Page 45) Things to Do in Big Island in 2025 – Tours & Activities

Big Island ATV Tour & Ranch Off-Road Adventure from Hamakua - All About The View

Such a fun day!

Reviewed by: Kelly B.

We had a blast on the ATV tour! The tour started at the Waipi'o on Horseback farm. We started off going uphill, past a fish pond and up to a beautiful spot overlooking the water. My son loved passing all of the horses and cows on the property. Then we headed down to the cliffs by the water which was beautiful! The guides were so nice and told us some interesting things about life on Hawaii. I highly recommend this tour! Quick tip- You will get quite dirty by the end, so bring some extra clothes if you have other plans after.

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Rating:
Packages:	2-Seater UTV Tandem Ride Package
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/07/05
Activity Date:	2021/07/02

Guided Waipio Valley Horseback Riding & Waterfall Tour [Closed]

The Best of the Valley

Reviewed by: Dee & Jake

I’ve taken this tour before and knew my family from the mainland would enjoy it as much as I did. They LOVED the tour from the very minute they met our guides, Chico and Tracy. We got the best of everything that day: weather, horses, views, guides and Hawaiian experience. We appreciated the high spirited personalities and the great knowledge Chico and Tracy, valley residents themselves, shared with us of life in the Valley of the Kings from times past to the life of today’s Hawaiian families. I don’t want to give any more details so it will be your own special experience. I guarantee you’ll have FUN and if you don’t, well then, you just don’t know how to have fun!
‘Oe! Chico! Tracy! A hui hou!

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Rating:
Packages:	Afternoon Ride
Attended as:	Families with Young Children
Posted on:	2021/07/04
Activity Date:	2021/07/02

Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona

Awesome experience!

Reviewed by: Wendy

We went on the sunset cruise and had a great experience. The crew/guides were knowledgeable, fun and helpful. When we got in the water, they knew where to take us for the best viewing.
The Manta Ray's were so cool to see. This should be on your must do activity list. I would recommend it over a regular day time snorkel trip. However, next time I would do the later night time trip. The Manta Rays seem to be more active the later it gets.

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as:	Friends
Posted on:	2021/07/03
Activity Date:	2021/07/01

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Amazing experience

Reviewed by: Vipin

Stephen and Jin did a great job in explaining things, showing places and clicking pictures.

And the sandwich was amazing

Reply from activity provider

Aloha, Vipin

Thank you for participating in our tour. I am very happy that the weather was nice and everybody enjoyed the spectacular view from the summit of Mauna Kea.

Please join us on our tour next time again !! Stefan and Jin are waiting for you !

Mahalo,

Hawaiian Eyes Tours

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/07/02
Activity Date:	2021/06/30

Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour - Small-Group Adventure from Keauhou Bay

Great time

Reviewed by: Amalia

My family had a great outing to the manta rays. The crew made us feel safe and made sure we had a great time. My 12 and 8 year old loved the experience as well. Would definitely recommend this crew.

Reply from activity provider

Mahalo for the shout out to your crew and the 5 star review! We are thrilled to hear that you had an amazing night. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again next time!

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Rating:
Packages:	Night Manta Discovery Adventure
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/07/02
Activity Date:	2021/06/30

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Mauna Kea Tour

Reviewed by: Anh

Our tour guide West is a really knowledgable fellow. He is very considerate and thoughtful. I highly recommend this tour to everyone.

Reply from activity provider

Aloha, Anh

Thank you for participating in our tour. I am very happy that the weather was nice and everybody enjoyed the spectacular view from the summit of Mauna Kea.

Please join us on Sunrise tour next time. Shotaro is doing Sunrise tour now !

Mahalo,

Hawaiian Eyes Tours

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/07/01
Activity Date:	2021/05/27

Guided Waipio Valley Horseback Riding & Waterfall Tour [Closed]

The best adventure on the big island! Just do it

Reviewed by: M.S.

The best adventure on the big island! We did everything: a helicopter ride, volcano national park, zip lining, snorkeling, swimming with manta rays and this horseback ride through the beautiful waipi'o valley was our favorite activity, hands down. Micah and Eta were excellent and chill guides and just let us get our zen on with the ride while also providing info about all the fruits growing around us.

