What not to miss on the Big Island of Hawaii?

Three experiences define the Big Island. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ($35 per vehicle) is the island's centerpiece — active lava flows, volcanic craters, and the only place in the US where you can witness land being created. Manta ray night snorkeling off Kona is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with gentle giants gliding through plankton-lit water; Fair Wind Cruises ($117–167) and Body Glove ($99–140) are the leading operators. A helicopter tour over active lava flows from Mauna Loa Helicopters or Blue Hawaiian ($229–639) reveals the scale of the volcanic landscape impossible to appreciate from the ground. Green Sand Beach (Papakolea) and black sand Punalu'u Beach are unique coastal stops. The Big Island requires at least five days to experience properly.