Erupting red-hot lava, green and black sand beaches, and swimming with manta rays are just a few of the adventures you’ll find on the Big Island. The Island of Hawaii is home to some of the most unbelievable experiences in the world. While the island’s official name is Hawaii, it is commonly called the Big Island to differentiate it from the Hawaiian archipelago. As its nickname suggests, the island is the largest of all the Hawaiian Islands, and thanks to its active volcano it’s still growing!
The geological wonders aren’t the island’s only attractions. Scattered along the sun-drenched Kohala Coast are luxurious resorts and white sand beaches—some of Hawaii’s best! After exploring the breathtaking landscapes, spend your days basking along the glittering shores and swimming the rich marine waters. The Big Island of Hawaii offers adventure you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere else.
This Big Island Hawaii Travel Guide Covers the following topics. Click each link to jump to the corresponding section.
Big Island Overview & Where to Stay
Best Things to do on the Big Island
Google Map of All Big Island Highlights
Know Before You Go
- Best Time to Visit: With great weather throughout the year, Hawaii is a wonderful year-round destination. The islands are busiest (and travel is most expensive) during peak season December-January and June-July. Considering visiting in the spring or fall for slightly better rates.
- How to Get to the Big Island: Fly from the continental United States directly into Kona (airport code KOA) on the west side of the island. If you’re traveling to/from another island, there are many inter-island flights to Kona as well as the island’s smaller airport, Hilo (airport code ITO), located on the east side of the island.
- Do I Need a Rental Car on the Big Island? Yes, you will need a rental car or some means of transportation to get around the Island of Hawaii. Many of Hawaii’s highlights are several hours from one another. For reference, it takes about two hours to drive from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the west side of the island.
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Make sure to only use reef safe sunscreen in Hawaii. Many sunscreens contain chemicals that are extremely harmful to coral reefs. Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreens that contain chemicals known to harm coral reefs. You can either pack some in your bag or buy upon arrival. Do you part to protect the reef and use reef-safe sunscreen! My favorite is this La Roche-Posay Anthelios mineral sunscreen.
Island Overview & Where to Stay on the Big Island
Kailua-Kona (West) – Well-Located & More Affordable Accommodation
Upon arriving to the Big Island, you’ll likely fly into Kona International Airport in the Kona district. The town of Kailua-Kona is a great area to stay because it is a strategic base for exploring other parts of the island. Plus, the accommodations are more affordable than the upscale Kohala Coast and the town has many restaurant options. How long does it take to reach Big Island’s main attractions from Kailua-Kona? Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (2-hour drive); Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station (1-hour drive); South Point and Punalu’u Black Sand Beach (1.5-hour drive); beaches of Kohala Coast (45-minute drive). One of the best places to stay in Kailua-Kona is the luxe bed & breakfast Holualoa Inn.
Kohala Coast (Northwest) – Beautiful Beaches & Luxury Resorts
Nicknamed the Gold Coast for its abundance of sunny days and sandy beaches, the Kohala Coast stretches along the northwest side of the island. The highlights here are the world class beaches, sparkling azure waters, and luxurious resorts. Much of the interior landscape of the Kohala Coast is barren lava fields. The idyllic shores, perfect weather, and luxury resorts make the Kohala Coast one of the best areas to stay on the Big Island. Two of the best resorts, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, on the Big Island sit on the Gold Coast’s sunny shores. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel opened in 1965 as one of the greatest hotels in the world. Read more about our stay at the historic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
Hilo (East) – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Located on the east side, Hilo is the largest town on the Big Island. The town serves as the gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which is 30-minutes from Hilo. Receiving over 120 inches of rain each year, the east side (appropriately nicknamed the wet side), is a dramatic tropical rainforest. Here you’ll find impressive waterfalls and valleys like Akaka Falls and Waipi’o Valley. While Hilo is the biggest town on the island, the accommodation options are limited. I’d only recommend staying for a night or two to best explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Hilo is about 1.5 hours from Kona International Airport.
Ka’u District (South)
The southernmost point in the United States is found in The Big Island’s Ka’u District. The highly active Kīlauea Volcano is located here along with unique geological attractions like the infamous black sand beach Punalu’u and the green sand beach of Papakolea. Well off the main drag and with few amenities, the southern point is not an ideal location to set up camp. Instead, make a day trip to marvel at the region’s many-colored beaches.
Best Things to Do on the Big Island
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes—Kilauea and Mauna Loa—making it one of the best places to see lava flow. The national park is also home to incredible hikes that take you across the summit caldera of Kilauea, lava fields, and a hardened lava lake. Make sure to visit the park at night to see the surreal glow of red lava as it surges from the depths of the Earth. Keep in mind the volcano is highly dynamic, so viewing availability is always changing. Prior to visiting, read the park’s official alerts and eruption information. And once you arrive at the park, ask the guides for the best viewing spots.
