If you’re staying at our Big Island bed and breakfast, you already know that the volcanic craters and lava fields get a lot of attention, but the animals in Hawaii are just as worth your time. The Big Island is home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife, from native birds found nowhere else on earth to sea turtles resting on black sand beaches. Knowing what to look for before you go makes the whole trip more interesting, especially if you’re traveling with kids.
Why Hawaiian Wildlife Is So Unique
Hawaii sits roughly 2,400 miles from the nearest continent. Every native species here arrived by wind, waves, or its own wings. There are no native land snakes, no native land reptiles, and very few native land mammals. What evolved over millions of years in this remote location became extraordinarily specialized, which is why so many species exist here and nowhere else on the planet.
That isolation also made Hawaiian wildlife fragile. When humans arrived and brought new predators, diseases, and invasive plants, native species took a serious hit. Many are now endangered or threatened. Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the best ways to see conservation efforts up close, and to understand what’s at stake.
Hawaiian Birds You’re Likely to See
The most famous animal in Hawaii is the nene (neh-neh), Hawaii’s state bird and the rarest goose in the world. By the 1940s, the nene population had dropped to just 50 birds. Today, thanks to active breeding programs started in the park in the 1970s, nene populations have rebounded significantly across the islands. Keep an eye out near Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road, where signs warn drivers to slow down for nene crossings.
The ‘io, or Hawaiian hawk, is the only hawk native to Hawaii and can be spotted throughout the Big Island at different elevations. It was removed from the federal endangered species list in 2020 after its population stabilized. You might see one circling overhead near the park or even around Volcano Village.
Hawaiian honeycreepers are a family of small, colorful birds that all descended from a single ancestor that arrived on the islands long ago. Many species are critically endangered today, and some have already gone extinct. If you hear birdsong in the rainforest around Volcano Village, there’s a good chance you’re listening to one of these native Hawaiian birds.
Sea Turtles and Coastal Wildlife
Green sea turtles, called honu in Hawaiian, are federally protected and commonly seen resting on beaches along the Big Island coast. Adults can grow up to four feet long and weigh over 200 pounds. If you see one on the beach, give it plenty of space. These are federally threatened animals, and approaching them can result in fines.
The hawksbill sea turtle, or honu’ea, is rarer and endangered. It has a narrower, pointed beak that distinguishes it from the green turtle. Both species nest along the coastlines of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park at Punaluu Black Sand Beach, making the park’s remote beaches important habitat year-round.
Hawaiian monk seals are occasionally spotted resting on beaches around the Big Island. One of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, they often look like they’re sleeping off a long journey because they usually are. If you see one, keep your distance and don’t disturb it.
If you want to see Hawaii’s marine life up close, snorkeling is the most direct way to do it. The waters off the Big Island are home to Spinner dolphins, humpback whales (in winter), a wide variety of reef fish, and the sea turtles everyone loves to see.
Animals in Hawaii You Might Not Expect
The Hawaiian hoary bat, known locally as ‘ope’ape’a, is the only native land mammal in Hawaii. It arrived on the islands around 10,000 years ago, flying roughly 2,400 miles from North America. These bats roost in trees, not caves, and are more active at dusk. Look up in the early evening, and you might catch one swooping for insects near the forest edge.
The tiny happy face spider gets its name from the markings on its back, which often look like a smiling face. It lives in the rainforest understory, mostly on the underside of leaves. You’ll need patience and good eyes to spot one, but it’s a fun thing to look for on a slow morning walk.
Carnivorous caterpillars also call the Big Island home. Eighteen of the 19 native Eupithecia moth species in Hawaii have larvae that hunt and eat insects, which is nearly unheard of in caterpillars worldwide. They hide on ferns and bark, waiting to ambush flies and other small prey.
Invasive Animals in Hawaii You’ll Probably See During Your Stay
Not every animal you encounter in Hawaii is a conservation success story. The Big Island is also home to a handful of introduced species that are now well-established in the wild. You’re likely to cross paths with at least one of them, so it’s worth knowing what you’re looking at.
Feral goats were first brought to the islands by Captain Cook and Captain Vancouver in the late 1700s. They spread quickly, and by the late 1970s an estimated 15,000 goats were living inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park alone. The park eventually reduced that number to fewer than 100 through fencing, organized drives, and ongoing monitoring. You can still spot feral goats on the drier western slopes of the Big Island and along Saddle Road. They can be fun to watch from a distance, but slow down if you see them near the roadside to avoid any accidents.
Wild pigs are another species that have been on the islands for a long time, first brought by Polynesian settlers and later by European arrivals. They root through the forest floor, damaging native plants and spreading invasive ones. Inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, pig fencing protects large sections of native forest. If you’re hiking, you may hear them before you see them. They tend to move away from people, but keep your distance if you come across one.
The small Indian mongoose was introduced to the Big Island in 1883 by sugar planters hoping it would control the rat population in their fields. It didn’t work. Rats are nocturnal, mongoose are active during the day, and the two rarely crossed paths. What the mongoose did find were ground-nesting bird eggs, sea turtle nests, and native insects. Today they are widespread on the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, and Molokai, and are considered one of the most damaging invasive species in the state. If you spot one darting through the bushes near the park or around Volcano Village, that’s what it is. They’re fast, skittish, and best left alone.
What to Know Before You Go
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The park entrance fee covers 7 days, so if you’re staying in Volcano Village, you can make multiple visits across your trip and see the park at different times of day.
Early mornings and late afternoons tend to be the best times for wildlife sightings. The rainforest around Volcano Village gets quiet in the early hours, and that’s when birds are most active. Stick to established trails. The native ecosystem is fragile, and going off-trail causes real damage to plants and the wildlife that depends on them. It also keeps you safer, since some areas of new lava can be unstable.
For added fun, sign up for the Junior Ranger Program before you arrive or pick up a booklet at the Welcome Center and earn a Junior Range Badge after completing a scavenger hunt and learning about the animals and ecosystems in the parl.
Your Base for Discovering the Unique Animals in Hawaii
Staying at Volcano Village Lodge puts you right in the middle of some of the best wildlife habitat on the Big Island. Wake up to native birdsong filtering through the rainforest canopy. Watch for ʻio circling overhead from your private lanai. Then drive five minutes to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to look for nēnē on Crater Rim Drive or listen for honeycreepers along the Kīlauea Iki Trail.
The combination of elevation, native forest, and proximity to the park makes Volcano Village ideal for seeing animals in Hawaii. You’re not driving hours to reach good habitat, you’re already there. Early morning explorations become easy when the park entrance is minutes away, and you can return to your comfortable lodge between outings to relax and plan your next adventure.
Whether you’re hoping to spot endangered native birds, watch honu resting on black sand beaches, or simply appreciate the unique ecosystem that evolved in one of the world’s most isolated places, the animals in Hawaii reward patient, respectful observation.
Book your stay at Volcano Village Lodge and experience the Big Island’s remarkable wildlife from the perfect home base, where the rainforest meets the volcano, and rare native species still thrive.