Learn how to plan a trip efficiently and hit most of the major attractions in one week. There's also tips on how to avoid some BIG mistakes, as well as a free 7 day itinerary infographic at the bottom.
This blog post contains a complete itinerary for a seven day trip to Big Island. It includes what I learned when I visited Big Island, my travel tips, and what I wish I would have known or would have done differently.
Interested in the itinerary, but don't have enough time to read the entire post? I've included a "Complete Itinerary" infographic at the bottom, where I've laid out what my ideal trip would be. Just scroll down!
Also be sure to check out my other blog post "Hawaii Island: A Brief History" if you're interested in Big Island climate information, the landscape, and origins of the Hawaiian Islands. I highly recommend learning more about the island and its climate before your visit.
You can also check out the blog post "Exploring Big Island in 6 Days" if you're interested in how I spent my time on Big Island and are looking for more Big Island information.
Big Island Travel Guide and Tips
Day 1:
Arrival at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport
There are many flight options to Big Island, including inter-island flights if traveling from another Hawaiian island. When I visited, inter-island flights were leaving nearly every hour from Oahu. Upon arrival, you will find that the smaller outdoor airport is relatively easy to navigate. Baggage claim is just a short walk away at Terminal 1 (arrivals).
You should consider renting a car for your trip, and if you do, I highly recommend looking into reserving a car ahead of time and picking the car up on the day of arrival to avoid potential issues later. The free shuttle bus to the rental car area picks up passengers right out front of the baggage claim area, and it only takes a few minutes to arrive at car rentals. As of this post, the options for car rentals included Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Car Rental Note
From my experience, SUVs and larger-engine cars get rented first and are more expensive to rent. I had a 4-cylinder smaller sedan as my rental car, and I didn't have too much trouble renting or driving around. Because you'll be driving up mountains into higher altitudes, you could consider a car with a more robust engine. The smaller sedan worked for me, which included a drive to the visitor's center at Mauna Kea (about 9,200 ft.). And per the rental car agreement, you are not allowed to take rental cars off-road anyway.
Ride Share and Food Delivery Note
The airport is between most of the hotels and the main city (Kailua-Kona). When I visited, getting an Uber wasn't always an easy option. You can forget about food delivery options such as Uber Eats (food delivery will take a very long time, and there were few options).
Hotel Experience in Kona
My partner Björn and I stayed at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and were pretty happy with the room and service. Debbie checked us in, and she was super helpful and friendly. Shout out to Debbie! Even with Covid protocols, it was easy to get assistance and room service.
The hotel had one restaurant open on site besides a coffee bar in the lobby that was open from morning until around lunch. There are a few pools and hot tubs available, and there is a beach with fish ponds directly behind the hotel.
You can see the view from the lobby in the video below.
If you've read my other blog post about my trip to Big Island, you know that the stay in Kona was a last-minute decision. We chose the Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa reservation. However, we were also considering the Four Seasons, Mauna Lani, and the Ocean Tower by Hilton. Four Seasons and Mauna Lani are more on the expensive side, and the Ocean Tower by Hilton is in the process of getting renovated. Because we were not confident we would get a renovated room, we did not want to chance the Ocean Tower on this trip. However, we learned that the new rooms have kitchens, so if you're booking at Ocean Tower and find a room with a kitchen, you might be in luck and get a renovated room.
"Full" Hotel Booking Tip
Björn was unable to book the hotel initially because of what appeared to be full occupancy. After about 15 minutes, I tried on my phone and was able to add in a room. We learned that hotels often "hold" rooms on their website for visitors for up to 15 minutes, so at least one visitor had decided against the Marriott, which is why I was able to go back in and find a room on the Vacation Club side of the property. So if you're struggling to find a room when you know there are only a few rooms left, maybe wait about 15 minutes and give your browser a refresh.
Day 2:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Mauna Kea
If you're not too tired from travels, you could start your trip by visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and then stop at Mauna Kea on the way back to the hotel on your first full day, if the weather permits.