Swim with Manta Rays at Night
Watching giant manta rays spin circles underneath you is a magical experience and a highlight of any trip to Hawaii. Kona is one of the only places in the world where manta rays gather almost every night to feed in the same locations. The gentle giants feast on tiny microplankton that gather around the lights. Just off the Kona Coast there are underwater lights that have been in place for decades. The mantas in the area frequent the underwater lights to feed. Both snorkel and scuba excursions are offered. This is another must-do on a trip to the Big Island!
Mauna Kea at Sunset
With a summit elevation of 13,803’ above sea level, Mauna Kea is the tallest volcano on Earth. The dormant volcano arguably also holds the title of the tallest mountain on earth. Over half of Mauna Kea is submerged 19,700’ below the Pacific Ocean. Including the portion below sea level, Mauna Kea boasts an unmatched height of roughly 33,500’. Drive up to the Visitor Information Center, which sits at a comfortable 9,000’. You can either watch the sunset and stargaze from here or embark on a treacherous drive to the summit.
A four-wheel drive vehicle is required to venture past the Visitor Center and to the summit. The drive to the summit is not for the faint of heart. Beware the dangerous road conditions and the considerable drop in oxygen at high elevation. If you don’t want to undertake the dangerous drive, there are several tour operators that safely take you to the top of the volcano for an unforgettable sunset and stargazing experience. Mauna Kea Summit Adventures is one of the best!
Punalu’u Beach – Black Sand Beach
Punalu’u Beach is the most famous black sand beach on Hawaii. The black sand is a result of the area’s basalt rock, which is created when lava flows into the ocean and hardens. Punalu’u Beach is also a great place to see Green Sea Turtles. The endangered sea turtles bask in the sun on the expansive beach and feed in the water. Keep in mind sea turtles are a protected species and make sure to give them plenty of space. Punalu’u Beach is a great spot to snorkel in the water and relax in the sun! The beach’s easy accessibility makes it an ideal stop for all types of travelers.
Hike to Papakolea Beach – Green Sand Beach
Papakolea Beach is one of just four green sand beaches in the entire world. The green sand is a result of olivine rich lava that flowed from a cinder cone volcano 49,000 years ago. Located near South Point, the remote beach requires a 5-mile roundtrip hike to reach. Make sure to wear sturdy shoes as the end of the hike is steep. The one-of-a-kind beach is well worth the drive south and the hike in!
Relax on the Beaches
No trip to Hawaii is complete without a day spent enjoying the incredible beaches. Hapuna Beach along the Kohala Coast is one of the island’s best. Spanning half a mile, the white sand beach features calm waters and good snorkeling on the southern end. Waialea Beach is another top-rated beach along the Kohala Coast and is a great spot for families. The gradual underwater slope and surrounding reef shelters the surrounding shore. On the corner of Kaunaoa Beach is the stunning Mauna Beach Hotel. If you’re looking for a more secluded stretch of sand, head to Makalawena Beach. Reaching this soft sandy beach requires a twenty-minute walk across lava fields.
Akaka Falls
Surrounded by lush greenery, Akaka Falls plunge 442 feet into a gorge. The impressive falls are situated in Akaka Falls State Park just north of Hilo. The state park features a 0.4-mile walking path with several viewpoints of Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls while winding through the impressive vegetation. Out-of-state visitors pay an entrance and parking fee.
Snorkel Kealakekua Bay
Kealakekua Bay is one of the best snorkel sites on the Big Island thanks to the vibrant coral reef here. The bay is one of the State of Hawaii’s 11 Marine Life Conservation Districts. A Marine Life Conservation District designation is given to areas with rich marine life to protect the species from humans. Spanning 315 acres, and one mile across, Kealakekua Bay is the largest of them all.
The majority of the bay’s shoreline makes up Kealakekua Bay Historical Park. The park recognizes the bay as an area of historical significance. The Captain Cook Monument, a white obelisk structure, notes the bay as the location where Captain James Cook first landed on Hawaii in 1779. Captain Cook was later killed here. Also along the bay’s shores is Hikiau Heiau, an ancient temple dedicated to the Hawaiian god Lono. The temple was a place of human sacrifice.
