Do you need some advice on planning your first trip to Hawaii? Before you plan a trip to the Big Island, find out information that nobody will let you know!
This post about how to plan a trip to the Big Island was written by Marcie Cheung (a Hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
I just watched another family at Kona airport realize they need to fly to Honolulu first, then pay $120 each for another flight back to the Big Island.
They booked through Honolulu because that’s what came up first on their flight search. Nobody told them direct flights exist from the West Coast.
This happens constantly. Not huge disasters, just… expensive little mistakes that eat up your vacation time and budget.
After 40+ trips to Hawaii over 20 years, I’ve seen the same patterns over and over. So before you start booking anything for your Big Island trip, here’s what actually matters.
The Flight Thing Nobody Mentions
Direct flights to Kona exist from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, Denver, and Phoenix. Daily service on most routes.
But they don’t always show up first when you search “flights to Hawaii.” The algorithms love showing you the cheaper Honolulu route.
Do the math though. That Honolulu connection adds 3+ hours to your travel day, plus another $100-150 per person for the inter-island hop. The direct flight usually wins even when it costs slightly more.
East Coast? You’re connecting somewhere anyway. Just make sure it ends in Kona, not Honolulu.
You Need a Car (Yes, Really)
The Big Island is 4,000 square miles. That’s bigger than all the other Hawaiian islands combined.
Kona to Hilo? Three hours by car. The volcano park from the Kohala Coast? Also three hours.
Uber and Lyft exist here, but I watched someone try to get an Uber from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park back to their Kona resort at 4pm. Still waiting, as far as I know.
Tour buses work if you want to see things on their schedule with 40 other people. I don’t.
Book your rental car before you land. Airport counter prices are brutal, and during busy weeks (Christmas, spring break), they sell out.
Use Discount Hawaii Car Rental – they pull rates from all the major companies so you can actually compare.
Also download Big Island Shaka Guide before you go. It’s GPS-triggered audio that tells you what you’re seeing as you drive. Way better than just staring at Google Maps wondering what that mountain is.
The Kona vs. Hilo Thing (Or: Why Not Both?)
People get weirdly stressed about choosing between Kona and Hilo.
Kona = sunshine, beaches, resorts, restaurants, easier everything. This is where most tourists stay because this is where most hotels are.
Hilo = rain, rainforests, waterfalls, closer to the volcano, more local vibe. It’s greener because it rains more.
Here’s the thing: they’re only three hours apart. You’re already renting a car.
Do a split stay.
Spend 3-4 nights in Kona for beach time and resort amenities. Move to Hilo for 2-3 nights to explore the volcano and waterfalls. Or reverse it. Whatever works.
I usually tell people to base in Kona if they want the classic Hawaii beach vacation. Pick Hilo if volcano adventures are the main priority. Or just do both and see the whole island.
Check Expedia for hotel deals on both sides.
The Volcano Park Time Mistake
This is the one that kills me.
People try to “swing by” Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on their way to something else. Like it’s a 30-minute roadside attraction.
From Kona, it’s a three-hour drive each way. That’s six hours in the car before you even enter the park. Then you need time to actually see the place, eat lunch, drive Chain of Craters Road down to where the lava flow hit the ocean in 2018.
You need a full day.
Leave early. Pack snacks. Plan nothing else that day.
From Hilo it’s only 45 minutes, which honestly might be the best argument for staying in Hilo at least a couple nights.
Current volcano status: Kīlauea has been erupting episodically since December 2024. Lava fountains shoot up 1,500+ feet when an episode happens, but they only last 8-12 hours before pausing for days or weeks.
Episode 42 is forecast for mid-February 2026, but those predictions shift constantly.
Check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory the day before you visit for what’s actually happening right then.
Even without active lava, the park is worth it. Nahuku Lava Tube, steam vents, massive craters, landscapes that look like Mars. Just know what you’re going to see.
Want a guide? Big Island volcano tours can take you deeper into the geology and Hawaiian cultural stories.
Merrie Monarch Week (April 5-11, 2026)
If you’re not attending the Merrie Monarch Festival, avoid Hilo that week.
As a former professional hula dancer, I love this festival. It’s the Olympics of hula. Dancers and fans fly in from all over the world.
But hotels triple their prices. Car rentals vanish. Restaurants are packed. Everything costs more.
Want to actually attend the competition? You need to request tickets by mail (postmarked December 1 or later). They sell out through a lottery.
Planning a regular vacation? Pick any other week and save yourself hundreds of dollars.
The Manta Ray Thing You Can’t Skip
The manta ray night snorkel off Kona is genuinely one of the most incredible things you can do in Hawaii.
