Tropical paradise isn’t always about rest and relaxation. Sometimes, you need to get the heart pumping with some high-octane fun! Hawaii is full of adrenaline-inducing activities for all you action heroes out there. Here are four of the most exciting activities you can do on the Big Island.
Cliff Diving at South Point
Has anyone ever told you to go jump off a cliff? Well, maybe they were on to something!
The Big Island’s South Point is one of the most extreme places on the island. Not only is it the southernmost point in the United States, it’s also home to the harshest winds, the only greensand beach, and the roughest surf in Hawaii. You’ll also notice the cliffs overlooking the calmer west side of the island.
Adventure-loving people from all over the world head to South Point to take a running leap and plunge 40-feet straight down into the waters below. How often can you say you’ve jumped off the southernmost cliff in the United States!?
All jumping is at your own risk, so if you’re not a strong swimmer, it’s best to sit this one out.
Night Swimming with Giant Manta Rays
What’s better than swimming in the ocean at night? Swimming with the largest rays in the world!
Manta rays are the largest species of ray in the world, with a wingspan of up to 23-feet and weighing over 2,000-pounds. These ocean giants may be gentle, but any time you’re close enough to something that large it’s enough to get your blood pumping.
There are several companies that offer nighttime snorkeling tours to swim with the mantas. When you get to the feeding grounds, you’ll hop out of the boat and hang onto a floatation device with a light attached. The light attracts plankton—the main food source for mantas. When the mantas see the wonderful buffet, they swim in for a feast.
You’ll be inches from these giant rays as they do backflips in the water right in front of you, eating all the delicious plankton they can find. It’s truly a unique, exciting experience you won’t forget.
Helicopter Over an Active Volcano
The best way to get up close and personal with an active volcano is to hover above it in an open-door helicopter. Fly out of Hilo Airport and head over to the most active volcano in the world: Kilauea. Peer down into the massive caldera, see the lakes of lava just below the surface, and watch the lava as it flows into the ocean. Helicopters and lava!? It can’t get much more exciting than that!
Off-Road ATV Tours
When you get to the end of the road, grab an ATV and keep going!
ATV tours are a fun and exciting way to traverse the rough terrain of the Big Island and see places that most people can’t reach. ATV tours are scattered all over the Island and range from 1.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on your experience level. Bring your swim gear; some even go to remote waterfalls and swimming holes.
Pro Tip: Rain ruins most outdoor activities but not this one. Take an ATV tour after it rains to really kick up some mud! Trust me.