Big Island Hawaii Itinerary – Unmissable Things To Do And Helpful Planning Tips

UPDATED 2023. There’s so much more to Hawaii than beautiful beaches and the Big Island proves this with its diversity of landscapes, activities, and even weather. In today’s post, I want to help you plan your own Big Island Hawaii itinerary with this guide on the things you don’t want to miss. I hope it can help take the stress out of trip planning for you and if you have any questions, just let me know.

Big Island Hawaii Itinerary – Unmissable Things To Do And Helpful Planning Tips

Disclaimer:

There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.

Best things to do on the Big Island, Hawaii

1. Spend a day at the Volcanoes National Park

One of my favorite things to do on the Big Island is visit the Volcanoes National Park.

Allow a full day here to really be able to explore the hikes, lookouts, and of course the active volcano Mt Kilauea.

The lava covered landscape is incredible to see. As far as planning your Big Island itinerary goes, this is a must-do.

More information: Here’s my guide on how to plan a day trip to Volcanoes National Park

2. Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay

This is a popular snorkeling spot on the Kona side of the island.

You can hike down to the bay or kayak there. The water is crystal clear and there is a lot to see in the reef.

You can also take tours to snorkel here if you prefer. Keep an eye out because it’s said to be a good spot for seeing spinner dolphins!

3. Visit Hawi town

Hawi is a quaint little town that is the perfect place to do explore the local stores for your souvenir shopping and enjoy a fresh cup of Kona coffee.

I recommend:

• Coffee at Kohala Coffee Mill
• Local goodies from Kohala Grown Market
• Unique clothes and souvenirs from As Hawi Turns
• Glass blowing and unique local art from Hot Glass Hawaii and Kohala Artists’ Cooperative (not in Hawi but a short drive away)

4. Check out the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station

Did you think you would be cold while in Hawaii?

Well, you will be when you spend time at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station – it is freezing!

Here you can see presentations, warm up in the gift shop, and it also boasts a stunning sunset view.

5. Soak in the views at Pololu lookout and valley

The lookout alone is worth visiting because you get to enjoy some sweeping views of the valley which lead your eye to the beach below.

If you have the time, you can also hike down to play on the black sand beach below.

More information: Here’s my guide on how to visit the Pololu Valley Lookout

6. Swim and snorkel at Beach 69 + Hapuna Beach

These two beaches are neighbors, with beach 69 being a great snorkeling spot and Hapuna Beach being a great place to cool off and play in the waves.

Both are equally pleasing to the eye and a must-see!

7. Watch a Sunset at South Point

The southernmost point in the US has a beautiful sunset view and it is right here on the Big Island.

There is a cliff jumping spot for the daredevils here or you can simply soak in the view.

8. Go horseback riding with a view

For a horseback ride on a working ranch with incredible views, book a tour with Paniolo Adventures.

You can even watch the sunset from 3000 ft on their sunset tour!

9. Snorkel at Honaunau Bay

Also known as Two Steps, Honaunau Bay is another great snorkeling spot with clear water and lots of sea life to look at.

The waves can be rough so check the conditions before you get in the water. It’s a popular spot so go early if you can.

10. Snorkel with Manta Rays at night

Have you ever wanted to snorkel with giant Manta Rays gliding around you?

You can do that with Big Island Divers on their nighttime Manta Ray snorkel tour.

Everyone I know who has done this raves about it, but I haven’t done it yet. I have swum with Manta Rays before though and it’s an epic experience.

11. Visit Akaka Falls

If you want to see a waterfall but don’t want to do a strenuous hike, then take a visit to Akaka Falls.

It’s just a short walk on the paved ground to a lookout where you can soak in the beauty of this massive waterfall.

12. Walk on the Big Island’s green and black sand beaches

You just have to see the colorful beaches here, and if you have been to the Volcanoes National Park then you would’ve already learned about how they came to be.

The green and black sand beaches are definitely a nice spot to frolic among the different colored sand.

More information: Here’s my full guide on how to get to the green sand beach

13. Visit the Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

When you visit the Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, you can see an ancient temple and learn about the history of it while walking around the site.

I think the best part about going here is the crafts and other cultural activities you can learn about and practice. I was taught some weaving with coconut leaves and how to play a game using volcanic rock.

Definitely worth a visit.

14. Eat poke!

A trip to Hawaii is not complete without enjoying some of the freshest and best tasting poke you will ever eat.

