3-day itinerary · Big Island
3 Days in Big Island: Volcanoes and Ocean
This plan suits travellers drawn to volcanic landscapes, snorkelling, manta rays and Mauna Kea. Ocean experiences frame a volcano-focused middle day; its twilight tour is an alternative to the daytime outings, rather than an additional excursion.
Customize this with AIDay 1: Reefs and manta rays
Explore the ocean through reef snorkelling, coastal salt-making and a nighttime manta ray excursion.
Morning
Kona’s Best Morning Snorkel: Captain Cook & Kealakekua Bay
Snorkel Kealakekua Bay and look for marine life, beginning your ocean exploration below the surface.
Afternoon
Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour in Kona
Tour a working coastal salt farm to explore another connection between the island and the ocean.
Evening
Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Join a night snorkel to look for feeding manta rays, shifting your marine-life focus from reefs to these ocean inhabitants.
Day 2: Volcanic perspectives
Choose daytime volcanic exploration by e-bike and helicopter, or a twilight volcano and stargazing tour instead.
Morning
Big Island: Fat Tire E-Bike Tour through Volcanoes National Park
Explore volcanic landscapes by fat-tire e-bike with a guide, giving the volcano theme a ground-level perspective.
Afternoon
Big Island, Hawaii: Volcanoes National Park Safari
Take a helicopter safari for an aerial perspective on volcanic terrain, contrasting with your ground-level exploration.
Evening
Small Group Big Island Twilight Volcano and Stargazing Tour
Choose this twilight volcano and stargazing excursion instead of the daytime tours for a guided combination of black sand, volcanoes and stars.
Day 3: Ocean depths and summit stars
Pair two ways of observing the underwater world with a Mauna Kea summit and stargazing experience.
Morning
Big Island: Atlantis Submarine from Kona Beach
Descend beneath the waves in a submarine to experience the ocean from a different perspective than snorkelling.
Afternoon
Glass-Bottom Boat Reef Tour
Observe the reef through a glass-bottom boat, keeping your attention on the underwater world without another swim.
Evening
Big Island: Mauna Kea Summit Tour with Free Night Star Photo
Watch sunset from Mauna Kea's summit, then stargaze below the summit for a mountain-focused finale to your volcano-and-ocean itinerary.
Experiences are supplied by our partner Viator and booked on their site. Check times, prices and availability before you go.