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EXPLORE OUR IN-DEPTH TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII. WE RECOMMEND USING THIS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO HELP YOU PLAN THE PERFECT ADVENTURE TRIP TO THE BIG ISLAND.
While it might be one of the less popular islands in Hawaii to visit and explore, we believe that the Big Island is not to be missed. For starters, the island is incredibly diverse. From lush rainforests and waterfalls on the east side to volcanic lava flows on the west side to rugged green coastal valleys in the north to barren grassy fields in the south, there are so many different biomes that you could spend months on just the Big Island and still not see everything.
And that isn't even considering all of the amazing adventures to be had once you leave land behind and head out into the ocean to snorkel, dive and fish.
If you are looking to base yourself in one place and still be able to do so many different things - hiking, snorkeling, surfing, and boating - while still getting an authentic Hawaiian cultural experience then the Big Island might be the perfect place to head to.
Our in-depth Big Island Travel Guide below covers pretty much everything you need to know to have a memorable adventure; including where to stay, what to do and even some helpful Hawaiian terms to help you feel more like a local.
BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII | THE NITTY-GRITTY
NAME
The Island of Hawaiʻi or Hawaiʻi Island. It is also referred to as simply "the Big Island" so as not to be confusing. Most people tend to call it the Big Island.
LOCATION
The Big Island is the southeasternmost of the Hawaiian Islands - which are a chain of 8 volcanic islands found in the North Pacific Ocean. The Hawaiian Islands are often touted as one of the most remote locations in the world.
❔ GOOD TO KNOW: the Hawaiian Islands are in the GMT-10 time zone. This means they are 3 hours behind Los Angeles and Seattle, 6 hours behind New York City and 19 hours behind Tokyo.
POPULATION
200,629 people live on the whole Big Island, and many of those people live in the two main towns of Kona and Hilo. This number accounts for only 13% of the entire state of Hawaii's population, even though the island encompasses 63% of its total amount of land.
WEATHER
Sunny and hot at lower elevations (near the coast), and then colder and cloudier at higher elevations. Also, the east side (near Hilo) is much wetter than the west side (where Kona is located). In fact, the western side of the island is one of the driest places in the whole island chain.
LANGUAGE
English, but the traditional Hawaiian language is becoming more commonly used (you will see many signs in both languages).
CURRENCY AND COST
The United States Dollar (USD) is used throughout the island (major credit cards are almost always taken). The Big Island is pretty expensive - especially when it comes to food and lodging. If you can, try to purchase local foods (including produce) to cut down on your overall costs and to be a more sustainable traveler.
SAFETY
The island is very safe. Really the only major concerns are from the two active volcanoes (Mauna Loa and Kilauea) and the ocean itself (like riptides and marine life). Though as always, remember to be a smart tourist: don't leave things sitting out, lock your vehicles, etc.
\\ Basic History and Culture of the Big Island
The name "Hawaii" is thought to have two possible origin stories. The first believes the island was named after Hawaiʻiloa, the legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered the archipelago. The second origin story attributes the name to the legendary realm of Hawaiki, which is a place where some Polynesian people are said to have originated, a place where they transition to the afterlife or even a realm of the gods and goddesses.
Captain James Cook, an English explorer and navigator who was the captain of the first European expedition that came upon the Hawaiian Islands, called the islands O-Why-hee as well as the "Sandwich Islands" after his patron, the 4th Earl of Sandwich.
While Cook is often touted as the discoverer of the Hawaiian Islands, in fact, the Polynesians are believed to have landed on the island's coasts around 1219 and 1266 A.D. The Hawaiian population grew steadily until Cook's landing in 1778, where, with his landing, disease quickly decimated the population. Within a year, Cook would be murdered on the Big Island (where the large Captain Cook Monument stands today) after a disagreement about a boat being stolen.
Fast forward to 1795 and the famous ruler Kamehameha the Great (original name: Pai'ea Kamehameha) has officially united all of the Hawaiian Islands under his rule. This is when the island chain would "officially" become known as the Hawaiian Islands after the name of his home island (you can actually visit his birth site, which is located on the far northern part of the Big Island).
