Hawaii Big Island in 7 Days: Itinerary for Travelers Who Want to See It All
Feeling overwhelmed planning your 7 day Big Island itinerary?
Even after living here, I still found it challenging to choose which experiences to prioritize. With so much to see and do, and distances between attractions being longer than expected, it can feel like a lot to take on.
Using my former travel agent skills, I’ve used my expertise to create a Big Island itinerary that keeps you busy without feeling rushed, efficiently covering all the must-see spots while making sure you don’t miss out on anything.
👉 Some unique things you’ll find in this post:
- Lesser known waterfalls to visit
- A coffee farm with a private view of Kealakekua Bay
- “Almost” guaranteed sea turtle sightings
…and so much more!
💸 My Favorite Ways to Save on Travel
My go-to travel booking links for saving time, money, and sanity
🚗 Car Rental: Discount Hawaii Car Rental – often best prices; two FREE extra drivers included
🪂 Tours: Viator – book now, pay later options
🛏️ Hotels: Expedia – exclusive discounts & earn rewards
🚑 Travel Insurance: VisitorsCoverage – compare multiple plans in one place
🧳Packing: Amazon – this is my personal list of items I travel with
📍 Overwhelmed planning your Big Island trip?
I offer Big Island travel planning services based on your level of need:
✔️ Itinerary Review
✔️ Custom Travel Planning
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See How I Can Help You ➡️
7 Day Big Island Itinerary Summary
Before I go into the all deets, here’s a quick overview of my 7 day itinerary for the Big Island.
⚠️Heads up! This itinerary is designed to be as efficient as possible to see as much as possible (it’s also pretty coffee-heavy).
If you are looking for lazy days on the beach, this itinerary is not it.
However, it doesn’t mean you can’t use this itinerary as a guideline and adjust it to fit your own traveling style.
I make sure you see all the major highlights like: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, South Point, City of Refuge, Akaka Falls, and the Kona coast.
🌺Day 1 – arrive in Kona, coffee, Mauna Kea, dinner
🌺Day 2 – coffee, waterfalls, lava tube, Hilo farmers market, Pepe’ekeo scenic drive, lunch, waterfall, dinner
🌺Day 3 – coffee, bakery, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Winery, dinner
🌺Day 4 – Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, coffee, malasadas, Green Sand beach, South Point, Paradise Meadows, coffee, dinner
🌺Day 5 – coffee farm tour, Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, snorkel Two Step, Painted Church, lunch, coffee farm, shop on Ali’i Dr, dinner, manta ray night snorkel
🌺Day 6 – white beach, petroglyphs, malasadas, Puukohola Heiau, Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co. Visitor Center, lunch, Pololu Valley, luau
🌺Day 7 – breakfast, white sand beach with turtles, coffee farm, sea salt farm, go home
To minimize driving time, I have you staying 3 nights in Hilo and 4 nights in Kona.
Now that you’ve got the overall gist, let’s get into the gory details!
But first download…
Shaka Guide App
A GPS audio tour that guides you through the park with interesting information, corny dad jokes, and Hawaiian musical interludes.
Alright, let’s get into the week long itinerary!
Day 1: Arrive Kona
I consider your arrival day as a wash. Some flights get in early, others late, and you’ll be tired from traveling all day.
However, to help you hit the ground running, consider making these stops if time allows.
After picking up your car rental, if you can, kick things off at Kona Mountain Coffee for some caffeine and snacks to tide you over until dinner. An iced latte is my go-to here!
This family-owned, farm-to-café spot is my favorite stop for coffee in town.
You can watch them roast beans through the kitchen window, explore their extensive gift shop, and customize your coffee drink just the way you like it.
Afterwards, head out on the 1.5-hour drive along Saddle Road toward Hilo.
If Mauna Kea is on your must-see list, this is a convenient time to visit. Whether you arrive morning, midday, or sunset, you can drive up and enjoy the panoramic views.
A regular car can go up as far as the visitor center at 9,000ft elevation. To get to the summit at 13,000ft you’ll need a 4WD.
Just be aware of altitude sickness.
🚗 Discount Hawaii gives you two FREE extra drivers!
Find your car or 4WD rental here! >>
Once you’ve crossed the mountains, treat yourself to dinner at Ola Brewing Co.
