Category Tour Reviews

Big Island · TOUR REVIEWS

The 15 Best Things to Do on the Big Island

341 reviewed

Every tour on this site on one page, best first. These 15 are the bookings that stand out across the whole island right now: what each one costs, how long it runs, and who it suits. The full catalogue sits underneath if none of the top picks fits your week.

Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History

Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History - Kona Coffee Farm and the Black-Sand Turtle Search

1.Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,569 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $264Our pick

Small-group Big Island day tour from Kona: coffee farm, black-sand turtles, Akaka and Rainbow Falls, Volcanoes NP, lava tube, lunch.

“It is a full day, very informative, amazing visual experience. I would highly recommend, the guide was excellent and well versed on a whole slew of subjects and articulates it amazingly his name was Kavika and he comes extremely highly recommended.”

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Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel - Gear, Jacket Wetsuit Tops, and the Night Platform Setup

2.Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,656 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $84

Night manta ray snorkeling in Kona with a safety-first crew, wetsuit tops and gear included, snacks onboard, and a free return if you miss.

“This was absolutely amazing for my family. We can’t stop talking about it! I can never visit Kona ago without adding this to my itinerary A MUST do for anybody”

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Big Island: Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour in Keauhou Harbor

Big Island: Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour in Keauhou Harbor - Small Boat, Small Group: Less Noise, More Control

3.Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour in Keauhou Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,465 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $25Best value

Night manta ray snorkeling in Keauhou Harbor with a small boat, a 150,000 lm light board, and a return-free guarantee.

“The ocean experience was wonderful. The boat crews were very nice and helpful. Saw lots of fish and manta rays. However, this business operates by being the lowest cost provider and overbooking. And they are bad at respecting your time and evening plans. As a result, many of us ended up waiting in a dark parking lot for over an hour, and totally messed up dinner and sleeping time. ---> So, if you don't mind your evening plans and want to save money, this is the operator for you. Once you are actually on the boat, it was a fun experience. Otherwise, I wish I had been aware of this…”

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Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach

Hilo Shore Excursion: Volcanoes National Park & Black Sand Beach - Hilo quick stops and the Japanese garden detail (plus the June 1 swap)

Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch

Big Island: Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch - Sailing out of Kona aboard a power catamaran that feels easy to enjoy

5.Captain Cook Snorkel On A Power Catamaran With Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,232 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85

Snorkel in historic Kealakekua Bay from Kona on a comfy power catamaran with lunch, reef gear, and a real chance at dolphins and whales.

“It was a great experience. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. We really enjoyed it. We took our son on this trip for his birthday. He said it was one of the best birthday presents he had ever had. He was visiting the big island from Colorado.”

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KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel – FREE re-ride if no Sightings

KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel - FREE re-ride if no Sightings - The 50-Minute Flow: What Happens From Dock to Water to Back

6.KONA Manta Ray Night Snorkel – FREE re-ride if no Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,212 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $49

Kona’s night manta ray snorkel pairs a small 23-foot boat with expert guidance and 25-30 minutes in the water for close-up magic.

“They just cancelled, i saw others were happening. Then they gave time to reschedule at worst time like 11.30 PM. Please be careful with these guys to ruin your vacation”

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Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island - Check-In to Departure: Don’t Miss the 1-Hour Gap

7.Manta Ray Night Snorkel at Kona, Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,758 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $44

Snorkel at night in Kona’s Keauhou Bay and watch manta rays feed close up, with wetsuit tops and pro guiding for $44.

“The actual time on the water and seeing the Manta rays was very short but it was an incredible esxperience and great and friendly staff. The actual time in the water was probably about 20 minutes. Started with a check in at another location and getting equipment and wet suit/top. Then drive about 5-10 minutes to the site and then walk about 1/4 mile to the meeting point. Then instructions and then boarding the boat and then driving out about 2 minutes into the water. Once there it was go time and you slid off the side of the pontoons and swam about 10 yards or so to the site…”

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Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars - Sunset at the summit: warm gear, hot drinks, and guided sky hints

8.Big Island GOAT Experience: Mauna Kea Summit, Sunset & Stars

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,706 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $289

Ride a 4x4 to Mauna Kea for sunset and stargazing with a pro telescope, warm gear, and a free night photo.

