The Ultimate 7-Day Big Island Itinerary: A Guide to Hawaii’s Largest Island
Welcome to my Ultimate 7-day itinerary to Hawaii’s largest island: the Big Island. In this guide, you’ll find where to stay, what to do, and exactly how to travel around the island to make the most of your one week trip on the Big Island!
Hawaii is a bucket list destination for many people, and each island offers a unique experience from the other. The Big Island is quite possibly my favorite Hawaiian Island because of how diverse the island is and all the bucket list experiences that can be had here.
In this one-week itinerary, I’ll help you plan the perfect 7 days on Hawaii’s largest and most diverse island. I’ll break down when to visit, where to stay, and give a step-by-step itinerary for each day on the island!
The Big Island offers some of the most bucket-list experiences you can have around the world. From exploring lava fields in Volcanoes National Park, hiking to lush waterfalls in Hilo, and snorkeling with manta rays in Kona, there is something for everyone on the Big Island! Even if you’re just looking to relax at a beach resort on your vacation, you can head over to the luxurious Kohala Coast for some of the top 5-star luxury resorts in the Big Island and even some of the best in Hawaii!
Explore the best things to do on the Big Island:
When is the Best Time to Visit the Big Island?
Hawaii is a destination that is perfect to visit year round. With warm waters, lush jungles and waterfalls, tropical rainforests, the best snorkeling, and some of the worlds most unqiue beaches, you’re sure find something to do every month of the year in Hawaii!
High Season: December to March
The most popular time to visit Hawaii is during the high season, which typically runs from December to March. If you want to avoid crowds and high flight and hotel prices, it may be best to avoid the high season. Although the islands are crowded during these months due to the holiday rush, it is the best time to visit Hawaii if you are looking for the best weather. This is typically the time that the islands have cooler temperatures and less humidity.
Shoulder Season: April to May & September to November
Personally, the shoulder season is my favorite time to visit Hawaii or any destination. The shoulder season is considered the time that falls between the high and low seasons at a destination. During the shoulder season, you’ll experience fewer crowds and lower prices. The weather during this time is still usually decent enough to enjoy the outdoors without being too hot, and it falls outside of the rainy season!
Low Season: June to August
June to August is the low season in Hawaii because it is the hottest time of the year in addition to hurricane season. With that said, the islands still see some crowds during this time from families traveling on summer vacation. Luckily, hurricanes do not typically make landfall in Hawaii so this shouldn’t be to big of a concern on your trip.
Where to stay on the Big Island?
The big island has several different areas to stay. The most popular being Kona, Kohala Coast & Hilo. For this itinerary, you will want to stay in either Kona or Kohala Coast. The 2 are only about 30 minutes apart so either option will work great for this itinerary.
To help you decide, I’ll give a brief overview of the different areas to stay in and the best hotels and resorts for each area.
Related Post: Where to stay on the Big Island
Kona
Kona is the main town on the Big Island and most likely where you will fly into. If you want to be close to the airport and Ali’i Drive (area with shops and restaurants) then staying in Kona might be a great option for you!
Kona is a great place to base yourself for this Big Island itinerary, or if it is your first time visiting the island, and you want easy access to all the highlights of the Big Island. Kona is close to some great attractions on the Big Island, such as Kona Brewing, Captain Cook Monument, and Magic Sands Beach Park.
Best Hotels and Resorts in Kona
Outrigger Kona: A mid-range to luxury resort near Kona. Rates at Outrigger Kona typically start around $250 per night. The resort offers manta ray night snorkel tours and is home to the Feast and Fire Luau!
Royal Kona Resort: Probably the most iconic resort in Kona is the Royal Kona Resort. This resort runs around $240 to $300 per night. This resort has a saltwater lagoon and hosts the Voyagers of the Pacific Luau!
Four Seasons Hualalai: The most luxurious resort near Kona is Four Seasons Hualalai. This resort is actually between Kona and Kohala Coast but is closer to Kona and the airport than the other resorts located in Waikoloa and Kohala Coast (more on this further down)! The Four Seasons Hualalai is the ultimate luxurious experience and offers a saltwater lagoon where guests can snorkel with tropical fish!
