BIG ISLAND 7 Days
This itinerary visits the Kohala Coast resort area, Mauna Kea Summit, Volcanoes National Park, Green Beach, Hawaii Botanical Gardens, Akaka Falls and Waipio Valley.
The Big Island is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. Its diverse terrain spans colored-sand beaches at Papakolea (green) and Punalu’u (black) to lush rainforest. Hapuna Beach and Kahalu'u Beach Park are popular snorkeling sites. Within Volcanoes National Park, there are two (2) active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa.
DAY 1
Arrive at Kona airport and transfer to your condo or hotel.
🚗 Renting a car offers the easiest and most convenient method for exploring the entire island.
-
Advantages of a Hawaii Condo vacation rental:
A better value for money spent, especially when family and friends share a condo.
Dining in Hawaii is very expensive. Kitchens can significantly reduce meal costs and a washer/dryer comes in handy.
Kid friendly environment with more space to play.
There are lots of condos to choose from. Many are within walking distance to the beach plus in resort areas.
Each one is custom furnished differently.
Tips for a Hawaii Condo vacation rental:
There are excellent vacation rental companies as well as excellent individual owners who rent their units directly.
Plus check out VRBO and Airbnb. There are many condos in a resort atmosphere especially the Kohala area.
Check for fees pertaining to cleaning, security deposit, resort fees, damage waiver. Fees can vary significantly with different condos.
This can be especially troublesome for shorter stays.
Generally, there is no daily housekeeping. It may be offered if desired but at a daily fee.
Consider trip insurance for prepaid, non-refundable costs.
Advantages of a Hawaii hotel:
Great for short stays and late arrivals.
Rooms vary by size but theme, furnishings and decor are consistent.
Brands offer even more of a homogenized experience.
You get daily housekeeping.
Generally no security deposit or cleaning fees.
Room service, on-site concierge, restaurant and other facilities, depending on property.
Tips for a Hawaii hotel:
Check terms carefully. You may still find fees that are hidden until you’re near the end of the reservation process.
Check whether there is a daily resort fee.
Consider trip insurance for any pre-paid, non-refundable costs.
Check for other amenities. free WiFi, breakfast and exercise room.
When staying at chains, check booking via their loyalty program. You’ll often either pay less or have better terms.
Try checking in later in the day for best upgrade chances
-
73-4800 Maiau St
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740(808) 331-4800
75-1027 Henry Street
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740(808) 329-2207
74-5594 Palani Rd
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740(808) 329-1677
Located in the Kona Coast Shopping Center. KTA is located approximately two blocks north of Alii Drive.
Waikoloa Beach Resort: Island Gourmet Market
69-201 Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa, HI 96738Located at the Queen’s Marketplace in the Waikoloa Beach Resort.
Mauna Lani Resort: Foodland Farms Mauna Lani
68-1330 Mauna Lani Drive #200
Kohala Coast, HI 96743(808) 887-6101
75-1015 Henry Street
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740(808) 334-0466
74-5455 Makala Blvd
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740(808) 334-4020
Where to stay: Grand Welcome Vacations and Coldwell Reality are two (2) reputable vacation rental companies offering a range of options.
Visitors will stay either in Kona town or in resort filled Kohola coast.
Kona — has lots of condos, few hotels and no great beaches to speak of.
Kona has more reasonably priced restaurants and shops, and the convenience of town services.
Kohala coast — has more upscale hotels, resorts and condos and great beaches.
Visitors prefer to stay on the Kona side over Hilo due to its sunny weather and beachfront location.
The island is divided into two (2) sides:
Kona side:
Kohala Coast — located in the northwest section of the island and is 30 minutes north of Kona airport. The area is farther from north and east attractions like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and has limited budget lodging.
The island’s best & most expensive resorts are found here. <Details>
The weather is drier, sunnier and warmer on the Kona side.
The town of Kona is the hub of tourism for the island. Here you will find major grocery stores, including Costco and Walmart. In addition, there are plenty of bars, restaurants & shops within walking distance.
Hilo side:
Here you will find the rainforest and the Volcano.
More natural beauty, flora-fauna and scenic routes.
A more traditional Hawaiian feel.
<Things to do> around Hilo.
<map>
The Big Island Revealed Guidebook - a “must get” travel guide. Best Seller!
Hawaii Forest & Trails - offers some excellent tours.