“We went in the winter after a snowstorm. The road to the summit was closed the day before we went but we had no trouble reaching it. The sunset was amazing especially against the snowcap. The cloud cover that made the sunset so vibrant unfortunately obscured the stargazing portion of the tour but it was still a great experience and we would try it again next time we visit. The guides were funny and knowledgeable.”

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Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour - Volcanoes National Park: lava features and crater stops in twilight conditions

9.Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,619 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $297

Kona coffee, sweet bread, black-sand turtles, Volcanoes National Park, and stargazing in one long, well-paced twilight adventure.

“This tour was a long day, but 1000% worth it. We were so lucky to see the volcano erupt and have clear conditions. Our tour guide, Felix, was awesome - very knowledgeable and took great care of us. Definitely do this tour!”

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Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour - Cold up top: layers, parkas, gloves, and how altitude feels

10.Mauna Kea Summit and Stars Small-Group Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,545 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $329

Mauna Kea summit and stargazing with picnic dinner, warm parka, and 11-inch telescope views in a small group on Big Island.

“Amazing experience to see the sunset above the clouds and stargazing . Wilson, our driver, was wonderful. So knowledgeable about the mountains/volcanoes ! And the stars.”

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Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo

Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo - Onizuka Astronomy Complex: acclimatize, gear up, and eat before the summit

Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves - Kealakekua Bay snorkeling: clear reef, and a simple gear setup

12.Kona Snorkel Tour: Captain Cook Reef Snorkel, Dolphin & Sea Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,411 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Fast Zodiac RIB snorkel at Kealakekua Bay for coral, sea caves, and Captain Cook area stops. Small group, snacks included, good value.

“The "Portland D's" David and Danielle were great. David was incredibly knowledgeable of the area with regards to both history and natural habitat. The snorkeling was really good at Kealakekua Bay. Would highly recommend this tour as we also found it a better value than a lot of other activities on the island.”

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Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay

Big Island Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay - What the historian and musician do onboard (and why it’s not just background)

Glow of the Deep: Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays

Glow of the Deep: Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays - Timing by Season: When You’ll Start and Why It Changes

14.Glow of the Deep: Night Snorkeling with Manta Rays

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,254 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $80

Night manta snorkeling in Kona: swim with giant rays under bright lights, then watch the sunset from a comfy boat. $80, up to 30 people.

“Watching the Manta’s swim at you with their mouths open was other-worldly and a truly outstanding experience! We were all hypnotized by their majestical flips to eat the krill below us that the time just escaped us! We saw Mantas from the moment we hit the water until we left. This was an excellent trip that I would recommend to any family visiting Kona. Our crew took great care of us on and off the boat telling us unique and fun facts about the Manta’s to top off our experience!”

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Kailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island

Kailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island - Gear, Wet Suit Tops, and the Safety Briefing You’ll Actually Use

15.Kailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,199 reviews · 2h 30m · from $121

Kona night manta ray snorkeling with lights, plankton, and giant mantas close up, plus a smooth cruise, snacks, and a ride-along option.

“Most incredible experience I’ve ever had! I’m not a great swimmer but they offer life jackets & pool noodles for floating. They also offer to “uber” you out to the viewing area & back when you’re ready to go in. The manta rays are spectacular! They swim right up on you ! My husband had to help me adjust to my snorkel cuz I’ve never done it before but once i got it wow! Poor hubby got motion sickness at the end but they have sprite & water to help. Bring a jacket for the ride home it’s chilly and windy obviously. Thank you Bryce & Noah! 🤙🏽 funny, entertaining…”

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