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Hawaii, United States

Big Island

Plan 3–4 days split between Hilo/Volcano on the east side and Kona on the west; distances are long. We have mapped 1 sight, 2 activities and 3 outdoor spots here, each with a reason to go.

Plan Big Island with friendsBrowse 10 places
Big Island, Hawaii, United States
Places
10

1 See · 2 Do · 3 Outdoors · 3 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Hawaii Paradise

Best season
Apr – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

14°C / 58°F avg high

Coolest month
February

10°C / 50°F avg high

Wettest month
March

about 224 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Big Island

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Big Island in South Kona.

  • Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park in Big IslandPhoto: Carol M. Highsmith · Public domain
    See

    Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

    Restored royal grounds and place of refuge on a lava shoreline.

    Tip Snorkel next door at Two Step for reef fish and turtles.

    • South Kona
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Big Island across Volcano and Mauna Kea. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Kīlauea Iki Trail in Big IslandPhoto: Carlos Archuleta · Google
    Do

    Kīlauea Iki Trail

    4-mile loop through rainforest and across a still-steaming crater floor.

    Tip Start early before the crater floor heats up.

    • Volcano
    • Free
    • 3 hr
    • Morning
  • Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station in Big IslandPhoto: ぷーちん · Google
    Do

    Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station

    Stargazing at 9,200 ft on one of the world's top observatory peaks.

    Tip Bring warm layers and check road status; not for under-13s or pregnancy.

    • Mauna Kea
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • After sunset

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Big Island.

  • Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park in Big IslandPhoto: Brocken Inaglory · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

    Walk crater rims, steam vents and lava tubes around active Kīlauea.

    Tip Kilauea Visitor Center closed for renovation; rangers and passes at the KMC Welcome Center.

    • Volcano
    • $$
    • 6 hr
    • Morning and after dark
  • Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach in Big IslandPhoto: Shuichi · Google
    Outdoors

    Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

    Jet-black sand beach where green sea turtles haul out to rest.

    Tip Keep 10 feet from turtles; surf is rough, wear water shoes.

    • Kaʻū
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon
  • ʻAkaka Falls State Park in Big IslandPhoto: Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    ʻAkaka Falls State Park

    Short loop through rainforest to a 442-ft waterfall north of Hilo.

    Tip Pay non-resident entry and parking at the kiosk; paved trail with stairs.

    • Honomu
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Morning

Eat

3 places to eat across Volcano, Honokaʻa and Hilo, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • The Rim at Volcano House in Big IslandPhoto: Mal · Google
    Eat

    The Rim at Volcano House

    Park lodge dining room with windows over Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

    Tip Reserve a window table for dinner; Uncle George's Lounge serves drinks.

    • Volcano
    • $$$
    • 75 min
    • Dinner
  • Tex Drive In in Big IslandPhoto: Bryce McLean · Google
    Eat

    Tex Drive In

    Roadside drive-in since 1968, famous for hot filled malasadas off Highway 19 on the Hamakua coast.

    Tip Malasadas can sell out late afternoon; try guava or custard filling.

    • Honokaʻa
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Morning
  • Café 100 in Big IslandPhoto: たっさばみ · Google
    Eat

    Café 100

    Hilo diner that has served loco moco since 1946.

    Tip Try the original loco moco; order at the window.

    • Hilo
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Lunch

Drink

1 bar or café in South Kona for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Greenwell Farms in Big IslandPhoto: Greenwell Farms · Google
    Drink

    Greenwell Farms

    Family Kona coffee farm with free tours and tastings.

    Tip Buy 100% Kona beans here rather than blends in town.

    • South Kona
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Morning

How to fit Big Island into a trip

Big Island is stop 3 of 3 on our Hawaii Paradise route. Follow it as-is or lift Big Island into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Big Island month by month

Average daily highs run from 10°C / 50°F in February to 14°C / 58°F in August. March is the wettest month, with about 224 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Big Island weather and the best time to visit →

Near Big Island

4 other destinations from our guides within about 350 km (217 mi), measured in a straight line.

Big Island questions, answered

How many days do you need in Big Island?

Our route notes suggest 3–4 days in Big Island. On our Hawaii Paradise route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 10-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 18 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Big Island best known for?

Plan 3–4 days split between Hilo/Volcano on the east side and Kona on the west; distances are long. Standouts on our list: Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park (Restored royal grounds and place of refuge on a lava shoreline); Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Walk crater rims, steam vents and lava tubes around active Kīlauea); Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach (Jet-black sand beach where green sea turtles haul out to rest).

When is the best time to visit Big Island?

Our Hawaii Paradise route is best Apr – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (14°C / 58°F), the coolest in February (10°C / 50°F) and the most rain in March (about 224 mm).

What are the best things to do in Big Island?

Start with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea Iki Trail, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, ʻAkaka Falls State Park and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 activities, 3 outdoor spots, 3 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Big Island?

Our picks: The Rim at Volcano House; Tex Drive In (Honokaʻa); Café 100 (Hilo). Reserve a window table for dinner; Uncle George's Lounge serves drinks (The Rim at Volcano House).

What is near Big Island?

The closest destinations in our guides are Maui (about 156 km / 97 mi), Kailua & Lanikai (about 298 km / 185 mi) and Waikiki (about 298 km / 185 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Big Island with your crew

Open the Hawaii Paradise route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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