5 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

      Visit the caldera overlooks after dark if there is an active eruption, when any glow is most visible, and bring a warm layer because the summit is cool at night. (A full day, mid-priced).

   3. Late morning

      Kīlauea Iki Trail

      Start early before tour groups arrive, and walk anticlockwise for the most gradual descent onto the crater floor. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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. (Half a day, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site

      Walk the short path to the overlook in the early morning, when the lava stone is cooler and the light is soft. (45 minutes, free).

   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. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Combine it with the Hāmākua Coast drive and a stop in the old sugar town of Honomū. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Hilo Farmers Market

      Go early on a Wednesday or Saturday, try fruit you do not recognise, and bring small bills. (1 hour, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Plate lunch

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

   4. Afternoon

      ʻImiloa Astronomy Center

      Check the planetarium schedule when you arrive and plan your visit around a show. (2 hours, mid-priced).

   5. Café break

      Café break: Malasadas

   6. Evening

      Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona

      Oceanfront bars and restaurants with sunset views and live music.

4. Day 4: Day trip to Volcano day from Kona

   About 2.5 hours each way by car each way. Getting there: Hire car via the southern route, or a guided tour.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Volcano day from Kona

      About 2.5 hours each way by car (Hire car via the southern route, or a guided tour); about 155 km.

   2. Day

      Volcano day from Kona

      A long loop from Kona via the south takes in Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and Nāʻālehu's bakeries on the way to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, returning over the Saddle Road. Best for first-timers and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)

      Dinner: try Poke.

5. Day 5: Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Kealakekua Bay

   Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, Kealakekua Bay and Kona coffee farm visit, then Kohala resorts in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

      Snorkel at Two Step, the lava-ledge entry just north of the park, before or after your visit. (1.5 hours, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Kealakekua Bay

      Reach the monument snorkelling area on a permitted boat or kayak tour, or by the steep Kaʻawaloa trail; do not chase or approach resting dolphins. (Half a day, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Poke

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

   4. Afternoon

      Kona coffee farm visit

      Look for '100% Kona' on labels; 'Kona blend' may contain only a small share of Kona beans. (1–1.5 hours, low cost).

   5. Café break

      Café break: Shave ice

   6. Evening

      Kohala resorts

      Resort lounges with Hawaiian music and cocktails.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for ʻAkaka Falls State Park and Manta ray night snorkel before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 28–37 hours of visiting over 5 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)
• 3 days in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)

Questions travellers ask