Wildlife & Nature

The Big Island's extraordinary biodiversity — spanning tropical coastline to alpine tundra — supports a remarkable array of wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Guided wildlife and nature tours provide expert-led encounters with sea turtles, rare Hawaiian birds, marine life, and the island's unique native ecosystems.

Coastal wildlife tours visit sea turtle resting areas where Hawaiian green sea turtles (honu) haul out on black sand beaches, tide pools teeming with marine invertebrates, and shoreline habitats where endangered Hawaiian monk seals are occasionally spotted. Marine naturalists share insights about Hawaiian conservation efforts and the cultural significance of these animals.

Birdwatching tours explore the Big Island's native forests, home to species like the Hawaiian hawk (io), the nene (Hawaiian goose — the state bird), and colorful honeycreepers found only in Hawaii's highland forests. The Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offer some of the best native bird habitats in the state.

Nature walks through tropical botanical gardens, native rainforests, and volcanic landscapes reveal the Big Island's incredible plant diversity, including over 750 native plant species. Guides explain the unique evolutionary processes that created Hawaii's isolated ecosystems and the ongoing conservation work to protect them.