Hawaiʻi

The Big Island - officially Hawaiʻi - is the youngest and by far the largest island, a world of active volcanoes, black- and green-sand beaches, coffee farms, ranchland and snow-capped peaks.

Known for: active volcanoes, Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, and climates from rainforest to alpine summit.

Don’t miss: the lava and craters of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the summit and observatories of Mauna Kea, the resorts and coffee farms of the Kona coast, and the waterfalls around rainy Hilo.

When to go: great year-round - the leeward Kona side is dry and sunny, the windward Hilo side lush and wet.

Hawaiʻi Island, commonly called the Big Island, is the largest island in the U.S. state of Hawaii, covering roughly 10,430 square kilometers. It is volcanically active and contains some of the highest mountains in the state, including Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Major visitor draws include volcanic landscapes within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, stargazing and observatories on Mauna Kea, tropical rainforests and waterfalls on the windward side, and Kona coffee-growing districts on the drier leeward coast. Coastal beaches range from white to black and green sands depending on local geology.

The island formed through successive volcanic eruptions over millions of years with comparatively recent eruptions documented in historical times, and it remains volcanically active. Human settlement dates back to Polynesian voyagers; the island later became part of the Kingdom of Hawaii and then the U.S. state of Hawaii.

Located in the central Pacific, it is the southeasternmost of the main Hawaiian Islands and is served by inter-island flights and an international airport, with the towns of Hilo and Kailua-Kona functioning as principal access points.

• Size: Largest island in the U.S. state of Hawaii with an area of roughly 10,430 square kilometers and major elevation gains from sea level to volcanic summits.
• Volcanic peaks: Contains the state’s highest mountains and active volcanic sites, including Mauna Kea at 4,207 meters and Mauna Loa at about 4,169 meters, plus Kīlauea within a national park.

What to See#

• Mauna Kea summit: The summit area and astronomical facilities near the top at 4,207 meters, used for international observatories because of its high, dry atmosphere.
• Mauna Loa: A broad shield volcano rising to about 4,169 meters and occupying much of the island’s western flank; one of the largest active volcanoes by volume on Earth.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: The national park that protects Kīlauea and Mauna Loa’s volcanic landscapes, with visitor centers, marked trails and interpretive areas focused on ongoing volcanism.
• Hilo and Kailua-Kona: The island’s two largest towns and main visitor centers: an eastern coastal town known for its waterfalls and rainforests, and a western town known for Kona coffee and dry leeward beaches.

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO) both serve the island with flights from Honolulu and the U.S. mainland. Driving the island requires time-Route 19 (Mamalahoa Highway) and Saddle Road (Route 200) cross different parts of the interior; rental cars are the usual way to circulate between Kona, Hilo and the national parks.

• Plan hikes with respect for volcanic and cultural sensitivity-some areas around Kīlauea and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park have restrictions and closures for safety.
• Visit coastal viewpoints in the early morning for calmer winds and clearer air-lava plume visibility can be reduced in afternoon winds.
• Book accommodations in advance during major events (holidays or active eruptive periods) as local options can fill quickly.