I have been to the Big Island twice, each time over the Christmas season. Winter is a wonderful time to leave cold and rainy Seattle behind and get warm on the Hawaiian Islands. The Big Island is particularly enticing as it has fewer tourists than Oahu, Maui, and possibly Kauai. It is also less expensive. The Big Island is the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, still being built by the active volcanoes. There are lots of things to see and do on the island, so read on for tips on how to spend a week on the Big Island.
How to spend a week on the Big Island
1. Enjoy Kailua Kona
Kailua Kona is a fantastic little town. It is, in my opinion, the best place to stay while visiting the island of Hawaii. Kailua Kona offers a great selection of restaurants, coffee shops, galleries, and stores. There are a couple of small beaches right in town where you can rent kayaks or paddle boards. There are also tour operators who offer a variety of boat excursions. Kona is actually my favorite Hawaiian town. The vegetation is beautiful, the water is full of tropical fish, the town has a relaxed atmosphere, and you can spend hours walking around and checking things out. I loved waking up in the morning, getting a latte in one of the coffee shops along Ali Drive, and sitting along the ocean looking at the waves full of colorful fish breaking against the shore. Many restaurants offer a great happy hour, so you can actually sip a couple of mai tais not worrying about breaking the bank. If, however, beer is on your mind, then definitely visit Kona Brewing. You’ll like it.
2. Go snorkeling
You can snorkel virtually anywhere on the Big Island and see colorful fish. If, however, you’re after a truly great experience, you should either go to Two Steps or Captain Cook at Kealakekua Bay. While both places are really good, getting to Captain Cook is not easy. You may be able to get there by boat (permit required) or you’ll have to hike down to it. The trail is about a mile long each direction and not even. You hike downhill on your way there and climb up on your way back. It’s definitely doable but you just need to be aware that it takes time and effort. The snorkeling is fantastic, though, and certainly worth the hike. Snorkeling at Two Steps is also great and much more accessible. Right next to the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Monument with easy parking, Two Steps is a great alternative to Captain Cook. There is also a little area with shallow water perfect for kids and beginner snorkelers, while those with more advanced skills snorkel off the rocks. The place is popular, so arrive early for best parking.
3. See lava fields at Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. The masive lava fields covering the park are stunning! Make sure to drive the Chain of Craters Road all the way to Holei Sea Arch. Stop along the way and admire the sights. It’s a different world out there. Another attraction is a visit to Haʻakulamanu Crater with the steam rising from its vents. If you are in the mood for more of an adventure, drive to Kalapana and rent a bike. Then ride for about 6 miles each way to view active lava flows. Although we didn’t witness huge volcanic eruptions, we were lucky to see small streams of red-glowing lava flow into the ocean. It was really cool! If you’re on the Big Island, definitely visit the park. It’s certainly fascinating.
4. Visit Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park
This beautiful area was a “place of refuge” in ancient Hawaiian culture for those who broke sacred laws. It is still a spiritual sanctuary today and a very interesting place. As you walk around, you’re going to see wooden statues of gods who protect the entrance to the temple that houses bones of ancient Hawaiian chiefs. The site is absolutely picturesque and one of my favorite on the Big Island.
5. Check out the Kohala Coast
Kohala Coast is home to some of the prettiest beaches on the Big Island. The most famous one is white sand Hapuna Beach which stretches for over half a mile. Unfortunately, you have to pay an entry fee of $5 per person, plus $10 for parking. Since we visited the beach in 2016 (it was free then), we decided to skip it this time and drove to Mauna Kea Beach instead, which was also very nice. Keep in mind, however, that the waves may be rough in the winter time, so a boogie board might be a good idea. Another beach that is worth stopping at is Waialea Beach ($5 parking fee), just south of Hapuna Bay. While we only had time for a quick look, it might be a good destination next time.
5. Take a scenic road trip along Kohala Mountain Road
If you’re spending a week on the Big Island, you should definitely take a scenic road trip along Highway 250, also known as Kohala Mountain Road. We took state route 190 out of Kona and made Waimea our first stop. It was a great place to grab a coffee and a pastry, and poke our heads into a couple of cool galleries and stores. Waimea is known as the cowboy country with rolling pastures and ranches, quite scenic for sure. Next, we took Hwy 250 and drove to the Pololu Valley Lookout, which was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip. The views over Hamakua Coast were absolutely spectacular. Many people hike the Pololu trail to a black beach but we had other things on the agenda and didn’t have enough time. Our next stop was Hawi, a quaint little town. From there we headed back south along state route 270 and enjoyed views of Maui across the water. We stopped at the Pu’ukohoa Heiau National Historic Site and walked around an ancient Hawaiian temple. Finally, to relax after half a day of sightseeing, we spent some time soaking the sun at Mauna Kea Beach.
See the sights along Hwy 11
If you plan to visit Volcanoes National Park, you are most likely going to drive along Hwy 11. Get an early start because there are plenty of amazing sights to see along the way. Both Captain Cook Monument and Two Step Beach are off Hwy 11 but I recommend visiting them on another day. On this road trip, head directly to the Southernmost Point in the United States and the nearby Papakolea Green Sand Beach. To reach the beach from the parking lot, you’ll either need to hike just under 3 miles each way (1 hour) or you may pay some locals to take you there. We hiked unprepared, without enough water, not having realized how far it was. It was pretty cool, though, to see the greenish sand, so I’m glad we did it. Next, drive to the Punalu’u Bake Shop and enjoy Hawaiian malasadas. Afterwards, visit Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, a beautiful beach where you can frequently spot turtles. Once you’re done with your visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and if you still have time to spare, head to Hilo and the neighboring Rainbow Falls. From there, head back to Kona along Hwy 200. You’ll need a mai tai after a day full of experiences.
Spend a day on the beach
If you’re spending a week on the Big Island, you may want a day to just go to the beach. The Kona Coast is certainly worth checking out, especially the beaches within Kekaha Kai State Park. We visited the lovely Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay) and loved the scenery. If you just want to stay in Kona, relax at Kamakahonu Beach (King Kam Beach). It’s crowded but the water is shallow and the views of a Hawaiian temple and Kona itself are very nice. Another option might be White Sands Beach, although part of it was under renovation in December 2022. All the beaches are gorgeous with lush vegetation and plenty of tropical fish, so you can’t go wrong.
