Big Island, Hawai’i
Hey! Welcome to my guide to Big Island, Hawai’i!
For each destination, I categorized the type of experience and how long I think it’ll take to experience it fully. Recommendations are listed in no particular order.
All destinations can be found via Google Maps.
Trip Dates: 7 Jan 2020 - 10 Jan 2020
POINTS OF INTEREST
TWO STEP BEACH
SNORKELING // 2 HRS
Our family likes to snorkel, so we made it a mission to find the best spots! Out of all the places we visited on Big Island, Two Steps Beach had the most variety of fish!
Special Thanks to my friend, Preet M., for this recommendation.
CAPTAIN COOK MONUMENT AT KEALAKEKUA BAY
KAYAKING + SNORKELING // 3+ HRS
In my research, I found that snorkeling at Captain Cook Monument in Kealakekua Bay was rated highly for snorkeling. However, when we drove up to the Bay, we pulled up to a spot that didn’t look like much (pictured above). However, we later learned that the best way to spend your time here is to rent kayaks and paddle to Captain Cook monument, which is across the bay (you can see a little white speck if you look closely in the in the picture), and snorkel there.
Snorkeling in the Bay was average compared to Two Steps, BUT what made this place really stand out were the DOLPHINS🐬! We were able to swim with about 30 wild dolphins who were hanging around in the Bay. It was such an amazing experience to see their playful spirit in the wild - I would come back just to see them again.
Tip: Rent kayaks from Kona Boys and spend a few hours paddling and snorkeling ($60 per double). You’re not allowed to dock your boat to shore, so I suggest bringing as little as possible and only things that can get wet. Kona Boys was really helpful in making sure we knew where to go, how to get back, and had all the supplies we needed. They let us use a dry bag for free and you can rent snorkeling gear if you don’t have your own.
HAWAI’I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
HIKE + SCENIC DRIVE // 4+ HRS
Needless to say, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is an obvious must while you’re on Big Island. There aren’t any active volcanoes but still lot’s to see!
Chain of Craters Road is the main road that will take you to most of the points of interest in the park.
These are the ones I recommend:
Kīlauea Iki Overlook Trail (4 miles, most popular trail)
Devastation Trail
Steam Vents + Sulfur Banks + Steaming Bluff
Thurston Lava Tube
Hōlei Sea Arch
Pu`u Loa Petroglyphs
Tip: [1] Stop by Kīlauea Visitor Center to get the latest status of the trails and lookouts. The landscape is constantly changing so things that you had planned to see may not be available. The park rangers are helpful in advising how to best spend your time though! [2] If you’re heading there in the winter/cooler months, bring a jacket and prepare for cooler temperatures.
KAHALU’U BEACH PARK
SNORKELING // 2 HRS
Kahalu’u State Park is another great snorkeling spot - we saw turtles! It’s a small, black sand beach 15 minutes away from the heart of Kona. A solid place if you can’t drive far.
PUNALU’U BEACH
BEACH // 30 MINS
Punalu’u Beach is a popular spot to experience black sand and see sea turtles! I didn’t see many people planning to spend a beach day there - most were in normal clothes just checking it out.
WAIPIO VALLEY
LOOKOUT // 30 MINS
I wish I did more research on how to fully experience this place because the valley is so beautiful. We only stopped by the lookout, but to get to the valley floor, there are a few options:
Hike: If you have time to hike, you can start at the lookout towards the black sand beach at the bottom. However, it’s extremely difficult because of how steep it is and about 6.5 miles.
Book a tour: There are many different tours you can take, shuttle van, horse, mule…. take your pick!
Drive: If you have a have a 4WD vehicle, you can drive but you have to be comfortable with driving down a very steep and narrow road.
HAPUNA BEACH
BEACH // 2+ HRS
This is a beautiful beach to visit for a beach day! The calm blue waters and white sand remind me of the Caribbean. You have to pay for parking though!
KUA BAY
BEACH // 2+ HRS
Kua Bay is a small, but beautiful beach about 20 minutes away from Kona. It’s a bit a bit rocky but there were still plenty of people there enjoying the beach. We came here on our last night in Hawaii for some sunset pictures and it did not disappoint!
KONA + HILO
TOWN // 2+ HRS
Chances are, you’re staying in one of these towns on Big Island - so I suggest visiting the town that you’re not staying in! Both have lots to offer. The Hilo Farmers Market has a lot of cheap, tropical fruit!
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
RAINBOW FALLS
LOOKOUT // 30 MINS
Popular tourist attraction while near Hilo! Stop by to check it out if you have time.
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
MAUNA KEA
LOOKOUT // 2+ HRS
Stargazing is a must do in Mauna Kea, as it is the highest point in the entire state!!! Unfortunately, we were unable to summit because there was a blizzard! When you arrive you must stop at the Visitor Information Station to get the latest status on the summit and to acclimate your body to the elevation. Next time, I want to watch the sunset here!
Tip: [1] Dress for winter!!! [2] Before you drive all the way there, check Mauna Kea Weather Center for the weather and to see whether the road leading up to the summit is open or closed. If it’s closed, no one can go up.
Photo Courtesy of Unsplash
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I MISSED
Pololu Valley Lookout
’Akaka Falls
Queens Bath near Kiholo Bay
Pele’s Well
Kula Kai Caverns
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
Laupāhoehoe Point
FOOD
🌟Our Favorites 📷Pictured
Broke Da Mouth Grindz Bar & Grill 📷(Hawaiian, featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives)
Pine Tree Cafe 🌟📷 (Hawaiian)
Ka'aloa's Super J's 🌟📷(Lau Lau, featured on "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" on the Food Network)
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill (Poke)
WOULD NOT RECOMMEND
Original Thai Cuisine (Thai, featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives)
ADDITIONAL TIPS
Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Do NOT bring sunscreen with oxybenzone, avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, octisalate, octocrylene, or nanoparticles. Sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium oxide without nanoparticles are OK.
Pack for variations in weather and conditions: Water shoes and a rain jacket are a must!
Take advantage of Uber or the local buses if you can: Traffic and parking in Hawaii is pretty rough during popular seasons.
Thank you so much for reading!
If you have any more recommendations or things I missed, feel free to comment below!
Love, Steph