In 1822 the missionary William Ellis arrived on the island and eventually did a full tour - which included visiting some notable places as the crater of Kilauea and the Waipi'o Valley. He used this trip around the island to scout for possible missionary sites (which would indeed eventually be built).
More recent history on the Big Island includes the building of the Mauna Kea astronomical observatories on the summit of the tallest mountain on the island, which began in 1967 and is still ongoing.
➳ Learn more about the history of the Big Island here.
HELPFUL HAWAIIAN TERMS TO KNOW
7 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE BIG ISLAND
1 | The island of Hawaiʻi is the third largest island in Polynesia, behind the two main islands of New Zealand. Likewise, the Big Island is the largest island in the whole USA. It also encompasses more land than all of the other Hawaiian islands combined.
2 | Mauna Loa is the largest active volcano on Earth. The summit of the mountain stands 33,500 feet above the ocean floor (and 13,675 feet above sea level) - which also makes it one of the tallest mountains on the planet (just behind its neighbor Mauna Kea).
3 | Lake Wai’au on the side of Mauna Kea (the tallest mountain on the island at 13,796 feet) is the third-highest lake in the whole USA. It sits at 13,020 feet above sea level.
4 | You can see 90% of all visible stars from the summit of Mauna Kea. This is why there are 13 world-class telescopes - including the Keck Observatory (the second largest observatory in the world) - sitting on the top.
5 | Kilauea - located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - is considered one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
6 | Along the Big Islands' 266 miles of coastline, you can find 100+ beaches; including black sand and green sand beaches.
7 | The island of Hawaiʻi is built from 5 separate shield volcanoes - though only two are still active. These are Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The other three are located on the far northern side of the island. They are Kohala, Mauna Kea, and Hualalai.
\\ The Best Time to Visit The Big Island
While there isn't a bad time to visit the Big Island - the weather is pretty consistent year-round - if you are looking for smaller crowds and quieter beaches (and cheaper airfare and lodging) then consider visiting between the months of April and May (before the large summer crowds arrive and after the winter holidays) or between August and October (after the summer crowds leave and before the winter holidays arrive). In fact, the busiest months for tourists on the Big Island are the months of July and December.
During these shoulder periods you can still expect beautiful weather - mid-70s to 80s with lots of sunshine - and far fewer crowds; especially in the towns, on the beaches and at the best snorkeling spots. Plus, you will find slightly cheaper airfare and lodging outside of the busy season.
💬 INSIDER TIP: when planning to visit the Big Island during the fall, make sure to check when the annual Ironman World Championships are taking place in Kona. During that time - usually around the first week of October - flights and lodging can get really expensive. If you don't have to visit that exact weekend/part of the month, then we suggest either visiting slightly earlier or later.
\\ How to Get To & Around The Big Island
Even though the greater Hawaiian Islands are considered to be one of the most remote places in the world, they are still not super difficult to reach. Thanks to modern transportation methods you can now easily fly to the Big Island from many major cities; including, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles in the USA and Tokyo in Japan.
Below is some helpful information on how to reach the Big Island and then how to get around once you finally make it to paradise.
GETTING TO THE BIG ISLAND
There are two international airports on the Big Island: one in Kona (Kona International Airport) and one in Hilo (Hilo International Airport). From both airports there are regular flights to the USA mainland - especially from cities on the West Coast. Likewise, there are commonly non-stop flights to Hawaii from two airports in Tokyo.
Flights to both Kona and Hilo are quite long: from the USA mainland, flights on average are around 6 hours long; while from Tokyo the flights are closer to 7.5 hours long.
Besides flying, you also have the opportunity to land on the Big Island via one of the major Hawaiian cruise routes. The most common cruises take passengers from one Hawaiian island to another, with usually a day or two on each island in between. Though if you choose to go this route, you will more than likely have an itinerary planned for you for each island ahead of time.