Kohala Coast
If you’re looking for some of the most luxurious resorts on the Big Island, you’ll find them on the Kohala Coast. Just a quick 30 minute drive from Kona, it’s very easy to get to your resort from the Kona airport!
The Kohala Coast is perfect for the luxury traveler looking to experience some of the best high end resorts in Hawaii. On my trip to the Big Island, I stayed at Fairmont Orchid and it is one of my favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed at! However, there are many great luxury resorts to stay at on the Kohala Coast!
Best Kohala Coast Hotels & Resorts
Fairmont Orchid: My personal favorite hotel on the Big Island! Fairmont Orchid has its own private beach on a lagoon surrounded by lava rock which is perfect for snorkeling and other water sports! It is also home to Brown’s Beach House, and amazing oceanfront 5-star restaurant!
Mauna Lani: This is an Auberge Collection resort located on the Big Island’s Kohala Coast! This resort has water activities and a beach club! This resort typically starts around $900 per night.
The Westin Hapuna: Located on the largest white sand beach on the Big Island is the Westin Hapuna. This resort is located on Hapuna Beach and rates run around $600 per night.
Hilo
For this 7 day Big Island itinerary, it will be best to stay near Kona or Kohala Coast, however, Hilo is another option if you are looking for a different area to stay. Hilo is located on the opposite side of the Big Island, has less hotels and resorts, and is ideal for adventure travelers.
Hilo receives more rain than the sunny Kona side of the island so it is more lush and green. This makes it a great location to explore the Big Island’s tropical jungles and and waterfalls!
If you are looking to stay in Hilo, check out SCP Hilo and Grand Naniloa Resort!
Pro-Tip: Use credit card points to book luxury hotels for less! My favorite travel credit cards for booking hotels are the Chase Sapphire and Capital One Venture cards!
Renting a car on the Big Island
If you are spending 7 days on the Big Island, you will most likely want to rent a car. The Big Island is huge and it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to drive between destinations on the island. For this one week Big Island itinerary, you will definitely need your own car, especially for the Kona to Hilo roadtrip that is included in this itinerary!
Renting a car on the Big Island is super easy and you can pick your car up as soon as you land in Kona. There is a shuttle at the Kona airport that takes you right over to the rental car lot.
Search Big Island Rental Cars:
7-Day Big Island Itinerary Overview:
Day One: Arrive on the Big Island
- Arrive in Kona and pick up rental car
- Check into hotel
- Dinner at Kona Brewing
Day Two: Kona to Hilo Roadtrip
- Waipi’o Valley
- Akaka Falls State Park
- Rainbow Falls
- Hilo
- Black Sand Beach
Day Three: Volcano
- Green Sand Beach
- Volcanoes National Park
- Dinner at Brown’s Beach House
Day Four: Captain Cook
- Snorkel at Two-Step Beach
- Snorkel at Captain Cook Monument
- Dinner in Kona
Day Five: Kona
- Kona Farmers Market
- Ali’i Drive
- Magic Sands
- Luau
Day Six: Beach Day
- Hapuna Beach
- Mauna Kea Beach
- Dinner at Manta
- Manta Ray Snorkel
Day 7: Travel Day
- Morning Brunch
- Helicopter Tour
- Return Rental Car
Day One: Arrive on the Big Island
Stop One: Land at Kona International Airport
On your first day in Hawaii, you will likely land at Kona International Airport. There is another airport in Hilo that you can fly into if you choose to stay on the Hilo side of the island, but for this itinerary, we will start in Kona. The majority of flights from the mainland to the Big Island will land at Kona International Airport.
Once you land at the airport, head over to the baggage claim area to grab your luggage. Once you have your bags, you can hop on one of the shuttle buses that will take you over to the parking lot to pick up your rental car. I recommend reserving your rental car in advance to ensure a smooth transition upon arrival. The Kona airport is small, so the process should be quick and easy.
