Island-Sity

A phenomenal place, the Big Island begs to be explored, and it should easily impress anyone who visits it. Plenty of Big Island travel deals are out there if you're willing to look for them, and these deals will help free up room in your budget for a range of fun things to do.

The Big Island, which is also known as the Island of Hawaii, is the biggest land mass in the Hawaiian Islands. Thanks to the still-active volcanic crater of Kilauea, it continues to grow on a daily basis. While planning a vacation to the Big Island, most visitors look to include a volcanic experience on their itineraries. You can hike, go horseback riding, or even mountain bike up and down the slopes of a volcano here, and you can also journey into the Kilauea Crater for a closer look. Some travelers who are enjoying Big Island getaways will prefer viewing the volcanic action from afar, which is understandable, and there are plenty of lava fields here that you can take in from a safe distance. The Kilauea volcano is found in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is an attraction you won't want to miss on your Big Island trip.

When you're not exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park during Big Island vacations, hiking to the summit of Mauna Kea is always an option. This mountain, which is the tallest mountain in the world when you include its subterranean mass, tops out at 13,803 feet above sea level. From December through May, its peak is covered in snow, so if you visit during this period, you can add snow skiing to your list of things to do on a vacation to the Big Island Hawaii. There aren't any ski lifts, resorts, or equipment rentals on Mauna Kea, so you'll have to take a 4x4 vehicle to the summit if you want to go skiing or snowboarding. High winds often keep would-be skiers off Mauna Kea, but when the conditions are right, there are few ski-related experiences that can match it.

If skiing or snowboarding isn't your thing, there are many other activities you can enjoy on Big Island getaways. Some of the more popular Big Island activities include deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and whale watching. The leeward side of the Big Island is one of the top places in the world to go deep-sea fishing, and you will do well to head to the Kona and Kohala coasts when looking to do some angling. These coasts are also ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, and whale watching, thanks to the relatively calm water conditions. Because the leeward side of the Big Island experiences an average of 350 sunny days each year, those who are visiting it can also look to stop at the beaches.

The Big Island might not be known for having the best beaches in Hawaii, but there are still some wonderful ones here. On the Kohala Coast, the beaches at Spencer Beach Park and Anaehoomalu Bay are soft and sandy, not to mention ideal for a range of water sports. On the eastern side of the island, black-sand and green-sand beaches wait to be discovered. While not the best locations for swimming or water sports, these east-side beaches still deserve a look when in the area. You can easily access them when visiting Hilo, which is the largest settlement on the Big Island. When you find yourself in Hilo on Big Island vacations, trips to both Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are strongly recommended. These waterfalls are stunningly beautiful, and they benefit from the fact that the Hilo area is the wettest in the United States. In other words, don't forget your waterproof gear when planning to explore the Big Island's eastern, or windward, side.

There's so much to enjoy when it comes to Big Island getaways, and you should have no problem keeping busy during your visit. You should also have no trouble finding good Big Island travel deals, especially if you explore the options for Hawaiian vacation packages. There are plenty of fantastic resorts to choose from on the Island of Hawaii, and they tend to offer Big Island travel deals of their own. Should you be planning a Big Island honeymoon, for example, some of the resorts and other hotels here offer an extra night for free. The Big Island is an ideal honeymoon destination, and it can be equally ideal for family getaways and trips with friends. So start planning your Big Island vacation, and come enjoy everything that Hawaii's Island of Adventure has to offer.