Hawaii can be a very expensive place to visit. Meals and excursions add up quickly. The cost of a Hawaii trip always deters me from wanting to visit again. However, there are many free and cheap things to do on the Big Island that can help make a Hawaii trip fit your budget. In this guide, all of these things cost less than $10 to do. Looking for an itinerary for your Big Island trip? Check out this post for a five-day itinerary.
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Need a cheap place to stay on the Big Island? TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Big Island hotels here!
1. Akaka Falls State Park
Cost: $1/person or $5/car
Hours: 8:30am-6pm
A super gorgeous cheap thing to do on the Big Island is a visit to Akaka Falls. Akaka Falls State Park is home to two gorgeous waterfalls. This area has been a popular area to visit since the 1920s. The first waterfall you will see is Kahuna Falls. It stands at 300 feet tall. Akaka Falls is 442 feet high and is the highlight of the trail. Visitors can hike a 0.4-mile loop trail to a couple of different lookouts over the waterfalls. Akaka Falls has also been used as a filming site for several movies, including one from the 1930s about an outbreak of a bubonic plague. Plan to spend no more than an hour at Akaka Falls.
2. Hit the Beach
Cost: Free
Although the Big Island may not have as many beaches as some of the other Hawaiian Islands, there are still quite a few relaxing and spectacular beaches across the island and are one of the super cheap things to do on the Big Island. One of the best beaches, Punalu’u Beach, located on the South side of the island is a great quieter beach to relax at. Kehena Black Sand Beach is great for people looking for a more laid back, clothing-optional beach. Other popular beaches include Magic Sands Beach, Richardson Ocean Park, Mahai’ula Beach, and Makalawena Beach. If you want to watch the sunset, make sure to visit one of the beaches on the Kona Coast.
3. Beer Tasting
Cost: $3 and up
Hours: Varies by brewery
The Big Island has several breweries located around the island. All of the prices are very reasonable and it makes for the perfect place to chill after swimming or hiking and a great cheap thing to do on the Big Island. In Kona, make sure to check out Kona Brewing Company and Ola Brew Co.
Kona Brewing Company also has a restaurant with some pub-style food. Their most popular beer is the Big Wave Golden Ale. They also have a rotating tap selection with many special releases.
Ola Brew Co offers a few light bites to eat and a wide variety of beers, ciders, seltzers, and hard teas. I liked that they had a few unique options. Beer wise, they make a lot of IPAs. I really enjoyed the Hibiscus Lavender Hard Seltzer and the Dragonfruit Lychee Cider.
Hilo Brewing Company, located in Hilo, offers a small range of craft beers. They have a nice set up of outdoor tables and it makes for a chill afternoon.
4. Take a Hike
Cost: Free
Hiking is a fun cheap thing to do on the Big Island. Some cool hikes on the island include the Kilauea Iki Hike in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Waipio Valley, Pololu Valley, and the Mauna Loa Lookout.
My favorite was the Pu’u Huluhulu hike. This hike is located on the way up to Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa just off the highway at 6578 feet. This is a great hike to help you acclimate prior to ascending Mauna Kea. This hike is pretty easy as it heads up a grassy hill and provides views of the area and Mauna Kea. Look for the entrance along Mauna Kea Access Road (Mauna Kea Summit Road). From the parking lot, head up the trail to the left. It is slightly overgrown but you can still make out a faint path.
5. Wander the Hilo Farmers Market
Cost: Free
Hours: 8am-3pm
The Hilo Farmers Market offers fresh fruit and vegetables, flowers, and artisanal crafts. It is open every day, but Wednesdays and Saturdays have the largest amount of vendors. The market is not huge, but you can easily spend 30-45 minutes exploring the market. It is one of the best cheap things to do on the Big Island.
6. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Cost: Free
Hours: 8:30am-4pm
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, located near Kona, preserves a gorgeous beach area on the west side of the Big Island and some of the traditional Hawaiian cultures. Make sure to stop by the visitor’s center first as they tell you the areas you are allowed to relax on the beach and which areas are sacred. This park has a couple of small hikes to do from the visitor’s center to some of the beaches. You can also park at the Honokohau Boat Harbor and then hike around from there. Many people come here to relax on the beach. If you are lucky, you may also spot some turtles lounging on the beach.
7. Lava Tree State Monument
Cost: Free
Hours: 7am-6:45pm
Sometimes the devastation lava can cause is hard to comprehend until you see it with your own eyes. At Lava Tree State Monument, visitors can see a series of trees that were molded when lava swept through the area. This 0.7-mile loop trail is an easy and smooth walk past lava trees. Plan to spend about 30 minutes walking along the trail and admiring the trees.