The most accessible part of the Kealakekua Bay is Napo’opo’o Beach Park on the southern edge of the bay. Napo’opo’o Beach Park features parking, a picnic area, and restrooms. The best snorkeling in the bay is around the Captain Cook Monument on the north end of the bay. The only way to access this area is by hiking down to the monument or kayaking across the bay. Hike down Ka’awaloa Trail to Ka’awaloa Flats and the Captain Cook Monument (3.8 miles roundtrip with an elevation difference of 1300’). You can also take a guided kayak tour of the bay through one of three authorized companies. The waters are typically calm and pleasant for snorkeling, but be careful not to enter the water on days of high surf.
Pololū Valley & Waipi’o Valley Overlooks
On the northern tip of the Big Island there are a series of lush green valleys carved into the landscape. The two overlooks feature jaw dropping views of lush mountains and dramatic cliffs that fall to the ocean. Pololū Valley and Waipi’o Valley run along the edges of the Kohola Mountains, Kohola Forest Reserve, and the Pu’u O Umi Natural Area Reserve.
The Pololū Valley Lookout faces south with incredible panoramic views. From the lookout, you can hike 0.6 miles down a steep trail to reach the black sand beach below. The Waipi’o Valley Overlook faces north, also with incredible panoramic views. Waipi’o Valley was once a political and religious center as well as the home of King Kamehameha I. From the overlook, hike down the steep Waipi’o Valley Road to reach the black sand beach below. *As of February 2022, the Waipio’o Valley Road is closed to all visitor traffic.
To reach Pololū Valley Overlook from the west side of the island, drive north along Highway 270. Waipi’o Valley Overlook is located at the end of Hamakua Coast Scenic Drive (a 40-mile stretch along the east side of the island north of Hilo. To reach Waipi’o Valley from the west side of the island, cut across the island via Highway 19. Keep in mind the ocean is typically quite rough here so swimming is generally not advised.
Tour a Kona Coffee Farm
Kona coffee is widely regarded as some of the best coffees in the world thanks to the mineral rich volcanic soil and ideal weather conditions in which its grown. The coffee beans are exclusively grown on the slopes of the Big Island’s Mauna Loa and Hualalai volcanoes. There are more than six hundred Kona coffee farms on the island. Some of the highest rated tours are Greenwell Farms, Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm, Mountain Thunder, and Kona Joe. Tour one of the farms to learn more about what makes Kona coffee unique and taste it for yourself!
Where to Eat
The Big Island’s dining scene combines delicious local food with a breezy island ambiance. The Kona Farmers Marketis a great place to find local foods and crafts. Open Wednesday-Sunday in Kailua-Kona. One of the most famous restaurants is the award-winning Merriman’s. A cup of top-rated Kona coffee is another island staple. If you don’t tour a Kona Coffee farm, make sure to stop by Kona Coffee & Tea in Kailua-Kona for your morning brew. Here are some of the best dining locales on the Big Island of Hawaii!
Best Restaurants in Kailua-Kona
- Huggo’s On the Rocks – One of the island’s most popular restaurants. Come for happy hour and order the Island Fresh Catch.
- Da Poke Shack – Tucked away and easy to miss, Da Poke Shack serves some of the freshest poke on the island.
- L&L Hawaiian Barbecue – If you’re looking for delicious Hawaiian barbeque, stop by L&L Hawaiian Barbecue.
- Kona Brewing Company – Over 25 years ago a father-son team started Kona Brewing Company. Since then, the brand has grown to international popularity. Stop by the original location and enjoy a craft beer with live music.
Best Restaurants on the Kohala Coast
- Merriman’s – The famous mountainside restaurant, one of several locations across Hawaii, was created by award-winning Chef Peter Merriman. Merriman’s focus is on serving local ingredients. Reservations recommended.
- Beach Tree – Located within the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, the Beach Tree offers elegant dining along the water. Order the signature dish Kanapachi Crudo.
- Big Island Brewhaus – The laid-back brewery serves a variety of craft beers alongside fresh local food.
Best Restaurants in Hilo
- Poke Market – Another top-rated poke locale on the Big Island. Order the Local Favorite or award-winning Shiitake Salmon Bowl.
- Cafe 100 – Serving affordable meals with large portions since 1946, Cafe 100 is a local favorite. The restaurant is famous for its original Loco Moco™–a hamburger patty on rice topped with gravy and an egg.
- Hilo Bay Cafe – With views of the pacific and the Mauna Kea Volcano, the cafe serves delicious local cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Map of big island hawaii attractions
How to Use these Maps: Yellow markers indicate Best Things To Do on the Big Island. Purple markers indicate Island Overview & Where to Stay. Navy markers indicate Restaurants. Light blue markers indicate airports. Click the markers for more information on each place. Click the arrow in the top left corner to view the map index and directions. To zoom in or out use your computer mouse or pinch the screen (on your phone). To save this map to your Google Maps, click the star next to the map title!
