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Located near some great waves, Boss Frog's will suit you up with everything you need to enjoy the ocean. It is one-stop shopping for snorkel rentals, surf and body board rentals, tour booking, time share information, and Hawaiian swag. You can also purchase snorkel and surf gear, along with sunglasses, apparel, and shoes. With stores on a few Hawaiian Islands, you can rent gear for the duration of your trip and drop it off at any of their locations. Check out the website for tour information, and various resources to help you get the most out of your vacation. - Nora Dunn

Learn about Hawaii's history while falling a little bit in love with the state's favorite creatures. The husband-and-wife duo that runs these tours take very small groups (about five people) out to sea in a motor-powered raft. The journey travels the Kona coast, visiting Kealakekua Bay Marine Preserve for snorkeling. April is the last (and warmest) month of the humpback whale season. Pilot whales, sperm whales and gleeful dolphins can be spotted year-round. Call for more information.

This company offers both morning and afternoon deluxe cruises. Morning trips include breakfast, a barbecue lunch and all necessary equipment. Afternoon trips include snacks, drinks and equipment. The boat comes equipped with an experienced crew, sun deck, water slide and restrooms. Cruises circle the Kealakekua Bay, stopping at some of the best snorkel spots in the area. See ancient burial caves, sunken lava flows, coral beds and plenty of tropical fish.

A 500-foot waterfall, a rainforest, an active volcano; this is just the beginning of the Big Island's natural phenomena. For some expert advice and guidance, contact Hawaii Forest & Trail. This organization offers guided tours through some of the island's most amazing landscape. Hike through Cloud Forest, see the lava tube caves at Volcanoes Park, explore Kaupulehu Cave or view the breathtaking Kapoloa falls. Morning, afternoon and all-day trips are available. Average tour cost is USD145 for adults.

This charter company offers some of the most personalized service around, with accommodation for as many as six guests per sail. Specializing in birthdays, honeymoons and other special occasions, Honu offers delicious local and barbecue-style dining, a comfortable space and spectacular views. See all kinds of tropical wildlife, including sea turtles, dolphins and even the occasional whale. A rainbow of tropical fish is always a part of the snorkeling expedition.

This Discovery Center was built in 2003 by the Natural Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, to understand the culture, history, natural science and marine environment of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Ever wanted to go down into the mysterious depths of the ocean? Now you can at least stimulate that experience with the Research Laboratory's Pisces V submersible. A theatre, state of the art models and interactive displays, make the whole experience much more fun for kids and adults alike. Colorful panels and a large coral reef mural leave you enthralled as sharks circle over your head! Video kiosks with virtual field guides are scattered all over the center and are great fun and very informative. This is an interesting place for all age groups and you can call in advance to arrange for a group tour.

People arriving in Kona can make a visit to this science museum first on their list—even before picking up the rental car. The Space Center is located at the airport, right in between two airline ticket counters. A non-profit organization, it was established as the legacy of Ellison Onizuka, who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy. A variety of interactive and passive exhibits are onsite, among them a gravity well and a model of the Challenger space craft. Special programs are offered periodically. Admission is USD3 for adults; USD1 for children under 12.

This is the only natural tropical rainforest zoo in the U.S. It is a home to more than 80 species of animals! All you animal lovers can come see animals like the endangered white Bengal Tiger and the Nene. You can shudder at the slithery reptiles or take a regal walk amidst peacocks in the zoo grounds. If you visit on a Saturday, definitely head to the Petting Zoo, where you can get up close and personal with different creatures. Let out your animal side at this wild wonderland - from lush and exotic plants to squawking birds and excitable primates, you'll find them all here. Admission is free.

A nicely maintained park in central Hilo, this place is great for family outings or group picnics. The park, which spans a little more than 130 acres, has a picnic area, a boat ramp, a visitor center and a war memorial. People can choose to boat down the river or to stroll through the park and take in the scenery. The Wailoa Center, located on the property, often features displays and exhibits by local artists, while the outdoor pavilions sometimes are the sites of special events.

You might learn things during this tour, but you won't realize it at the time. It is altogether too novel of an experience to be classified as "educational." Participants are conveyed in an old-fashioned buggy, drawn by mules, through the rugged Waipi'o Valley, a land so undeveloped as to seem caught in a time warp. The cart splashes along by the side of a pond, meanders down a dirt road and cuts through a taro patch. Meanwhile, the knowledgeable guide throws bits and pieces of folklore, history and trivia at the passengers.