Aloha! Today, we'll share five ways for you and your family and friends to experience the Big Island of Hawaii!
Big Island - From Sand to Snow!
The island of Hawaii, the biggest of eight main islands, is home to more than ten different climate zones. In one hour, you can go from a sandy beachfront on the blue Pacific to a snowy mountaintop!
Visit the Kona area of the island to soak up the sun and enjoy some of the local coffee and other products. Trek to Puna and Kau to see just how dramatic volcanic activity can be. Stay up on the Kohala Coast, north of Kailua-Kona, and enjoy some of the best villa rental experiences offered anywhere in Hawaii. Wherever you are on this island, you will be treated to unforgettable views and experiences.
Here are five special ways that you can experience this truly unique place that we call The Big Island!
1. Manta Ray Night Dive
This is a very special experience that's not to be missed if you're a diver. Big Island Divers will take you on a magical journey under the waters of the Pacific Ocean, where you'll come face to face with enormous manta rays in the wild.
These creatures might be a little intimidating at first, but don't be afraid. Rays are gentle giants that soar through the water. The longer you are with them in the water, the more comfortable you become.
The dives begin in the late evening, meaning you will spend your evening in a completely different world beneath the waves. If you are a certified scuba diver, you can enjoy an open-water dive with these majestic animals. Otherwise, you can spend your time snorkeling with the manta rays. This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
2. Waterfall Ziplining
Skyline Akaka Falls is one of the best zipline courses on the island. The famous, much-photographed Akaka Falls is more than 200 feet high. Thundering water pours off the cliff while the green forest around you is alive with wildlife sounds. The scenery is utterly incredible, and because this activity has an adventure dimension, it's probably something the entire family, even aloof teens, will enjoy!
The seven zipline courses take you through the tree canopy and over the falls in one of the island's most beautiful state parks. Your guide will give you a unique peek into Hawaiian culture between adrenaline-pumping rides. The two-and-a-half-hour trip is something you will be sure to remember for years to come.
3. Soar Over an Active Volcano
The Big Island is home to Kilauea, one of the world's most beautiful and active volcanoes. The eruptions are typically gentile and ongoing, and the lava flows pose no danger, as long as you keep a safe distance! While you can hike to see the stirring beauty of this natural phenomenon, perhaps the best way to see Kilauea is from the air.
We always advise guests to take helicopter tours that fly you over the glowing volcano and more of the Big Island's unparalleled scenery. Lately, the volcano has been very active. Flying over it will show Hawaii's volcano goddess, Pele at her best! Read about our Door's Off Helicopter Tour experience!
4. Go Fishing!
The Big Island is an excellent place for sport fishing. Charter a boat to take you on the Pacific Ocean for unforgettable deep-sea fishing. You could catch a blue marlin, a spearfish, mahi mahi, or a yellowfin tuna – to name a few. In between catches, during whale season, roughly between November and April, you can watch for whales that frequent the waters off the coast of the Big Island.
Check out a recap of our amazing day on the water with Bomboy!
I know great captains who love what they do, and they will make the day entertaining and prosperous!
Photo credit Shanon Searls
5. Take a Coffee Tour
If you love coffee, you are going to love what the Big Island has in store for you! The island of Hawaii is home to hundreds of coffee farms. Kona coffee lovers can surround themselves with the fragrant smell of coffee on a tour of a coffee plantation.
You can learn about the entire process of cultivating coffee, roasting the beans to perfection, and brewing the perfect cup of coffee. You can purchase Kona coffee, one of the most beloved gourmet coffees, straight from the source. There is nothing quite like a freshly brewed cup of delicious Kona coffee when back home to remind you of your stay on the Big Island.
Combine your adventures in the island's coffee country with a visit to Vanilla Farm. Hawaii Vanilla Company has cultivated vanilla and made unique products since the 1990s. Trust me, the flavor is incredible. Your taste buds will be forever thankful!
Enjoy the Big Island's unique charms, and be sure to check out Exotic Estates Big Island vacation homes.
