From active volcanoes, to expansive lava fields, to tropical rainforests, to cattle ranches, to multi-colored sand beaches, the island of Hawai’i will allow you to feast your eyes on a new landscape with every turn. Aptly named Big Island, Hawai’i is the largest island in the Sandwich Islands archipelago, and we gave ourselves nine days to explore as much of it as we could. Below you will find our road trip itinerary. It is designed for those who love adventure and exploration, and includes all of our recommendations for where to stay, play, and grub… aka find ono grindz. Find a video version of our time on Big Island here.
Getting Around: We highly recommend renting a car for your trip. The Big Island is, well…big, and you’ll want to have the freedom to road trip the island at your leisure. Pro Tip: Follow every “Scenic Route” sign that you encounter on your drive.
Day 1: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
After touching down in Hilo, we began the trip with a favorite pastime of ours – exploring a National Park. We started our journey at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and drove counter clockwise around the island for the next 9 days. Pro Tip: Big Island is home to five National Parks. If you are planning to visit more than one of them, we recommend purchasing a National Parks Annual Pass. This $80 pass will allow you (and three of your travel buddies) to enter US National Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges, etc. free of charge for one year.
-Plan to spend the entire day in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park hiking its many trails all while hanging out next to an active volcano. Two of our absolute favorites were Kau desert Trail & Kilauea Iki trail (starting south from Halema’uma’u Bryon ledge trail). Crater Rim Trail, Devastation Trail, and the Steam Vents were some of our favorite sites in the park as well. Be sure to check the park’s website before visiting for up to date information and conditions. At times certain trails and viewpoints are closed due to volcanic activity.
Day 2: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park & Mauna Kea
-In the morning, return to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to drive down Chain of Craters Road, eventually ending at Hōlei Sea Arch. This arch was created from years of waves eroding lava forged coast line, and the landscape here is an great reminder of how powerful and relentless Mother Nature is. Don’t forget to stop at the various lava flows and craters along the way and be sure to have your camera ready as you enter the lava flow from 1969 – this sprawling lava field is seriously impressive.
-In the afternoon, drive out to Mauna Kea for some unbelievable views and star gazing. Be sure to bring warm clothes as the top of the mountain is rarely above 45° F and can drop down into the teens. This dormant volcano is actually the tallest mountain in the world when measured from its underwater base but is only 13,803 ft above sea level (33,500ft from underwater base to peak).
-Warm up with some dinner at E Komo Mai Diner – a hidden gem of a dive bar right outside of Hilo. We love a good hole in the wall bar/restaurant; Dives just seem to always have the coldest beer, most unique cocktails, nicest staff, and the tastiest grub imaginable, and and E Komo Mai is no exception.
Day 3: Waterfalls & Cattle Country
-Take a stroll through Lili’uokalani Botanic Garden. This 24.5 acre park borders the sea and is open year round with no admission fee. This Japanese style garden will have you feeling perfectly Zen for your drive out of town.
-On your way out of town, make a pit stop at Rainbow Falls. This particular waterfall is said to be where Hina, Goddess of the moon, and mother to the Demi-God Maui lived. On a sunny day, the mist rising from the plunge pool below creates quite a colorful show as well.
-On your way north from Hilo, visit Akaka Falls State Park. This half mile loop through a lush jungle will bring you to a breathtaking view of 442 foot waterfall. Something that is equally impressive is the ʻoʻopu ʻalamoʻo, an endemic goby fish, that climbs these falls with a special suction disc located on its stomach in order to spawn.
-Take the short drive down to Laupāhoehoe Point Beach Park. Just off of route 19, about 25 miles outside of Hilo, you can find this once sprawling sugar plantation village with crashing waves and and beautiful views of the cliff rich Hamakua Coast.
-Head East to Waimea for a late lunch and head out of town for Hawi via route 250. This drive is probably one of the prettiest on the island with its rolling green hills and pastures. After all, it is cattle country.
-Hike down the Pololu Valley trail to the beautiful black sand beach aptly named Pololu Beach. This valley belongs to a group of 7 other deep valleys connected to the Kohala volcano that partially fell into the ocean 250,000-300,000 years ago.
-Get yourself a parking spot along Upolu Point Road for sunset. This is a dirt road that isn’t maintained by the state but is pretty easy to navigate with anything larger than a compact car. Don’t forget to check out King Kamehameha I birthplace as well. Near the ruins of Mo’okini Heiau, which date back to 480 A.D., stands a plaque denoting the fierce warriors birthplace.
Day 4: Kona
-Grab your snorkel gear and hit Makako Bay for a shot at some spinner dolphins. As usual, your best chance of seeing them is early in the morning so plan to hit the water ASAP. Also – if snorkeling here, we recommend wearing water shoes. The lava rocks that line the coast are particularly sharp in this area!
-Stop in at the Kanaloa Octopus Farm to learn about the marine aquaculture practices taking place at this research center and to interact with some cute little cephalopods.