Try their rotating selection of beers, hard juices, and hard teas on tap and order a delicious Ola Burger or bao buns.
My favorite drink there is the Dragonfruit Lemonade Hard Juice!
After dinner, check into your hotel and get some rest; you’re gonna need it for your full day tomorrow.
🛏️ Best Hilo Hotels
· Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo – a Doubletree by Hilton
· Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
· The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls
Day 2: Hilo and Waterfalls
Start your day with Paradise Coffee Roasters, a hole in the wall find, offering outdoor counter pick-up with your choice of a hot pour-over or cold brew of Big Island coffee.
Try free samples of their coffees, which are roasted in-house using beans sourced from farms across the island.
Wailuku River is home to three stunning waterfalls, though most visitors only make it to the first one, but I’m gonna tell you about the other two.
Begin with the most famous waterfall, Rainbow Falls, just 2 miles from downtown Hilo. You can view this iconic 80-foot waterfall right from the observation fence a few feet from the parking lot, or take the short hike up the steps to see it from the top.
Then pop up the road 1.5 miles to Boiling Pots where the Wailuku River swirls in different pockets creating a visual effect of “boiling water” (I think you need a very creative mind to see it that way though).
You’ll also be able to see Pe’epe’e Waterfall peeking behind a rocky wall. You used to be able to it but the trail has been closed.
Lastly, less than a mile away is Wai’ale Falls, my favorite of the three, and a swimmable waterfall.
You can opt to just take your photo from the bridge or hike the narrow, jungle-y trail to the right of the river for about 10 minutes to top of the waterfall. (I highly recommend!)
Kaumana Caves is close by, so make your way over to this great rainy day activity.
You’ll park across the street from the entrance then climb down the steep stairs and decide on whether to take the left cave or the right cave.
🔦 Be sure to have flashlights or headlamps.
The right cave is the main cavern, with plenty of headroom for a good distance.
The left cave starts with some climbing and ducking until you reach a section with more ceiling room.
The entire cave system stretches about 2 miles but there are some tricky spots, so I turn back at the sections where I feel uncomfortable going forward.
Once you’ve had your fill of cave adventures, come back to town to browse through the Hilo Farmers Market. It runs all week, but Wednesdays and Saturdays are when the majority of vendors show up.
People sell all the tropical fruits you can imagine, homemade gingerade, artisan soaps, handstamped t-shirts, pressed flower jewelry, and so much more.
I love stopping at Kula Shave Ice with their real fruit juice, homemade syrups and haupia cream topping!
Afterwards, you can walk the streets of old downtown Hilo popping into quirky shops and talk story with the storekeepers.
Next, head out of town up Hwy 19 to take a 4 mile scenic drive on the Old Mamalahoa Hwy, otherwise known as the Pepe’ekeo Scenic Drive.
This is one of my favorite drives on the island, where you can take your time on a winding road with the windows down, letting in the tropical air as you pass towering trees, giant vines, and moss-covered rocks.
Stop for a short hike at Onomea Bay, wander the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden with thousands of rare tropical plants, and explore Six Tons, another swimmable waterfall. My favorite “secret” is following the trail downstream until you end up at the top of an unnamed waterfall with a steep drop to the pool below.
By now I’m sure you’re famished. I always stop at What’s Shakin’ for the best lunch.
This yellow shack at the end of the scenic drive serves the freshest sandwich wraps, using produce from their own garden when they can and the creamiest, thickest smoothies you’ll ever have!
About 8 miles further north on Hwy 19 is the Big Island’s other famous waterfall, Akaka Falls. A quick half-mile paved loop leads you through lush, jungle-like terrain to the stunning waterfall, where it cascades 442 feet down the green, sheer cliff.
💁♀️Tab’s Trip Tip: Avoid the parking fee by just parking on the road outside the parking lot.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, you can stop at Honomu Goat Dairy on the road to Akaka Falls. Pet cute goats and buy some goat cheese or goat milk caramels at their gift shop.
End the day with dinner at Pineapples for some burgers or tacos and a fruity cocktail in a pineapple. This is the only open-air dining in Hilo.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Be prepared for a wait as this is a popular place to eat. However, if you make it during happy hour you might get seated faster at the bar.