If you want to see the entire island, you should consider staying a couple of nights on the Hilo side, This suggestion makes it more convenient to visit the Volcano Park and the other windward side attractions.
It's~300 miles to drive a complete circle around the Big Island main road.
One-way car rental: Kona <—> Hilo generally is not significantly more expensive than returning to the same location.
One-way rental can save unnecessary driving time.
DAYS 2 - 5 Highlights to check out (▼)
DRIVING TIME:
Kona ---> Kohala resorts, 45 min.
Kona ---> Hawi, 1 hr. 15 min.
Kona airport --> Kohala resorts, 30 min.
Kohala resorts --> Green Beach, 1.5 hrs.
Kohala resorts --> Hilo, 1.5 hrs. via Saddle Road
Green Beach --> Punalu’u Beach (Black beach), 35 minutes.
<Big Island Highlights>
Drive Saddle Road (Route 200) embracing the wild landscape. The terrain surrounding the road is made up of fields of lava.
Saddle Road provides the shortest driving route from Hilo to Kailua-Kona and access to the slopes of Mauna Loa and the Mauna Kea Observatories. <<Island Tours>>
Mauna Kea Summit Tour is a all-day tour.
Visit the summit of one of the most advanced and important astronomical research facilities in the world.
You ascend from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours, so altitude sickness is a high possibility. Therefore we advise the first stop should be the Visitor Center at a elevation of 9,000 feet (2743 m) for a short acclimation.
Note: You are NOT allowed inside any telescope facility.
Take a unique hike to Green Beach (Papakōlea Beach). An isolated green sand beach located near South Point.
Directions: On Hwy 11, between the 69 and 70-mile markers, turn onto South Point Road and continue for about eight (8) miles to the parking area. (GPS coordinate: 18.9361° N, 155.6465° W)
From the parking area, it is an easy 5-mile scenic flat walk out and back.
Caution: because there is no cover from the sun, it can get very warm. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Locals run jeep rides to Green Beach for those visitors who do not want to hike the trail.
Driving distance to Green Beach:
from Kona: 1.5 hrs. one way.
from Hilo: 2 hrs. one way.
Read more on other Big Island hikes worth enjoying.
Stop at a Coffee plantation. (▼)
-
Important information on Kona Coffee:
Because of the rarity and price of Kona coffee, some retailers sell "Kona Blends". These are NOT a combination of different Kona coffees, but a blend of Kona and Colombian, Brazilian, or other foreign coffees. Usually they contain the MINIMUM required 10% Kona coffee and 90% cheaper imported beans.
Current Hawaiian law requires blends to state only the percentage of Kona coffee on the label but not any other coffee origins. Some retailers use terms such as 'Kona Roast' or 'Kona Style'.
To be considered authentic Kona coffee, the state of Hawaii's labeling laws require the prominent display of the words "100% Kona Coffee".
KONA COFFEE TOURS (Near Kona):
Kona Coffee Living History Farm: is the only living history coffee farm in the nation. More information on their website. Admission fee is charged.
Rooster Farms: has been a certified organic Kona Coffee farm for 30+ years. Awarded the 2016 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Contest. Farm tours are free, lasting anywhere between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours and includes a free tasting.
Tours available by appointment. See their website for contact details.
Kuaiwi Farm: Grows coffee and cacao and offers a wonderful farm tour. Plan on a two-hour visit, tours cost $15/adult. Tours need to be scheduled, more information on the website.
Sunshower Coffee Farm: offers private coffee tours with a in-depth cupping (specialty tasting) included, as well as roasting lesson where guests can roast their own coffee to take home. Tours are available 7 days a week but need to be scheduled in advance. $20/tasting. More information on their website.
Heavenly Hawaiian coffee farms: Organizes free tours from Monday to Saturday between 9am and 4pm. The tours are “farm to cup” and are concluded with a tasting on the lanai. More information on their website.
Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee: Organizes both free and VIP tours. No reservation needed, tours start every hour, 7 days/week. More details at their website.
Wailele Estates Plantation: Organizes free 1 to 2-hour tours during their harvest season (July through December). Please call or email ahead for personal tour appointments. See their website for details.
Ueshima coffee (UCC): Organizes tours on their estate, reservations are needed and can be made on their website.
Holualoa Kona Coffee Company: Self guided tours Monday through Friday from 8 am to 3 pm. at their Kona Le’a plantation. More information on their website.
Greenwell Farms: organizes free tours throughout the day. More information on their website.