-Spend your afternoon at Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park and learn about ancient Hawaiian culture and traditional fishing practices. While you’re there, hike the Ala Mauka Makai trail to Honoköhau Beach, and be sure not to miss the ki‘i pöhaku (petroglyphs) on the side trail that you’ll see along the way. Also check out the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail where you’ll see fish ponds and traps that were traditionally used as a way for native people to fish sustainably. Hawaiians built ponds and raised/farmed fish for themselves. They obtained their fish initially by building a loko‘ume iki, or fish trap. They then constructed manmade tide pools with large rocks and as the the tide receded, their bounty was the fish remaining in said traps. From there, the fish would be eaten or taken to the pond to be raised to maturity and only harvested when fishing from the sea was less than bountiful or out of necessity. Today, the park serves as a place of cultural and spiritual significance for Hawaiians.
-Swing by Kona Brewing for some brews and grindz. What better way to end a beautiful day on Hawaiʻi’s west shore than with some good food and a little liquid aloha.
Day 5: Snorkeling Kealakekua & Keauhou Bays
-Hike the Captain Cook Monument Trail to Kealakekua Bay for some amazing snorkeling. These waters are teeming with marine life and offer another chance at swimming with some spinner dolphins (if you are lucky and get there early enough)! Pro Tip: Bring plenty of food and water. There isn’t any where to purchase snacks along the trail or bay, so be prepared with your own. Also, the trail is two miles each way and doesn’t offer much shade, and the climb back up after a day of snorkeling can be brutal. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear and pack sunscreen.
-After your morning of hiking and snorkeling, head to Shaka Tacoz for a delicious lunch and a gorgeous view of the Pacific. This food-truck-turned-restaurant knows their way around a taco and it shows. We may or may not have have ordered them 3 separate times in our single visit.
-Visit Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Historically, this place served as a spiritual sanctuary where defeated warriors could find solace and breakers of kapu could flee to escape persecution. A law breaker could seek asylum at this heiau only by out running or swimming his/her pursuers, a feat not often accomplished.
-Book a tour to snorkel with Manta Rays at night (video). The open ocean may seem like a scary place to be in the dark, but worry not as there is plenty of light on these tours. Mantas feed on plankton that are attracted to light (kind of like moths to a flame). So, your guide will have you attached to raft that shines light down onto the ocean floor which creates a frenzy of plankton thus attracting Mantas. Que amazement and awe.
Day 6: South Point & Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
-Get on the road and visit South Point. This coastal landmark is not only the most southern point of the Sandwich Isles but also the most southern point in the US. South Point is also believed to be the place in which ancient Hawaiians initially landed on the island as far back a 750 A.D.
-Take a trip/hike/drive out to Papakōlea Beach. This green sand beach is one of only a few true green sand beaches in the world, and you’ll have to earn your right to experience it as it not so easy to get to. The beach itself is located almost 2.5 miles from the parking area, and you’ll have the option to catch a ride with a local for a small fee, drive yourself with your 4×4 (you’ll need it), or make the trek on foot. If you choose the latter, not to worry, it’s a super easy walk with almost zero elevation gain or loss – but it is completely exposed, so bring enough sunscreen and water.
-After a long day in the sun and sand, stop in at Shaka Restaurant & Bar. Not only is this place the southernmost bar in Hawaii/US, they serve the epitome of phenomenal bar food, cheap, delicious, and zero shame if you lick your plate.
Day 7: Punalu’u Beach Black Sand Beach & Kaumana Cave
-First thing in the morning, make your way to Punalu’u Beach to experience some sleepy turtles and bask on the most amazing black sand you’ve ever seen. This is one of the only beaches in the world where green sea turtles (known as “honu” in Hawaiian) actually come ashore to sleep, and boy, what a site that is. When you see the turtles here – just be sure to keep your (20 ft. of) distance.
***Remember to keep the recommended 20ft distance between you and the honu, you don’t want to disturb these gentle giants, and it is actually illegal to get closer.
-Make the drive to Kaumana Cave and explore this jaw dropping lava tube. This 25 mile chute is explorable for about 1.5 miles in either direction via a collapsed skylight. If you’re not familiar with caves, it’s always a good rule of thumb to bring at least two good flashlights, extra batteries, and plenty of water.
-Hit up Hilo for some dinner and drinks. Two of our favorite spots for a low-key dinner have to be Hilo Burger Joint and Cronies Bar and Grill.
Day 8: Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden
-Hit the trails for sunrise and take in the beauty that is Onomea Bay Trail. This short hike will have you feeling as though you’re miles deep into the rainforest, while in reality you’re only steps from your car, the ocean, and the Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. You’ll find the trailhead off the “Scenic Drive” portion of the Old Mamalahoa road. While you are in the area, make sure not to miss Old Donkey Trail. A hike here will allow you stroll beneath a grove of hundreds of towering palm trees as you make your way through the forest to the coast.
-Head back into Hilo for lunch at Pineapple. There may be a wait, but trust us, it will be worth it. This super popular, open-air eatery serves up local grindz that are oh-so-ono, and it is the perfect place to wind down with a beer or fancy cocktail and prepare for your upcoming flight.
-On your way to the airport, allot time to stroll over the arched bridges of Wailoa River State Park. This outdoor space is the perfect venue to get in your last bit of activity before you are strapped into a seat 30,000 feet in the air. Until next time, wheels up, and…