There’s no shortage of places to go for poke, but here are a few of my favorites:

• Suisan Fish Market
• Foodland grocery store (also Sack N Save grocery store)
• Fresh Off The Grid (amazing poke nachos)

15. Carlsmith Beach Park

Carlsmith Beach Park is a great spot for a swim, walk in the jungle, and sea turtle spotting.

There’s also a nice grassy area if you want to just chill out in the sun.

On a sunny day it is just gorgeous!

16.  Liliʻuokalani Gardens

I would combine this with your visit to Carlsmith Beach Park because it is in the same area.

Here you can take a relaxing stroll through the Japanese gardens and enjoy the scenery.

There are also some benches and a grassy area around here if you want to bring your lunch (the absolute freshest poke you’ll eat from Suisan is nearby.)

17. Shop at local boutiques

It doesn’t matter if you are looking for local made homewares, art, clothing, or unique souvenirs, check out the local stores before you get mass produced items made in other countries.

I like stopping by the Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa which is an open air shopping center with a range of stores. You can also just stop at local stores as you cruise the island.

18. Lapakahi State Historical Park

This is a historic site where you can walk the trail to see ruins of an ancient fishing village.

It’s a fairly quick self-guided walk with stunning coastline views and there are pamphlets and signs to learn more about the history of the village.

The trail is quite rocky so you might want to have sturdy sandals or sneakers.

Take this one off your Big Island Hawaii itinerary – Kapoho tide pools

UPDATE: These were beautiful but destroyed by the volcanic eruption in 2018. I’m leaving it in this post so you can check for any updates or something similar.

Head to the Kapoho Tide Pools for a snorkeling paradise. There is plenty of marine life to observe as you swim through the crystal clear water, gliding above the lava rock and over the volcanic heating vents!

Where to stay on the Big Island

Pick which side of the island to stay on

There are two distinctly different sides of the island.

The Kona side is the volcanic side. Here it’s dry and characterized by a landscape of volcanic rock and wide open spaces.

The Hilo side, on the other hand, gets more rain and has more of a tropical feel to it with lots of lush, green scenery.

If you already know you want to spend a lot more time on one side than the other, it’s probably most efficient to stay on that side of the island to minimize driving time. It will also help you save money on fuel.

That being said, no matter where you stay, you can still experience adventures all around the island when you visit.

Where to stay on the Big Island

If you are looking for a place to stay on the Kona side, I recommend Waikoloa Village area. I would book at either:

• Hilton Waikoloa Village
• Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa

In Kona itself, check out:

• Kona Magic Honu Room
• Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa

Over on the Hilo side, check out:

• Hilo Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast
• SCP Hilo Hotel

There’s a lot of accommodation to chose from though. I recommend searching on Booking.com to find your ideal fit. I use this to book accommodation when I travel and can always find a good deal there.

Planning tips for visiting the Big Island

Do you need to rent a car for the Big Island?

I recommend renting a car for your trip to the Big Island.

As the name suggests, the island is big. It took some driving to get to each different area and it wouldn’t have been possible to squeeze as much in without a car.

There is public transport on the island but it is limited.

I used Enterprise to rent a car for my visit.

Safety tips for visiting the Big Island

The main safety considerations to keep in mind are protecting yourself against the elements, car break-ins, and the common safety precautions you would follow anywhere you visit.

There’s a good chance you will be in the beautiful outdoors during your visit. Here are some tips for protecting against the elements:

• Check the weather forecast before you venture out.
• Protect yourself against the sun with appropriate clothing, hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Keep yourself hydrated – always take water with you when you are out adventuring.
• Know your limits when it comes to ocean swimming and hiking. If in doubt, don’t go out.

Car break-ins are unfortunately quite common in Hawaii. I recommend not leaving anything in plain sight in your car – even if it’s not valuable it can still spark curiosity for thieves.

Lastly, use any regular safety precautions you would use no matter where you visit.

When is the peak season?

December – March is the peak season for the Big Island, which coincides with the whale watching season which usually runs from November to April. It’s pretty awesome to be sitting on a beach and watch whales swim by in the distance!

However, you’ll find that it’s a popular destination year round and there’s not really a bad time to visit.

What to pack for the Big Island

Here are a few handy things to help you prepare for your trip to the Big Island.

• Waterproof satchel – so you don’t have to leave valuables like car keys on the beach.
• Waterproof camera – I also recommend a floaty selfie stick like this one that straps to your wrist.
• Lightweight beach towel – so you don’t have to carry around bulky hotel towels.
• Reef safe sunscreen
• Dry bag – these are good to use as a backpack for hiking and adventuring especially for rainy days or boat trips.
• Solid hiking shoes or sandals – these are a good lightweight hiking shoe and I also love these sandals.

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