If you have extra time, consider these add-ons…
- Umauma Falls Experience Ziplining – 2-miles of line flying across 9 zipline courses over 14 waterfalls. ✅Book it here!
- Panaewa Rainforest Zoo – one of my favorite hidden gems in Hilo is this FREE zoo that is has has a surprising collection of animals like tigers, monkeys, lemurs, a sloth, anteaters…just to name a few!
- Banyan Drive/Liliu’okalani Park/Coconut Island – Take a leisurely drive down Banyan Drive, or the “Hilo Walk of Fame,” beneath a row of nearly 100-year-old banyan trees, each planted by a celebrity (including Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart). Visit Liliu’okalani Park and Gardens, a 24-acre Japanese garden donated by Queen Liliu’okalani in 1917, with ponds, bridges, and pagodas, and cross a footbridge to Moku Ola (Coconut Island), a peaceful spot with picnic tables, grassy areas, and a popular diving platform.
📞 If you want more personalized help with your own itinerary, book a one-on-one consult with me! >>
Day 3: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
I like grabbing amazing mochi donuts at Mt. View Bakery for a sweet breakfast treat.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of the most unique destinations on the Big Island, as it’s the only place in the country where you can visit an active volcano still erupting lava (though it’s unpredictable).
To see a majority of the things in the park, I like to spend about a half day there.
I liked using the Shaka Guide app to guide me through the park and give me history and science lessons in a fun way.
Shaka Guide App
A GPS audio tour that guides you through the park with interesting information, corny dad jokes, and Hawaiian musical interludes.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Pack a picnic lunch to eat within the park. Once you are deep inside the park there’s no food for miles.
Once I pay the gate agent the entrance fee, and after a quick bathroom stop at the visitor center, my first stop is the Steam Vents where I can warm my hands over fenced holes in the ground with rising volcanic steam.
Then I head to Uekahuna Overlook for a Grand Canyon-esque view of Kilauea Crater. If the lava is active you might have a view of it here.
I’ll turn around and hit up Nahuku Thurston Lava Tube for a short hike, about 15-20 minutes, through an 800 year old lava tube. Don’t worry, they keep it dimly lit between 8am-8pm so you can see where you’re going.
Heading down Chain of Craters Road, my two favorite stops are a “secret crater” and Mauna Ulu Fissure, a short hike through a lava field with carnival glass-type lava pieces, fissures in the ground, and lava tree molds.
Near the end of the road is a 1.5-mile hike over a desert plain to a boardwalk viewing platform of Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs. Ideally you’ll want to view them in low light, like early morning or early evening when the shadows of the carvings stand out the best.
Now, I might be controversial in saying this, but I think Holei Sea Arch is overrated and not worth the long drive alone. But you can be the judge for yourself.
>> Find my complete guide to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with insider tips here! <<
I also like popping into the Volcano Art Gallery for some fine arts and crafts shopping. Volcano House is also good for an indoor view of the crater and lunch at Uncle George’s Lounge or dinner at The Rim (reservations required).
If there’s time, I really enjoyed the wine tasting at Volcano Winery. They give 1oz tastings of 6 different wines, some made with their estate grapes, jaboticaba berries, guava, and macadamia nut honey.
For non-wine drinkers they also grow their own estate teas and offer a tea tasting as well.
If the volcano is active, find dinner in town or at The Rim at Volcano House where you’ll be able to see the lava glow with your meal.
Once it gets dark, head back to the Devastation Trail parking lot and embark on the 2-mile round-trip Crater Rim Road trail. This paved path will lead you to an overlook where you can watch the lava flowing within the lava lake.
Each day brings a unique “show,” as the lava is constantly in motion—some days, it erupts from the cinder cone, while other days, only the cracks in the lake glow with fiery light.
Parking to view the active lava can get very busy, so bring your patience!
When you’ve had enough lava viewing, head back to your hotel in Hilo.
If you have extra time, consider these add-ons…
- Mauna Loa Rd Scenic Drive – Just outside the main entrance to the park, the 13-mile Mauna Loa Rd scenic drive takes you to large lava tree molds, a 1.2-mile Kipuka Puaula Trail loop through a forest and past a lava tube, then up through fire-scarred terrain to a lookout offering sweeping views of the park below and Kilauea smoking in the distance, where you can also hunt for the endangered Mauna Loa silverswords.
