First Time on Big Island: How to Spend 5 Days
Aloha! We recognize for most people a trip to Hawaii is kind of far and so you want to plan your perfect trip! We hope to inspire you to have your dream getaway!
We offer you a five day itinerary with things to do on the Big Island and plenty of photos to inspire you! At the end we include tips and modifications so you can tailor to your taste!
Quick Preview:
Day 2: The Ultimate Day in Volcano National Park
Day 3: Kailua-Kona(Gold Coast), Coffee Tours, and Nature
Day 4: Hamakua Coast Scenic Drive to Hilo
Day 5: Lounge Away, Brunch, and Fly Out
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Day 1: Beaches and Beer
Kona Brewery
Beaches
Day 2: The Ultimate Day in Volcano National Park
Volcanoes National Park
The ultimate bucket list destination when visiting the Big Island! Easily spend a day from dawn to dusk exploring the park, driving and hiking through the park, and ending the day with watching the eruption.
From sea level to 13,681 feet, the park has the summits of two of the world's most active volcanoes- Mauna Loa and Kilauea. This is also designated a UNESCO world heritage site.
Tips: This can be a long (but FUN) day depending on where you are located. We were staying in Waikoloa Village so it took about ~ 2 hours to drive here. Regardless, we suggest packing your favorite snacks and preparing for a road trip! Also pack layers or even a jacket/blanket as at dusk things may get cool.
We are going to start with the drive on Crater Rim. Estimated time can span anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours depends on stops/hike times.
Here’s our guide to recommended stops! Of course take your time, food breaks, and chill as it can be a jam packed day!
Kilauea Visitor Center
Find out time for Kalapana lava flow and the most recommended way to see them from the park rangers (there are a few options). Based on weather conditions some may be better than others for that day so be sure to check here. Also can visit online for any updates prior to your visit.
Steam Vents - one mile past the visitor center
Sulphur Banks and Hike - “Devastation Trail”
Kilauea Iki Overlook
Bonus: There is also a trail here if you want rated moderate to difficult that will likely take 2-3 hours. You will see soo many trails, we decided to skip this trial to continue our journey through the park. Since we only had a day, we chose easier trails to maximize the things we could see.
Thurston Lava Tube -definitely check this out!
Jagger Museum
This used to be a Volcanic museum with later addition of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. However after 2018 the eruption of Kilauea Volcano resulted in damage and eruption of the land. While the museum is closed, go check out the views next door of the bubbling lava in the Halemaumau Crater of the Kilauea Caldera.
Dinner/Meals:
You can go outside of the park (there are in and out privileges with your initial ticket) to seek out a wide variety of food options. Check out the Volcano Village options for food and drinks! Food options are also available in the park but may be limited.
Head back to the park for sunset and see the LAVA:
While there are many places to see it from, we highly recommend the short hike to be close to the best views. The rangers do a good job of rotating people so you can get a safe and up close view!
Tip: Parking gets full, soo try to get there early! Pack a blanket/coat, water, and ensure you use the bathroom beforehand. Bring a flashlight/phone for a walk back.
More things to do:
If you are looking for more to fill your day you can also check out the Drive on the Chain of Craters Road (average of 90 minutes with stops) for more views and sights. Our highlights are below:
Puhimau Crater (0.9 mile down the road); sight for crater views
Hilina Pali Lookout
Kealakomo Overlook-windy!
Halona Kahakai pullout—see ocean and lava
Alanui Kahik
Holei Pali-stop/overlook
Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Hike — can also consider the hour long hike round trip
Holei Sea Arch—The formation is from lava rock about 90 ft high and extends into the ocean.
IF you prefer a guided driven tour and are limited on time: consider this highlights tour of the Big Island including the Volcanoes - Big Island in A Day: Volcanoes and Waterfall Sightseeing Small Group Tour
If you are looking for a beach….we got you covered!!
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
This is one of the famous black sand beaches in Hawaii made by lava flow into the ocean and as it cools it reaches the ocean.
Day 3: Kailua-Kona (Gold Coast), Coffee Tours, and Nature
Before we get started on this day, we have a great paid self-guided audio tour that will tell you about all the places as you drive through. Makes for a great addition to your drive around the Island!
Kailua-Kona area (Gold Coast)
If you are looking for a beach break….
Check out Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay)- Has beautiful turquoise water and is a white sand beach.
