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.
Check the latest [Hawaii Volcano Update] before you head out.
<Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the Photo Gallery>
Understanding the Lay of the Land:
The Big Island! Before you plan activities, understand that it’s large. To avoid wasting time backtracking across
lava fields, remember the Two-Side Rule:
🏝️ The Great Divide: Kona vs. Hilo—Two huge volcanoes split the island, making two very different worlds:
The Kona Side (West): This is the "Sun & Sand" side. It’s dry, volcanic, and home to the best luxury resorts, white sand beaches, and world-famous coffee. Most visitors spend the bulk of their time here.
The Hilo Side (East): This is the "Lush & Local" side. It’s a tropical rainforest that receives more rain, which means incredible waterfalls, botanical gardens, and the closest access to Volcanoes National Park.
Driving from Kona to the Volcano and back in one day is a 4 to 5-hour commitment.
Recommendation: Spend 5 nights on the Kona side for beach time, and 2 nights on the Hilo side or in Volcano Village.
😳 Driving around the Big Island on the main road is about 300 miles.
The One-Way Hack: To maximize your time, consider a one-way car rental. Pick up your car at the Kona Airport (KOA) and drop it off at the Hilo Airport (ITO) on your final day. It’s often similar in price and saves you a 2-hour drive back across the island!
🗺️ Crossing the Island: Saddle Road
The quickest way between the two sides is Saddle Road (Route 200). This road cuts right between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. It’s a stunning, high-altitude drive through mist and lava fields, but be sure to check your gas gauge—services are non-existent in the middle!
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.
Be aware that Uber is not as reliable as on the mainland.
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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 great vacation rental companies and great owners who rent their places directly.
Also, check VRBO and Airbnb. There are many condos in resort-style areas, especially in Kohala.
⚠️ Check for fees like cleaning, security deposit, resort fees, and damage waiver. These costs can vary a lot 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 the 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
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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 Realty are two (2) reputable vacation rental companies offering a range of options.
Visitors will stay either in Kona town or the resort-filled Kohala Coast.
Kona - has lots of condos, few hotels, and no large resort beaches.
Kona has more reasonably priced restaurants and shops, and the convenience of town services.
Kohala Coast —has the best hotels, resorts, condos, and nicer beaches. A more expensive place. [Details]
Summary:
Kona side, which includes Kohala Coast:
Kohala Coast - 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 weather is drier, sunnier, and warmer on the Kona side.
Kona is the island’s tourist hub. Big stores like Costco and Walmart are nearby, and many bars, restaurants, and shops are within walking distance. Visitors prefer Kona to Hilo because it’s sunnier and on the beach.
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] of the area.
Summary: If you’re exploring the island from coast to coast, consider staying a couple of nights on the Hilo side. This suggestion makes it more convenient to visit the Volcano Park and other windward-side attractions.
🚗 Consider a one-way car rental (picking up in Kona and dropping off in Hilo, or vice versa). It usually isn't significantly more expensive than a round-trip rental and can save you over 2 hours of backtracking.
Just be sure to book in advance, as one-way availability can be limited.
The Big Island Revealed Guidebook - a “must-get” travel guide. Best Seller!
Hawaii Forest & Trails - offers some excellent tours.
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 ROAD MAP>
<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]
The Mauna Kea Summit Tour is an all-day tour.
Visit the summit of this world-leading astronomy research facility.
Take a guided tour. If you go alone, you need a 4WD, but beware that most rentals forbid driving past the Visitor Center, even with 4WD—so tours are the safer choice.
You ascend from sea level to 14,000 feet in about 2 hours, so altitude sickness is a significant risk. Therefore, we advise that the first stop should be the Visitor Center at an 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° WFrom the parking area, it is an easy 5-mile scenic flat walk out and back.
⚠️ Caution: without sun cover, it can get very warm. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Locals offer unofficial jeep rides to Green Beach for visitors who don’t 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 about other Big Island hikes worth enjoying.
Stop at a Coffee plantation. (▼)
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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. An 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 an in-depth cupping (specialty tasting) included, as well as a 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 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. 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 markers 86 & 87- is a protected cove and great with small children. Limited parking; get there early.
Kekaha Kai Beach - between Highway markers 90 & 91, offers some shady areas at the back shore.
⚠️ Parking Tip: when accessing the resort/ hotel beaches:
All resort beaches in Hawaii have free public access. They have a limited amount of parking spaces (about 30-50) for visitors who 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) - a popular spot to see beach turtles lying on the beach. Visitors must not touch them.
Located on Hwy. 11, between mile markers 56 and 57.🐠 Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay and Kahalu'u Beach Park.
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KEALAKEKUA BAY:
🚗 17 Miles South of KONA, along Hwy 11.
GPS Coordinate: 19.4782° N, 155.9259° W
Kealakekua Bay (also known as “Captain Cook” bay) is an underwater marine sanctuary where you often can find dolphins and sea turtles.
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 middle of the bay is deep, but you can often see spinner dolphins playing there. There are many good snorkeling spots, but the best is on the opposite side of the bay from the parking area, near the Captain Cook monument.
The local ecosystem in Kealakekua Bay has recently suffered greatly under its own popularity.
Your options:
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.
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 last 3 hours to half a day and usually include snorkeling gear, snacks, drinks, and facts about Kealakekua Bay’s culture and history.
Two (2) boat 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 carries 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.
Two (2) 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.
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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, “ showcases two of the world’s most active volcanoes—Kīlauea and Mauna Loa—set amid dramatic lava fields, lush rainforests, and steaming craters.
Download a Map of the park.
Read the FAQs to maximize your time.
Drive the extraordinarily scenic Chain of Craters road. Download the [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. Difficulty: 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.
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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.
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Volcano Notices Search: Find specific volcano updates by notice type, observatory, volcano, or date range.
DAY 7
Explore the windward (wet) side. In Hawaii, "windward" means the island side facing the prevailing winds, so it gets more wind, clouds, and rain.
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 - Akaka Falls is a short walk from the parking area and drops 422 feet. The park is 13 miles north of Hilo, and the waterfall is worth stopping for on any Hamakua Coast road trip. [location]
Waipio Valley - often called the "Valley of the Kings" because it was home to Hawaiian chiefs and is important in Hawaiian myths.
The valley is on the Hamakua Coast. See the stunning view from the overlook at the top. The trail is closed.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: The road into the valley is closed to all visitors (including hikers) due to safety hazards.
Directions: Take Route 240 from Hwy. 19 to the end of the road. [GPS coordinate: 20.1140° N, 155.5928° W]
Overnight: Kona or Hilo, depending on 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 - 80s during the day, 60s at night.
Most rainfall (rainy season) is seen in December through February.
The 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 on the windward side of the islands.
The rainy season does NOT pose a real issue to visiting the Hawaiian Islands.
Big Island Gallery
🎥 Video
source: Wikipedia.org, bossfrog.com, nps.gov, us-hawaii-guide.comNo copyright infringement is intended on this website by travelwildnow.com