All Big Island of Hawaii Tours & Excursions in 2026

Volcanic landscapes, starry skies, and plenty of warm ocean water set the stage for exciting adventures on your Big Island of Hawaii vacation. According to past traveler ratings and reviews, here are the best Big Island tours to book:

• Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History
• Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
• Kona Manta Rays Guaranteed Night Snorkel in Keauhou Harbor
• Captain Cook Snorkel on a Power Catamaran With Lunch
• KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE Re-Ride If No Sightings

Yes, guided Big Island tours are the most efficient way to pack plenty of activity into your Hawaii vacation. You can leave the driving to someone else on island sightseeing tours, while experienced snorkel boat captains know the best reefs for spotting colorful fish. And there’s nothing quite like a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride over waterfalls, volcanoes, and rugged coastlines.

Per one customer who booked the Big Island in a Day: Volcanos, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, and History tour, “Fantastic tour, saw the entire island. Even had a coffee farm stop, which was a nice surprise! Our guide, Jason, was terrific. Very knowledgeable and passionate about the island.”

Big Island tours vary in price. Self-guided audio tours can be as low as US$10, while hour-long farm tours can run around US$25 to $40. On the other end of the price spectrum, private day-long sightseeing tours can cost US$1,500 to $3,000 per group. There are excursions to suit every group’s size and budget.

On the lower end of the price range, you can book tours such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Self Guided Driving Audio Tour for $16. The self-guided tour lets you explore Kilauea Iki Crater, visit the Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs, and see the beauty of the Holei Sea Arch at your own pace. It does not include a live tour guide or admission to the park. Pricer options include VIP tours such as a Private VIP Adventure from Kona or Waikoloa (from $2,385.00 per group of up to three), a completely private and personalized experience led by an expert geologist.

So many activities are included on Big Island tours, whether you’re seeking an introduction to local culture or an adrenaline-charged adventure in Hawaii. Tour a local coffee farm, ride a helicopter over an active volcano, snorkel with manta rays, or snuggle with your sweetie on a romantic sunset cruise.

Consider an all-day or multi-day tour to pack in as many sights and activities as possible. For example, the Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History includes stops at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls State Park, plus passes by Kailua Pier and Parker Ranch, one of the oldest ranches in the US.

Plan to spend at least five days on the Big Island. In this amount of time (though a full week might be ideal), you can tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, take a helicopter ride, go snorkeling, and visit waterfalls with plenty of time left over to kick back on the island’s famous black-sand beaches.

November is the rainiest month in two popular Big Island coastal areas, Kailua-Kona and Hilo. That said, the amount of rainfall in each region differs. Hilo, on the “wet” east side of the island, sees an average of nearly 16 inches (40 centimeters) of precipitation in November. Meanwhile, Kailua-Kona on the “dry” west side might only get around 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain that month.

According to travelers, these are the best attractions in the Big Island of Hawaii:

• Kona (Kailua-Kona)
• Mauna Kea Summit and Observatory
• Kealakekua Bay
• Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku)
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

View Viator’s guide to all the best attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii.

There are tons of great trips to take from the Big Island of Hawaii. According to traveler reviews, these are the best day trips to book right now:

• Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, and History
• Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park and Rainbow Falls
• Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
• Hawaii's #1 Experience-Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stargazing
• Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

View all of Viator’s top Big Island of Hawaii day trips.

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here are some of the best Big Island of Hawaii activities under US$30:

• Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour
• Experience Our Honey Farm and Beekeeping Tour
• Big Island - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Driving Tour
• Sunset Kona Salt Farm Tour
• Clear Bottom Kayak Rentals in Kailua-Kona

It’s no secret that the Big Island of Hawaii is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the top outdoor tours to book right now:

• Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, and History
• Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
• Kona Manta Rays Guaranteed Night Snorkel in Keauhou Harbor
• Captain Cook Snorkel on A Power Catamaran with Lunch
• KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - Free Re-Ride If No Sightings

View all of Viator’s top outdoor activities on the Big Island of Hawaii.

According to travelers, these are the top museums and cultural attractions in the Big Island of Hawaii:

• Mauna Kea Summit and Observatory
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Captain Cook Monument
• Imiloa Astronomy Center
• Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

View all of Viator’s museum tickets and passes on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Couples will find plenty of romantic tours on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here are some of the top activities to book now, according to previous travelers:

• Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay
• Kona Manta Rays Guaranteed Night Snorkel in Keauhou Harbor
• Kona Wild Dolphin, Sea Cave & Captain Cook Reef Snorkel Adventure
• Captain Cook Snorkel on A Power Catamaran with Lunch
• Admission to Voyagers of the Pacific Luau

View all of Viator’s top romantic tours on the Big Island of Hawaii.