• Places to Explore
• Sights
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Entertainment
• Shopping
• Activities
• Travel Tips
• Features

Sights & Beaches Overview

Sometimes referred to as an "adventurer's island," the Big Island can be daunting for first-time visitors because it is, in fact, big, and it can seem wild and unruly. But if all you want is a mai tai and a beach, the Big Island has got you covered. If you like to hike but don't consider yourself an adventurer, nature walks and pleasant strolls to match your ability and interest abound. Golfers have long flocked to the Big Island for their pick of a dozen or so award-winning golf courses. Don't worry if you're a non-golfer being dragged along on a golf day -- the courses tend to be within spitting distance of a beach, a pool, a spa, or all three. A foodie in your group? The Big Island has enough award-winning chefs and locally sourced ingredients to please even the most discerning palate.

If you have sought out the Big Island for that adventurous reputation, prepare to have your expectations met and exceeded. From scuba diving to surfing, from kayaking to kiteboarding, the waters surrounding the Big Island will not disappoint. The gorges and valleys of the Hamakua Coast offer dozens of hikes, ranging from moderate to extreme and typically including a dip in a waterfall-fed pool. And, because even a beach day can be an adventure, some of the island's most beautiful beaches lie at the end of a hike over fields of black lava.