Kona Coffee Tour
If you are looking for guided tours- two amazing ones to check out:
If you are looking for more things to do nearby:
If you are looking for a historical park: Pu’uhoua o Honaunau National Historical Park (City of Refuge). There are some wonderful hikes here too! And it’s near the coffee belt drive.
If you are looking for water, check out Hapuna Beach!
If you are looking for a good snorkeling spot then check out Kealakekua Bay!
A wonderful guided experience that you can add on is the Hawaii Kona Snorkel and Sail with Lunch.
Day 4: Hamakua Coast Scenic Drive to Hilo
The Hamakua Coast is a pretty scenic stretch on the island with many lush tropical rainforests and greenery. In the 19th century, it used to be the place where sugar canes were and today farmers still cultivate tropical fruit, vegetables, and taro. Along the drive you will see lots of small towns that have some boutique shops and make great stops for local flavors.
We share our favorite stops:
Waipio Valley Lookout
Waipio Valley lookout is a great stop along the coastal drive on Hamakua Coast. It is the steepest road of its length in the US-some sections have 45% grade sections!
If you are into hiking, there are options for a 6.5 mile steep hike as well. We chose the lookout option and save the hiking for more easier trials to maximize our time and energy.
About 40 minutes drive to the next stop
Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park
This will make a great pull out on your coastal drive along the Hamakua Coast. The area is known for scenic views and lava rocks. Stop by to take pictures and enjoy a picnic!
About 30 minutes drive to the next stop.
Akaka Falls State Park
If you want to continue the rainforest vibes, you can add on the Pepe‘ekeo Scenic Drive + Onomea Bay (adds four miles to your coastal drive). Feel free to pull to the side and lookout!
About 20 minutes to the next stop.
Hilo
As we are on the lush rainforest side today, Hilo is a town that offers beautiful outdoor activities and sights.
We know the journey today was filled with beautiful stops so by the time you get to Hilo you may want to relax and spend some time on food and drinks.
Here are some suggestions we have:
Wailuku River State Park
It is known for Rainbow Falls and there is a quick 0.2 km walk (about 5 minutes to the area). This is good for all ages!
Also check out the boiling pots overlook!
Kaumana Caves
Warning-only for the adventurous soul! This is a 25 mile long lava tube created from lava flow in the 1880s. Check out the website for updates and tips to stay safe.
Beaches and Coastal Views
You might want to check out Coconut Island -plenty of picnic areas, beaches, and swimming! Of course, there are so many other beaches and coastal views too!
Food and Drinks
Check out the coastal town for your favorite delicacies before you call it a night!
OR if you are the adventurous soul looking for a really cool experience you have to sign up for the Sunset Manta Ray Snorkel experience!
Day 5: Lounge Away, Brunch, and Fly Out
Pick your favorite places to visit today and soak in the tropical vibes and coastal views! Maybe catch a wave or lounge on the closest beach to you and enjoy a long brunch!
Grab some food/brunch and enjoy
If you are looking for guided adventures, we have you covered:
1) Wake Up with a Whales Cruise - A perfect 1.5-hour activity to capture more wildlife!
2) Whale Wathcing and Dolphin Experience - Did you know 12 species of whales can be spotted?? It’s a ~5-hour experience filled with amazing views and a wonderful crew!
3) 9-Line Zip Line Experience - The Big Island is full of nature and adventure if you choose.
4) Kona Coast Ride- Ride from above, appreciating the Island from above!
5) Buggy through the Big Island - for those of you who prefer the ground but still want a unique adventure!
General tips/modifications:
For the Big Island, we don’t think you can get away without a car. Be sure to book a rental car in advance as it can be very hard to snag one during peak times and may be very expensive last minute!
For lodging there are many options- hotels, resorts, home rentals—so pick your favorite option. Consider starting here. We highly recommend checking the area around your lodging to ensure you have access to good food and drinks. Due to the pandemic, many hours have been cut around the resort towns and you may need to drive 30 minutes plus to enjoy nightlife or options for late-night food if staying at certain resorts. In general, in Hawaii we have found dinner and spots to close pretty early, so just knowing the area around you will be helpful in planning for your days/meals.
Because the island is very big with not that many main roads, be prepared to spend time driving. You could consider lodging on the Hilo side for half your trip and Kona for the other half to cut down on driving time. Both sides have their own airports too.
If you have more days to spend, we absolutely recommend spending at least two days at Volcano National Park and the surrounding area. You might also choose to do more water activities, attend a luau, take a helicopter flight, or just chill on the beaches.
If you have less time, pick your favorites from above. WE definitely recommend a day dedicated to Volcano National Park though!
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