Is the Big Island of Hawai‘i Safe to Visit?
The Big Island is a safe place to travel. Violent crime is rare, the tourism infrastructure is professional, and most days the biggest risk you’ll face is sunburn. That said, this is still a place of active volcanoes, powerful ocean and remote terrain — and a bit of awareness goes a long way.
Here’s the same briefing we give friends and family when they come to visit.
Crime: low, with one real caveat
Violent crime against visitors is uncommon. The one thing that’s not uncommon is car break-ins at trailheads and beach parking lots. The rule is simple: never leave anything visible in your rental car, and ideally leave it empty. Soft-sided trunks get broken into just as often as the cabin.
Ocean safety: take this one seriously
More visitors get hurt by the ocean than by anything else on the island. Watch for:
- Shorebreak and rogue waves at beaches like Hāpuna, Makalawena and Kua Bay — they can pull you off your feet.
- Strong currents, especially on the east side and anywhere with a river mouth.
- Flash ‘cloudy water’ after rain — don’t swim in it (bacteria) or near river mouths (bull sharks).
- Sharp lava rock shorelines — reef shoes help.
If you’re not a confident ocean swimmer, pick beaches with lifeguards and swim where locals swim. Green or yellow flags, not red.
Volcanoes and lava: safer than most imagine
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is extremely well-managed. Viewing areas are opened and closed based on current conditions. When you follow the marked boundaries and take the vog warnings seriously, the park is safe. Do not hike into closed areas to chase lava — lava benches collapse, steam plumes contain acid, and rescues from those zones have ended badly.
Vog (volcanic smog)
Vog is a mix of sulfur dioxide and fine particulates from Kīlauea. On active-eruption days, or in summer when the trade winds drop, it can cause headaches, sore throats and tight breathing, especially if you have asthma. The Kona and Ka‘ū sides get it worst. Stay hydrated, carry an inhaler if you use one, and check vog forecasts if you’re sensitive.
Hiking and flash floods
Rainforest trails in Hilo and Hāmākua can flood fast — never cross a rising stream. The trail to the green sand beach is exposed and windy; bring more water than you think you need. The Mauna Kea summit is at 13,803 ft, which is real altitude — do not go in the first 24 hours after scuba diving, and expect to feel it if you rush from sea level.
Natural hazards: earthquakes, tsunami, hurricanes
Small earthquakes are common and almost always unnoticed. The island has tsunami warning sirens along the coast — if you hear them, move inland or to higher ground and follow posted signs. Hurricane season (June–November) rarely produces a direct hit, but worth watching the forecast in the fall.
Explore the Big Island with Ohana Tours
One of the underrated reasons guests book with us is simply that our guides know what’s open, where the current flow is (or isn’t), which trailheads have been hit with break-ins lately, and what the ocean is actually doing today. If you want a worry-free day of the island’s highlights, that’s exactly what a Circle Island or Volcanoes NP tour with us is for.
Ready to plan your trip? Browse our Big Island experiences at ohanatours.com or reach out at aloha@ohanatours.com — we’ll build the itinerary around you.
Mahalo for reading — the Ohana Tours team