Fun Activities On The Big Island

Full Day Trip

 1. VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. The sign says 93 miles but the sensational sights and the twists and turns in the narrow road demand more than most would imagine. So start early and give yourself at least two hours to get there from your suite at Kona Magic Sands.

If you leave early enough, stop at the Aloha Theater (Aloha Angel Café) for the most abundant breakfast imaginable. If you miss the theater, a little farther up the road you’ll pass the Coffee Shack. Stop in for some of the best homemade baked goods on the Island, plus you’ll have a great overview of Kealakekua Bay.

After passing by the road to windblown South Point (hint, hint) be sure to stop at Punalu’u Black Sand beach. At the 56 mile marker, you guessed it, there is a beautiful black sandy beach. On most days you can see dozens of friendly Honu sunning themselves on the shore break. These are the famous good-eating green turtles now very high up on the endangered species list. (ever wonder why?) The cove also has loads of fresh spring water percolating up through the bay floor, hence the name--- Puna, which means spring water and Lu’u - to dive under.

The most famous landmark on the Big Island is the Kilauea Calderas. Kilauea is the user-friendliest volcano in the whole world! Brand-new land is being born before your very eyes. “The youngest spot on earth!” The birth of our world is something to behold. Madame Pele, the fire-goddess of Hawaii, began her current dramatic flare-up in 1983 and while she has had occasional tranquil moments, her fiery menses has been more or less unceasing since. This active volcano, our planet earth’s most primordial show, is not to be missed.

Afterwards, a brief stop at the nearby Volcano Winery will reveal another kind of primordial experience: yes, intoxication via fermentation of fruit pre-dates written human history. The only winery on the island boasts several exotic wines. Sips are free!

 2. CHARMING HILO TOWN. Nestled on the lush eastern coast of Hawaiʻi Island, Hilo is a charming town where time seems to slow down just enough to savor every moment. With its historic wooden storefronts, vibrant farmers market, and sweeping views of Hilo Bay, the town blends old Hawaiian soul with a laid-back vibe. Locals greet you with warm aloha, rain showers nourish the tropical gardens, and nearby waterfalls like Rainbow and ʻAkaka Falls add a touch of magic to everyday life. It’s the kind of place where you can sip fresh island coffee, stroll through art galleries, and feel like you’ve discovered a hidden gem.

 3. WAIPI'O VALLEY OVERLOOK. To visit this northerly valley is to step into a time warp. At one point thousands of Hawaiians lived in this lush horseshoe shaped gorge. The incredibly steep walls with fresh waterfalls on every side allowed a bit of primal Eden to exist safely. Outsiders or enemies could only come from the sea. The early Hawaiians cultivated enough food for Waipi’o to be considered the “bread-basket" of the Big Island. When you gaze out over this verdant valley from the dramatic lookout point, it is easy to imagine the patchwork fields below teeming with all manner of foodstuff.

 In 1946 a terrifying tsunami gushed into the valley and wiped out thousands of helpless people and their farms. It was left uninhabited until the 60s when a few back-to-nature hippies, disenchanted Nam veterans and others “wanting to get away from it all” began settling in. To this day there is no regular power, sewage, city water or TV. There is a herd of friendly “wild” horses to beg a bite of your lunch if you should venture down via a steep hike, a 4x4 vehicle, or the Waipi’o Valley Shuttle. It is claimed that the cul-de-sac valley still possesses supernatural power or mana , as the Hawaiians  call special spiritual influences. Although the half-mile-long black sand beach is definitely worth a visit, be cautious of the surf which can be dangerous. For the energetic you can hike to the floor of Waipi’o.