- Ka’u Desert Trail – also known as the Footsteps Trail, this trail takes you through a lava landscape with historical plaques, a pavilion housing a footprint in the lava rock (you’ll have to use your imagination to picture it), and more footprints scattered along the trail thought to be over 200 years old from women and children fleeing an erupting Kilauea (so they say, but I haven’t found any yet).
- Volcano Garden Arts – a charming arts and crafts shop set in a zen-like garden, where you can browse Hawaiian-made trinkets, colorful paintings, and gadgets, while Cafe Ono, attached to the shop, offers lunch in the garden or in their creatively decorated tents.
Day 4: Black Sand & South Point
It’s time to head over to Kona via the southern route!
The first stop would be what I consider to be the most famous beach on the Big Island, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. This black sand beach has easy access and an almost guaranteed sighting of honu, (sea turtles).
Entrance is free.
You can swim and snorkel here but be aware that the water is surprisingly chilly for Hawaiian waters as there is a freshwater source that runs right underneath the bay.
Most people bypass the other things to be seen at this park: Kane’ele’ele Heiau and Hokuloa Church.
>> You can read about all the things to find at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach here! <<
When you are coming in or out of the park on Ninole Loop Rd, look in the abandoned golf field for nene (Hawaiian geese); I almost always see them there.
When you enter Naalehu, my favorite stop for a cup of Ka’u coffee is at Honua’s Coffeehouse. My iced latte is always consistent and reminds me of Sugar Puffs cereal.
If it’s a Wednesday or Saturday, stop at the OKK Farmers Market between 8am-12pm. This is a good opportunity to browse local vendors selling handmade soaps, Ka’u Gold Oranges, fresh caught fish, pottery, art, and food.
Two coffee vendors there sell unique ways to take your Ka’u coffee. Pohaku Coffee does a whipped espresso “cloud” over milk and Aikane Plantation has a cup of coffee in Jell-O form with whipped cream
A stop in Naalehu isn’t complete until you get the best malasadas on the island at Punalu’u Bake Shop.
These sweet, Portuguese donuts come in a variety of flavors but my favorite is the lilikoi.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: there are two lines for ordering, so if one is long check the other line, it’s likely shorter.
Next head down to the end of South Point Rd to the trailhead for Papakolea, or Green Sands Beach.
This 5-mile round trip hike takes you across dusty, grassy plains along a turquoise water shorefront.
If you want to save time and/or energy, locals take tourists in the back of pickup trucks for about $25pp roundtrip.
The hike has no shade nor is there shade at the beach, so you will be extremely exposed to the elements for this activity.
At the end, you’ll find the bay with one of only four green sand beaches in the world.
I was honestly underwhelmed by the color of the sand as it’s more golden than green. The best way I saw the green was by picking up a handful of sand and seeing the green olivine crystals up close.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: These crystals can be found all over the Big Island, so if you see sparkling gravel that’s going to be green sand.
Make your way back to the South Point cliffs for a vista view of the Pacific Ocean at the southernmost point in the US.
This is a good opportunity to put your bravery to the test and also cool off from the Green Sand hike by jumping approximately 40ft off the cliffs and into the clear blue water below. *Insert warning label here*
I did it and survived, but with a bruised tailbone for weeks as payment. The climb back up the rusty ladder was also (almost) scarier than the jump.
I like taking the path to the left that follows an ancient rock wall and leads to the actual southernmost point, though it isn’t marked. Sometimes the waves can get enormous here as they crash very close to shore.
As you drive back up South Point Road, make a stop at my favorite farm, Paradise Meadows.
Try never-ending chocolates, macadamia nuts, cookies, honey, and Ka’u coffee in a speed round of free samplings. I end up turning samples away because there are too many lol!
It’s nice to take their map of their farm and have a relaxing stroll to see their aquaponics pond, greenhouse, gardens, coffee trees, art gallery, parrots, and herb path.
If you’re not caffeined out, grab your last cup of Ka’u coffee at Miranda’s Coffee Farm before your long drive to Kona. When I buy a bag of coffee beans, I’ll get their Yellow Caturra.
