, collectibles, apparel, water bottles, plush creatures, educational games, and more to enrich your visit and connection to the parks. Additionally, you can explore their online store on their website.
Visit the Sea Cliffs and the Hōlei Sea Arch
Upon our arrival, it started raining, so we decided to drive to the Sea Cliffs and the Holei Sea Arch, where we were told was usually sunny. The cliffs took our breath away with their stark black formations and the tumultuous sea below.
To get to the Sea Cliffs you will drive the Chain of the Craters road to the sea. Towards the end of Chain of Craters Road, take a brief stroll along the road to witness the Hōlei Sea Arch. This striking lava rock structure stands approximately 90 ft. (27.4 meters) tall and reaches out from the steep sea cliffs into the Pacific Ocean.
At the end of the Chain of Craters Road, there is a parking lot with bathrooms, a good tip for when you are with the kids. This was a top spot at Volcano National Park.
Click here for information on the Hōlei Sea Arch
Walk through the Thurston Lava Tube
After visiting the cliffs, we went to check out the Thurston Lava Tube, which was my favorite thing in Volcanos Nationa Park. The tube requires a short 10-minute walk, and the experience of passing through it justifies the stop. The lava tube is paved and lit, offering a secure and easy way to explore and the kids will have a great time.
For more information, click here
Stroll across the surface of a former molten lava lake in Kīlauea Iki Crater
If the weather is good, you can take a hike along the lava to the Kilauea Iki Crater. Plan for a few hours to do this hike as it’s about 4 miles to see the crater.
Trail Guide to the Kilauea Iki Crater
Book a Guided Tour Around the Park
If you want an up close and personal tour of the Volcanos, there are many guided tours available, some more extreme than others. This is a great way to explore Volcano’s National Park without having to navigate it yourself.
Drive to the Summit of Mauna Kea
A trip to the summit of Mauna Kea is a truly unique and thrilling experience where you will see the most breathtaking views. Mauna Kea stands at 13,796 feet above sea level, and the summit is renowned for its astronomical observatories due to its clear skies and stunning panoramic vistas. I’d recommend taking a tour for this as the road to the summit requires 4X4 vehicles, and a stargazing summit tour is an amazing experience.
2. Take a Hike to Akaka Falls State Park
During one of our scenic drives to Hilo, we made a stop at Akaka Falls along the way. This short hike is kid-friendly, and the lush vegetation is reminiscent of Jurassic Park, in fact, parts of the movie were filmed there! The falls offer a beautiful backdrop for memorable photos.
The falls are easily accessible by car, and parking was limited, as this is a popular attraction on the Big Island, but we found a spot along the road. Parking is $10 for non-residents and the entry fee is $5 per person for non-residents.
3. Visit Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls was a quick and easy stop but worth it as it’s a really pretty waterfall. The area around Rainbow Falls is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, including giant ferns and banyan trees. The natural beauty of the landscape adds to the charm of the waterfall. Rainbow Falls is located in Wailuku River State Park, just a short drive from downtown Hilo on the Big Island of Hawaii.
4. Book a Waterfall Site-Seeing Tour
The waterfalls on the Big Island are a top thing to do on the Big Island. A guided tour is a great option to see more than one guided by an expert (and even get to swim under one).
5. Go Ziplining
The city of Hilo is surrounded by some of Hawaii’s stunning natural beauty and is the place to go for adventure and ziplining!
6. Honomu Goat Dairy Farm
One of my favorite stops on our way out of Akaka Falls was Honomu Goat Dairy. This hidden gem turned out to be a delightful surprise. The goats are not only adorable but also incredibly entertaining. Additionally, the on-site shop offers the finest goat cheese and fudge you’ll ever taste!
This is a must-visit on the Big Island of Hawaii if you are in the Hilo area.
Click here for information on this goat farm
7. Stop at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Another must-visit attraction on the Big Island of Hawaii is Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Though a bit rough on the feet, the intriguing black sand beaches are a fascinating sight.
The kids were especially thrilled because it was their first encounter with Hawaiian green sea turtles! We saw lots of folks laying out at Punalu’u beach, though we didn’t find the water all that great for swimming with kids as it seemed somewhat rough with strong rip currents and you really should have water shoes with you for the sand and rocks in the area.
We made a quick stop here on the way back from touring the Volcanos, it was a long day but there was lots to see and this stop was worth it.
Parent tip, there are also bathrooms at Punaluu Beach if the kids need a potty break!