GETTING AROUND THE BIG ISLAND
The biggest cities on the island are Kona on the west side and Hilo on the east side. Besides those two metropolitan areas, there are many smaller settlements that often have a few services and things worth seeing. These towns include Waimea, Hawi, Captain Cook, Pahoa, and Volcano. Most of the major lodging options will be found in either Kona or Hilo. Luckily, it only takes an hour and a half to cross the island (and 5 hours to drive around the island completely).
The best way therefore to explore the Big Island is to rent a car. We recommend getting one with a bit higher clearance and even a 4x4 - especially if you are looking to adventure along some of the backroads of the island (or head up to the top of Mauna Kea).
You can pick up and drop off a car from either airport, which makes it super easy to land, grab your vehicle and start adventuring right away.
➳ We recommend checking out Discover Cars to find the best car rental rates for your Hawaiian adventure. You can explore their entire car catalog here.
💬 INSIDER TIP: if you instead want to focus on renting a car that will definitely make it up to the top of Mauna Kea (4x4 is absolutely required) then consider checking out Big Island Jeep Rental. This locally owned, family-run shop provides Jeeps specifically for driving up Mauna Kea. Definitely check them out if you want a more off-road focused Big Island adventure.
\\ Where to Stay on the Big Island
There are many options when it comes to finding a place to stay on the Big Island. From luxurious all-inclusive resorts, to smaller hotels near the beach, to Airbnb's with all of the comforts of home, you can really book every type of place to call your adventure basecamp. Below are a few recommended places in both the towns of Kona and Hilo.
WHERE TO STAY IN KONA
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai: this all-inclusive resort is located 15 miles north of downtown Kona. The resort, which is situated right on the water and within a short distance of numerous snorkeling spots, includes a top-notch golf course, 7 pools, and some amazing ocean views. Plus, the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is the only Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond Rated Resort in Hawaii. | BOOK YOUR STAY
Shell Vacations Club Kona Coast Resort: located a bit closer to town is this tropical resort situated on 21 acres of lush coastline. The resort includes 250+ individual villas (each with their own kitchen), numerous pools and hot tubs and easy access to local swimming and snorkeling spots. | BOOK YOUR STAY
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Kailua-Kona: for a much cheaper lodging option with still a high level of amenities, consider booking a night in this centrally located hotel that is right in downtown Kona and within easy walking distance to the Kona Farmers Market, Kailua Bay, and the historic Hulihe‘e Palace. | BOOK YOUR STAY
Newly Renovated Condo in Downtown Kona: this modern Airbnb is located only 2 blocks from downtown Kona and the ocean. It includes a common area pool and BBQs, a fully stocked kitchen, parking and Wi-Fi. | BOOK YOUR STAY
Kona Beach Hostel: for a more down-to-earth Hawaiian vibe, consider booking a night at this quaint hostel located in downtown Kona. The hostel is for adults only and offers easy access to various restaurants, bars, the local farmer's market and numerous ocean destinations. | BOOK YOUR STAY
WHERE TO STAY IN IN HILO
SCP Hotel: this upscale hotel offers guests the opportunity to connect with the local Hawaiian culture through authentic and genuine experiences that also focus heavily on sustainability. This lodging spot is located on the outskirts of town near the coast - but still within easy walking distance of all the downtown amenities. | BOOK YOUR STAY
Hilo Honu Inn: this cute, recently renovated bed and breakfast is located just blocks from downtown Hilo - making it easy to base yourself here and explore all the amazing things the east side of the island has to offer (including waterfalls and tropical gardens). The BnB also offers fast internet, free breakfast and parking.| BOOK YOUR STAY
Cottage Next to a Waterfall: this traditional-style cottage is situated on the outskirts of Hilo on a private riverfront nature preserve and within a short walk of an amazing waterfall and midnight blue swimming hole. This Airbnb can house up to 6 people and includes 2 bedrooms, a sizeable kitchen, laundry facilities and internet. | BOOK YOUR STAY
Hilo Bay Hostel: this centrally located, old-school hostel (it is located in a restored 1913 hotel) is within walking distance to many top sites on the east side of the island - including the farmer's market, Hilo Bay, the Lyman Museum and the bus terminal (which allows you to go almost anywhere else on the island). | BOOK YOUR STAY
\\ Top Adventures on the Big Island
There are a ton of things to do on the Big Island - so much so that even after spending 2 weeks there we still felt like we only scratched the surface. Below are some of the top adventures on the island.