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Rating:
Packages:	Morning Ride
Attended as:	Friends
Posted on:	2021/07/01
Activity Date:	2021/06/29

Spirit of Aloha Waikoloa Sunset Cruise with FREE Cocktails - Hawaii Nautical

Best crew on the Pacific

Reviewed by: Adam H

Couldn’t have asked for a better trip. Capt Mike, Faith, Brandon and Rob were the height of professionalism yet still made it fun. They were knowledgeable of the area, sailing and were very personable. They made it their mission to make sure we were happy, comfortable and filled with liquid refreshment. Sunset was out of this world and different experience then watching it from land. You won’t regret a single minute on this boat!

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Rating:
Packages:	Waikoloa Sunset Sail
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/07/01
Activity Date:	2021/06/28

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Great experience!

Reviewed by: Michelle

The van was in great condition and the guide was amazing! defiantly would recommend this to anyone who wants to go up the Mauna Kea summit.

Reply from activity provider

Aloha, Michelle

Thank you for participating in our tour. I am very happy that the weather was nice and everybody enjoyed the spectacular view from the summit of Mauna Kea.

Please join us on our tour next time again !!

Mahalo,

Hawaiian Eyes Tours

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Friends
Posted on:	2021/06/30
Activity Date:	2021/06/16

Kailua-Kona Sunset Cocktail with Free Drinks - Honi Olani Catamaran

Best way to enjoy sunset in big island !!!

Reviewed by: Shankar

Great friendly staff. They took customer satisfaction to heart and made sure everyone had a great time. Loved it!!!

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Rating:
Packages:	Sunset Cocktail Cruise
Attended as:	Families with Young Children
Posted on:	2021/06/30
Activity Date:	2021/06/27

Atlantis Kona Submarine Tour & Undersea Adventure - Descend up to 100 feet

Great family activity!!!

Reviewed by: Shankar

Staff are super friendly and funny. Loved the experience of going to 150 ft inside the ocean and see the marine life !!!

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Rating:
Packages:	Kona Submarine
Attended as:	Families with Young Children
Posted on:	2021/06/30
Activity Date:	2021/06/28

Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour - Small-Group Adventure from Keauhou Bay

Amazing experience

Reviewed by: Alex U.

If you are ever on Big Island and looking for unforgettable experience, you have to snorkel with manta rays. They are massive, but completely harmless, and will swim up to and under you. Just have your camera ready and enjoy the show. Dolphin Discoveries took care of all the details and made everyone feel comfortable in the water. I will definitely consider them for other tours!

Reply from activity provider

Mahalo Alex for your awesome review! We are so happy that you had a great time out on our manta ray snorkel! We do hope that we can see you again soon!

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Rating:
Packages:	Night Manta Discovery Adventure
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/06/30
Activity Date:	2021/06/28

Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters

Amazing experience

Reviewed by: Daniel

Awesome crew, it's actually an advantage to go on a smaller boat with fewer people, highly recommended.

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Rating:
Packages:	Sunset Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2.5 hours]
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/06/29
Activity Date:	2021/06/27

Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona

What a great experience!!!

Reviewed by: Brian My

Our crew was awesome and made the experience just totally rad.

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package: Moonlight Manta Snorkel (Seasonal)
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/06/29
Activity Date:	2021/06/27

Kohala Coast Sunset Cocktail Sail Cruise with Open-Bar [Apr-Dec]

GREAT TIME

Reviewed by: Xiomara

This was such a fun and relaxing experience. The bartender was absolutely the best. Besides the fact that it was an open bar - he granted every request with the biggest smile on his face. The whole crew was absolutely great. Me and my girlfriends really enjoyed our time out at sea. the sunset was STUNNING. Highly recommend.

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Rating:
Packages:	Kohala Sunset Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor
Attended as:	Friends
Posted on:	2021/06/28
Activity Date:	2021/06/26

Paradise Helicopters - Volcano, Lava & Waterfalls Flight from Hilo

The tour is not 60 minutes - closer to 50 minutes.

