What to do in Hawaiʻi County, HI

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two active volcanoes, including the most active in the world, Kīlauea. Covering 333,000 acres (1,335 square kilometers) of Hawaii’s Big Island this national park is unlike any other in America. It’s one of the most popular destinations in Hawaii for its scenic drives, stunning views and fascinating natural history and science museum.

This resort beach on the Big Island’s northwest coast is a hot spot for swimmers and snorkelers and considered by many as one of Hawaii’s best beaches. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel was opened in 1965. At a cost of U.S. $15 million, it was the most expensive ever built at the time. Decades later the beach and the hotel remain a popular destination.

Hapuna Beach is one of the few white-sand beaches on the Big Island’s west coast. The state park covers 61.8 acres (25 hectares) of the island and is a great destination to hike, swim and snorkel. The park is also home to the popular Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel, sister hotel to the famous Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

The tallest peak in the state of Hawaii is the million-year-old volcano, Mauna Kea, one of the five volcanic hot spots that combine to form Hawaii’s Big Island. While the top of Mauna Kea is 13,796 feet (4,205 meters) above sea level, the volcano would be more than double the height of Mount Everest when measured from its base at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Mauna Kea is iconic, with its snowy peak visible across the island and its summit offers some of the best views in Hawaii.

Kahalu’u Beach Park is the most popular destination on the island for snorkelers and divers, and is commonly referred to as “snorkel beach.” During the reign of King Kamehameha it was decided that a sheltered beach was needed for the king and his family. A thick seawall was built protecting the bay that Kahalu’u Beach Park now occupies. The seawall creates a calm and peaceful beach environment for snorkelers, swimmers and families.