SNORKELING
There are a ton of snorkeling spots within a short drive of downtown Kona. During our 14 days on the island we probably snorkeled 12 of them - and almost every one of those day trips was to a different snorkeling spot.
In our opinion some of the best snorkeling spots on the Big Island are:
TWO STEP
This snorkeling spot is a popular place to view dolphins - especially in the mornings. To reach this beautiful coastal destination, head south of Kona on Highway 11 until you reach the turn off for Road 160/Keala O Keawe Road. Take that road down towards the coast. Finally, turn left onto Honaunau Beach Road (follow signs for Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park). Park on the side of the road and then walk about two minutes down to the beach (exact location).
This snorkeling spot gets its name from the very easy entrance into the water. On the left side of the large rock outcropping near the beach there is a small natural set of stairs that you can step off of to get into the water. Do be aware that this location is pretty popular so you likely will not have it to yourself.
BEST FOR: coral, dolphins and fish
CRESCENT BEACH/DOG BEACH
This smaller cove is more of a local's hidden gem. Because it doesn't appear on many maps - and if it does it comes up as a small beach where you can take your dog - it usually stays under the radar in terms of snorkeling. But if you are looking for great coral and a high probability of seeing larger marine wildlife (including sharks) then this could be a great snorkeling option.
To reach this snorkeling spot, drive north of Kona towards the boat marina (just before the airport). Park at the large marina parking lot and then walk about 5 minutes down towards the beach (exact location). There is a small bit of sand where you can easily hop in and start snorkeling. We recommend heading out and then turning left to follow the coast. Do be aware that boats come and go from the marina regularly, so always keep an eye out for them approaching while out in the water.
BEST FOR: fish and sharks
MILE MARKER 4
One of the closest snorkeling spots to Kona is this smaller beach located right off of Ali'i Drive (the main coastal road, exact location). This spot gets its name thanks to it being located right at mile marker 4 on the road (super handy). You can park along the road or in the small parking lot nearby.
This is a great snorkeling spot on a calm day when visibility is at its best. Come here if you want a high chance of spotting sea turtles, fish and colorful coral.
💬 INSIDER TIP: this beach is also very close to the popular swimming and surfing beach, Magic Sands. If you want to combine both into a fun ocean-focused day, then we suggest parking nearby, hanging out at Magic Sands during the heat of the day and then snorkeling closer to dusk (this is when the marine life really comes alive).
BEST FOR: fish, sea turtles
CAPTAIN COOK
One of the farthest snorkeling spots from Kona is this beautiful destination that does require a bit of a hike to reach. In fact, the hike - which is 4 miles round-trip - is a great adventure by itself (really the snorkeling is the cherry on top). To start the hike, head south towards the town of Captain Cook. When you get to the intersection of Highway 11 and Road 160 park on the side (exact location of parking here). The trail starts right along the road (there is a clear sign with useful information).
Be aware that the hike is relatively intense. You will hike down 2 miles, but lose 2,000 feet of elevation (meaning you will have to gain that back on the way up). Come prepared with plenty of water, sun protection and sturdy shoes. Also, consider doing the hike either in the morning or later in the day and NOT during the heat of the day (10 AM - 3 PM).
Once at the bottom of the trail you will see the Captain Cook Monument and a clear spot to hop into the water to start snorkeling. Once in the water, head to the left (towards the cove). While snorkeling keep an eye out for sea turtles and eels.
BEST FOR: sea turtles, coral, fish and great views of the coast
HIKING
While water sports are definitely the most popular type of adventure to get up to on the Big Island there are also a few great adventures to be had on land; including, some sweet hiking trails along the coast and also up in the forests. Below are a few top hiking trails to explore.
POLOLU BEACH
If you want a shorter hike with a big pay-off, then head up north to the small town of Hawi (pronounced "ha-vi") and explore the stunning Pololu Beach and lookout.