They also do farm tours if you reserve online ahead of time.
For dinner in Kona, get some of the best pizza on the island and beer flights at the Kona Brewing Company. I like their outdoor tables that are lit with moody tiki torches.
Check into your hotel in Kona or Waikoloa and have a good night’s sleep!
🛏️ Best Kona/Waikoloa Hotels:
· Royal Kona Resort
· Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
· Four Season Resort Hualalai
· Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
If you have extra time, consider this add on…
- Kahuku Unit – an extension of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where you can hike a collection of trails through lava fields, cinder cones, ohia forests, and grassy plains on the edge of Mauna Loa.
- Kula Kai Caverns – take a guided tour through a private lava tube and choose between different difficulties. They are old school, so you must call to reserve.
Join thousands of other visitors and locals to discover the best things to do on the Big Island!
🌺 New activities posted daily
🌺 Upcoming events not to miss
🌺 Ask questions about your trip
Day 5: Kona Coffee & City of Refuge
Get to know all about Kona coffee on a tour at Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm. Sample unique roasts and candy by their pool before walking the coffee orchards and touring the processing shack.
This tour is my favorite of all the Kona coffee farm tours.
Then take the drive down windy Napoopoo Rd to Kealakekua Bay Boat Ramp next to Hikiau Heiau, a human sacrifice temple built by King Kalani’opu’u and visited by Captain Cook. This is the only view from land where you can see the Captain Cook Monument.
Across the bay you will see the white obelisk marking the spot where Captain Cook was killed.
The only way to get a closer look of the monument is to kayak/paddle board to it, take a snorkel tour, or hike the 4-mile round trip down the steep mountain.
>> Read up on the details of getting there without a tour here! <<
Keep following Puuhonua Rd (it gets a little sketchy for a short section) until you reach Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, or the City of Refuge.
This sacred, historical site was a safe place for fugitives. If you could outrun the law and get here before getting caught you would be forgiven and your life spared.
There’s a 20min video you can watch in an open-air amphitheater before heading out to the grounds. You’ll see grass roofed hales, ki’i (tiki statues), lava tree molds, and a kanane game board, Hawaiian checkers.
I enjoy going out to the lava pads out by the ocean for some great tidepooling.
Leave your car parked at the City of Refuge and walk next door to Two Step beach for some of the best snorkeling on the island. All the lava rocks create a great environment for sea life to thrive and the bay is pretty protected for safer snorkeling conditions.
Snorkel gear can be rented at Snorkel Bob’s in Kona or bought cheaply at stores like Costco or Walmart.
💁♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: Try checking out the Facebook group Pass it On – Beach Gear and More for visitors giving away their beach gear for free before catching their flight home.
Before you get back to Hwy 11, make a detour to St Benedict Catholic Church, or the Painted Church.
This small white chapel is free to enter and inside are beautiful floor to ceiling paintings of biblical scenes and designs, all in its original form as it has not been refurbished.
I enjoy just sitting on a wooden pew and enjoy the serenity as you admire the art. One time I was lucky enough to hear the church choir practicing next door.
For authentic lau laus (steamed pork & butterfish wrapped in taro and ti leaves), get lunch at Kaaloa’s Super J’s. Don’t be turned off by the sketchy looking building. Inside are friendly staff working in a hot kitchen so you can have the best Hawaiian food.
They also have a famous purple sweet potato haupia pie, but if they have banana creme pie choose that one instead, it’s heavenly!
💁♀️Tab’s Trip Tip: They often sell out of lau laus, so the earlier you get there the better.
For my absolute favorite stop for Kona coffee, go to Sacred Grounds Coffee Farm. Bill, the owner, serves the smoothest coffee right from his coffee farm growing on only 2 acres below the shop.
A panoramic view of Kealakekua Bay spreads out before you on the back porch and you will likely have it all to yourself without the crowds.
💎 It’s my favorite hidden gem on the island.
Kill off the late afternoon/evening by wandering the famous Ali’i Drive for some shopping. You’ll find everything from ABC stores with made-in-China souvenirs to boutiques filled with Hawaiian-made items.
Aloha Toe Rings and Tasty Kona are my go-to shops for locally made goods.
