Solo travel · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
Solo travel in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
How to enjoy Big Island (Hawaiʻi) at your own pace.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Huliheʻe Palace, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: Calbear22 at English Wikipedia, Public domain
Quick answer
The Big Island works for independent solo travellers who are happy to drive. Group tours to Maunakea, the volcano and snorkelling spots help with sights that are better shared. Many solo travellers base themselves in Volcano Village.
Key facts
- Base
- Volcano Village
- Getting around
- Car
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Language
- English and Hawaiian
Plan a trip to Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Solo travel tips
- Join a guided Maunakea stargazing tour rather than driving the summit road alone.
- Hostels and budget guesthouses exist in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
- Tell someone your plans before hiking remote trails such as Pololū or Green Sand Beach.
- Volcano Village B&B hosts are a good source of current park advice.
Where to stay
$$ · Best for couples, quiet stays and solo travellers
Volcano Village
At about 1,100 metres, Volcano Village sits in ferns and ʻōhiʻa forest just outside the national park entrance. Accommodation is cottages, inns and B&Bs, there are a few cafés and a winery, and nights are cool enough for a fireplace. Staying here lets you visit the caldera at dawn or after dark.
- Good
- Minutes from the park; Quiet, forest setting; Atmospheric cabins
- Watch out
- Cool and often misty; Very few restaurants; Far from beaches
- Nearby
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea Iki, Volcano Farmers Market
Great on your own
Nature · Maunakea
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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- After dark
- Nature
- Free
Viewpoint · Volcano
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- Nature
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · South Kona
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Snorkel at Two Step, the lava-ledge entry just north of the park, before or after your visit.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · South Kona
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.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- History
- Outdoors
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Museum · Hilo
Pacific Tsunami Museum
Pair it with a walk along the bayfront, where open parkland now stands on land cleared after the tsunamis.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Palace · Kailua-Kona
Huliheʻe Palace
Look across the road at Mokuʻaikaua Church, Hawaiʻi's oldest Christian church, built of lava stone and coral mortar.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
Meeting people
- Coffee farm tasting — Visit a farm in South Kona or Hōlualoa for a walk through the trees and a cupping of different roasts.
- Hilo market breakfast — Graze on tropical fruit, mochi and pastries at the Hilo Farmers Market on a Wednesday or Saturday morning.
- Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona — Oceanfront bars and restaurants with sunset views and live music.
- Kohala resorts — Resort lounges with Hawaiian music and cocktails.
Sensible precautions
The main risks are natural: strong currents and shorebreak, especially in winter; volcanic gases (vog) that can affect people with breathing conditions; altitude sickness on Maunakea; and flash floods in streams after rain. Follow park closures and lifeguard advice, and do not leave valuables in parked cars.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
- Staying connected
- Mobile coverage is good in towns and resorts but patchy in remote areas such as Kaʻū, Saddle Road and parts of the national park.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Big Island (Hawaiʻi) good for solo travellers?
The Big Island works for independent solo travellers who are happy to drive. Group tours to Maunakea, the volcano and snorkelling spots help with sights that are better shared.
+Where should solo travellers stay in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Volcano Village: Cool rainforest village of B&Bs and cabins at the park entrance.