Is the Big Island of Hawai‘i Worth Visiting? An Honest Take
We get asked this a lot, usually by someone choosing between Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and the Big Island. The short answer is yes — the Big Island is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you’ve been to another Hawaiian island before and want something bigger, wilder, quieter and more varied.
Here’s the longer answer: who it’s best for, and who might be happier somewhere else.
Why the Big Island is worth the trip
- It’s the only Hawaiian island with active volcanoes you can actually visit.
- It has more climate and landscape diversity than the other islands combined — tropical rainforest, lava desert, alpine tundra and classic beach coast, all within a few hours.
- It’s less developed and less crowded than Maui or O‘ahu, especially outside the Kohala resort strip.
- It has the best stargazing in the state (Mauna Kea), the most reliable manta ray encounters, and a black, green and white sand beach — all things you cannot do elsewhere in Hawai‘i.
- Real Kona coffee on its home slope.
Who it’s best for
Travelers who want variety and are willing to drive (or take guided day tours) to get it. Geology nerds. Families whose kids are old enough to appreciate a volcano. Repeat Hawai‘i visitors who’ve already done Maui/O‘ahu and want something different. Snorkelers and divers — the Kona coast is among the best in the state. Photographers, stargazers, and anyone who likes feeling like they’ve ‘found’ the quieter Hawai‘i.
Who might prefer another island
If your priority is pure white-sand-beach relaxing with everything walkable from your resort, Maui’s Wailea strip or Kaua‘i’s Po‘ipū edge us out. If you want nightlife, restaurants, shopping and a city-feel with beach access, O‘ahu is the pick. The Big Island rewards curious travelers more than pure relaxers, and it rewards movers more than resort anchors.
Common concerns, addressed
‘Isn’t it rainy?’
Only the east side (Hilo/Hāmākua). The Kona and Kohala coasts are among the driest places in the entire state, and the rain on the other side is what builds the waterfalls and rainforest you came to see.
‘Isn’t it dangerous because of the volcano?’
Not for visitors. The national park is highly monitored, and when eruptions occur they are either inside the park (where you can safely view) or in remote zones that are closed off.
‘Isn’t it too big to see?’
It is big, yes — but with a loose plan and maybe one or two guided days, you can see the headline sights comfortably in a week.
Explore the Big Island with Ohana Tours
If you’re still on the fence, the easiest way to get a feel is to send us a note with your travel dates and interests. We’ll tell you straight whether the Big Island is right for you, or suggest a better fit — we’re not going to sell you a trip that won’t land.
Our answer is obviously biased — we live here — but the fastest way to find out for yourself is a guided circle island tour of the Big Island that shows you all of it in one day.
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