Venture to an island where volcanoes stretch out of the sea. Spend a week on the Big Island of Hawaii and you’ll be blown away!
The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest island in the Hawaiian chain and it’s also the youngest of the islands. Volcanoes erupted for years and years to form these gorgeous areas. But, on the Big Island they are still constantly evolving and erupting.
It’s one of the most unique landscapes in the world with volcanic beaches 🌊, tall mountains ⛰️, and lush forests. 🌳
With so much to do, it can be overwhelming to plan. My husband and I recently ventured to the Big Island and spent a week exploring around it.
So now, I want to help you. I’ve created this comprehensive itinerary with everything you need to know to plan a trip to the Big Island. Experience paradise, snorkel with sea life, and visit some of the most breathtaking spots!
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Planning Your Big Island Hawaii Vacation
How to Get to the Big Island
Getting to Hawaii can be difficult, especially when you’re not from the West Coast of the US. Luckily, there are two airports on the Big Island: Hilo and Kona, but most people fly into Kona International Airport. ✈️
If you’re flying from the Midwest or the East Coast you will most likely need to stop through California. Flights from California to Kona are about five hours.
But, once you get to Kona the airport is very compact and easy to navigate!
Responsible Travel in Hawaii
Before you visit the Big Island, there are a few things you should keep in mind as a responsible tourist:
- Respect the land and culture: The Big Island is a sacred place for Native Hawaiians. Be mindful at cultural sites, don’t trespass on private land, and learn a few basic Hawaiian phrases if you can.
- Leave no trace: Stay on marked trails, pack out all trash (even food waste), and never take rocks, sand, or shells home.
- Drive and park considerately: Avoid blocking driveways, parking on vegetation, or crowding local neighborhoods.
- Support local businesses: Choose locally-owned shops, tour companies, and restaurants whenever possible.
- Listen to locals: If a beach or hike is closed, it’s for a good reason. Respect signs and posted advisories.
The Best Time to Visit Hawaii
Most of Hawaii, including the Big Island has two seasons: wet and dry season. Wet season on the Big Island lasts from November to March, while dry season is April through October.
During wet season, you may experience more rainfall 🌧️ and higher winds, but it’s still a great time to visit. Rain can be more of a mist and you should still be able to complete most of your vacation activities.
Dry season typically occurs outside of the winter and has less rain and warmer temperatures. ☀️ So, it’s a fantastic time to visit the Big Island.
We went to the Big Island in May and although we experienced passing rain showers it never got in the way!
All of that being said, it’s also important to know that the East Side of the Island (Hilo area) is much rainier than the West Side (Kona area).
Getting Around the Big Island
The Big Island of Hawaii is called “The Big Island” for a reason, it’s the largest island in Hawaii at 4000 square miles.
So, if you want to explore most of the island or get between the East and West side you will need a car. There are many car rental companies located at the Kona airport to choose from.
Rentalcars.com offers the lowest prices between all rental companies. We used them for our Hawaii trip and only spent $300 for a week! 🚗
However, if you are staying at a resort on the Kona side of the island and plan on just hanging at the hotel or doing group tours, then you could probably get away without a car.
But, if you plan on following the itinerary below you will definitely want one for the flexibility and opportunity to explore!
Where to Stay on the Big Island, Hawaii
Before you choose where to stay on the Big Island, you need to understand the island’s geography. The island has two main areas: East and West.
If you have a week on the Big Island, I recommend that you stay in on the West for a few nights and then move to the East side for a couple nights. That way you can experience both!
On the West Side you’ll find the large resort town of Kona. This is where tons of visitors stay, because they have great hotels, wonderful beaches, good food, and shops. We stayed at the Royal Kona Resort and it was the perfect home base, because it was centrally located and had wonderful ammenities.
👉 Check out my complete guide on where to stay on the Big Island here!
You can also stay a little further North in Waikoloa, which has fantastic resorts for families or romantic getaways. These resorts are typically a little nicer or more upscale than the ones in Kona.
On the other hand, the East side of the island is much quieter. The largest town here is Hilo and it is a much quieter town with a more local feel.
Because it’s much quieter there are less large hotels. We opted to stay at the Volcano House in Volcanoes National Park for a night and then, a gorgeous VRBO on a farm.
Best Hotels Big Island Hawaii:
- Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts (Waikoloa)
- Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings Land (Waikoloa)
- Royal Kona Resort (Kona)
- Outrigger Kona Resort (Kona)
- SCP Hilo Hotel (Hilo)
➡️ Read more details on choosing hotels on the Big Island here!
Places to Eat on the Big Island
Although the Big Island may not be a foodie’s paradise, there are tons of amazing local delicacies to try. Plus, you can’t leave the island without getting some of the world famous Kona coffee! ☕️
There are a number of delicacies from the local island that you must try including Malasadas (a Portuguese donut), Loco Moco (Hamburger with a fried egg), Furikake Chicken (Chicken fried with furikake), Spam Musubi (a spam, rice and seaweed wrap), and Poke (diced raw fish).