Stop Two: Check In at Your Hotel
Once you’ve picked up your rental car, head over to check into your hotel. If you have some time to pass before check in, there is a Walmart and Safeway in Kona where you can stop to pick up some groceries or anything you might need for your trip!
I personally stayed in a VRBO in Kona for 3 nights and spent 2 nights on the Kohala Coast at Fairmont Orchid (pictured above) and both were great options for my trip!
Once you’re all checked in, take some time to settle in and fight off any jet lag before heading out to your first dinner in Hawaii!
Stop Three: Dinner at Kona Brewing
One thing you cannot miss in Kona is going to Kona Brewing! I loved the tropical vibe of this brewery and all the tropical flavored beers. They also have live music on the patio which is the perfect way to kick off your Big Island adventure!
They also have live music on the patio, which is the perfect way to kick off your Big Island adventure! We got the Margherita pizza, Caesar salad, wings, and some banana-flavored beer!
After the brewery, I recommend getting a good night of rest because day 2 will be the biggest adventure of your trip!
Day Two: Kona to Hilo Road-trip
Today is the day you’ll get to see most of the major Big Island highlights! While this may be called the Kona to Hilo road trip, you’ll actually be driving the whole coast of the Big Island!
It takes around 6 hours to drive around the island without any stops, so you’ll want to wake up as early as possible to maximize your time. I left Kona around 7 am and made it back around 5 pm!
In this two-day itinerary, I’ll give you an overview of each stop when driving around the Big Island. For my full, in-depth guide to driving around the Big Island, make sure to read my full Kona to Hilo Road Trip Itinerary blog!
Day 2 Stop #1: Waipi’o Valley Lookout
After breakfast, hit the road and head to Waipio Valley Lookout! This is one of the most impressive views on the island and is about a 50-minute drive from Kona. Here you’ll see stunning views of the valley and one of the island’s black sand beaches!
Unfortunately, Waipi’o Valley is closed to tourists, so you are not able to view it past the lookout unless you are with an approved tour group. Waipi’o Valley is considered very sacred to the locals and used to be home to Hawaiian Kings!
Day 2 Stop #2: Akaka Falls State Park
From Waipi’o Valley, you will drive one hour to Akaka Falls State Park to hike to the famous Akaka Falls! This is the most iconic waterfall on the Big Island and a must-visit attraction on your Big Island itinerary! The hike is easy and only takes about 30 minutes.
It costs $5 per person to do the hike and $10 per car to park in the parking lot. You can also try to find street parking for free outside of the park.
Day 2 Stop #3: Rainbow Falls
From Akaka Falls State Park, drive 30 minutes to Rainbow Falls! This waterfall is right outside of Hilo and does not require any hiking. It is free to view and park at Rainbow Falls!
Rainbow Falls gets it name from the phenomenon that happens from the sun. When the sun hits the mist from the falls at the right angle, it creates a rainbow at the bottom of the falls! The best time to visit to experience the rainbow is during the early morning hours on a sunny day.
Day 2 Stop #4: Hilo
Once you’re done at Rainbow Falls, you’ve finally made it halfway around the island to the town of Hilo! Visiting the Hilo Farmers Market is a must and a great place to stop for lunch! I highly recommend grabbing a fresh coconut from the farmers market, enjoying some Pad Thai from a food truck, and ending your lunch with refreshing shaved ice!
If you’re looking for some other activities to do in Hilo, try renting paddleboards to paddleboard in Hilo Bay and visiting Coconut Island! You could also try taking a ghost walk tour!
Day 2 Stop #5: Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
After you’re done in Hilo, drive another 1.5 hours to Punalu’u Beach: the Big Island’s best black sand beach! There are several black sand beaches on the Big Island, but this one might just be the best of them all.
This is a great spot to relax for the rest of the day after a long day of exploring. If you have your snorkel gear, be sure to bring it along to do some snorkeling while you’re here!
Once you’re done at black sand beach, you will have about a hour and a half drive back to Kona where you can have dinner on Ali’i drive or at your hotel/resort!