Reviewed by: Debbie M

We enjoyed the trip and thought we'd see at least one waterfall in addition to the volcanoes. After paying $670 for my husband and I, we were really put off by the "begging" for a tip for the pilot - the staff told us thee time about how to tip the pilot - felt it was really cheesy. We always tip and don't need to be told three times. Also, we asked about validating parking and were told absolutely not.
On the positive side, the pilot was very knowledgeable, took us over volcanoes and had was very skilled - we felt safe.

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Rating:
Packages:	60-min Flight
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/06/28
Activity Date:	2021/06/25

Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona

Manta dive

Reviewed by: Dude

Was lots of fun! Saw manta rays and enjoyed the sunset!

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/06/28
Activity Date:	2021/06/25

Kailua-Kona Sunset Cocktail with Free Drinks - Honi Olani Catamaran

Great review

Reviewed by: S. Ely

Wonderful experience! The captain and crew was amazing!

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Rating:
Packages:	Sunset Cocktail Cruise
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/06/26
Activity Date:	2021/06/24

Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters

Awesome!

Reviewed by: Haven

I would totally do this again! Such beautiful creatures!

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Rating:
Packages:	Sunset Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2.5 hours]
Attended as:	Friends
Posted on:	2021/06/26
Activity Date:	2021/06/24

Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka

Great tour!

Reviewed by: jrd

We booked this sort of last minute and were so pleased with the tour! The crew was great and had some very funny and entertaining jokes/stories. The manta rays were indescribable and it was such a unique experience. One major thing to note - we went in the middle of June and it was still very cold in the water, wetsuits are a must in my opinion!

Reply from activity provider

Aloha, Thank you for joining our Manta Ray snorkeling tour! We are grad that you had a great time with Mantas. Yes, since Manta Ray tour stars after Sunset, we highly recommend to wear wet suits during snorkeling. Thank you for your advice!
A Hui Hou.

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Rating:
Packages:	Manta Ray Night Snorkel with Sunset Cruise
Attended as:	Friends
Posted on:	2021/06/26
Activity Date:	2021/06/24

Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona

Incredible

Reviewed by: Mel

Never done anything like this. Is like a must do in Kona.

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/06/25
Activity Date:	2021/06/20

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour Adventure on a Hawaiian Sailing Canoe

Awesome experience and wonderful guides

Reviewed by: Heidi

A must do when visiting Hawaii! Good for all ages?

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/06/24
Activity Date:	2021/06/22

Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona

Memories for lifetime

Reviewed by: Phani V

We traveled with our 7 and 10 year old boys. The 7 year old snorkeled for the first time that morning and didn't really like it. The staff on this tour were very friendly and knowledgeable. They helped us get the way suits and pick snorkeling gear. By the end of the day, our kids were raving about the trip and wanted to go back and spend more time. Keep in mind, this adventure happens after sundown! You don't actually snorkel freely in the dark. You are holding on to a floating structure alongside other passengers while the crew circle around checking on everyone and helping them float. Watching the manta rays was very very cool... More cool than my words can describe. The waters were choppier than I thought they would be.

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as:	Families with Young Children
Posted on:	2021/06/24
Activity Date:	2021/06/22

Sea Paradise 3-Hour Afternoon Kealakekua Bay & Captain Cook Snorkel Tour

Snorkeling of my dreams

Reviewed by: Erika

Awesome and respectful Hawaiian crew members did chants, offerings and storytelling as we entered and left the bay. The sail was wonderful, and the crew was super helpful, watching my young son who decided last minute not to go into the water, so I had a chance to enjoy the activity.

Reply from activity provider

Mahalo for the wonderful review! We hope to have the pleasure of you joining us again on your next visit!

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Rating:
Packages:	Afternoon Snorkel Cruise
Attended as:	Families with Young Children
Posted on:	2021/06/23
Activity Date:	2021/06/11

Ocean Encounters Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Sunset & Moonlight Cruise from Kona

Awesome company and great experience!