Favorite Eats on the Big Island:
- Acai Bowls
- Basik Acai (Kona)
- Loved By the Sun (Hilo)
- Poke
- Poke Market (Hilo)
- Suisan Fish Market (Hilo)
- Coffee
- White Nene Coffee Roasters (Holualoa)
- Paradise Coffee Roasters (Hilo)
- Shaka Tacoz (Captain Cook)
- Ken’s House of Pancakes (Hilo)
- Black Rock Pizza (Captain Cook)
- Broke Da Mouth Grindz (Kona)
- Kona Brewing Co (Kona)
- Punalu’u Bake Shop (Punalu’u)
Week Itinerary on the Big Island, Hawaii
Now that you have all the details you need to plan your trip, let’s talk about the fun stuff. I’m sharing the best Big Island Hawaii week itinerary with recommendations on what to do and when to do them!
You’ll have the best time exploring paradise. 🌺
I got a lot of help from my friend Lana, so make sure to check out her blog if you want more details and ideas for your visit!
Day 1: Getting to the Big Island
Your first day is a big travel day! Wherever you’re coming from, the flights to Hawaii can be long and exhausting.
So, today is all about getting everything you need settled. Land in Hawaii, pick up your rental car, and then drive to your hotel in Kona.
If you get there early enough, you can take advantage of the hotel’s amenities, grab snorkeling gear, or visit a nearby beach. We stayed at the Royal Kona Resort and we loved that they had their own small beach to lounge on.
Finally, grab dinner in the Kona area at one of the fun restaurants like Kona Brewing Co (famous for the Kona Wave Beer) or Broke Da Mouth Grindz for delicious furikake chicken.
Day 2: Kona Coffee & Snorkeling
Today is your first full day on the Big Island, so it’s time to really soak in paradise. Start your morning off right by getting an acai bowl before heading out for the day.
Today, you’re going to stick to exploring the Captain Cook and Kona areas. But first, you’re going to want to grab some snorkeling gear.
You can either see if your hotel has them or rent them from a local spot like Snorkel Bobs. We got our gear at Snorkel Bobs and it was super easy. We just walked in, asked to rent gear for a few days, and they had us fitted within minutes. 🤿 Plus, they gave us recommendations on where to go!
Greenwell Coffee Farm Tour
Before you get out on your snorkeling adventure, you’ll probably need some caffeine. So, drive to Greenwell Coffee Farm for a free tour to learn about the world famous Kona Coffee!
This is actually the farm that put Kona Coffee on the world stage after the owner brought some of the coffee beans to the World’s Fair.
They do free coffee tours there every half hour to one hour from 9 am to 3 pm and they last about an hour. It’s a great way to learn about Kona Coffee and how it’s grown.
Plus, you can taste all of the coffee that you want! I don’t personally drink coffee (unless it’s in the form of a sugary latte), but I loved the tour. And my husband loved trying all of the various beans in their tasting room.
Once you’re done with the tour you can get a couple bags to bring home and set off on your adventures!
Snorkeling at Two Step Beach
Just like many of the Hawaiian islands, the Big Island boasts a bunch of wonderful snorkeling spots to enjoy. We chose to head to Two Step Beach, which is a popular place for visitors.
It has very calm warm waters that are very clear. Plus, it’s easy to just hop right in and start seeing fish right away!
If you’d rather go on a tour or go kayaking, then you can check out the Captain Cook Monument, which is another popular spot for snorkeling.
Once you’re done with your day snorkeling, you can grab some pizza, spam musubis, or poke to fill up before some night time explorations.
Manta Ray Night Snorkeling
One of the coolest things we did on our entire trip was go snorkeling with Manta Rays at night!
When I first signed up for the tour, my husband was really nervous. He kept asking me “We are really going to go snorkeling in the middle of the ocean at night?!” 😳
But, as soon as we got out there, we realized it wasn’t scary at all. In fact, it was magical.
We did a tour with Sea Quest Hawaii and they run the largest operation in Kona. Once you arrive, they’ll fit you with a wet suit, go over all the procedures, and then split you up into groups.
👉 Read all about Snorkeling with Manta Rays here
Then, the boat goes out for only a few minutes before it gets to the area the Manta Rays enjoy to feed. From there, they’ll put these large boards in the water that you’ll hang onto while light shines down into the ocean.
Immediately after entering the water, a manta ray came swimming right up to all of us and rubbing her stomach on us! While you aren’t allowed to touch them, they will touch you.
It’s so cool to experience and manta rays are beautiful creatures! I would love to do it again.
After the journey, they’ll take you back and give you hot cocoa and cookies 🍪 to warm up. It’s the perfect tour and it’s a must do on your Big Island week trip!
