Big Island Tours & Activities
Zipline - HiloFlumin Da Ditch
Kona SnorkelingZodiac Rafting
Swim w/ DolphinsManta Ray Snorkel
Helicopter ToursGlass Bottom Boat
Fishing ChartersWaikoloa Tours
Whale WatchingLuaus
Waterfall ToursWaipio Horseback
Submarine ToursSunset Cruises
ParasailingMauna Kea Tours
Bird WatchingKilauea Volcano
Pearl HarborCruise Ship Tours
Rental Cars
Hawaii - the Big Island
The Big Island is the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, and thanks to Kilauea’s constant eruption over the last 20 years, it’s still growing! The Big Island is almost twice as large as all other Hawaiian islands combined. While it is the biggest, it isn’t the most populated … there are about 148,600 residents. (Honolulu is NOT located here … it’s on Oahu.) The Big Island is made up of five connected volcanos, two of which are extinct, one is dormant, and two are very active. Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are over 13,700 feet tall, and their summits often get snow during winter months! Because the island is so young, there are miles and miles of lava flows that are less than 200 years old. There are fewer beaches here, but the few that have formed are incredibly beautiful. The Big Island offers the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the Hawaiian islands.
Most resorts are on the Kona side of the island, with the most exclusive resorts being found at Waikoloa and Kohala to the north. Hilo has a few hotels, but is the more "local" side of the island. Kona and Hilo both have major airports. The Big Island is 95 miles tall and 80 miles wide. Drive time from Kona to Hilo takes about 3 hours.
Big Island Facts
- Major airports are in Kailua-Kona (KOA) and Hilo (ITO) ... Kona is where most tourists stay, but Hilo is the county seat
- Population is 149,000
- It is the by far the largest island in the Hawaiian chain
- Honolulu isn't on the Big Island ... it's on Oahu
- Kilauea Volcano is the world's most active volcano and it has been erupting constantly for over 25 years
- Measured from it's base on the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is over 33,000 feet tall and dwarfs Mount Everest in volume
- The summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea are almost 14,000 feet above sea level and often receive snow in the wintertime
- The Big Island is made up of 5 volcanos that overlap into one giant island
- A new island called Lo'ihi is forming off the southeat coast and is expected to break the ocean's surface in 10,000 years or so
- South Point is the southernmost spot in the United States