You could stay at the hotel for breakfast or, if you're near Waikōloa and they're open, you could go to my absolute favorite coffee shop Island Vintage Coffee. The Big Island location is brand new and wasn't open yet when I visited (they have locations on Oahu and Maui). I haven't tried anything on their menu that wasn't good, and their açaí bowls are 10/10. When I visited, there wasn't a lot open for breakfast in the hotel area. Besides the restaurant on-site and the small coffee shop, there were a few nearby restaurants in the Queens' Marketplace and the Kings' Shops.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
From the Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a two-hour drive without stops. Upon arrival, you'll have to pay for entrance. If you're in a private vehicle, you can get a single pass for $30 that's good for seven days, and the pass also works in other National Parks. So it'd be a good option if you were heading over to Maui to visit the volcano on that island or if you plan to visit any other National Parks during your stay. You can also get an $80 Interagency Annual Pass, which works at all National Parks in the United States for one entire year for up to two individuals.
You can also get an $80 annual pass, which works at all National Parks in the United States for one entire year for up to two individuals.
The visitor's center is just down the road to the right when you head into the park. The park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. However, the bathrooms and visitor's center shut down at 5 PM. It took us about five hours to visit the park in its entirety, which included seeing all the areas without additional hiking.
I would recommend starting the day by heading right out of the visitor's center. Then, you can visit the Summit of Kilauea, the Halema'uma'u Crater, Steam Vents (video below), and Sulphur Banks. After a few brief stops, you'll need to turn around to continue with the rest of the park. Our first stop after turning around was the Thurston Lava Tube. Note that the park turns off the lights inside the lava tube from 8 PM to 8 AM, so if you arrive later, keep in mind you will need a flashlight.
After the lava tube, you'll head further down the Chain of Craters Road. We only stopped at one crater along the way. The Kilauea Overlook at the beginning often has cloud cover and fog, so it can be tough to get a good view. However, the stop along the way did not have clouds or fog, and we could see into the crater at this stop.
Our next stop was the Keauhou Trail, which is about halfway along the Chain of Craters Road. The trail is pretty strenuous and takes about 3-5 hours one way. The park has a sign to warn you about elemental exposure, what to expect, and endangered species along the trail. We walked around for a bit and admired the fields of lava from the Mauna Ulu flows from 1969-1974. There's a pretty good view at the Kealakomo Overlook nearby.
At the base is the Puna Coast Trail. Unfortunately, due to closure, you can't get much farther past the Holei Sea Arch. So after you're done admiring the lava cliffs, you'll have to head back up the mountain to exit.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tips
If you're going to go to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you're going to need to bring some things with you to prepare for a better experience. We saw a lot of people in shorts, flip-flops, and without umbrellas. Bring warm clothes and a rain jacket (or umbrella).
Dinner in Hilo
Before heading to Mauna Kea, I would recommend stopping at Hawaiian Style Café in Hilo. From the entrance of the park to the restaurant, it's about forty minutes. There's an extensive menu that includes a mixed plate option if you want to try a few selections of Hawaiian-style food. Most choices come with two sides, such as white rice and mac salad. For dessert, they make a homemade lilikoi pie, which is like a passionfruit-topped cheesecake.
Mauna Kea
On the way to the hotel, you can stop at the Mauna Kea for the observatory. The stargazing is impeccable here. If the weather permits, it's night, and the moon isn't in the way, it may be worth the stop. It's about a one-hour fifteen-minute drive from Hawaiian Style Café.
When I visited, the visitor's center was open from 11:30 AM to 7 PM every day. If you have a rental car, you are generally forbidden to drive past the visitor's center. Thus, to visit the summit legally you'll either have to hike or join a tour. I would not personally recommend hiking because it's about a six mile hike on gravel road up to about 14,000 ft. Also note that there are visiting hours on the summit, which is half hour before sunrise and half hour after sunset . You can visit the Maunakea Visitor Information Station's website with more information by clicking here.
