Free things to do · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
7 free things to do in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Hāpuna Beach, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: Polihale, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Big Island (Hawaiʻi) without paying an entry fee: Maunakea, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Papakōlea Green Sand Beach and Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) are all free. Buy a US national parks annual pass if you are visiting several national parks during the year.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 7
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- May–June and September–November
Plan a trip to Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Free sights and experiences
Nature · Maunakea
1.Maunakea
Stop at the visitor station for at least 30 minutes to acclimatise before going higher, and do not go to the summit with children under 13, if pregnant, or with heart or lung conditions.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- After dark
- Nature
- Free
Beach · Kaʻū
2.Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Stay at least 3 metres from resting turtles, and do not take any black sand; removing it is prohibited.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
Beach · Kaʻū
3.Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
Bring plenty of water, sun protection and sturdy shoes; there is no shade, and the climb down into the cove is steep.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Nature
- Photo spot
Nature · Hilo
4.Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue)
Come around 9–10am on a clear morning for the best chance of rainbows, then continue up the road to Boiling Pots.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
Garden · Hilo
5.Liliʻuokalani Gardens
Visit early on a clear morning, when Maunakea is often visible across the bay before clouds build.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Market · Hilo
6.Hilo Farmers Market
Go early on a Wednesday or Saturday, try fruit you do not recognise, and bring small bills.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Shopping
Historic site · Kohala Coast
7.Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
Walk the short path to the overlook in the early morning, when the lava stone is cooler and the light is soft.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Maunakea | Maunakea | Half a day |
| Kaʻū | Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and Papakōlea Green Sand Beach | 1 hour + 3–4 hours |
| Hilo | Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue), Liliʻuokalani Gardens and Hilo Farmers Market | 30 minutes + 1 hour + 1 hour |
| Kohala Coast | Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site | 45 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Beach · Kohala Coast
Hāpuna Beach
Arrive in the morning for parking and calmer water; winter swells can create strong shorebreak and currents.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Nature · Hāmākua Coast
ʻAkaka Falls State Park
Combine it with the Hāmākua Coast drive and a stop in the old sugar town of Honomū.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Historic site · South Kona
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Snorkel at Two Step, the lava-ledge entry just north of the park, before or after your visit.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
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Museum · Hilo
Pacific Tsunami Museum
Pair it with a walk along the bayfront, where open parkland now stands on land cleared after the tsunamis.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Experience · South Kona and Hōlualoa
Kona coffee farm visit
Look for '100% Kona' on labels; 'Kona blend' may contain only a small share of Kona beans.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Couples
- Outdoors
Palace · Kailua-Kona
Huliheʻe Palace
Look across the road at Mokuʻaikaua Church, Hawaiʻi's oldest Christian church, built of lava stone and coral mortar.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Buy a US national parks annual pass if you are visiting several national parks during the year.
- Stay in condos with kitchens in Kailua-Kona and shop at supermarkets to cut meal costs.
- Hilo has noticeably lower accommodation prices than the Kohala resorts.
- Many of the best beaches, waterfalls and viewpoints are free.
- Book hire cars early, especially for December to March, when rates climb.
- Visit in May or September for the best combination of weather and lower prices.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) expensive to visit?
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) is expensive for most visitors, but 7 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Maunakea: Stop at the visitor station for at least 30 minutes to acclimatise before going higher, and do not go to the summit with children under 13, if pregnant, or with heart or lung conditions.