3 days in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)

Day by day

1. Day 1: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kīlauea Iki Trail

   Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kīlauea Iki Trail, then Maunakea in the evening.

   1. Breakfast

      Breakfast: Sweet bread

   2. Morning

      Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

      The park protects Kīlauea and much of Mauna Loa.

   3. Late morning

      Kīlauea Iki Trail

      Start early before tour groups arrive, and walk anticlockwise for the most gradual descent onto the crater floor.

   4. Lunch

      Lunch: Poke

      Fish markets and supermarket poke counters in Kona and Hilo, and casual poke shops across the island.

   5. Evening

      Maunakea

      Stop at the visitor station for at least 30 minutes to acclimatise before going higher, and do not go to the summit with children under 13, if pregnant, or with heart or lung conditions.

2. Day 2: Hāpuna Beach and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

   Hāpuna Beach, Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site and Chain of Craters Road, then Manta ray night snorkel in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Hāpuna Beach

      Arrive in the morning for parking and calmer water; winter swells can create strong shorebreak and currents.

   2. Late morning

      Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

      Kamehameha I built this massive stone temple in 1790–91 to fulfil a prophecy that he would unite the islands.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Loco moco

      Diners and drive-ins in Hilo, plus local cafés across the island.

   4. Afternoon

      Chain of Craters Road

      Fill up with fuel and carry water before you start; the descent and return take at least two hours with stops.

   5. Café break

      Café break: Kaʻū coffee

   6. Evening

      Manta ray night snorkel

      Choose a small-group operator that follows the manta-viewing guidelines, and take seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.

3. Day 3: ʻAkaka Falls State Park and Hilo Farmers Market

   ʻAkaka Falls State Park, Hilo Farmers Market and ʻImiloa Astronomy Center, then Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona in the evening.

   1. Morning

      ʻAkaka Falls State Park

      A paved loop of under a kilometre leads through bamboo, ginger and heliconia to ʻAkaka Falls, which drops about 135 metres into a gorge, with the smaller Kahūnā Falls on the way.

   2. Late morning

      Hilo Farmers Market

      Go early on a Wednesday or Saturday, try fruit you do not recognise, and bring small bills.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Plate lunch

      Drive-ins, lunch counters and food trucks all over the island.

   4. Afternoon

      ʻImiloa Astronomy Center

      On the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo campus, ʻImiloa links Maunakea astronomy with Hawaiian navigation and creation traditions, with interactive exhibits, a planetarium and native plant gardens.

   5. Café break

      Café break: Malasadas

   6. Evening

      Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona

      Oceanfront bars and restaurants with sunset views and live music.

Before you go

• ʻAkaka Falls State Park: Non-residents pay an entry and parking fee; check the state parks website before you go.
• Manta ray night snorkel: Tours fill up in peak seasons; book a few days ahead.

If it rains

• Swap in Pacific Tsunami Museum (Hilo): Pair it with a walk along the bayfront, where open parkland now stands on land cleared after the tsunamis.
• Swap in Huliheʻe Palace (Kailua-Kona): Look across the road at Mokuʻaikaua Church, Hawaiʻi's oldest Christian church, built of lava stone and coral mortar.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Kailua-Kona keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Kohala Coast ($$$$) suits luxury, families, beach and couples. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 23–30 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11 hours in December to 13.3 hours in June.

More or fewer days

• One day in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
• 2 days in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
• 5 days in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)

Questions travellers ask