When most people think of Hawai’i, it elicits images of a sunshine blanket, warm blue waters, and gentle ukelele music. Me? I think of challenging hikes, the world under the wave, and breathtaking views of volcanoes.
I’ve developed a 3-day itinerary for the adventurer travelers out there, and have mapped out the 5 BEST spots you can’t miss. You’ll circle most of the island, meet some friendly fish, see Hawai’i’s most famous waterfall, shop locally, see the glow of a real volcano and more!
Map and Itinerary
Day 1: Hilo and its Hikes
9 a.m. You’re probably exhausted after a long day of travel! Today we’re hitting up some local vendors before heading to the rainforest to see some waterfalls.
10 a.m. Take a nice morning walk to the Hilo Farmers Market, and enjoy breakfast and/or lunch from local vendors. Do some shopping for trinkets for your friends and family, they’ll love the homemade crafts!
12 p.m. Drive out to Onomea Bay Trail. Bring a book, and spend some quality time relaxing with the sea.
2 p.m. Time to head to Akaka Falls State Park! The drive itself is worth admiring, but be sure to leave plenty of time to enjoy the scenery at the park.
5 p.m. Enjoy the trip back to your Hilo hotel. For dinner recommendations, I had a great experience at the Hilo Bay Cafe. Spend your evening resting.
Day 2: Volcanoes National Park
9 a.m.: Rise and shine sleepy girl! It’s about to be a big day, so grab your coffee and a bag lunch and get a move on!
11 a.m.: Check in at the Visitor Center at Volcanoes National Park. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Hilo. It’s important you get here early, because you have a lot of exploring to do. At the visitor center, you’ll be able to get an update on the weather and lava viewing conditions.
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Take the Crater Rim Drive, stop and smell the sulfur while you hike around, and then head up to the observatory.
5 p.m.: Watch the sun set behind the Kilauea Volcano. Go to bed early, tomorrow is our big beach tour!
Day 3: Beaches, sun and a whole lot of fun!
7 a.m. Good morning adventurer! Time to put on your cutest suit, pack up the car with plenty of water (preferably in an eco-friendly bottle) and hit the beach! Today we are driving to Kona, and making a few stops along the way!
8:30 a.m. (Optional) Stop at Punalu’u beach. This is the most famous black sand beach of Hawai’i! While not ideal for swimming or snorkeling, it’s a nice beach to visit for the turtles. A quick 30-minute stop, and you’re back on the road.
9:30 a.m. (Optional) Next, we’re going to stop at South Point Park. This is not only the southernmost tip of Big Island, but the southernmost point of the United States! If you’re big into adventure, you can participate in some cliff jumping here. For the less risky, you can just observe. 😉
11:30 a.m. Here we are at Kahalu’u Beach Park. As you’ll read in this post, this cove is perfect for the beginning snorkeler. The park is family-friendly and you’ll be able to find some Hawaiian shaved ice vendors to cool down. You’re going to spend the rest of your day here exploring the wonders of the coral reefs, and if you’re lucky, spot a Sea Turtle or two!
5 p.m. Wrap up your day with a beer at Kona Brewing Co. and reflect on the stories you’ll have to tell your friends. What an amazing 3 days on Big Island.
The Big 5 Destinations!
Volcanoes National Park
I should preface this by saying I have not visited Big Island since the volcanic activity changed the landscape of Volcanoes National Park. I will say, however, that to this day I have not visited a more diversely magnificent national park. If you’re planning a trip, Volcanoes National Park deserves its own day. This park extends from sea level to the peak of Mauna Loa (13,677 feet). Here you’ll find it all: Lava tubes, thick rainforest, petroglyphs, craters, sea arches and more.
If you’re a babe with a rental vehicle, I suggest taking Crater Rim Drive which leads to unforgettable viewpoints and plenty of trailheads. The best hike is a 4-mile loop that takes you straight through the Kilauea Iki Crater. Be sure to reapply sunscreen because that burned look ain’t cute!
*Note: Portions of this road may be closed due to recent volcanic activity, so do your research before you go.
The main reason I say you should take a full day for this hike is so you can enjoy the sights of a purple sunset with the orange glow of the Kilauea Volcano in the foreground. This is unforgettable. It does get cold, though. So bring a jacket!
Short on time? Take the 11-mile drive anyway and enjoy the scenery, but skip the hiking! (Devastation Trail is a short, 30-minute walk that leads you through mounds of lava rock and lush forest).
Akaka Falls
Get your Instagram ready! This is the most famous waterfall of Hawai’i, and the most easily accesible due to it being a very low-intensity hike. Standing at 422 ft tall, this waterfall is worth the steps! It’s also located close to Hilo, so if you don’t have a car, you can definitely take an Uber/Lyft at a reasonable price! While the waterfall is the main attraction, your hike will take you through the rainforest with “is this place actually real?” scenery. Enjoy it!
Being that it is a state park, there is a small admission fee. Nevertheless, I think it’s well worth your dollar due to the lack of commercial exploitation.
Cost: $5 per car or $1 per person for pedestrians.
Snorkeling at Kahalu’u Beach Park
Okay adventure girl. I know you want to work on that tan (did you even go to Hawai’i if you don’t bring back a tan?!) but the real star of this beach lies under the wave. Snorkeling here at Kahalu’u Beach you’ll find plenty of friendly, colorful fish (including the Hawai’i State Fish humuhumunukunukuapuaa), healthy coral, and lava rock. This cove is a great location for the first-time snorkelers as a partially submerged rock wall keeps larger waves out without blocking the nutrient-filled currents completely.
In the sand you may find a sea turtle (Honu) or two sun napping on shore. But please keep your distance! They are a protected marine species.
The park has restrooms, showers, picnic tables, and lifeguards making it a top beach for snorkeling on Big Island.
Onomea Trail
You can pay to visit the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Gardens, but if you’re a woman on a budget, definitely skip this and head straight to Onomea Trail. You can park on the side of the road for free (versus the Botanical Garden pay lot), and take this very short hike.
Onomea Bay is so lush and green, you’ll want to stop at every step and take photos! You can walk out as far as you want on the smooth-as-glass rocks and find tide pools.
Hilo Farmers Market
This was a fun, cultural experience for me. The Hilo Farmers Market runs daily, but is most popular on Wednesdays and Saturdays with over 200 local farmers, crafters, vendors and more. If this is your first visit, that’s the day you’ll want to choose.
You’re going to find everything you want here. Fresh fruits and vegetables, locally made butters and jams, soaps with natural scents from Hawai’i, cute little gifts made by the natives, and so many other items are a part of this event. Be careful, you might not have room in your suitcase for all of the stuff you buy!