8. Kaumana Cave Park
Cost: Free
At Kaumana Cave Park, located near Hilo, you can wander through a Lava Tube. This Lava Tube came to be in 1881 from a lava flow from Mauna Loa. To get here, follow Highway 200 to Saddle Road. You will see a sign for it and you can park across the road. From there, carefully cross the road and head down some metal steps. The rest of the hike is over lava rocks into the tube. It is very uneven, so you must watch your footing throughout the entire hike.
You can go almost two miles in before you hit private property. However, after a little bit, the areas get very narrow and low, so it is hard to get through. Make sure to bring a good flashlight with you and watch your head the entire time as many of the ceilings are low and have rocks sticking out of them. Overall, it is totally worth exploring this cheap thing to do on the Big Island.
9. Eat a Malasada
Cost: $1 and up
Malasadas are a type of fried donut that is popular in Hawaii. They are actually of Portuguese origin. These donuts are typically covered in cinnamon sugar. You can also add different fruits to the middle of them or things like cream or chocolate. Some of my favorite flavors have been strawberry and lilikoi. There are many places to get them on the Big Island, but some of the best options are Tex Drive In, Manuela Malasada co, and the Punalu’u Bake Shop. It is a great sweet treat at the end of the day.
10. Mauna Kea
Cost: Free
Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset
Mauna Kea is one of the dormant volcanoes on the Big Island. Its peak sits 13803 above sea level and if measured from its underwater base, it is the tallest mountain in the world and over a million years old. It is free to drive up to the top of Mauna Kea, but you must have a 4 wheel drive cart to head up the summit.
At 9,200 feet, there is a visitor’s center where you can check road conditions and stop for at least 30 minutes to acclimate. This is one of the few places in the world where you can ascend from sea level to almost 14,000 feet in less than 2 hours.
At the top, there are several observatories where scientists make a lot of astronomical observations. It is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. The observatory are not open to the public, but you can still stargaze from the summit.
A few things to note if you choose to head to the peak
- You should slowly ascend and acclimate for at least 30 minutes.
- If you are under 13 years old, use caution as you are more affected by high altitude.
- If you are going to scuba dive, do not go up the summit within 24 hours of diving.
- You should be in good health to ascend the summit.
11. Mauna Loa
Cost: Free
Mauna Loa is one of the earth’s most active volcanoes and one of the two active volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also considered the largest volcano on earth and has erupted 33 times since 1843. Present-day, you can drive up to the summit and take in the views from the top. There is an observatory like at Mauna Kea, but it is not open to the public.
You can also hike the 18-mile Mauna Loa Trail from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park up to the summit. This is aptly named “The Trail of Tears” as it is a strenuous hike up to an elevation of 6662 feet, so be prepared if you choose this route!
12. Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Center
Cost: Free
At the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Center, visitors can visit the factory where the nuts are processed, checked, and packaged. You can also drive through the Macadamia Nut orchards. Visitors can also buy and of the Mauna Loa products in the gift shop. Best of all, it is also free to visit the visitor’s center.
13. Hike into Pololu Valley
Cost: Free
Hours: Anytime
Pololu Valley is one of the most picturesque hikes on the Big Island. Although you can catch a view of the valley from the lookout, it is worth the effort to hike into the valley. The hike down is along a rocky dirt path and it is only about 0.6-miles each way. It should take you about 20-30 minutes each way.
Once you are down into the valley, there is a gorgeous beach to relax on, but it is not conducive for swimming as the currents are strong. There are also a bunch of hiking trails throughout the woods. My favorite was all the rope swings that hung throughout the trees in the valley. The Pololu Valley is one of my favorite cheap things to do on the Big Island.
14. Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Cost: $10/person, $20/car, or free with National Parks Pass
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
One of my favorite cheap things to do on the Big Island is Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. This park preserves an area where Hawaiians who broke ancient laws could flee too. At this place of refuge, they could be absolved of their sins by a priest. Later, the area was used as a place of refuge from battles.
During your visit, you can opt to take a self-guided tour that goes past various important sites around the park. Grab a map from the visitor’s center to get information about each stop. Sites to see include the Royal Ponds, Keoneʻele Cove, the Great Wall, Canoe Hālau, Tide Pools, and an Ancient Heiau Site. You should plan to spend at least an hour walking the main path around the park. Remember that these are important cultural sites, so please treat them with respect.
15. Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Cost: Free
Hours: 7:30am-5pm
Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site is located north of Waikoloa and preserves the ruins of the last major ancient Hawaiian temple. The Visitor’s Center contains exhibits explaining the history of the area. You can also go on walking tours, or attend a ranger talk. At various times throughout the year, they have cultural demonstrations and hold an annual cultural festival. This is a great cheap thing to do on the Big Island to learn about the Hawaiian culture.
