Hawaii’s Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands, full of pristine beaches, and home to both the tallest mountains and Volcanoes National Park.
The Big Island – Hawaii
The Big Island is the destination that has everything you think of in Hawaii: open stretches where you feel like you have the beach to yourself, luxurious misty jungles, purifying desert, and of course- volcanoes.
Top reasons to go
There are a few activities available here that aren’t an option on the other islands
Volcanoes National park: this is likely your inspiration for visiting the island in the first place.
Black sand beaches: These may be available on other islands, but they are more common and accessible here. Punaluu Beach and Richardson Ocean Park are great options.
Mauna Kea Observatories: Drive up and take a tour!
There are a few other activities that may be possible but aren’t as easy as they are on the Big Island. If you’re a diver or comfortable snorkeler, night diving with manta rays is incredible!
Attractions
The two biggest attractions are Volcanoes National Park and Black Sand beaches, though there is much more available to create a rich and fulfilling vacation
Manta rays at night diving
Pacific Tsunami Museum in Hilo – Both emotionally moving and educational. The museum is dedicated to tsunamis that occurred in 1946 and 1960.
King Kamehameha statue
Memorial of David Douglas – interesting historic point with an air of mystery. David Douglas is the namesake of the Douglas Fir. The memorial highlights how he died under mysterious circumstances.
Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden
Kilauea Iki Trail in Volcanoes National Park
Awini Trail in the Pololu Valley: advanced hike with amazing ocean views
Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve – 1200 rock carving on the desert side of the island
Diving and Snorkeling with Manta Rays
Kanaloa Octopus Farm: Given the tour’s engaging interaction, I would suggest it for any age group.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Kohala Waterfall
Zip Lines
Horseback Riding
Rainbow Falls near Hilo
Cities
Kailua Kona
Hilo
Beaches
Ho’okena Beach Park – surrounded by cliffs, the sand is black and white and appears both salty and grey. Camping is available here, and there is a small shop that also has rentals for beach toys.
Manini’owali Beach and Kua Bay
Anaeho’omalu Bay and Waikoloa Beach
Spencer Beach Bark
Punaluu Beach – Black Sand Beach
Richardson Ocean Park – Black Sand Beach
Two Step Bay
Kikaua Point Beach Park
Restaurants
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue — Anytime I’m in Hawaii, I have to eat here. However, L&L is not meant to cater to visitors.
L&L is a chain that started in Hawaii and has a few mainland locations in the Western US. L&L isn’t quite fast food – it reminds me of some of the burger joints I’ve been to in the US but L&L obviously serves a different menu. My favorite is the Curry Katsu.
L&L is all over the islands. Try it once – it just may be your style.
Manta Gorgeous & Delicious – overlooks the Pacific Ocean
Uncle Robert’s Bar & Market. framers Market, Loie Music, Wednesday only
Merriman’s In Waimea with Hawaiian Cuisine
Kanaka Kava
Kava-focused menu – located in Kailua-Kona
Suisan Fish Market in Hilo
Some of the most amazing Poke offered on the Big Island.
Sombat’s Fresh Thai Cuisine
Thai restaurant in Hilo with award-winning fare. Amazing flavors that are lovingly developed and prepared to order.
Lava Lava Beach Club
Sea Food available in a casual atmosphere. Part of a family of restaurants established throughout the islands.
Huggo’s on the rocks — Casual on the Ocean. For a more elegant sit-down atmosphere, consider its parent Huggo’s as well.
Miscellaneous
the Iron Man Championship is held out of Kailua-Kona, which is on the leeward side of the island. This makes for more predictable weather and much less rain. The race is held in a desert – which is a fascinating environment in Hawaii.
Rural Escape
Most of the island is rural. This means you’re seeing more of Hawaii in its natural state.
Short Geography of the Big Island
All the other Hawaiian Islands’ land mass would fit inside the Island of Hawaii.
The Island of Hawaii is the biggest of the Hawaiian islands. It has two prominent cities with airports, Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
It takes about 1.5 hours to drive across the island if you go through the middle. 2.5 hours if you take the Northern side of the Island or almost 3 hours if you go around the South. The middle and southern routes are the most common.
The left side of the island is the leeward side and has less variable weather. This makes this side of the island more of a desert. Every island would have this same phenomenon, but it’s more obvious on the Big Island because of its size.
Airports
Most arrivals will be at Hilo International, but it’s possible to get to Hawaii via Kona’s airport as well.
- ITO: Hilo International Airport
- KOA: Kona International Airpor
Covid Awareness
Neither Hawaii County (county of the Big Island) nor the state of Hawaii currently has restrictions regarding Covid.
Of course, before traveling, make sure to check with the hotels and other companies you’ll be working with to confirm the latest Covid restrictions.
Other Alerts about the Big Island
Mauna Loa is Closed Mauna Loa is closed due to an eruption that began on November 27, 2022. Mauna Loa Road is closed to vehicles from Kīpukapuaulu and closed to pedestrians and bikes from the second cattle guard.