Are you planning your first trip to Hawaii and want some helpful Big Island travel tips? Find out things no one tells you before planning a trip to the Big Island!
This post about how to plan a trip to the Big Island was written by Hawaii travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Are you planning your first Big Island trip with kids and feeling totally overwhelmed?
I get it.
After visiting Hawaii over 40 times, including multiple trips to the Big Island with my two boys, I’ve learned a few things that would have saved me so much stress if someone had just told me upfront.
So here’s what I wish I’d known before my first Big Island adventure.
These aren’t just generic travel tips.
These are the real-deal, straight-from-my-mistakes lessons that will make your family vacation so much smoother.
1. You Actually Need a Car (No, Really)
Look, I know renting a car in Hawaii isn’t cheap. But on the Big Island? It’s absolutely essential.
The island is massive. Like, you could fit all the other Hawaiian islands inside it with room to spare.
The attractions are spread out all over the place, and there’s basically no public transportation that will get you where you want to go with kids in tow.
Trust me, I’ve tried planning a Big Island trip without a car. It was a disaster before we even landed.
Book your rental car as early as possible. Prices go up fast, and availability disappears even faster.
I always check Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they compare rates across all the major companies and usually have the best deals.
2. Book Direct Flights to Kona or Hilo (Skip the Honolulu Connection)
If you’re coming from the West Coast, direct flights to Kona exist and they’re worth every penny.
Nothing kills vacation vibes faster than a layover in Honolulu with tired, cranky kids. Those extra hours of travel time add up, and honestly? The stress isn’t worth the savings.
Search for direct flights on Expedia and filter by nonstop only. Your future self will thank you.
3. Plan at Least a Full Day for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Here’s where most families mess up. They think they can do Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in a few hours. Nope.
This place is incredible, and you need time to really experience it. My boys absolutely love racing through Nahuku (the lava tube) with their flashlights. It’s become our family tradition.
They carefully speed through, trying to beat their time from our last visit while I yell “Be careful!” from somewhere in the middle.
The park is about two hours from Kona, so factor in drive time. Pack snacks and water because options inside the park are limited.
And if your kids are into science at all? This is better than any classroom lesson.
Currently, Kilauea is having episodic eruptions (it started erupting again in December 2024), which makes visiting even more spectacular.
Check the USGS website before your trip to see what’s happening.
The visitor center is temporarily relocated to Kilauea Military Camp while construction is underway, so plan accordingly. But the park is absolutely open and worth the trip.
Want more details on making the most of your visit? I break down everything in my Big Island Travel Guide for Families, including kid-friendly hikes and what to pack.
4. Not All Luaus Are the Same (Pick Based on What Matters to You)
As someone who’s danced hula for over 20 years, luaus are a big deal to me. And let me tell you, they vary wildly in quality and focus.
Some luaus prioritize entertainment and put on an incredible show. Others focus on authentic Hawaiian food. A few manage to do both well.
My personal favorite on the Big Island is the Hawaii Loa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid.
The grounds are beautiful, the show tells the story of Polynesian voyagers really well, and the food is actually good (which isn’t always a given at luaus).
It’s held every Saturday evening, with check-in at 5:30 pm. Book through Viator to secure your spots.
If you want to see what other Big Island luaus are like, check out my full comparison of the best Big Island luaus.
5. The Kona vs. Hilo Decision (Or Why Not Both?)
This is the question everyone asks: should we stay in Kona or Hilo?
Honestly? They’re totally different experiences, and if you have the time, splitting your stay between both sides is amazing.
Kona is all sunshine, resort pools, and easy beach access. It’s where you go to relax. Hilo is lush, rainy, and has this charming small-town vibe. It’s also closer to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
We always make sure to stop at Rainbow Falls in Hilo, even when we’re staying in Kona. It’s a quick stop but worth it.
The drive between Kona and Hilo takes about two and a half hours through some beautiful scenery. Plan for stops along the way.
Need help deciding? My Big Island Travel Guide goes deep on this question and helps you figure out the best option for your family.
6. Check if the Volcano is Actually Erupting
I know this sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people book their trip expecting to see flowing lava and then get disappointed.
Kilauea is currently in an active eruption phase (as of late 2025), but eruptions are episodic. That means it erupts for a period, then stops, then erupts again.
The fountain episodes are spectacular, with lava fountains reaching over 1,000 feet high.
Always check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updates before your trip and the morning you plan to visit the park. The viewing situation changes.
Even when there’s no active lava flow, the park is absolutely worth visiting. The steam vents, lava tubes, and volcanic landscapes are incredible. Just set expectations with your kids ahead of time.