At the end of the road you’ll see King Kamehameha’s last place of residence at Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark.
For dinner I suggest Cheeky Tiki for some delicious burgers, the best mai tai (it comes with lilikoi foam!), and views overlooking the water and Ali’i Drive.
Finish the day with a bang by night snorkeling with the manta rays. If you pick just one tour to do on the island, this should be it!
It’s the craziest experience with these huge, graceful creatures “dancing” right under you!
I recommend choosing a tour that departs out of Keahou Bay, because the boat ride is less than 5 minutes, so you are in the water faster and have less chance of seasickness.
I went with My Kona Adventures and enjoyed them as the group size was small and they worked safely and efficiently.
If you are staying in a hotel in Kona, you can check in now or earlier in the day if you had time. If you are staying in Waikoloa, head up north to check in.
If you have extra time, consider these add-ons…
- Kona Joe Coffee – a Kona coffee farm with an “Instagram view”. Choose from a guided tour, roasting tour, or coffee picking tour or just wander the grounds yourself enjoying a cup of Joe from their cafe.
- Paddle Kealakekua Bay – Rent a watercraft to paddle Kealakekua Bay for a close-up view of the Captain Cook monument (though you can’t dock onshore), snorkel among colorful yellow tang and parrotfish, and maybe even catch spinner dolphins playing. I used Ehu and Kai, which was an easy departure from the bay.
Day 6: White Sand Beaches & Petroglyphs
Time to explore up north! If you’re starting in Kona, stop at Kona Coffee and Tea for your morning caffeine before heading to Kua Bay.
Kua Bay is an easy-to-access powdery white sand beach with clear, blue water straight out of a magazine.
It’s a busy beach, but so worth a stop. I’ve seen humpback whales here a few times, so keep your eyes peeled!
>> Read more about humpback whale watching here! <<
There is a quick hike up Pu’u Ku’ili next to the beach where you can get a 360° view of the Kona Coast.
Up further north is a relatively easy 1.5-mile roundtrip hike to the Puako Petroglyphs.
I appreciate that the trail starts in a shady kiawe forest where you’ll weave through branches and lava rocks before reaching a petroglyph field with 3,000 ancient carvings.
Refuel with a snack from the Manuela’s Hot Malasada Food Truck for made-to-order malasadas.
This CASH ONLY truck has many toppings and fillings to choose from like ling hi mui powder or mango and haupia filled.
Begin the drive along the Kohala coast with a stop at one of the largest restored heiau (temple) at Pu’ukohola Heiau, built by King Kamehameha I himself.
Also on the property are some ancient village ruins and a view into Pelekane Bay, known for its reef shark hangout.
Next door is Spencer Beach, another white sand beach the locals like to chill at.
Go nuts with free samples of macadamia nuts and Kona coffee at the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co. Visitor Center. They have year round flavors like spam or wasabi and also seasonal flavors like birthday cake or pumpkin spice.
Stop in Hawi at Kohala Coffee Mill for lunch. They serve up great lunch plates, 100% Kona coffee, and for dessert, Tropical Dreams ice cream, locally made using 18% butter fat. Yum!
A quick photo stop in Ka’apau is the Kamehameha I Statue. Commissioned in 1878 for Captain Cook’s 100th anniversary on Oahu, the original statue sank in 1880 and was replaced, but two years later, a British captain found it in the Falkland Islands, bought it for $875, and returned it to Hawaii, where it now stands in Ka‘apau.
While Waipio Valley is a more famous valley view (currently closed indefinitely without a tour), I believe Pololu Valley is a better view.
At the end of Hawi-Niulii Rd is the gorgeous vista that expands from the ocean all the way up the green crinkly valley.
The short but steep 20-minute hike leads you down to a rugged black sand beach with crashing waves, a tranquil pond, and a mystical ironwood forest. I even found a rope swing to play on!
End the evening with a celebratory luau, a perfect way to enjoy authentic Hawaiian food, crafts, and entertainment. Sip on a mai tai while watching the sunset, with performances featuring dances from Hawaii and other Polynesian islands.
Many resorts in Waikoloa and Kona offer luaus, so choose one that’s conveniently located nearest your accommodations. Find a luau near you here!