Mauna Kea Observatory Tips
As for the observatory, make sure you bring very warm clothes. When I visited, it was about 30 F at the visitor's center, and is even colder at the summit. Also, keep in mind what time the moonrise is, otherwise the light will interfere with your stargazing. We enjoyed using the Sky Guide app.
Also keep in mind what time the moonrise is, otherwise the light will interfere with your stargazing.
When we visited, we also found that the weather apps on our phone were not accurate. The weather apps showed the area as being cloudy, but when we reached the visitor's center it was clear. You can visit (and bookmark!) the Mauna Kea Weather Center for current conditions.
Day 3:
Punalu’u, Papakōlea, Kalae
After breakfast, I would recommend heading south to explore the island. The southern tip of the island has a green sand beach (there are only four in the world), a black sand beach (very rare), and you'll also be able to say you visited the Southernmost point of the entire United States. From the Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, it's about a two-hour drive to Kalae and Papakōlea Green Sand Beach.
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
There are only two green sand beaches in the United States, and Papakōlea is one of them. The green sand comes from olivine crystals from the old cinder cone of the Mauna Loa volcano. But as mentioned above, because you generally can't take rental cars off the road, driving here isn't a legal option. You might notice people offering rides to the beach for $20, but this is illegal. Therefore, you'll have to hike as a tourist. The hike is about 2.5 miles one-way. The cool part about this beach is there are only four green sand beaches in the world, but if you're not feeling the long hike and don't want to break the rules or take a ride with a stranger, you could skip this one.
The cool part about this beach is there are only four green sand beaches in the world, but if you're not feeling the long hike and don't want to break rules or take a ride with a stranger, you could probably skip this one.
Kalae (South Point): The Southernmost Point of the Entire United States
Before or after Papakōlea, be sure to check out Kalae. The final descent into South Point is just miles of land, cows, and maybe a few stray wild horses. There's one sanctuary in this area trying to help cows and other animals, but most of the area seems to be government-owned and private-owned farms.
There was a lot of people cliff diving into the water at South Point. You can take up a ladder along one rock wall, so people would dive into the water and climb back up. The tides are strong, but people enjoy swimming into the underwater cave. There's also a restricted area to the east of South Point, which is a native burial site, so make sure you don't go too far down the path: there are signs that warn about this, so keep an eye out.
Punalu'u (Black Sand Beach)
You could either head over to Punalu'u before or after visiting Kalae and Pakakōlea (it's personal preference). It's about a forty-minute drive from South Point. When we went, we found that everyone parks along the street near the beach, so parking was pretty easy for us.
The beach has restrooms, a snack bar, and a picnic area. The black sand and black rocks from old lava flows get hotter quicker than their lighter counterparts. But there are also rows of coconut trees along the coast, so you might be able to find some shade if desired. If swimming, note that there are strong currents at this location, and sometimes there are lifeguards on duty. The old lava flows can have sharp edges, so you might consider bringing water shoes. There's a dirt boat ramp on the far left if you want to avoid the rocks altogether. And if you notice what feels like hot and cold water, it's because of the freshwater springs in Punalu'u Bay. The less-dense freshwater is on top, and the denser saltwater is underneath.
There are often endangered hawksbill sea turtles swimming near shore or resting on the beach; they are protected under the Endangered Species Act. See below for a video of a turtle swimming near shore. Because the NOAA and DLNR recommend staying at least 10 ft. away from the turtles, please note the below video is zoomed in and we did keep our space from the turtles.
Lunch/Dinner Recommendations
My recommendations would be Umekes Fish Market or Shaka Tacoz. We went to Umekes on multiple days. I tried the fish tacos and the ahi katsu, and both were terrific. Björn had two scoops of poke and the grilled ahi belly—which were also really good. If you're looking for something sweet or need a coffee, Puna Chocolate Company has a decent selection of local coffee, macadamias, and chocolates. Puna also sells art made by local artists, so I picked up some magnets and stickers.
