Are you planning your first trip to Hawaii and want some helpful Hawaii travel tips? Keep scrolling to find out the Big Island travel tips that no one tells you before planning a Hawaii Big Island Vacation!
This post about Hawaii Big Island vacation tips 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.
So you’re thinking about visiting the Big Island? Good choice. But before you book anything, let me tell you about my very first Big Island trip when I was 17.
We stayed one night. ONE NIGHT. Then we tried to drive around the entire island before flying to Kauai the next day. It was a disaster. We barely saw anything, spent the whole time in the car, and I felt like I’d completely missed what makes this island so special.
Now when I visit the Big Island, I plan for at least seven days. That’s what this island deserves.
It’s huge (literally twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined), and rushing through it would be like visiting the Grand Canyon for an hour. You’d technically see it, but you wouldn’t really experience it.
I’m Marcie, and as a professional tourist who’s been to Hawaii more than 40 times, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t on the Big Island.
Let me save you from making the same mistakes I did.
1. Fly Direct to Kona and Skip the Island Hopping
Here’s a money-saving tip most people don’t think about. If you’re coming from the West Coast, look for direct flights to Kona instead of flying into Honolulu first.
I see so many families book flights to Honolulu, then take an inter-island flight to Kona. That adds about $120 per person and 45 minutes of travel time (plus all the waiting around at airports). When you have kids, those extra hours matter.
Direct flights to Kona exist from Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and other West Coast cities.
Yes, they might cost a bit more sometimes, but when you factor in the inter-island flight, you usually break even or save money.
There are no direct flights from the mainland to Hilo, so if you want to stay on the Hilo side, you’ll need that connection through Honolulu.
2. Yes, You Actually Need a Rental Car
I’m just going to say it straight. You cannot do the Big Island without a rental car. There’s no good public transportation, and Uber and Lyft are basically nonexistent outside of the resort areas.
The best place I’ve found for Big Island rentals is Discount Hawaii Car Rental.
They compare rates from all the major companies like Alamo, Dollar, Budget, and Enterprise, and I almost always find better deals through them than booking directly.
One tip that saves families a ton of money: bring your own car seat instead of renting one. Rental companies charge $10-15 per day per seat, which adds up fast.
Plus, your kid already knows their own seat, so no fighting about the “weird new one.”
Before you start driving around, download the Shaka Guide app for the Big Island. It’s a GPS-based audio tour that tells you about everything you’re passing. My kids actually thought it was cool, which is saying something.
If you don’t have a driver’s license, you’ll need to stay at a resort within walking distance of restaurants and beaches, and book tours that include pickup. It’s doable, but you’ll miss a lot of the best stuff.
3. Understanding Volcano Activity (And Why You Might Not See Lava)
Okay, this is important. I need you to have realistic expectations about seeing lava.
Right now (as of November 2025), Kilauea has been intermittently erupting since December 2024.
But here’s the thing: volcanic activity is unpredictable. The lava could be fountaining when you arrive, or it could pause the day before you get there.
Check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website before your trip and keep checking during your vacation. They update the status daily.
Even if there’s no visible lava, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is absolutely worth visiting. The landscape is otherworldly, you can walk through lava tubes, hike across crater floors, and see steam vents. It’s still one of the coolest places I’ve ever been.
Just don’t build your entire trip around seeing flowing lava. If it happens, amazing. If it doesn’t, you’ll still have an incredible experience.
4. Plan a Full Day for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Speaking of the park, block out an entire day for it. Not a half day. A FULL day.
If you’re staying in Kona, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive there. Add another 2.5 hours to get back. That’s five hours of driving alone.
Once you’re there, you’ll want to visit the Visitor Center, walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, hike the Kilauea Iki Crater Trail (which is spectacular), drive Chain of Craters Road, and hopefully see some volcanic activity if Kilauea is erupting.
The park is open 24 hours, and the entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, which is good for seven days. That’s honestly a steal for what you get to see.
A word of caution from personal experience: when my son was 5, he was walking on the lava rocks in the park and fell. He ended up spraining his elbow, which was terrifying because we were pretty far from help.
