Big Island of Hawaii Travel Guide and Suggested Itinerary

The Big Island has been a well kept secret for many decades and has slowly come into popularity for tourists. The largest island in the Hawaiian island chain, you will find diverse landscapes such as active volcanoes and black sand beaches, preserved historical sites, and an island culture unique to the youngest island.

The island of Hawai’i holds a special significance to the Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) as the active volcanos are believed to house their prominent goddess, Pele. In addition to this, King Kamehameha hailed from the largest island and voyaged island to island, conquering all but Kauai and united the islands under one banner.

Some unique highlights for visitors include the national park, some of the best stargazing thanks to Mauna Kea’s size, and much more.

Where to Stay:

Kona and Hilo are on opposite coasts from one another and they are the two main areas on the Big Island for visitors to stay. Generally, Kona is drier and hotter weather wise as it is on the leeward (west) side, while Hilo is very lush and experiences more rain as it is on the windward coast (east side) especially in the winter. Kona and Hilo are approximately 1.5 hours apart which can make it difficult to navigate.

Getting Around:

The Big Island is just that, big. If you plan to leave your resort or vacation rental, you will most likely need a rental vehicle. Uber is widely available outside of Kona and Hilo.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day One: Explore Kona

Activity Recommendations:

  • Spend your day exploring the Kona Coast. Coffee farms dot the hillside and some of the best coffee in the world is grown here. Coffee farm tours are available and we highly encourage a stop at one of the local farms.

  • For an adventurous afternoon, we recommend a snorkel tour off the Kona coast. If you are really adventurous, we recommend an evening snorkel to see the manta rays at night. It is an incredibly unique experience!

Dining Recommendations:

Day Two: Explore Hilo

Activity Recommendations:

  • Make your way to Akaka Falls State Park and take the half mile, paved walk to view the beautiful 442 foot waterfall at the end of the trail.

  • On your way back into town, be sure to stop at the Hawai'i Tropical Reserve and Garden which has 40 acres of pristine tropical rainforest.

  • Stop for lunch at the Hilo Farmer's Market which has been named the best in the country. More than 200 vendors including farmers and crafts people gather to sell their goods.

Dining Recommendations:

Day Three: Visit Hawai’i Volcano National Park

Activity Recommendations:

Dining Recommendations:

  • Punalu'u Bakery

  • Volcano House

  • Hilo Bay Cafe

Day Four: Explore Waimea

Activity Recommendations:

  • There were cowboys on the Big Island before there were cowboys in the American West. Visit the Kohala Coast where the original ranches still operate and learn the fascinating history behind Hawai'i's Paniolos. Our favorite to visit is the Anna Ranch Heritage Center.

  • We also recommend a horseback riding experience at one of the Big Island ranches.

Dining Recommendations:

The Big Island is full of incredible and unique experiences and should not be missed when visiting the Hawaiian Islands.

Amanda Hartfield