If you're looking for a quick stop (instead of the sit-down at Umekes), Shaka Tacoz is locally owned and has good tacos. There are a ton of geckos on the patio that are quite the spectacle; they're pretty friendly and will walk right up to your plate. They love the mango in the mango salsa and on the tacos.
Day 4:
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau and Honaunau Bay
If you're heading to the Queens' Marketplace for breakfast, you can easily pick up snorkeling gear for a very reasonable price. When we visited, the shop that sells snorkeling gear in the Queen's marketplace was closed, but the grocery store (Island Gourmet Market) had snorkeling gear that was reasonably priced. We paid about $29 for each "Pro" snorkel and maybe about $30 for a set of fins. We did not want to rent snorkel gear (personal preference), and the other rental shops were dive and rental stores that were quite a drive away.
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau
The Marriott is about an hour's drive to Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Honaunau Bay. If you pick up a National Park Pass while visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you can use it to park at Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau for no additional fee. If you didn't, it's $20 to visit per vehicle. If you don't want to pay the $20, parking elsewhere is a pain, as there are limited spots (and you'll need $5 cash for some spots). Individuals aged 15 or older will have to pay $10 per individual if arriving on foot.
If you picked up a National Park Pass... you can use it to park at Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park for no additional fee. If you didn't, it's $20.
You can take a self-guided tour of the Royal Grounds and Pu'uhonua. There's a map you can pick up at the entrance that will guide you along your tour. The gates lock at 7:30 PM, so make sure you get here earlier in the day. There's even an ancient rock game called Kōnane that you can play towards the entrance of the grounds, but be sure to pick up the rules at the Visitor Center when you get your map.
Honaunau Bay
After the tour, we walked around the corner to Honaunau Bay to snorkel (it's approximately the second street on the left outside of the entrance). The coral reef here makes Honaunau Bay a perfect spot for snorkeling, as the still waters and hiding places attract a lot of marine life (I was amazed!). However, I was super disappointed with my lack of pre-planning on this one, so listen close and don't be like me.
I was super disappointed with my lack of pre-planning on this one, so listen close and don't be like me... I saw a few people bleeding from running into rocks and sea urchins.
Similar to the situation at Punalu'u, you must be extra cautious not to hit rocks when in the water. If you go on a day with a lot of waves, this could be a problem. There's a lava flow shoreline at the Bay, and at first glance, it looks like you just step into the water. And you can, and that's what we did... but you also have to be careful of the sea urchins! There are many sea urchins within the lava rocks and coral reef just inches below the water.
People enter the water from all sides of "Two Step," and we investigated many entry points—including the area to the far right, which looks like you can step in the water. Unfortunately, you cannot do this easily, and I saw a few people bleeding from running into rocks and sea urchins. There are also many eels within the coral reef, so be mindful of all the different and possibly dangerous sea creatures.
There are so many beautiful fish and marine life of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some people take tours where they were dropped out into the middle of the Bay by boat to snorkel.
Honaunau Bay Tips
There's an area towards the middle of the lava rocks that looks like a step (middle picture above). You can essentially just sit down and slide into the water. There's enough area to push yourself away from the rocks and it has a steep cliff right off the step under the water.
There's also a boat ramp to the left, and some people were jumping into the water from here and then swimming over to the reef. I heard some people say they felt that area was the best way to enter, but I didn't check it out myself.
Kekaha Kai State Park and/or Kukio Beach
If you're still feeling adventurous, you could hit one or two white sand beaches on the way back to your hotel.
After Honaunau Bay, I wanted to go to Kekaha Kai State Park to enjoy the beach and snorkel in "safer" waters. The park closes at 6:30 PM, and gates lock at 7 PM. It has a lovely white sand beach with toilets and showers. There are some rocks in the area, so there are a few spots where you can snorkel because the fish like to keep safe near the rocks. The fish in this area were not as vibrant as the Bay, but some enormous blue and striped fish were swimming around. The water was also not as clear as Honaunau Bay.
