Big Island - A Week in Paradise

The magic of the Big Island touches you as soon as you fly into the quaint Kona International Airport on Big Island.

Get a rental car from the airport, as there is lots to explore on this island.

Dive into island life right away with an adventure!

After checking into your hotel in Kona, head for the Captain Cook Monument Snorkeling tour with FairWinds Big Island Ocean Guides.

This tour is safe for beginner swimmers. This is the most famous snorkeling spot in all of the Hawaiian islands. Calm, clear waters provide the best window to the abundant sea life here. Keep an eye out for colorful fish, seahorses and, if you are lucky, the Hawaiian green sea turtle, also known as the honu.

This four-hour tour should give you a taste of the wonders to come.

End this day in downtown Kona for some good food and live music.

Start day two with some great breakfast and stroll through downtown Kona. Downtown is dotted with many cute shops and art galleries. It is a perfect place to get some Hawaiian souvenirs.

Next, head to the most popular white-sand beach in the Hawaiian Islands, Hapuna Beach. It is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, clear turquoise waters and wide sandy shores.

After a relaxing day at the beach, head back to Kona for a luau performance, Island Breeze Luau. It is held on the grounds of the Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, right next to the historic Ahu’ena Heiau.

Head to the other side of the island today. Lush green forests and waterfalls along the way take us to the charming town of Hilo.

Pro tip: Checkout from Kona and book a hotel in Hilo to avoid driving back and forth.

The drive from Kona to Hilo is about two and a half hours. But take a scenic road from the north of the island and stop along the way at some stunning spots.

Pro tip: There are many pineapple and coconut juice stalls along the road. Make sure to have cash handy to enjoy the fresh fruits!

The first stop along this drive is the breathtaking scenic overlook on the northern coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, Pololū Valley Lookout. It offers stunning panoramic views of the Pololū Valley and the rugged coastline along the Hamakua Coast.

To get a closer look at the valley and beach, visitors can hike down a steep and rocky trail that descends to the valley floor. The hike takes around 20 to 30 minutes, depending on your pace. The trail is not maintained, so proper footwear and caution are essential.

At the bottom of the valley, you'll find Pololū Beach, which is known for its striking black sand. It's a beautiful and serene spot where you can relax and enjoy the unique natural beauty of the area.

Head to the town of Waimea after this excursion for a quick bite. Waimea has a variety of restaurants and eateries that serve a range of cuisines, including Hawaiian, American and international fare. You can find everything from fine dining to casual cafés.

Next stop is one of the several waterfalls in Hilo, The Rainbow Falls, close to downtown Hilo.

Just above Rainbow Falls, there's a large cave, known as the "Boiling Pots." It's created by centuries of erosion and can be explored, but it's important to exercise caution around this natural formation.

End this day in Hilo downtown with some fabulous food at Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine restaurant.

Start early and head to Volcanoes National Park, also known as Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

This National Park is an iconic destination for anyone interested in the dynamic forces that shape our planet.

The park has two visitor centers, the Kīlauea Visitor Center and the Jaggar Museum. Make sure to stop by the visitor centers, as they have ranger-led tours everyday that take you to the various lava tubes and sulfur deposits throughout the park. The rangers also provide valuable information regarding the different formations in the National Park.

The park is home to two active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Kīlauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, and visitors have the opportunity to witness ongoing volcanic activity.

There are many tour options available to view the active crater, including helicopter and boat tours.

There are many hikes of various difficulty levels located inside the National park.

The Crater Rim Drive is a scenic route that encircles the summit of Kīlauea. Along this drive, you can stop at various overlooks to view the Kīlauea Caldera, steam vents and volcanic craters.

The Chain of Craters road takes you from the summit of Kīlauea to the coast, where you can see the results of past lava flows and dramatic coastal cliffs.

Volcanoes National Park is also a designated International Dark Sky Park, making it an excellent place for stargazing. Clear skies offer breathtaking views of the stars and the glow of the active lava lake within the Halema'uma'u Crater.

Start today with one of the most famous falls in Hilo, the Akaka Falls. You will also find the Kahuna Falls in the state park. Both are easily accessible through a well-maintained foot path.

On the way to the Akaka Falls State Park from downtown Hilo, you will notice some signs for a “Scenic detour." This detour will lead you through a lush and stunning landscape of huge trees on one side and water on the other — it's well worth taking.

Along this road is the picturesque coastal trail, Onomea Bay Trail. Park on the side of the road and take a short hike down to explore the beauty of this hidden Hawaiian landscape.

Spend the rest of the day taking a tour of the world-famous Mauna Kea Observatory.

Depending on the time you have and where your hotel is, you can start this tour either from Kona, Waikola or Hilo.

This seven- to eight-hour tour offers you stunning sunset views from Mauna Kea observatories located at 13.987 feet above sea level.

To get you acclimatized to the altitude, the first stop is the visitor center, which is close to 9,000 feet above sea level.

After the sunset, you'll come down to around 12,000 feet above sea level and park for night sky gazing and some amazing astro photos, which are included with the tour, and for some much-needed hot cocoa.

Make sure to carry winter wear for this tour as it gets pretty cold up there. Also pack some light dinner, since by the time you get back to the hotel it will be close to midnight.

Today, head to Kona's cloud forest today to the beautiful Mountain Thunder coffee plantation. It is one of the many coffee farms on the island that produce high-quality Hawaiian coffee, particularly Kona coffee.

The farm is situated on the slopes of Mauna Loa, one of the world's largest volcanoes, at an elevation of approximately 2,000 to 2,500 feet. above sea level. This elevation and the volcanic soil contribute to the unique flavor of Kona coffee.

The last, but culturally the most interesting, stop is the Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. This park holds great importance in Hawaiian history and provides visitors with a glimpse into the island's rich cultural heritage.

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau was a place of refuge in ancient Hawaii, where those who had violated kapu (sacred laws) could seek sanctuary and forgiveness. The site was considered a sanctuary by Hawaiian chiefs and priests and played a vital role in the traditional Hawaiian social and religious system.

While there, make sure to check out another famous beach in Kona, Two-step Beach. It is located very close to the national monument.