Travel Hawaii- The Big Island

From the world’s most active volcanoes, to incredible beaches, to illegal water slide hikes, Hawaii’s Big Island is food for the adventurous soul.

Written by Gracie Rounds

Introduction

Hawaii’s Big Island is known for holding some of the most exciting options for adventure out of all of the island’s in the Hawaiian Island chain. On no other island can you see the type of volcanic activity that you can on Big Island. This alone makes it a worthy place to choose to visit, but as you will see there are lots of other exciting things to do on this island as well.

Based on the trip of my sister, solo world-traveler Callie Rounds, read ahead to find the best recommendations possible for your visit to Big Island!

Sunrise and Sunset

For the early riser, there is an incredible drive that you don’t want to miss along the Mauna Kea Summit. This journey includes a steep gravel road so you will want to make sure you have an assertive driver that is in charge of getting you up there. You may or may not be surprised to learn this, but it snows in Hawaii. Of course, you have to be at a location above 10,000 feet, but Mauna Kea is one of them. So check the weather reports during the time that you’re there and dress accordingly. Regardless of the temperature, the views from this location at sunrise are incredible.

After sunset, you will not want to miss diving with the manta rays. Night time is the best and only time to do this as they all gather off the coast of Big Island at night to feed on the plankton that are lit up by the snorkelers floatation devices. This is an unforgettable moonlight experience.

Hiking, Beaches, Water Slides and Cliff Jumping!

Arguably the best beach adventure possible on Big Island is Makalawena Beach. It takes a bit of a hike to get to this beach so that can keep overcrowding and tourists at bay, and give you a serene beach experience. Along the way to this beach Callie also has these coordinates that she says will take you to a very secret oasis in the middle of a lava rock field that you can swim to surrounded by palm trees.

If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, you will not want to miss the cliff jumping at Hawaii’s South Point. If you are the avid extreme sports type you’ll know that cliff jumping can be a thrilling adventure. Just make sure that you’re being extremely careful and are reading the conditions around you.

For a much more illegal recommendation that we are technically not encouraging you to go and do, you could decide to venture to the 35 foot irrigation flume in the Waipio Valley. This is illegal because it is not considered safe for people to be standing/walking on or around. But as it’s a really popular attraction that you have probably seen on social media before, you are welcome to take your chances like Callie did.

You can find this slide by walking along a jungle trail known as the White Road Hike. It’s a two hour walk through tunnels in deep wilderness, with a possible fence jump here and there, so is definitely not for the straight-and-narrow type. If you decide to go on this trail, there is a gentlemen who lives at the first house you’ll see upon arrival to the trailhead, and if you bring him a gift he will probably be really welcoming and not call the police.

Again, this is highly discouraged to use as a slide, but if you happen to pick up a tube you might end up going for it.

Volcanoes

As previously mentioned, one of the biggest draws that Big Island has is its incomparable volcanic activity. Going to the Kilauea volcano allows you to witness the most active volcano on Earth. How’s that for a bucket list item.

You will want to go and see this in the middle of the night to get the most out of witnessing the volcanic activity. The Devastation Trail will be your best route, and if you leave around midnight you will also be able to enjoy the stars while hiking. There are overlooks all around the volcano once you arrive, and if you walk around to the other side of the crater there will usually be less people.

Conclusion

From volcano hikes, to incredible beaches, to illegal water slide hikes, Hawaii’s Big Island is not to miss for the adventurous soul.