The hike itself is only about 1 mile total, but there is quite a bit of elevation change (luckily it is quite shaded). Do note that this area is a very sacred place for the local Hawaiians so make sure to follow all protocol - including wiping your feet before and after the hike, only wandering around the beach and not into the private property, and respecting all Leave No Trace Principles.
📌 LOCATION
COST: free!
GREEN SAND BEACH
For a bit bigger adventure - but one with an equally awesome pay-off, head in the opposite direction and hike out to the famous Green Sand Beach, which is located just a bit further south of the most southern point of the entire USA (see below).
Green Sand Beach, also known as Papakolea, is a small beach with uniquely colored sand. Due to the high amount of olivine (a common mineral found on the Big Island), the sand on this beach is more greenish than brown or black. What also makes this a cool hiking destination is the fact that the beach is actually cut out of Puʻu Mahana, a volcanic cinder cone that erupted roughly 50,000 years ago.
The hike to the beach is about 5 miles round-trip. But while the trail is easy to follow (it is 99% on road) it is almost totally unshaded. And the sun on the Big Island is intense. Definitely come prepared with plenty of sunscreen, sun protection - including a hat and sunglasses - and water.
❔ GOOD TO KNOW: if you don't feel like doing the hike but still want to visit the beach, then you also have the option to ride in the back of a truck. We don't know how much this costs as we decided to do the hike instead, but we would expect it to be around $10 - $20 per person.
📌 LOCATION
COST: free! Unless you choose to ride on one of the trucks.
MAKUALA O'OMA TRAIL
For a totally different type of hike, drive about 20 minutes out of Kona and check out this trail that loops around a lush cloud forest.
Because the Big Island has so many different biomes, it is really easy to explore the numerous unique landscapes within a short drive of the major towns. One of those awesome landscapes is found on this roughly 4 mile hike. Along the trail, you can see lots of birds (like parrots), different plants - including some very weird looking ferns, and escape the heat of the sun in the dense forest. Besides being very pretty, this hiking trail is also dog friendly.
📌 LOCATION
COST: free!
OTHER TOP ADVENTURES ON THE BIG ISLAND
TOUR GREENWELL FARMS
This historic family-owned coffee farm offers free tours plus tastings of their delicious coffee. If you want to learn more about the history of the island - or if you are just really into tasty coffee - then this 1.5 hour tour is a great thing to do.
📌 LOCATION
COST: free!
VISIT THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN THE USA
While the Florida Keys might have the most southern point on the continental USA, the Big Island has the absolute most southern point in the whole USA. To reach this scenic point - which happens to be really close to a pretty green sand beach (see above) drive down Highway 11 all the way until you see the turn off for South Point Road (approximately 53 miles away). Drive down this narrow road until it ends at a dirt lot (you will likely see many other cars parked here).
Surprisingly, the southernmost point isn't super well-marked. In fact, while there is a tall tower there, we couldn't gather if that was the official marker or not. Either way, this part of the island feels really different than other areas and is definitely worth visiting for the ocean views alone.
📌 LOCATION
COST: free!
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
As you might have gathered from our past adventures and writings we are big fans of national parks (you can explore all of our guides here). So we definitely made sure to put aside some time to head up into the mountains to explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
This beautiful national park was established in 1916 to protect its outstanding natural values - including the summit of Mauna Loa (a still active volcano and one of the largest mountains in the world by overall size), Kilauea (maybe the most active volcano in the world), the southern coast of the Big Island and numerous endangered plants and animals. Besides being a national park, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes is also a designated International Biosphere Reserve (as of 1980) and a World Heritage Site.
If you have the time and the desire to learn more about volcanoes, then we definitely recommend making the drive up to the national park. From Kona it is roughly 2 hours to the main visitor center and from Hilo it is about 45 minutes away.
📌 LOCATION
COST: $30 /vehicle (valid for 7 days)
The Big Island is an incredibly diverse place with so much to offer the adventurous traveler. From snorkeling in crystal clear water to hiking around active volcanoes this tropical destination has so much to do that it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming!
If you have any questions about traveling and exploring the Big Island then please leave a question or comment below or reach out to us directly.
Happy adventuring!
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