Book your manta ray night snorkeling tour here! 🙌🏻
Day 3: Up to Mauna Kea
Take it easy this morning, because you have a big expedition at night. You can relax at your resort, go snorkeling nearby, or hang at a beach.
Some of the best beaches in the Kona area include: Kua Bay, Kealakekua Bay, Honaunau Bay, King Kamehameha, and Kahalu’u Beach Park.
Mauna Kea Sunset & Stars Tour
Now, it’s time for one of the most unique things you will do during your entire trip to the Big Island. You’re heading to the tallest mountain in the world: Mauna Kea.
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the world from bottom to top, but over half of the mountain is under the sea. So, Mauna Kea sits at 13,800 feet.
Now, you can go here on your own, but you’ll need a 4WD vehicle. Instead, I recommend going on a tour to see the sunset and watch the stars!
We got picked up at 3 pm, because the journey to Mauna Kea from Kona is about 1.5 hours. On the way we learned a lot of facts about Mauna Kea including the fact that even if it’s raining around the island (which it was), it’s usually clear on the top because the summit sits above the clouds.
That’s why so many satellites and telescopes sit on Mauna Kea. These telescopes are responsible for most of the world’s discoveries about space. It’s so cool!
Book your Mauna Kea Sunset & Stars Tour here! 💫
Once we got to the road to Mauna Kea, we got into 4WD vans to go to the top. It’s required that you acclimate at 9000 feet for 30 minutes before journeying all the way, so that you don’t get sick.
Finally, we made it to the top for sunset, and it was one of the most surreal experiences. I couldn’t believe my eyes and it’s probably the best sunset I’ve seen. 🌄
Then, we drove down a bit to do some star gazing. Our tour provided us with large telescopes to see some of the planets and galaxies out in space. If you are into stars at all, this is a must do!
It was one of the coolest nights of my life.
🙌🏻 Still wondering if this tour is worth it? Read all about the Mauna Kea tour here.
Day 4: The Northern Side
Say goodbye to Kona and the West side for now, it’s time to make your way over to the East side of the island.
You’re going to go the long way around the Northern side of the island, so that you can see some of the other spectacular spots on the island. So get ready for a long drive, fuel up on coffee and snacks and let’s hit the road!
Hapuna Beach
First stop, is one of the stunning white sand beaches on the island, Hapuna Beach. This beach is a wonderful place to spend a few hours or a whole day.
Because you’ve got a long drive and other stops in front of you, I recommend stopping there for an hour or so to enjoy the beach before making your way further East.
Waipo’o Valley Lookout
Waipo’o Valley is a truly sacred area of Hawaii and it’s actually off limits to anyone but residents and their visitors. 🚫
This fertile valley sits under 2000 foot cliffs and is home to important history for the Hawaiian people. It’s where King Kamehameha I grew up and is known as the “valley of the Kings.”
Although you can’t visit within the valley, you can go to the Waipo’o Valley Lookout and see this stunning landscape with the homes throughout it.
After you have seen the lookout, stop by the Waipio’o Fruit Shack. This colorful shack offers delicious fresh fruit bowls, fruit juices, and coconut water. It’s a whimsical spot to stop for a pick me up.
Akaka Falls
You’ve had a long day of driving, but there’s just one last stop before you settle into Hilo. It’s time to visit the cascading waterfall of Akaka Falls. 💦
There’s an entry fee of $5 a person, but you can save $5 on parking, if you just park before the yellow gates. It’s a few second walk to get to the one mile trail for the falls.
This lush trail takes you by huge trees, dramatic views over the area, and finally to the waterfall. It’s a great way to stretch your legs and enjoy the natural beauty.
Now that you’ve finally made it to Hilo, you can settle into your lodging and grab a bite to eat. There are a bunch of restaurants in the quiet town of Hilo to choose from.
Day 5: Exploring Hilo Area
Hilo is a much quieter side of the island, than the Big Island, they call it Hawaii’s biggest small town.
Here you’ll find historic wooden storefronts, lush forests, sprawling farmland, wild pigs, and frequent rainfall. Today you’ll explore some of the highlights of the Hilo area before moving on to the volcanic landscapes later on.
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens
Begin your morning by driving to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens. These gardens were created by Dan Lutkenhouse Sr who retired from his work, bought this 17 acres of land, and planted an amazing tropical garden.
This man and his assistant worked by hand every day to preserve the beauty of the land and make sure that these gardens flourished.
Now, you can visit them and walk along the paths to see the wide variety of flora and fauna throughout it. Just make sure that you wear comfortable walking shoes, because there are some steep hills!
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls gets its moniker from the frequent rainbows it displays in its mist. 🌈 This powerful waterfall is one of the best spots to see in the Hilo area.