Day Three: Green Sand Beach & Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Today you will be on another road trip, about an hour and a half from Kona, near the black sand beach from day 2. Although Green Sand Beach and Volcanoes National Park are both right near Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, they both require extra time to explore which is why I recommend visiting them on a separate day.
Because Green Sand Beach & Volcanoes National Park require more time, they wouldn’t have been able to fit into the day 2 road trip.
You can choose to explore these sites on your own or you can book a day tour that will take you around to both attractions!
Day 3 Stop #1: Green Sand Beach
Papakōlea Beach, also known as Green Sand Beach, is one of only four green sand beaches in the world.
Getting to the Green Sand Beach requires hiking in the sun, so you’ll want to do this first thing in the morning to avoid the heat and crowds! This hike requires a 5.6 mile out and back trail and takes about 2 hours round trip!
Fun Fact: The green sand beach is southern most point in all of the USA!
Day 3 Stop #2: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea.
After green sand beach, spend the rest of the day at volcanoes national park! Here you can hike a volcano, explore the lava tubes, and experience the lava fields!
Planning to drive yourself through the National Park? Download this self-guided driving tour!
If you prefer, you can always book a group tour on this day to Volcanoes National Park instead of exploring on your own!
If you prefer to explore the park on a guided tour, check out these options!
Day 3 Stop #4: Dinner at Brown’s Beach House
After a long day of exploring the Big Island, head over to the Kohala Coast for a luxurious, beachfront dinner at sunset at Brown’s Beach House, the 5-star restaurant at Fairmont Orchid.
This was by far the best dinner I had on the Big Island and is definitely worth the splurge!
They had delicious and fun drinks, Ube bread for an appetizer, and the swordfish special for the main dish was amazing!
Day Four: Snorkeling
Good morning on day 4! Today is the day to get underwater and explore below the surface of the Big Island. Make sure you pack your own snorkel gear for this trip if you plan to do some snorkeling on your own. If you prefer to go with a tour group, that is another option for today as well!
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to read my full travel guide for the Best Snorkeling on the Big Island
Day 4 Stop #1: Captain Cook Monument
For your first snorkel spot of the day, you will head over to the Captain Cook Monument. The Captain Cook Monument is one of the most popular spots to snorkel on the Big Island! It’s located in the town of Captain Cook, which is about a 30-minute drive from Kona.
Once here, you can hike the trail down to the monument to snorkel off the shore or rent a kayak and kayak out to the monument to snorkel. If you rent your own kayak and go without a tour group, you will not be able to park your kayak on the shore before snorkeling
Day 4 Stop #2: Two-Step Beach
Once you’ve finished up at Captain Cook Monument, head over to your next snorkel spot of the day: Two-Step Beach! This was by far my favorite spot for snorkeling on the Big Island! The reef here is huge and there was no shortage of bright and colorful tropical fish!
Two-Step Beach is another amazing snorkeling spot on the Big Island and just around the corner from Captain Cook Monument. About a 5-10 minute drive. Once here, you can try to find street parking, or there is a paid parking lot.
If you plan on coming here, make sure to bring your snorkel gear. It is free to snorkel here at the reef, aside from paying to park in the parking lot!
Day 4 Stop #3: Dinner in Kona
After a long day in the sun, head back to Kona and stop at Ali’i Drive for sunset then grab dinner at Kai Eats and Drinks! A casual restaurant on the water with views, drinks, and a wide range of food options!
Day Five: Exploring Kona
Day 5 of this 7 day itinerary is all about exploring everything Kona has to offer! I recommend starting a little early to avoid the crowds and heat, but other than that, there’s no rush to start the day!
Day 5 Stop #1: Kona Farmers Market
To start the day we’ll begin at the Kona Farmers Market. Here you can grab a coffee, juice, fresh fruit, and some banana bread for breakfast to start your day!
Day 5 Stop #2: Shopping Ali’i Drive
After the Farmers Market, now is a great time to check out the shops on Ali’i Drive and pick out some souvenirs to bring home from your trip! A trip to Hawaii is not complete without doing some shopping at one of the ABC stores.