 4. KOHALA MOUNTAIN CIRCLE DRIVE. The drive around Kohala Mountain is one of the easiest and most picturesque available to the day tripper. Kohala erupted some 60,000 years ago and is now thought to be extinct. If you flow with the traffic passed the famous Hapuna Beach on highway 19 , you will come Kawaihae Road which turns right up to Waimea (or as the locals call it Kamuela) Turn left toward the Kawaihae Harbour. On the way down if you look left you will see the largest man-made monument on the Big Island. It’s called Pu’ukohola Heiau and it represents a kind of ancient shrine where King Kamehameha killed off (and ate) his last enemy and united all the Hawaiian Islands. Proceed North. This is often a very windy area; in fact, just to your left is where Captain Cook’s main ship mast was blown away. This forced him to return to Kealakekua where he was killed. As you proceed North you come to a little art community called Hawi. (Pronounced ha-vvi) Go to the end of the road even though it means you must travel part of the way back on the same road. At the end you will come to Pololu lookout, which, as you may have guessed, looks our over Pololu valley. The trek down only takes about twenty minutes coming back up is another matter. It is a great little hike when conditions are right. Good, waterproof shoes are recommended as well as an abundance of energy. Oh, better take some water with you too.

 Come back to Highway 250 turn left and head up and then down, toward Waimea. Take time to “smell the roses”. Once you have arrived in the old cowboy town of Waimea, stop for lunch or dinner at any of the fine eateries.

 Parker Ranch (one of the largest cow-farms in the world) has its headquarters here and the ranch museum house is worth a visit.

Half Day Trip

Napo'opo'o Beach Park designated a national park by the US Congress in 1961 is the place Islanders call the Place of Refuge. The easiest way to get there is the fully paved road that the buses use at the 104 Mamalahoa Highway marker. This is truly an amazing place. In the old days the breaking of a kapu law could result in death. If the offender could elude his club wielding trackers and run, swim or crawl to the Place of Refuge, he could receive a kind of absolution from the big Kahuna (priest) and all was forgiven.

An easy walk around the extensive beachfront park will reveal neatly maintained grounds, a massive 1000 foot long wall, reconstructed Hawaiian Hales (houses), temples and fearsome carvings of gods. One reconstructed Hale contained the bones of previous chiefs because the bones where thought to contain spiritual power or mana which was thought to help in the sacred “cleansing” of offenders.

Next door, just to the right of the boat ramp, you'll find some of the best snorkeling and SCUBA waters in all the Island.

Kona coffee is unique in the world and if you would like to experience the process for about a half a day, from picking the coffee cherry to roasting and tasting you have only to ask. Several of the local coffee farms offer tours.

Quarter Day Trip

In the park. A few steps to the North of your KMS condo is Pahoehoe green grass park. The green grass now covers what Hawaiians call smooth taffy-like lava Pa hoe hoe. The sharp crusty kind of lava found across Alii Drive is da' kin called A'a. In all likely-hood because when you try to walk bare-footed on this clinkery stuff all you can say is A! A! A! This lovely oceanfront beach-park, besides rolling mounds of green grass, has a picturesque little bay where weddings take place on a regular basis on the sandy shoreline.

Weekends in the park provide an extra perk. If you want to observe Hawaiian children and their families playing, singing and creating exotic picnic foods ‘dis be da place'. Not only do Hawaiian families show the world how to create family cohesiveness, on Saturdays there is a free Tahitian Hula show that lasts for hours.

Take a few steps to the South of Kona Magic Sands Condos and you are on the Magic Sands Beach Park. Yes, the sand really does magically disappear from time to time. But when the brilliant white sand covers the entire beach, there is no better place for boogie boarding and surf riding. You may also see this lovely beach demarcated as Disappearing Beach Park. If playing on a sandy beach or bouncing in the surf is your thing … you have found paradise right next door. It is magical! While restrooms and showers are available to the public, your own private shower is waiting for you at KMS, just inside WASH SAND sign. Use your pool key.

A leisurely stroll through Kailua-Kona town brings you face-to-face with the laid-back charm of Hawaii’s Big Island. Along Ali‘i Drive, ocean breezes drift through open-air shops and seaside cafés, while the sound of waves gently plays counterpoint to the hum of island life. Historic sites like Hulihe‘e Palace whisper stories of Hawaiian royalty, and local artisans offer treasures that capture Kona’s spirit. Whether you're sipping a cup of rich Kona coffee or catching a glimpse of a green sea turtle just offshore, every step feels infused with warmth and wonder.