About Big Island Things To Do
Who writes Big Island Things To Do, why it exists, and how we choose one top-rated operator per activity on both the Kona and Hilo sides of the island.
Big Island Things To Do is written by a small team of Hawaiʻi locals with decades in the water-sports and tour world. We know the captains, guides and farmers behind every operator on this list, we have been out on every trip we recommend, and we spend more evenings at Keauhou Bay waiting for the mantas than anywhere else.
Why this site exists
Most “things to do on the Big Island” lists are assembled far from the island by people who have never checked in a guest at Honokōhau, driven Saddle Road in the dark to catch a Maunakea sunset, or stood at the Waipiʻo lookout in the rain. They rank whatever pays the most. We wanted a short list that a local would hand to a friend: one operator per activity, chosen because it is the best, with real prices, real restrictions and the seasonal fine print spelled out, for both sides of the island.
How we pick
- One operator per activity. No ten-way comparison tables. We tell you who to book.
- Rating floor. Every pick holds 4.7 stars or better across hundreds or thousands of verified reviews, and most are 4.9 or 5.0.
- Safety first. Coast Guard-inspected boats, FAA-certified pilots, permitted guides on the national park and the mountain.
- Both sides of the island. Kona gets the ocean, Hilo gets the waterfalls and the volcano. We cover both, and we tell you honestly how far the drive is.
- Value, not price. Gear, meals, transportation and park fees included count for a lot.
- We update. Prices and seasons are checked every few weeks. If an operator slips, it comes off the list.
Get in touch
Corrections, questions, or an operator you think belongs on the list: contact us.