It’s just a couple seconds walk from the parking lot, so it’s also accessible for all visitors!
Carlsmith Beach
Now just because there aren’t as many sandy beaches on the east side, doesn’t mean you can’t find a nice place to relax and enjoy the sun.
We actually ended up going to Carlsmith Beach Park two days in a row because we loved it so much! It’s a gorgeous grassy park sitting next to the ocean.
Here you’ll find clear blue waters, sea turtles, bathrooms, and wonderful swimming for the whole family. It’s a great place to bring a book, a chair, and a picnic lunch and set up for the whole day!
Day 6: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
It’s finally time to explore one of the most famous places on the island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This park is home to active volcanoes and craters that are still working to shape this island. 🌋
In fact, when we were there Kiluaea was having an active eruption. Every single week lava fountains went off within the park. We got to see some of the smaller activity while we were there and we even pushed our flight back in hopes of seeing the huge lava fountains. But instead, it erupted the day after we got home. 😔
Despite that, we loved visiting Volcanoes National Park!
You can choose to stay at your lodging in Hilo and go for a day trip or grab a hotel at the historic Volcanoes Hotel, which looks over the Kiluaea crater. That’s where we stayed and it was a wonderfully unique experience!
👉 Find a more detailed post all about spending one day in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park here!
Nāhuku Lava Tube
Set off early in the day, so that you can nab a parking spot at the Nāhuku Lava Tube. This lava tube was formed by flowing lava about 500 years ago! 😯
It’s just a short 10-15 minute walk down into the forest and through the tube. It’s cool in the lava tube and feels as if you’ve entered into a cave. Walking through here was one of the highlights of our National Park trip.
Kīlauea Iki Trailhead
Now that you’ve walked through an old lava flow, it’s time to get down into the volcanic craters. The Kīlauea Iki Trailhead leaves from the same spot as the lava tubes.
This is a four mile trail that takes you down into the heart of the crater. When we went, we had it all to ourselves and it felt like we were on a different planet as we walked through the black center of the crater.
It’s a great way to really experience the volcanoes firsthand.
Chain of Craters Drive
After your long hikes, it’s time to take a trip on the Chain of Craters Drive. It takes you from the craters all the way to the sea floor, 4000 feet below you.
This road is 19 miles and takes about 2-4 hours depending on the stops that you take. So, just be sure that you’ve allowed enough time.
Along the way you’ll see huge volcanic craters, lava flows from past eruptions, and gorgeous views over the sea. I recommend walking to the Holei Sea Arch at the very end of the road.
It’s a wonderful way to explore this park.
Volcano House for Dinner
Finally, end your day by enjoying dinner up at the Volcano House. You can stare out at the Kilauea crater as you dine on your meal.
We actually really loved the food here and ended up visiting twice while we were hoping to see the volcano eruption. It was such a fun spot!
Day 7: Volcanic Sand Beaches
Today you’re going to drive around the Southern part of the island and make your way back to Kona for one last night in paradise.
You’ll get to explore some amazing volcanic beaches and then you’ll be close to the airport so you can easily fly back home.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
First, stop at the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. This volcanic beach is incredibly unique because of the black sand that covers its shores.
But, a large bonus of visiting this beach over other ones on the island is that green sea turtles 🐢 love to hang on its shores. You have to stay at least 10 feet away from them, but they’re so cute to see!
Punalu’u Bake Shop
After your visit to the beach, it’s time for you to finally try Malasadas. Portuguese workers brought this dish to Hawaii and now they are baked throughout the Big Island.
Punalu’u Bake Shop is the southernmost bakery in the entire US and it also had delicious Malasadas. You can try a variety of flavors including lilikoi (Passionfruit), guava, and chocolate.
We got a box of 6 and they were so fluffy and delightful!
Green Sand Beach
The last stop on your journey back to Kona is the Green Sand Beach. This is another unique spot on the Big Island and its very remote.
The only way to get to the Green Sand Beach is to walk 2.5 miles (one way) or hitch a ride with one of the locals on their trucks. We opted to walk there and back and although it was a long journey, it was also relatively flat.
Once you get to the Green Sand Beach, you can wander through the sand or go for a swim. However, current here can be really dangerous so make sure to go on a calm day. I didn’t swim when we went, but I still loved seeing the beach!
After your long day, head back to Kona, check into your hotel and have one final meal before leaving the Big Island. It’s time to reflect on your incredible week. 🥰
Final Tips for Visiting the Big Island Hawaii
Spending a week on the Big Island of Hawaii will be something that you never forget.
But, just remember that this island is very large, so you will have to prioritize the things that you want to do and see! Make plans in advance so that you can book any tours and they don’t get sold out.
I hope you fall in love with this slice of paradise!
Let me know if you enjoyed this itinerary in the comments!
👇 Check out some of my other Big Island Hawaii posts here 👇
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