Reviewed by: Quinn

Very pleased with our mantra dive experience. The crew was friendly, knowledgeable, and took charge to make sure everyone had the best experience possible. At one point a few children refused to stop kicking their legs in the water after being asked numerous times to keep still (or else they scare the plankton away and therefore mantas don’t come), after the children repeatedly showed they could not follow directions they were asked to leave the water, as to ensure a good experience for the other people on the excursion. Very much appreciated that. Also great snacks, and fun music!

Seemed to be a very special experience and we were surprised it is marketed as family friendly. In our opinion, only well-behaved kids over ~9 should come on this... otherwise there runs a risk of ruining it for everyone, or even hurting the mantas.

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package: Sunset Manta Snorkel
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/06/23
Activity Date:	2021/06/21

Kona Sunset & Moonlight Wild Manta Ray Snorkel Tour - Wahine Charters

Safe and reasonable

Reviewed by: Devin

The crew met us on time and were reasonably friendly, the boat looked well kept, and the wetsuits were clean. Everything felt safe and there were free sodas and snacks on the way back to the harbor. It's about 30 minutes from the harbor to the site where the mantas feed, and we got there pretty early so the crew was able to secure a good anchor spot amongst the dozens of other boats. Once it was dark enough we jumped in the water and held on to the raft attached to the boat. A light was shone and a few mantas swam up to feed on plankton near the light. We felt lucky to have them come to our boat because I'm sure with so many boats, other tourists may have struck out. After 30 minutes the captain told us we were leaving which was disappointing because we were still enjoying the show, and our boat was the first to leave. It felt like the crew was tired from a long day and wanted to get home, so our tour was shortened for their convenience. Overall I'm glad we did it but it could have been better.

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Rating:
Packages:	Sunset Cruise & Evening Manta Snorkel Tour [2.5 hours]
Attended as:	Couples
Posted on:	2021/06/19
Activity Date:	2021/05/28

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide

Once in a lifetime trip!

Reviewed by: Shalini

This tour was UNBELIEVABLE! Totally worth it. The sunset and star-gazing was out-of-this-world!

Reply from activity provider

Aloha, Shalimi

Thank you for participating in our tour. I am very happy that the weather was nice and everybody enjoyed the spectacular view from the summit of Mauna Kea.

Please join us on our tour next time again !!

Mahalo,

Hawaiian Eyes Tours

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Rating:
Packages:	Standard Package
Attended as:	Solo Travelers
Posted on:	2021/06/18
Activity Date:	2021/06/09

Kona Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour - Small-Group Adventure from Keauhou Bay

The manta ray snorkel was AWESOME!

Reviewed by: Jaxsmom

The guys at Dolphin Discoveries made it so much fun. Simply float and enjoy the mantas swimming super close to you. This should be on everyone's bucket list.

Reply from activity provider

Mahalo nui for the 5 star recommendation! We are stoked to hear that you had a great time with our crew and the mantas ;) We do hope that we can see you again next time!

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Rating:
Packages:	Night Manta Discovery Adventure
Attended as:	Families
Posted on:	2021/06/18
Activity Date:	2021/06/16

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation

Great way to see the sunset atop Mauna Kea and stargaze next to the welcome center!

Reviewed by: Nicole W

Gabe, our tour guide, was funny, patient and very knowledgeable! It’s a long drive there picking up all attendees and up the mountain. He did a great job sharing interesting facts and keeping us engaged throughout the tour! Plus he was a very safe driver given the rough terrain (4-wheel drive required to get to the top). At the very top Mauna Kea looks like Mars since no life can survive and was a surreal experience for this reason. Plus viewing the sunset over the clouds at the very top was breathtaking! Note we did not stargaze at the very top, since the altitude is too high and actually prohibits ideal stargazing because of prolonged altitude sickness and the fact it’s insanely cold after sundown (FYI it’s windy and cold up there, so wear layers - you’ll thank me!!). Instead we stargazed near the welcome center enjoying hot coco or hot coffee! We learned about the different constellations, etc. Overall it was a great tour and we’re glad to we did it!