Click here for more information on the Black Sand Beach
8. Go to a Luau
Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at the Royal Kona Resort
The luau experience at the Royal Kona Resort exceeded my initial expectations. I had anticipated a somewhat kitschy atmosphere with a crowd of tourists and an abundance of food. However, the reality far surpassed these expectations. This was one of the top things we did on the Big Island of Hawaii. We were fortunate to secure front-row seats at our table, a result of booking in advance and arriving early to be among the first in line.
One thing we all loved was the music thanks to the lively and fun performance by the Luau band. In addition, the food proved to be really good traditional Hawaiian luau food, and while the endless Mai Tais were somewhat ordinary, they were still available in abundance.
The highlight of the evening was the outstanding luau performance, featuring charming dancers who showcased a variety of traditional South Pacific dances. To sum it up, this is a must-do when visiting the Big Island of Hawaii.
9. Snorkel at Captain Cook
We stayed near the town of Captain Cook, named after British explorer Captain James Cook. It is a charming town that doesn’t feel overly touristy. In particular, the Captain Cook monument is a popular spot for the best snorkeling, and you’ll find plenty of snorkeling tour options available in the area.
Located within the State Historical Park, Kealakekua Bay is renowned for housing the iconic Captain Cook Monument. This park serves as an optimal spot for snorkeling and kayaking. We saw a pod of dolphins in this area which was exciting for me!
If you want to take the kids snorkeling, I would recommend a tour as we had no idea how to do it on our own. The tour boats can take you to good spots so you can have a safe and enjoyable time.
Book these Snorkel Tours Below
10. Visit Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park & Snorkel at Two-Step
The Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau Park was a great visit for the kids as it provided them with insights into Hawaiian culture. This is a cultural site enclosed by a massive ancient stone wall and historically served as a refuge and forgiveness center for lawbreakers, warriors, and non-combatants during times of war. Within the site, visitors can explore temple platforms, fishing areas, and coastal village areas featuring replica temples and thatched structures.
Two Step
Right near Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau Park, as recommended to us by a local, is Two Step. This beach area is known as an excellent location for snorkeling, boasting abundant sea life, healthy coral, and diverse topography across various depths. Since the bay is relatively sheltered with a lava rock shoreline, it usually offers favorable snorkeling conditions.
11. Walk to Mahaiula Beach
On our final day on the Big Island of Hawaii, a relative of my husband invited us to explore one of the best beaches. She volunteers to protect the endangered Monk Seals, and a mother and her baby seal happened to be there that day. I was bummed we only stumbled upon this hidden paradise on our last day, as I definitely would have come back.
We navigated a somewhat rugged road to reach this beach, but it was manageable with a high-clearance vehicle, especially if you exercised caution. Mahai’ula, the southernmost beach in Kekaha Kai Beach Park, is located just a few miles north of Kona Airport. From the parking lot we had to walk about 1/3 of a mile, once you reach a big red house (as it’s known), you have found Mahaiula Beach. While the walk wasn’t long, it was hot with the sun reflecting off the lava rocks, so wear a sun hat, sunglasses, and good shoes.
Click here for more information
12. Go on a Whale Watching Excursion
Whale watching on the Big Island can be an awesome experience, providing the opportunity to witness humpback whales in their natural habitat. The prime season for whale watching on the Big Island is generally from December to April, during which humpback whales migrate to the warm Hawaiian waters to breed and give birth. There are many tour options available from Kailua-Kona.
Book these Whales Watching Tours
13. Go on a Night Manta Ray Adventure
This is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! If you’re an experienced snorkeler and a strong swimmer, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Join this unique Big Island experience to snorkel with manta rays on a guided tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll enjoy a short cruise to the manta site, where you can witness the stunning Hawaiian sunset before immersing yourself in the water to observe the manta rays up close.
Night Manta Ray Tours
Best Places to eat on the Big Island
The Big Island isn’t short of great places to eat and with the kids, we found some great stops that were quick and easy.
One of our favorite roadside stops was Randy’s Huli Chicken and Ribs. This place had the most amazing BBQ, I had the brisket sliders and the kids loved the ribs.
Another great place to eat while we were in Captain Cook was Black Rock Pizza. This was a casual dining spot and the kids loved their pizza.
We also surprisingly became big fans of Hawaiian BBQ Restaurants in strip malls. We found that the kids after playing for hours at the beach were too tired and hungry for sit-down restaurants and L&L Hawaiian BBQ had enough variety to make everyone in our family of 6 happy. L&L has locations all around the Big Island.
Looking for Free things to do on the Big Island? Click here for my list of the best free things to do on the Big Island from Kona to Hilo.
Wondering what to Pack for Hawaii with Kids?
Click here to view a list of the essentials to bring to Hawaii
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