The lava rock is sharp and uneven, and it’s easier to trip than you’d think.
Bring a good first aid kit, wear sturdy shoes, and watch kids carefully on those surfaces. Also pack plenty of water and snacks because there’s not much available inside the park.
I talk about planning your Hawaii Volcanoes National Park visit in detail on my How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island podcast episode, which goes deeper into what to expect and how to maximize your time there.
5. Split Your Stay Between Kona and Hilo
If you’re staying seven days or more, do yourself a favor and split your time between both sides of the island.
Kona is the resort side. Sunny, dry, beautiful beaches, lots of restaurants and shops. This is where you’ll find places like the Waikoloa Beach Resort and the Outrigger Kona Resort. It’s the classic Hawaiian vacation experience.
Hilo is the rainforest side. Lush, green, more local, way fewer tourists. It rains more here (bring a rain jacket, seriously), but that’s what makes it so beautiful.
This is where you’ll base yourself for visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and Akaka Falls.
The drive between Kona and Hilo takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. If you stay in just one place, you’ll spend so much time driving back and forth. My back hurts just thinking about it.
We usually do 4 nights in Kona and 3 nights in Hilo (or vice versa). Kona has more hotel options, while Hilo is better for vacation rentals. Check out Big Island hotels on Expedia to compare options.
Not sure where to start? My Big Island Travel Guide walks you through day-by-day itineraries for both sides of the island, so you don’t have to figure it all out yourself.
6. Avoid Merrie Monarch Week (Unless You’re Going for the Festival)
As someone who danced hula for 20 years, I have deep respect for the Merrie Monarch Festival. It’s the most prestigious hula competition in the world, and it’s absolutely incredible.
The festival happens the week after Easter every year. In 2026, it runs from April 5-11 in Hilo.
But here’s the problem: that week, the Big Island is PACKED. Hotel rooms are impossible to find (and crazy expensive if you do find one). Rental cars sell out. Everything is crowded.
If you’re planning to attend the festival, book your accommodations at least a year in advance. I’m not exaggerating.
If you’re not going to the festival, pick literally any other week to visit. You’ll have a much better (and cheaper) time.
7. Tour a Kona Coffee Farm
One of my favorite Big Island experiences is visiting a coffee farm in the Kona coffee region. The coffee here is world-famous (and expensive) for good reason.
Most farms offer free or low-cost tours where you learn about the growing and roasting process. You can taste the coffee, walk through the orchards, and buy beans directly from the source at better prices than you’d find in stores.
Some farms I love: Greenwell Farms, Mountain Thunder, and Hula Daddy Kona Coffee. They’re all beautiful and educational, even if you’re not a huge coffee person.
If you want a more comprehensive tour that includes multiple farms, check out coffee and chocolate tours on Viator.
8. Snorkel with Manta Rays at Night
This is one of those bucket-list experiences that actually lives up to the hype.
Off the Kona coast, manta rays come up to feed on plankton at night. Tour boats take you out after sunset, turn on bright lights in the water to attract plankton, and then you snorkel while these massive, graceful creatures glide right past you.
Their wingspan can reach up to 12 feet. It’s otherworldly.
The best tours sell out weeks in advance, so book early. I recommend this highly-rated manta ray tour on Viator. Most tours cost around $100-150 per person.
My friend Celine just did this and talked about it on my Big Island Trip Report podcast episode. She said it was the highlight of their entire two-week trip.
9. Big Island Luaus Are Worth Doing
Look, I know people say “once you’ve seen one luau, you’ve seen them all.” As a professional hula dancer, I’m here to tell you that’s not true.
Each Big Island luau has its own style and story. The Voyagers of the Pacific luau at the Royal Kona Resort has great food and a stunning ocean backdrop.
The Hawaii Loa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid is hands-down my favorite Big Island luau. The food and the show are worth the splurge.
If you have the budget, I’d actually recommend going to more than one. The food, the stories, and the performances are all different.
Prices typically run $100-250 per adult. Kids are usually less expensive or free depending on age.
10. Bring Bug Spray (And Use It)
The mosquitoes on the Big Island are no joke. Pack good bug repellent and actually use it.
