12+ FREE Things to do On The Big Island of Hawaii
I absolutely love visiting the Big Island of Hawaii. My family is fortunate enough to visit every year during the Christmas Holiday. Over the years, I have fallen in love with this beautiful, tropical island and all the fun things to do here – especially the free things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii!
This guide will specifically feature all of the FREE Things to Do on the Big Island. Just because you’re on a tropical island, doesn’t mean you need to splurge on every activity!
If you’re looking for a full guide to the Big Island – check out this blog post HERE.
FREE THINGS TO DO ON THE BIG ISLAND
The Big Island of Hawaii is…well… BIG – so to help you determine where the free items are on the island, I’ve included a map of the 6 regions
Hula Show
Kohala Coast
Tuesday and Thursday at 6PM
Luau’s are notoriously expensive (so you’re probably wondering why I’m talking about it on this list – just keep reading). It’s something everyone wants to see and do while on a Hawaiian island. But, the food is typically “meh” and they’re always crowded. The actual hula dance is fun to watch but you definitely don’t need to spend all the money on a Luau just to see a hula dance.
Instead, we opt to see the FREE Hula Show at The Mauna Lani Shops. They offer a free show twice a week for anyone to attend! I try to arrive about 30 minutes early to snag a seat at the very front and participate in some of the other cultural activities they set up! Typically, they offer lei making and more! Going to the free Hula Show at the Mauna Lani Shops is a family tradition that we love! Plus, once it’s over, you can shop in the village!
Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
Hilo, Hawaii
9AM to 4PM; daily
Pana’ewa Gardens are the ONLY tropical gardens in the United States and it is completely FREE to visit! The Zoo is open daily from 9AM to 4PM and only 5 miles away from Hilo.
Spend one to two hours exploring and see endangered Hawaiian animals like lemurs, nene geese (Hawaiian State Bird), spider monkeys, and 80+ other animal species. You’ll also find over 100 varieties of plants including orchids, bamboos, and more.
Note: Entry is free, but please consider leaving a small donation for the Zoo & Garden.
Related Post: Best Things To Do in Hilo
Spend the Day at the Beach
This is the most obvious FREE thing to do on the Big Island of Hawaii. All Big Island beaches are free and open to the public. However, there are a few beaches with a small parking fee (typically $5 or less). Full list of all the BEST beaches on the Big Island HERE.
Read More: 10 Best Beaches on the Big Island of Hawaii
Coffee Plantation Tour
Hawaiian is known for their coffee plantations. There are a few great FREE Coffee Plantation tours offered on the Big Island of Hawaii:
- Heavenly Hawaii (tours offered hourly from 9AM-4PM on Monday-Saturday)
- Mountain Thunder (tours offered hourly from 10AM-4PM; daily)
- Kona Joe Coffee (self guided tour offered daily)
Go for a Hike
Get your daily dose of exercise on one of the many trails located on the Big Island. Most all trails are completely free of charge and range in difficulty. Hiking is one of the best free things to do on the Big Island!
My favorite hike on the Big Island is Pololu Valley (pictured below) – at the end of it, you’re rewarded with a black sand beach to yourself!
Macadamia Nut Tour
Hilo, Hawaii
8:30am to 5pm; daily
Macadamia Nuts are produced here in Hawaii. Try a free sample plus learn about the process of growing macadamia nuts here at Mauna Loa in Hilo, Hawaii. You’ll find a huge variety of options ranging from salty and savory nuts to sweet and chocolate-covered nuts.
You can also visit Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company (closer to Kona).
Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
Hilo, Hawaii
9AM to 4PM on Tuesday – Saturday
The Mokupapapa Discovery Center (MDC) is a FREE museum featuring a 3,500 gallon saltwater aquarium, interactive exhibits, life size models of wildlife, and more! The goal of the museum is to showcase the remote island wildlife, natural science, and history.
Puako Petroglyphs Archaelogical Preserve
Kohala Coast
sunrise to sunset; daily
Step back in time to 1200 AD by “reading” over 3,000 ancient petroglyphs. The exact meaning of the petroglyphs are unknown but it is assumed that they mark births, deaths, and significant events from the island’s earlier days.