7. Kona Has the Resorts, Hilo Has the Charm
If resort life is your thing, Kona is where you want to be. The Fairmont Orchid, Hilton Waikoloa Village, and the Four Seasons Hualalai are all on the Kona side.
My son did NOT want to leave the Fairmont Orchid when we stayed there. The pools, the beach, the activities for kids – it was perfect for a family resort vacation.
Search for Kona resorts on Expedia to compare prices and amenities.
But if you want a more local, low-key experience, Hilo has vacation rentals and smaller hotels that give you a totally different feel. It’s less touristy, more authentic.
8. You Have to Visit a Kona Coffee Farm
Okay, this one is a must. Kona coffee is world-famous for a reason, and visiting a coffee farm is such a cool experience for the whole family.
The first time I took my oldest to the Big Island, we went to multiple coffee farms in one day.
At each one, he got to taste little sips of coffee, and his facial expressions got more and more hilarious. The wrinkled nose, the dramatic gagging, the “why do adults drink this?!” look. I was dying laughing.
By the end of the day, he’d tried coffee from five different farms and decided he was not a fan. But it’s still one of my favorite Big Island memories.
Greenwell Farms is my top recommendation. They offer free guided tours daily from 9am to 3pm, and they’ve won Hawaii Magazine’s Best Farm Tour award multiple years in a row.
The tour lasts about 45-60 minutes and includes all the coffee tastings you want.
Other great options include Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation and Hula Daddy Kona Coffee. Most farms offer free tours and tastings, so you can hit a few if you’re really into it.
9. Avoid (or Embrace) Merrie Monarch Week
Merrie Monarch Festival is the Super Bowl of hula. It’s a week-long celebration held in Hilo every year around Easter.
The 2026 festival runs April 5-11. It’s absolutely incredible if you love Hawaiian culture and hula (which I obviously do after dancing for 20+ years). The competition is world-class, and the whole town comes alive.
But here’s the thing: hotels book up a year in advance, prices skyrocket, and everything in Hilo is packed. If you’re not specifically going for Merrie Monarch, plan your trip for a different time.
If you do want to experience it, start looking for accommodations now and request tickets through the official website (they use a mail-in lottery system because demand is so high).
10. Night Swimming with Manta Rays is Unforgettable
If you do one thing on the Big Island, make it a manta ray snorkel tour.
The Big Island is one of the only places in the world where you can reliably see manta rays feeding at night.
They’re gentle giants with wingspans that can reach 15 feet, and watching them glide through the water right beneath you is absolutely magical.
The success rate is over 90% for seeing mantas, which is incredible. Tour companies use lights to attract plankton, and the manta rays come to feed. You just float there holding onto a raft, watching the show.
Book a manta ray night snorkel on Viator or Get Your Guide. Tours typically leave around sunset and last about two hours.
Kids need to be comfortable swimming and snorkeling. Most companies provide wetsuits and all the gear you need. Hot cocoa afterward is standard (and very much appreciated).
This experience genuinely lives up to the hype. I talk about our manta ray adventure in Episode 14 of Hawaii Travel Made Easy if you want to hear more about what to expect.
Planning Your Big Island Trip Just Got Easier
Look, the Big Island isn’t the easiest Hawaiian island to plan, but it’s absolutely worth the effort.
The diversity you get here is unmatched. Active volcanoes, coffee farms, stunning beaches, incredible snorkeling, rich culture. There’s genuinely something for everyone.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the planning, I offer personalized Hawaii travel consultations where we can map out your entire trip based on your family’s specific needs.
I’ll help you figure out the Kona vs. Hilo question, which activities are worth booking, and how to maximize your time without overscheduling.
For a complete day-by-day breakdown of everything you need to know, grab my Big Island Travel Guide for Families.
It includes recommended itineraries, where to eat, accommodation options, and all the insider tips I’ve learned from multiple trips.
And if you want step-by-step guidance on planning your Big Island adventure, my free 7-day email course on planning a Big Island trip breaks everything down into manageable tasks. No overwhelm, just clear action steps.
Want more Hawaii planning help? Listen to Episode 51 of Hawaii Travel Made Easy where I walk through exactly how to plan a Big Island trip from start to finish.
The Big Island is waiting for you. And now you’ve got the insider knowledge to make it incredible.
Looking for more Big Island travel resources? Check out 22 Best Things to Do in Kona Hawaii, 23 Best Things to Do in Hilo Hawaii, How to Get from Kona to Hilo Easily + Hassle-Free, and How to Find an Affordable Big Island Photographer!