Day 5 Stop #3: Magic Sands Beach Park
One of the most unique white sand beaches on the Big Island is Magic Sands Beach Park! This beach is on Ali’i Drive and has white sand and clear blue water.
The beach gets its name due to the few times a year the ocean washes away the sand, exposing the lava rock underneath!
This is a great place to spend the afternoon once you’ve finished up your shopping! Just make sure to bring a towel, some sunscreen, and maybe even a snorkel. The water current here can be strong but there is a life guard on duty!
When you’re ready for lunch or even an early dinner, stop in Magics Beach Grill! The grill over looks Magic Sands Beach and offers good drinks and sea food.
Day Six: Beach Day & Manta Ray Snorkel
Today is your last full day on the Big Island, and there are a few beaches on the Kohala Coast that are worth a visit! Today you can choose to relax and enjoy your hotel, OR go and check out these other beaches!
Beach Option One: Hapuna Beach
Hapuna Beach is a large white sand beach on the Kohala Coast, perfect for spending the day relaxing! This beach is also the location of the Westin Hapuna Beach resort. Hapuna Beach is the largest white sand beach on the Big Island!
Since this beach is part of Hapuna Beach State Park, there is a $10 entry fee per car.
Beach Option Two: Mauna Kea Beach
Mauna Kea Beach is another large white sand beach on the Kohala Coast. This beach is free to visit and sits outside the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and Manta restaurant.
One unique feature of this beach is the manta ray viewing deck located along the lava rock. Every night after sunset, you can watch the mantas come up and swim underneath the light. This is a great way to view the rays without booking a tour! You can also swim out from the beach with your snorkel gear if you’re brave enough to enter the water at night!
Day 6 Night Adventure: Manta Ray Snorkel Tour
One thing that makes the Big Island unique from the other Hawaiian Islands and is an absolute must-do activity on the Big Island is taking a nighttime snorkel tour to swim with the manta rays. The Big Island is one of the only places in the world where you can experience this!
Swimming with the manta rays is a perfect way to end your trip on the Big Island.
If you prefer not to get in the ocean at night, I recommend treating yourself to a nice dinner around sunset at Manta, a restaurant at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. After dinner, walk down the path to view the rays from the manta ray viewing deck!
Book this night snorkel tour with Manta rays!
Day 7: Travel Day & Helicopter Tour
Sadly, your time on the Big Island has come to an end, but the adventure doesn’t have to stop just yet! Typically, most flights from Hawaii to the mainland are overnight, so you most likely will not need to be at the airport until 6-7 pm. This leaves plenty of time for more adventure!
**I recommend trying to get the latest check out possible with your hotel and rental car!
Late check-out for your hotel will likely be around 2 pm. After check out, head to Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours!
Booking a helicopter tour is an absolute must when visiting any island in Hawaii. Many areas on the island are not accessible by driving and taking a helicopter tour is a great way to take in some of the less accessible views.
Blue Hawaiian is located in Waikoloa Village so it will be an easy drive once you’ve check out of your hotel.
Big Island Helicopter Tours:
After your helicopter tour, drive back towards Kona to be close to the airport and to drop off your rental car.
I recommend stopping by Kona Canoe Club for some good food and drinks by the water before ending your trip on the Big Island!
Conclusion
From black sand beaches and volcanoes to lush rainforests and world-class snorkeling, the Big Island offers a little bit of everything that makes Hawaii magical. With seven full days, you’ll be able to circle the island, explore its distinct regions, and check off some serious bucket list experiences, all while soaking in the laid-back Hawaiian island.
Whether you’re chasing waterfalls in Hilo, drinking tropical beers at Kona Brewing, snorkeling with manta rays in Kona, or relaxing on the golden sands of the Kohala Coast, this 7-day Big Island itinerary ensures you make the most of your trip.
More Big Island Guides:
- Kona to Hilo Road-Trip Itinerary
- Best Snorkeling on the Big Island
- Where to Stay on the Big Island
- 10 Things to do on the Big Island
- Maui or Big Island: Which Island Should You Visit?
- Hawaii Packing List
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