Things to do in Waikoloa: A Travel Guide

Big,Island,Hawaii,Waikoloa
Waikoloa, Hawai’i, is a delightful hidden gem on the South Kohala side of the Big Island. This meticulously designed resort village is located on 35,000 acres atop a hardened lava flow. It features ample resorts and hotels, along with shopping centers, restaurants, cultural events, and an awe-inspiring number of activities. There’s plenty to see and do in Waikoloa, Hawai’i. Enjoy the local food, visit historic sites, hike breathtaking trails, go on exhilarating tours led by local experts, snorkel at Anaeho’omalu Bay, or just hang out on Waikoloa Beach. At Kailani Tours, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to discovering this beautiful village and its surroundings, so let’s get started.

Beach Activities

Dazzling blue-green waters splashing and foaming over lava rock and protected by a coral reef – Waikoloa Beach is an inviting place to enjoy a couple of favorite Hawai’ian activities — for residents and visitors alike! We’re talking about swimming in the warm tropical waters and sunbathing on the salt and pepper sand beach afterward. Of course, snorkeling at Anaeho’omalu Bay (known locally as A-Bay) is another popular activity in this tropical paradise, where the underwater world is spectacular. And don’t miss the highly photogenic sunsets over the bay, complete with iconic palm trees, sparkling ocean water, and entrancing colors.

Visit Historic Sites

Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site symbolizes unification and lasting peace at the foundation of the Hawai’ian Kingdom. You can walk in the footsteps of a king while learning about the violent birth of a nation. Then, visit the temple erected by that king and his warriors to symbolize the unification of the Hawai’ian Islands under a single ruler. The rolling lava terrain of Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve is a showcase for ancient Hawai’ian petroglyphs detailing the art and culture of Hawai’i. The petroglyphs were etched into the cooled lava flow by Hawai’ians as far back as the 16th century. Some images depict humans, birds, and canoes, while others are more cryptic, involving dots and lines of unknown importance and meaning. The Preserve is a short stroll from Waikoloa Village.

Enjoy Outdoor Adventures

Explore the best that Waikoloa has to offer with Kailani Tours. From the volcanoes that are the heart of Hawai’i to delicious Kona coffee and food to a chance to see majestic sea turtles, our tours offer a selection of the best of the Island of Hawaii. Our Volcano Explorer Tour takes you from Waikoloa to the reputed home of the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire, Pele, on Kilauea Volcano. This 8-hour tour passes the spectacular 80-foot-tall Rainbow Falls on your way to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. You’ll enjoy the interactive displays at the Visitor’s Center, explore the Kilauea and Kilauea Iki craters, and hike through the 500-year-old Nahuku cave (AKA the Thurston Lava Tube). Finally, treat yourself at Big Island Candies before heading home. Start your day with a complimentary Kona coffee and island-style breakfast at a Kona coffee farm when you take our Big Island Highlights Day Tour. Then, you’ll stop at the southernmost bakery in the U.S. on your way to the gorgeous Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach for a chance to see the sacred honu (Hawaiian sea turtles). You’ll follow that up with a visit to Volcano Winery & Tea Farm for lunch and tastings. The afternoon will include visiting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park before stopping at the magical Rainbow Falls.

Explore and Enjoy All That Waikoloa, Hawaii, Has to Offer with Kailani Tours

Now that you know the best things to do in Waikoloa Hawai’i, the next step is to book your tour! Whether you choose one of our luxurious all-inclusive tours or craft your signature private tour with the help of one of our expert guides, a tour with us is the best way to explore everything Waikoloa, Hawai’i, has to offer. Contact us to book your tour today!   Image Credit: Agnieszka Gaul, Shutterstock  

Interested in Touring the Big Island?

Check our tours below:

Share:

More Posts

Interested in Touring the Big Island? Check our tours below:

Great Tour Guarantee

At Kailani Tours, our top priority is delivering unforgettable Big Island experiences. We’re confident that you’ll find our tours enriching and well worth your time. If for any reason you feel otherwise, please tell us. We’ll make it right, whether that means inviting you on another tour, issuing a refund, or providing a voucher for a future visit. Your time is precious, and we’re honored that you choose to spend it exploring the Big Island with us.

Here’s what we cannot guarantee:

You will see active lava flows

Mother Nature has her own schedule, and while we wish we could promise a spectacular lava show, it’s truly up to the forces of the earth.

You’ll have full access to every part of the parks.

Volcano National Park areas are subject to closures based on safety assessments by park officials. As always, safety is our top priority and we can easily adapt our itinerary to make sure you get the best experience possible.

You’ll experience perfect weather

The Big Island’s weather can be as unpredictable as it is beautiful. We can’t guarantee sunshine and clear skies every day, but the dynamic weather is part of the island’s charm.

We value your decision to discover the Big Island with us, and we’re committed to making your tour a highlight of your Hawaii visit.

FREE CANCELLATIONS

With Trip Protection (Highly Recommended)

For a small fee (15%), Trip Protection allows you to cancel or reschedule your tour at any time – for any reason – up to 1 hour prior to trip departure. You will be reimbursed for the FULL amount of each ticket, less the cost of trip protection and processing fees. 

You may opt in or opt out of Trip Protection at the time of booking, either online or over the phone.

Without Trip Protection

You may cancel or reschedule your tour up to 48 hours before your tour’s scheduled departure to avoid fees or penalties. 

Refunds are not possible within 48 hours of your tour’s departure time, however, we will make every effort to accommodate rescheduling your booking to another date, if you so desire.

Please Note: Our tours operate rain or shine, though itineraries may be adjusted in response to severe weather conditions. Access to certain parts of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including during events like active lava flows or eruptions, may be restricted or closed by park officials without notice. In such cases, Kailani Tours does not offer partial refunds for any part of the tour affected by these restrictions.

With our vast experience navigating these occasional closures, you can trust that we will make the absolute most of your day with us, no matter the conditions.

Lowest Price Guarantee

We guarantee the absolute lowest price on all experiences we sell. If you find the same product cheaper within three days of booking or while you’re in your destination, we’ll refund the difference.

It’s Easy To Do: 

Gather your information

Assemble your Kailani Tours receipt and the proof of the lower price you found.

Send it to us

Email [email protected] with the documents, your name, and your home address. 

We’ll review 

We’ll examine your materials and get in touch as soon as we can. 

Receive your refund 

If everything checks out, we’ll refund you the difference between the two prices.