>> Read my full review of the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau here! <<
If you have extra time, consider these add ons…
- Waikoloa Petroglyph Reserve – behind Kings Shops is another petroglyph field. I always get overheated on this field but it has a good diverse collection of symbols to search for.
- Kuleana Rum Shack – do a rum tasting with their four different rums distilled from Hawaiian sugar cane.
- Lapakahi State Historical Park – an ancient Hawaiian fishing village with partially restored hales and canoe houses and salt bowls that are scattered over a rocky 1-mile loop. Think of it as a free City of Refuge.
Day 7: Go Home 🙁
Depending on your flight departure you can still squeeze in some last minute activities before leaving paradise!
Squeeze in one more beach at ‘Alula Beach, a hidden gem with warm waters that are perfect for wading around the Aiopio Fish Trap, and it’s another place I always see sea turtles.
If you’re craving more Kona coffee, head 15 minutes up Hualalai mountain to Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation. Sample different roasts, explore the gift shop, watch a video, and take a quick guided tour and pay to wander the grounds, visiting a lava tube, and enjoying views of coffee trees from the observation deck.
For a salty experience, tour the Kona Sea Salt Farm where ocean water is transformed into sea salt crystals. I loved tasting the variety of flavored salts paired with fruits and vegetables—perfect for passing time before a flight, just below the airport. ✅ Book a tour here!
And with that, I’m sorry to say but it is time to say goodbye 😭. Return your rental car and check in for your flight out of KOA.
Aloha!
Book Your Reservations
Secure your flights, hotel, and car rental as soon as you know your dates!
✈️Flights: prices for flights tend to be cheapest the more in advance you book. Book and secure your flights here
🛏️Hotels & Condos: secure your hotel or condo booking before it’s sold out, especially during busy seasons. Browse rates and availability for hotels and condos here
🚗Car Rentals: there may not be as much of a rush for a car rental, but I would book now and if rates drop you can cancel and rebook. Find a car rental here
🪂Tours: you should book your tours ASAP. Popular tours can easily sell out, so once you know the date you want to do an activity BOOK IT! You don’t want to miss out on an exciting adventure because of procrastination (speaking from experience here!) Find and Book your tours here
🚨Travel Insurance: you never know if an emergency will occur, before or during travel. Maybe a family matter prevents you from taking the trip or the airlines loses your luggage in transit. Travel insurance will help reimburse you for the expensive trip you’ve saved so long for! Find travel insurance to protect you here
FAQs
How many days do you need in the Big Island?
There’s no set number of days needed on the Big Island—most visitors spend 5-7 days, but even a year might not be enough to see everything!
>> Use my Itinerary Calculator here to find out how many days you may want to spend! <<
Is a week in the Big Island too long?
A week on the Big Island is not too long, especially if you plan to explore the entire island and visit all the attractions—it might even require skipping some activities due to time constraints.
How long does it take to drive around the entire Big Island?
If you drive the circumference of the Big Island without stopping, it will take you about 6hrs to go the approx. 250 miles.
What is the best month to visit Big Island?
There isn’t a “best” month to visit the Big Island, as the weather stays fairly consistent year-round, with minor differences between winter and summer. What matters most is the activities you want to do.
Dec-Mar is humpback whale season, the only time for whale watching tours.
April features the Merrie Monarch Festival, including the lively street parade and craft fair in Hilo.
October brings the Ironman Championship, attracting crowds that can be fun or frustrating, depending on your plans.
December is a popular family vacation time, but higher rates and sold-out tours are common, though unique Christmas events may be worth exploring.
Is it cheaper to fly into Kona or Hilo?
Most flights land in Kona, often making it the cheaper option compared to flying into Hilo. However, depending on your departure location or airline, flying into Hilo can sometimes be just as affordable or even cheaper.
Need Help Planning Your Big Island Trip?
Are you still feeling overwhelmed planning your trip to the Big Island?
Between deciding where to stay, figuring out driving distances, and choosing which tours are actually worth it, there’s a lot to sort through.
If you’d rather have a little expert guidance, I offer video chat travel consultations where we can walk through your itinerary together and make sure everything flows smoothly.
I’m want your trip planning to be exciting, not stressful!
🌺 You can learn more about my Big Island travel consultations here.