The worst times are around sunrise and sunset, especially on the Hilo side and anywhere near waterfalls or rainforests. I like the bug repellent wristbands for kids because they won’t rub it in their eyes.
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your waterfall hikes or sunset beach walks. Just spray up and you’ll be fine.
11. Rainbow Falls Is Even Better Than You Think
Okay, this one surprised me. Rainbow Falls in Hilo is one of those places that looks amazing in photos, and I figured it would be one of those “nice but crowded” tourist spots.
But here’s what I didn’t realize: you can literally see the waterfall from the parking lot. There’s a short paved path to a viewing platform, and that’s it. The whole visit takes 15 minutes.
Go in the morning when the sun hits the mist just right, and you’ll actually see rainbows. It’s gorgeous, it’s free, and it’s so easy that it feels almost too good to be true.
It’s right in Hilo, so you can hit it on your way to or from the airport. No hiking required.
Where to Stay on the Big Island
Let me give you some specific recommendations based on what I’ve seen work well for families.
On the Kona side, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort sits right on the beach with great pools and a solid kids’ program. The Outrigger Kona Resort has waterslides and is within walking distance of beaches and restaurants.
For vacation rentals, oceanfront Kona vacation rentals give you more space and kitchen access, which really helps with the food budget.
On the Hilo side, hotels are limited. Most families do Hilo vacation rentals or stay at Volcano House if they want to be right at the park.
Other Must-Do Big Island Experiences
A few more things you shouldn’t miss:
Kealakekua Bay is hands-down the best snorkeling on the island. Crystal clear water, tons of fish, and you might see dolphins. Book a Kealakekua Bay snorkeling tour because it’s hard to access on your own.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach is the most famous black sand beach on the Big Island. You’ll often see sea turtles here. Don’t touch them (it’s illegal), but watching them is incredible.
The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden near Hilo is a stunning botanical garden right on the coast. It’s surprisingly uncrowded and peaceful.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is a sacred Hawaiian place of refuge with incredible cultural significance. The history here is powerful, and the setting is beautiful.
How to Actually Plan Your Big Island Trip
Look, I’ve given you a lot of information here. Planning a Big Island vacation can feel overwhelming because there’s so much to consider.
If you want someone to help you figure out the logistics, I offer Hawaii travel consultations where we’ll map out your entire trip together.
I’ll tell you exactly where to stay, what to do each day, and how to avoid the mistakes most people make.
You can also grab my Big Island Travel Guide, which includes day-by-day itineraries for 7-10 day trips, restaurant recommendations, and all the insider tips I’ve learned from visiting more than 40 times.
I also have free email courses that walk you through the planning process step by step:
- How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island (Free 7-Day Email Course)
- How to Travel to Hawaii Like a Pro (Free 5-Day Email Course)
- How to Save Money in Hawaii (Free 5-Day Email Course)
And if you want even more Big Island advice, listen to my Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast.
I have entire episodes dedicated to Big Island planning, including How to Plan a Trip to the Big Island and a Big Island Trip Report from a family who just visited.
Your Big Island Adventure Awaits
The Big Island is unlike anywhere else in Hawaii. Where else can you watch an active volcano, snorkel with manta rays, walk through a rainforest, tour a coffee farm, and relax on a black sand beach all in the same week?
Just give it the time it deserves. Don’t rush through it like I did on my first visit. Plan for at least a week, split your time between both sides of the island, and be flexible with your expectations about volcano activity.
This island rewards slow travel and open-minded exploration. Some of my absolute favorite Hawaii memories have happened on the Big Island, often in places I didn’t even plan to visit.
And hey, if you’re overwhelmed by all the planning, that’s literally what I’m here for. As a Hawaii travel expert who’s been visiting since I was 10 years old, I’ve made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.
Mahalo for reading, and I can’t wait to hear about your Big Island adventure.
Looking for more Hawaii trip planning tips? Find out how to rent a car in Hawaii, the best kid-friendly Big Island beaches, the best Hawaii travel apps, if you need Hawaii travel insurance, 50 places to visit in Hawaii, and 105 ways to save money in Hawaii!