Twelve-foot wingspans. These gentle giants show up every night to feed on plankton attracted to bright lights. You float on the surface holding a light board while they barrel roll underneath you.
Sounds terrifying to snorkel in the ocean at night. It’s not.
You hold a flotation board the whole time. Companies provide wetsuits. The water’s calm. You’re with guides. And watching these massive creatures glide three feet below you is breathtaking.
Success rate is over 90% for seeing mantas. If you don’t see any (super rare), most companies let you rebook free.
Tours leave from Keauhou Bay or Honokohau Harbor. Book a few days ahead because they fill up. Prices run $130-170 per person.
You need to be a comfortable swimmer and okay with dark water. Ages 5+ can usually do it.
Luaus: The Quality Varies Wildly
Not all luaus are created equal. After dancing hula professionally for 20 years, I can spot the difference between a tourist show and something that actually honors Hawaiian culture.
Hawai’i Loa Luau at the Fairmont Orchid consistently ranks as the best family luau on the island. Beautiful Kohala Coast setting, solid traditional food, and a show that genuinely teaches you about Polynesian voyaging and navigation traditions.
They only run it Wednesdays and Saturdays. Book ahead.
Voyagers of the Pacific Luau at the Royal Kona Resort has this stunning oceanfront location right on Kailua Bay. Runs Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday.
The storytelling through dance is excellent, and the Samoan fire knife finale with the bay as your backdrop is pretty spectacular.
Both book weeks ahead during peak season (December-March, June-August). Don’t wait until you land.
Prices run $150-200+ per person depending on seating. Kids under 4 usually free, ages 5-12 get discounts.
Coffee Farms and Bitter Faces
One morning my 12-year-old son and I toured three Kona coffee plantations back to back.
He insisted on trying the coffee at each one. The faces he made were priceless.
First farm: “It’s… okay.” (It wasn’t.)
Second farm: “Maybe with a lot of sugar?” (Nope.)
Third farm: “I think I’ll stick with hot chocolate.” (Finally admitting defeat.)
Most farms offer free tours – you see the whole process from cherry to roast, then taste the coffee. The beans grown here are legitimately world-class, thanks to volcanic soil and perfect conditions.
Popular ones: Greenwell Farms, Mountain Thunder, Hula Daddy.
Check our Kona Coffee Farm guide for specifics on each.
Tours take 30-45 minutes, perfect if you’ve got a free morning or you’re driving between activities.
The Booking Timeline That Actually Works
The Big Island isn’t Oahu-level crowded, but the best experiences fill up fast.
Manta ray tours, luaus, helicopter rides, good restaurant reservations – these book weeks ahead during peak season.
I book the big stuff before I even get on the plane:
- Luau reservations
- Manta ray snorkel
- Any boat tours
- Dinner reservations at popular spots
Day-of flexibility stays for:
- Beach time
- Coffee farm visits
- Scenic drives
- Waterfalls
Don’t show up thinking you’ll figure it out when you get there. You’ll end up with whatever’s left, which is usually the less-good version at a higher price.
Need help planning? I do personalized Hawaii travel consultations where we build your actual itinerary together based on your interests and budget.
Quick Answers to Questions Everyone Asks
How many days do you actually need?
Five to seven days lets you see both sides without rushing. Three days works if you’re island hopping. Ten days means you can really relax.
Kona or Hilo for families?
Kona. Better beaches, more restaurants, calmer ocean for kids. Use Hilo as a base for 2-3 nights to explore the volcano side.
Can you see lava right now?
Maybe. Kīlauea erupts in episodes – huge lava fountains for under 12 hours, then pauses for days or weeks. Check USGS updates before you go.
Best month to visit?
April, May, September, October = good weather, fewer crowds, better prices. Just skip April 5-11 (Merrie Monarch week in Hilo).
Do I need 4-wheel drive?
Not unless you’re driving Mauna Kea Access Road. Regular car works fine for all the main tourist stuff.
The Thing About the Big Island
This isn’t Maui where everything’s convenient and clustered. The Big Island makes you work for it a little.
Longer drives. More planning. Bigger distances between things.
But that’s also why it’s less crowded. Why the experiences feel more real. Why you’re watching lava fountain out of the earth or floating in the ocean at night surrounded by manta rays instead of fighting for space at a packed beach.
It’s my favorite island for people who want actual adventure, not just a resort vacation with mai tais.
More Big Island resources:
- Big Island Travel Guide – detailed daily itineraries
- Oahu Travel Guide
- Maui Travel Guide
- Kauai Travel Guide
- Hawaii Island Hopping Guide
And seriously, let your kids try the coffee. The faces are worth it.
