The Big Island

The Big Island (officially named Hawaii) is the largest island in the United States' Hawaiian archipelago in the Central Pacific. Its diverse terrain spans colored-sand beaches at Papakolea (green) and Punalu’u (black) to lush rainforest. Within Volcanoes National Park, there are 2 active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa. Hapuna Beach and Kahalu'u Beach Park in the west are popular snorkeling sites.

Things to do:

• Helicopter to see Active Volcanoes

• Black Sand Beaches

• Rain forest and lush vegetation on the east side

• Going from warm summer weather into frost and snow up in the mountains as you drive from one side of the island to the other

• On the north end of the island; the cattle ranch and cowboy (or paniolo in Hawaian) country near the north part of the island, which has a very different terrain than the rest and which has the largest ranch in all of the USA!,

West (Kona)

• Hapuna Beach

• Manu Lai Beach

• Kahaluu Beach in town

• Lauau-Island Breeze (KingKoni)

• Waipio Valley North W Hike Down

East

• Waipio Valley North East Overlook

• Akaka Falls

• Rainbow Falls (Hilo)

• Volcano  - You can stay near the volcanos, quite nice

• Winery

Observatory

• Helicopter Ride, you can go at night and see lava flows

• Captain Cook Snorkel and Whalewatching Tour - My friends Most Favorite

• South Point (Overlooks)

• Black Sand Beach (Turtles)

• Bakery

Dining -

• Bamboo

• Big Island Grill

• Brown's Beach House

• Café Pesto

• Copper at Mauna Kea Resort

• Fosters Kitchen

• http://scandinavianshaveice.com/

• Huggo's

• Island Lava Lava

• Killer Tacos

• Kohala Burger & Taco

• Kona Brewing Co.

• Lava Lava Beach Club

• Meridia

• Merriman's

• Ola Brewing Co.

• Papa Kona

• Pineapples

• Pueo’s Osteria 

• Tex Drive In

• The Coffee Shack

• Tommy Bahama