16. Grab a Shaved Ice
Cost: $3 and up
No trip to Hawaii is complete without having a shave ice (or two or ten). Shave ice are usually pretty affordable and makes for a delicious snack. Many of the shave ice places on the Big Island are close to the beach, so you can grab one and go sit on the beach. Scandinavian Shave Ice in Kona is one of the best stops.
17. Go Snorkeling
Cost: Free
The Big Islands of Hawaii has a ton of free snorkeling options around the island, so snorkeling is one of the best cheap things to do on the Big Island. Both the west coast and the east coast of the Big Island offer popular snorkeling spots. Make sure to check out Two Step near Kona and Richardson’s Ocean Park near Hilo.
18. South Point (Ka Lae)
Cost: Free
One of the coolest cheap things to do on the Big Island is visiting South Point, the Southernmost Point of the United States. Although it is a bit of a drive to get here, it is worth it for its scenic views. Stop at the Punalu’u Bake Shop, the Southernmost bakery in the United States along the way. Once at South Point, you can even opt to take the plunge off the cliffside into the gorgeous blue waters. Note only strong swimmers should attempt this as the current can be strong and it is a bit of a climb via ladder to get back up to the top.
19. Wailuku River State Park
Cost: Free
Hours: Daylight Hours
Wailuku River State Park is located close to downtown Hilo and offers two main attractions: Rainbow Falls and the Boiling Pots. Rainbow Falls is a gorgeous 80-foot waterfall that boasts a rainbow on sunny days during the morning hours. Behind the falls is a cave that is said to be home to the ancient Hawaiian goddess, Hina. Boiling Pots, a series of big pools where the water is bubbling. It also allows you a glimpse of Peepee Falls. There are a few short trails that go around the falls.
Note: Make sure to use caution in this area, as it is known for flash floods and water levels can rise quickly.
20. Hike into Waipio Valley
Cost: Free
Hours: Anytime
Waipio Valley is another gorgeous place and a great cheap thing to do on the Big Island. This hike is a lot more strenuous than the Pololu Valley hike. Although it is only a 0.6-mile hike down into the valley, it is at a 25% grade, which makes coming back up a workout. Once into the valley, you can opt to head to the beach or towards some of the Tao farms scattered throughout the valley.
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for each of the Hawaiian islands. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them. Click below for the Shaka Guide for each island.
Hawaii does not have to be an expensive place to visit if you do some of these free and cheap things to do on the Big Island. Looking for more budget-friendly vacation ideas? Check out these guides to cheap things to do in Oahu, Los Angeles, New York City, and Albuquerque, or check out one of these Hawaii road trips.
22 thoughts on “20+ Free and Cheap Things to Do on the Big Island”
So many great cheap things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii. The views on the hikes look so gorgeous. The effects of the lava at the state parks would love to see those.
The hikes were amazing!!
I always thought traveling to Hawaii means spending a lot of money. It’s good to see there are so many cheap but awesome activities to do! Great post 🙂
It can be expensive to fly there and get accommodations but you can find lots of cheap activities.
What an amazing guide! I didn’t realise there were so many free things to do, the Cave Park looks, amazing ?
Right!? The cave was soooo cool!
You have created a wonderful collection, thank you! We used to live on the Big Island and I think you have gathered most of the best activities in this post. Food and lodging are expensive, but so many of the world class adventures are free! Beautiufl photos too.
Thank you!! So many fun cheap things to do on the big island.
This looks like such a pretty island to explore! I would love to go snorkelling! That water looks so nice.
The big island was amazing!
Eating Malasada and wandering through the farmers market sounds soo idlyic. Whenever we have traveled to the isalnds, we have ALWAYS baught excursions and yes, they are pricey, so its nice to know that there are beautiful hikes and parks that we can visit for FREE.
Yes! I used to buy a lot of excursions but you can save soooo much doing it yourself.
Great places. I didn’t realize that there are so many state parks and national parks there.
Right!? So many hidden gens
Money does seem to flow out faster in Hawaii, doesn’t it? It’s great to see so many amazing, free places to visit on Big Island. Thank you for this list!
Right!? It’s nice when you can find free and cheap things to do.
Hawaii really appeals, but I have always been worried about the cost. Great to have tips about inexpensive things to do! Thanks!
Yes! Accommodations may be expensive but you can do lots of things for free!
I climbed Mauna Loa many years ago and it was an amazing hike. (you are right, it’s hard). These other ideas of wonderful places to go are so useful. We’re thinking of going back to Hawaii so this will be a good reference.
Isn’t it so cool?
I love how there are so many free things to do on the Big Island. Hawaii is expensive, so I’m definitely keeping this handy for when I return and visit the Big Island. 🙂
Yes! That’s what I loved about it. Much more affordable than some of the other islands.