As for Kukio Beach, we were pleasantly surprised. It's near the Four Seasons resort, but since all beaches must be public by Hawaiian law, you can still access the beach… there's just a little additional security. First, you'll need to visit the security entrance to get a pass and put your name down on the visitor's list. Then, you'll be able to get past the gate a little down the street after getting buzzed in by security. The beach was beautiful, and there were showers and restrooms as well. We both agreed we would revisit Kukio Beach if we have time on our next Big Island visit.
As for Kukio Beach, we were pleasantly surprised... there's just a little additional security... you'll need to visit the security entrance to get a pass and to also put your name down on the visitor's list.
Lunch/Dinner Recommendations
Depending on your mood and the vibe you're looking for, I would recommend stopping at Reel Aloha Poke & Fish Co. or Kanaka Kava. Both are locally owned and have good food. At Reel Aloha, I had the poke nachos, and Björn had two scoops of poke. The owners were friendly too—so we would revisit it. Kanaka Kava has local organic Hawaiian-family roots and serves pups platters, poi bowls, poke bowls, and more.
Day 5:
Coffee Farms
Kona has some of the best coffee in the world, so if you enjoy coffee, it just makes sense to visit some coffee farms. Unfortunately, on my trip, I only had time to visit Mountain Thunder coffee. But after extensive research, I came up with a list of the ones I'd like to see on my next trip, which includes Hula Daddy, Heavenly Hawaiian, and Greenwell Farms. Each farm visit takes more time than you'd think. The closest farm is Mountain Thunder, which is about forty minutes from the Marriott. The farthest is Greenwell Farms and is about fifty minutes from the Marriott (and surprisingly about thirty-five minutes from Mountain Thunder).
Mountain Thunder
Mountain Thunder coffee is about 3,200 feet up on a volcano in the Kona coffee belt area. Their goal is to make the best coffee in Kona, and they're meticulous. They have coffee processing tours about every thirty minutes. The tours take about fifteen minutes. Marty, the tour guide, was very friendly and knowledgeable, and both Björn and I enjoyed the tour. You can also take a self-guided nature walk tour for $10 per family, but you'll have to sign a waiver so that the farm isn't liable if you hurt yourself while out roaming their farm. You can go on a self-guided tour any time. See the video below for a flowering coffee plant with unripe coffee cherries.
If you're lucky, you might spot Margie, the coffee farm cat. We were told that she gets fed around 3:30 PM, so she was patiently waiting by her bowl for her lunch.
Hula Daddy
If you research coffee farms in Kona, there's a lot of hype about Hula Daddy. The coffee farm was founded in 2002 with a goal similar to Mountain Thunder: to create one of the best coffees in the world. Besides really enjoying their coffee, people also really enjoy the views of the Kona coast while on the farm, the hospitality, and good parking. As of this post, Hula Daddy is open on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 AM to 1 PM (except on major holidays). The tours are $30 per person, and there's a minimum of two people required per tour. On the tour, you'll visit the orchard and the roasting room. The tour length is about sixty minutes. You can call or go on their website to book a tour beforehand.
Heavenly Hawaiian
In business since 1994, Heavenly Hawaiian is another favorite. As of this post, the farm is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Coffee tours are given at the top of every hour from Monday to Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM (they're an hour long). They also have a roasting tour and a brewing tour, and you can book online by clicking here. People also rave about the hospitality and the views of the Kona coast views.
Greenwell Farms
One of the, if not the oldest operating coffee farms in Kona, is Greenwell Farms; they began their legacy in 1850 when an Englishman named Henry Nicholas Greenwell moved with his wife Elizabeth to Big Island. As of this post, the farm is open every day from 8:30 AM to 5 PM. They also offer free coffee tours, which people love. The staff is supposedly very friendly and knowledgeable.
Food Recommendation
Island Lava Java is a highly-rated coffee shop and cafe right on the beach in Kailua-Kona. Visitors rave about the macadamia and fruit waffles and the fresh fish. They are open daily from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Day 6:
Hi'ilawe Falls, Waipi'o Valley and Akaka Falls
I didn't get a chance to visit the northern part of the island as much as I would have liked to, so this day is planned around my future itinerary.