🏖️ Relax at the gorgeous beaches.
Kikaua beach - between Highway marker 86 & 87, is a protected cove and great with small children. Limited parking, get there early.
Kekaha Kai beach - between Highway marker 90 & 91, offers some shady areas at the back shore.
Parking Tip when accessing the resort/ hotel beaches:
All resort beaches on Hawaii have free public access, however they have a limited amount of parking spaces (about 30-50) for visitors that are NOT STAYING AT THE RESORT. The spaces fill up quickly.
If you want to go to any resort/hotel beach, you should get there before 9:30 am or late in the day around 4 pm or later.
Black beach (Punaluʻu Beach) - is a popular stop to view turtles that are often found on the beach. Visitors are prohibited from touching the turtles. Located on Hwy. 11, between mile marker 56 and 57.
🐠 Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay and Kahalu'u Beach Park.
-
KEALAKEKUA BAY:
17 MILES SOUTH OF KONA, GPS Coordinate: 19.4782° N, 155.9259° W
Kealakekua Bay (also know as “Captain Cook” bay) is an underwater marine sanctuary where you often can find dolphins and sea turtles. To get here you have to drive approximately 17 miles south of Kona along Highway 11.
The best snorkeling in Kealakekua bay is around the Captain Cook monument, but getting there is difficult. The easiest (but expensive, ~$100) option is to book a snorkeling cruise.
The center of the bay is deep, however you can often find a pod of spinner dolphins playing around here. There are plenty of good spots for snorkeling in the bay, but the best snorkeling spot is on the opposite side of the bay from the parking area, close to the captain Cook monument.
The local ecosystem in Kealakekua Bay has recently suffered greatly under its own popularity.
Go on a snorkeling tour or rent snorkel gear and DIY.
Rent a kayak and paddle the ~1 mile distance over water to the other side of the bay.
Kealakekua bay is a 1-mile wide bay.
The best snorkeling is on the north (left on the above picture) side of the bay. Image credit: google maps
1. BOAT TOURS TO KEALAKEKUA BAY.
There are several tour operators that will take you on a snorkeling cruise to visit the bay.
These cruises take between 3-hours and half a day and often provide snorkeling gear, snacks and refreshments, as well as cultural, natural and historical information relevant to Kealakekua bay.
Two operators that follow the Hawaii Ecotourism Association guidelines are Fair-Wind cruises (departing from Keauhou Bay) and Body Glove cruises (departing from Kailua bay in Kailua-Kona).
2. RENT A KAYAK.
You are NOT required to get your own permit when renting a kayak if the outfit you rent possesses a valid permit for transiting the bay.
TIP: There will be people offering kayak rentals on the side of Hwy 11 - Please ask for their permit.
Three leading companies with issued permits by the Division of State Parks to lead guided commercial Kayak Tours to the Captain Cook Monument are:
Kayaking from the boat landing to the monument takes between 15 and 25 minutes (one way).
Take plenty of water, sunscreen, and don’t forget your snorkeling gear!
For additional information on how to obtain a permit contact the State Parks office in Hilo at (808) 974-6200.
-
Aloha Kayak Company
Big Island Divers
Body Glove
Boss Frog
Fair Wind II & Hula Kai
Jack’s Diving Locker
Kamanu Charters
Ocean Encounters
Ocean Sports
Sea Paradise
Sea Quest
Snorkel Bob’s
🐋 Visit in the winter if you’re interested to see humpback whales – January to March are the best months.
Alerts & Conditions
DRIVING TIME:
Distance from Volcano National Park:
— Kona: 2hr. 15 min. (110 miles)
— Kohala Coast: 2 hrs. (100 miles)
— Hilo: 1 hr. (45 miles)
DAY 6
Volcanoes National Park - “world class destination.”
Map of the park.
Drive the extraordinarily scenic Chain of Craters road. <map>
-It is 19 miles (31 km) to the end of the road (one way) with an elevation drop of 3,700 ft.
Best day hikes:
Kilauea Iki Trail: this trail starts in the rain forest on the crater's rim.
It skirts the rim of the crater, dips down and across the floor and back up to the overlook. It’s a 5-mile loop that takes 2-3 hrs to complete. Difficulty: mostly easy.
Mauna Ulu/Pu'u huluhulu: Distance: 2.5 miles round trip, Time: 2-3 hrs.
Trail begins: about 100 yards from the Mauna Ulu parking area.