Note: Wear good shoes because the path is unpaved and goes through a kiawe forest.
Drive to the Mauna Kea Summit
Center of the Big Island
Visitor Center is open 9AM-6PM; daily
The Mauna Kea Summit is one of the only places in the world that you can drive from sea level to 14,000ft above sea level in less than 2 hours. This can cause altitude sickness so take precautions, stay hydrated, and be sure to stop at the visitor’s center to acclimate.
You’re probably asking yourself why it is worth it if you’re going to get altitude sickness… well, the view at the top definitely makes it worth it! It’s the perfect place for stargazing or watching the sunset. Since you’re so high up, the weather changes drastically – there could be snow on top of the mountain, high winds, or more!
Note: To drive past the visitor’s center, you must have a TRUE 4-wheel drive vehicle with LOW range. Otherwise, you’ll need to book a tour to go all the way to the top.
Visit a Local Farmer’s Market
The Big Island of Hawaii has 2 well established farmer’s markets that offer everything from fresh produce to local crafts.
- Hilo Farmers Market: Open 7AM to 3PM, 7 days a week
- Pure Kona Green Market: Open 9AM to 2PM on Friday and Saturday only
You’ll find unique items at each market so I recommend checking out both! But don’t limit yourself to just these two farmers markets – there are dozens around the island that are worth checking out! Famers Markets are one of my favorite free things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii because all of the crafts are so unique!
Visit Rainbow Falls
Hilo, Hawaii
sunrise to sunset; daily
This is one of the most iconic waterfalls in Hawaii and it is completely FREE. Rainbow Falls is located near Hilo, Hawaii. It’s incredibly accessible as you simply park and walk 10 steps to the viewpoint.
Kaumana Caves
Hilo, Hawaii
sunrise to sunset, daily
Explore a lava tube from the Mauna Loa dating back to the 1800s! This lava tube is open to the public and available to explore at your own pace. Be sure to bring a flashlight because there is no natural light inside of the lava tube!
Pololu and Waipio Lookout
Kohala Coast + Hamakua
There are two gorgeous lookouts in Northern Hawaii that offer stunning views!
Pololu Valley and Waipio Valley are both on the northern part of the Big Island and accessible via hikes. If you’re not a hiker, don’t fret – there is still an incredible lookout to experience at the top of the valley.
I’ve personally hiked Pololu many times – it is a short hike that is moderate in skillset (lots of rocks, can be very muddy, moderately steep). Waipio Valley on the other hand is a very strenuous and long hike that should be reserved for skilled hikers.
Lapakahi State Historical Park
Kohala Coast
This state park is free for all to explore. It is located along the beach and provides many ancient landmarks to view along a marked trail. Pick up a free map so you can educate yourself on your surroundings while taking in the magnificent views!
PS: Other Ways To Save on The Big Island of Hawaii
- Costco Member? Be sure to bring your Costco card and fill up on gas at the Kona Costco to save money!
- Grocery shop and cook inside your condo/beach house instead of eating out every meal
- Rent beach chairs & umbrellas for the week (not daily).
- Pack ALL of your necessities (like sunscreen, aloe, etc). Buying items on the Island is expensive!
Well, there you have it – a full list of my favorite FREE things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii! Like I said before, just because you are on a tropical island, doesn’t mean you need to splurge every step of the way!
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Related Posts on the Big Island of Hawaii:
- Top 5 Resorts on the Big Island of Hawaii
- Kona, Hawaii City Guide
- Hilo, Hawaii City Guide
- Top 10 Best Beaches On The Big Island
Get the best rates on hotels in Hawaii here:
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Excellent guide. I would love to go on a coffee plantation tour.
Such a helpful guide and great tips! I will be sharing this with a few friends who are planning their Hawaii holidays in the future. Thanks for sharing 🙂
What a great list! I especially love the idea of doing Pana’ewa Gardens – so cool that it’s free! Beautiful photos as always 🙂 Hope to make it here in the future!