Akaka Falls
From the hotel to Akaka Falls, it's about a one-hour and thirty-minute drive. Akaka Falls is an impressive 442-foot tall waterfall. Many people rave that it's the best waterfall in the area. It's a short walk to the waterfall, and there's a paved path with stairs right through the forest. Akaka Falls charges for entry and parking, and they recommend you pay ahead of time because of limited cell phone reception. As of this post, the fee is $10 for parking and $5 for non-Hawaiian residents. I read reviews that say the parking lot is tiny, so even if you pay ahead of time, you might not find parking, and at least two reviewers said they paid for parking ahead of time but ended up parking outside the official parking lot. I'd recommend doing some research yourself before your visit to decide what you'd like to do.
Hi'ilawe Falls and Waipi'o Valley
One of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii is the Hi'ilawe Waterfall into Waipi'o Valley, which has a drop of 1,450 feet. You'll either need to hike here or pay for a horseback riding tour of the valley, as the waterfall is inside the valley. Because much of the property in the valley is private, you'll need to be mindful of where you are walking. Reviews suggest following the road to the left once reaching the valley, and then you'll see the waterfall after about a five to ten-minute walk. Also, keep in mind the hike is quite steep as you descent into the valley. There's also a decent amount of wild horses in the area.
Lunch/Dinner Recommendations
Based on my reviews, I'm looking forward to trying The Fish & The Hog and the Waimea Midweek Farmers Market. The Fish & The Hog is a popular barbecue restaurant in Waimea. Or, if the farmer's market is open, you can stop to purchase local goods. As of this post, the market is open on Wednesdays from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Hāmākua Macadamia Nut Co.
While I brought plenty of macadamias home from my trip, if I were to head up north, I would stop by Hāmākua Macadamia Nut Co. to visit the store in person. The company offers tours and tastings and is open daily from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Day 7
Waikōloa Petroglyph Reserve and Departure
On the last day, I would recommend doing anything you may have missed, such as visiting the Waikōloa Petroglyph Reserves, or ki'i pōhaku in Hawaiian, along the Kings Highway Foot Trail. There are two petroglyph reserves in Kona (and many on Big Island), but the Waikōloa reserve is close to many hotels and is within walking distance from the Marriott. Petroglyphs are images carved into rock by Native Hawaiians a long time ago and are a must-see if you are interested in the Hawaiian culture.
Dropping of the Car Rental
Returning the rental car was an easy experience for me. Enterprise had an area where you could drive up, hand an associate a key, and then walk to the building to wait for the shuttle bus. There was only one shuttle, but we only had to wait about 10 minutes to take the short 2-3 minute drive over to the airport.
The Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is a smaller airport (therefore no lounges), but it does have a few gift shops if there was anything you forgot to grab. We also were able to buy a few bagged plants to take home. In this airport, you'll have to board from the outside. Therefore, keep in mind that you'll have to carry your hand luggage up the large metal staircase to board the aircraft.
If you haven't visited Big Island, I hope this guide inspires you to consider a few days on Big Island. When I visit places, I try to shop and support locals when possible, which is why I recommended certain businesses in this post.
I found it very difficult to find lists of locally-owned and native-owned businesses on Big Island, especially when it came to coffee farms. I'd love to incorporate more locally-owned and native-owned businesses into my content when I revisit Big Island.
If you have any local or native-owned business recommendations, make sure to drop the names in a comment below!
However, I did find the Kanaka Economic Development Alliance project, which is attempting to empower the Native Hawaiian Community through business; you can click here to see their current list of Native Hawaiian owned businesses. You can also visit Shop Small Hawaii for a list of over 350 Hawaiian small businesses.
And if you're planning a trip to Hawaii, make sure to visit the State of Hawaii Covid-19 site for up-to-date information.
Aloha,
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