Devastation Trail: Distance: 1-mile round trip. Time: 1 hr. Difficultly: easy.
Trail begins: at the Pu'u Pua'i OR at the Devastation Trail parking lot(s), both off of Crater Rim Drive.
Overnight: our favorite is Volcano House or choose an area lodge.
-
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to some of the most fascinating volcanoes in the world, making it a prime destination for visitors interested in volcanic landscapes. Here are the key volcanoes of interest:
1. Kīlauea (Most Active & Accessible)
Why Visit? One of the most active volcanoes on Earth, Kīlauea has been erupting intermittently for decades, shaping the island's landscape.
Where to See It? Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Halemaʻumaʻu Crater – A famous crater within the Kīlauea Caldera, sometimes containing a lava lake.
Recent Activity: Check with the National Park Service for current eruptions or lava flows.
2. Mauna Loa (Largest Volcano on Earth)
Why Visit? The world’s largest volcano by volume, Mauna Loa covers about half of the Big Island.
Where to See It?
Mauna Loa Lookout (off Mauna Loa Road) – A scenic drive leading to an elevation of 6,662 feet.
Hiking to the Summit (Mokuʻāweoweo Crater) – A challenging trek with breathtaking views.
View from Kona & Hilo – The massive shield volcano dominates the island’s skyline.
Last Eruption: November–December 2022.
3. Mauna Kea (Tallest Mountain in the World from Base)
Why Visit? A dormant volcano and one of the best places on Earth for stargazing.
Where to See It?
Mauna Kea Summit – Accessible via 4WD (or guided tours), offering breathtaking views at 13,803 feet.
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station – At 9,200 feet, a great spot for sunset and stargazing without going all the way to the summit.
Bonus: Home to world-class observatories.
4. Hualālai (Lesser-Known but Important)
Why Visit? The third-youngest and third-most-active volcano on the island, last erupting in 1801.
Where to See It?
Puʻu Waʻawaʻa Cinder Cone Trail – A great hiking spot for views of Hualālai and Mauna Loa.
Kona Coffee Farms – Grown on the volcanic slopes of Hualālai.
-
Volcano Notices Search: Find specific volcano updates by notice type, observatory, volcano, or date range.
DAY 7
Explore the windward side. In Hawaii, the term "windward" is used to describe the side of the islands that is exposed to the prevailing winds. The windward side of the islands tends to receive more wind, clouds & rainfall.
Visit Hawaiian Botanical Gardens - located about 7-miles north of Hilo. The gardens showcase the diverse flora and natural beauty of the islands. <directions>
Akaka Falls State Park - The Akaka falls is 422 feet tall. The park is located 13 miles north from Hilo and a visit to this waterfall is worthwhile of any road trip crossing the Hamakua coast. <location>
Waipio Valley - often referred to as the "Valley of the Kings" due to its historical importance as the residence of Hawaiian chiefs and a significant site in Hawaiian mythology.
The valley is situated along the Hamakua Coast and worth the quick stop for a magnificent view from the overlook at the top of the valley. However, exploring the valley itself requires a more adventurous approach. A steep road suitable for hikers (cars NOT allowed) leads down into the valley from a lookout point, located on the top of the southern end of the valley.
Directions: Take Route 240 from Hwy. 19 to the end of road. (GPS coordinate: 20.1140° N, 155.5928° W)
Overnight: Kona or Hilo depending which airport your flight is scheduled to depart.
DAY 8
Depart from Kona or Hilo for your return home or hop to another Hawaiian Island.
Average cost:
(EXCLUDING AIR FARE)
$$$ USD for two (2) people
Budget: $2,600
Moderate: $3,400
Luxury: $4,500 +
Climate Guide:
In general, the temperatures are high...80's during the day, 60's at night.
Most rainfall (rainy season) is seen in December through February.
Big Island has dry periods from May through September.
The warmest months are June, July and August.
The coolest months are December through February.
In Hawaii you will hear the terms windward and leeward. Windward means facing the tradewinds resulting in a wetter climate, whereas the term leeward faces away from the wind, sheltered from prevailing winds by the mountains resulting in a sunnier, drier climate.
In general, the rainfall is greater in the windward side of the islands.
The rainy season does NOT impose a real issue to visit the Hawaiian Islands.
Big Island Gallery
source: Wikipedia.org, bossfrog.com, nps.gov, us-hawaii-guide.comNo copyright infringement is intended on this website by travelwildnow.com