The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest island of Hawaii and one of the most-visited by travelers from all over the world. Not only does it have beautiful sandy beaches (including black sand beaches!) as well as lush jungles, it even has active volcanic activity! This Big Island 5 day itinerary will walk you through everything you should know to plan your trip to this incredible island.
Other Big Island Itineraries
If you have less than 5 days on the Big Island, check out these other itineraries for details.
Where to stay on the Big Island
These are the locations you should stay at in your Big Island of Hawai’i. Each location offers pros and cons, depending on how you prefer to travel.
- Kailua-Kona
- Waikoloa
- Hilo
To learn all about what these locales have to offer, and what type of traveler they are best suited for, check out this post.
For a 5-day or longer trip, you should consider splitting up your time between the western (Kona-Kailua) and the eastern (Hilo) parts of the island.
Are 5 days enough on the Big Island?
Considering the size of the island and the sheer number of activities that you can pick from, 5 days is a good amount of time to see the major spots. However, if you want a more leisurely pace for your vacation, add a day or two. Trust me, there are so many things to do and explore, you will fill up your days in no time.
If you want to experience a full day at the beach (the beaches of Hawaii are unparalleled), add a day to your itinerary.
The Big Island of Hawaii is spelled “Hawaii” as well as “Hawai’i”. The name in the Hawaiian language is “Hawai’i”.
Big Island 5 Day Itinerary
On your 5 days on the Big Island of Hawaii, you will get to explore the major spots that this stunning island has to offer. Be sure to optimize your time there and rent a car. This will ensure that you can cover more ground and create your own custom itinerary. Here is my recommended Big Island 5-day itinerary.
Important things to note
Keep in mind the following points as you plan your 5-day trip to the Big Island.
- To optimize your time on the island and avoid spending too much time on the road, split your hotel stay between Hilo and Kona.
- Rent a car. It will be hard to explore far-flung areas of the island if you use public transit only. More details on renting a car on the Big Island of Hawaii are covered in this post.
- If Mauna Kea is on your list, and you want to drive up to the top, make sure to rent a 4 Wheel Drive Car. Additionally, pack warm clothes as it can be very cold up there (expect snow!).
- Book the manta ray experience well ahead of your vacation. Also, book the experience as early in your vacation as possible (first day or two). That way, if the weather gods don’t allow boats in the water on your scheduled date, you can try it on another day of your vacation. Most tour companies allow people to reschedule for another day.
Day 1 Morning - Kona downtown, Kamakahonu beach, Broke Da Mouth Grindz
On the morning of day 1, get a rental car and start your day early by heading to downtown Kona. Walk around downtown Kona, grab a delicious acai bowl from Kona Wave Cafe, and head towards Kamakahonu Beach for some sun and sand.
Tomorrow evening, you will be snorkeling with manta rays. So, if you need some snorkeling practice, take out your gear and dive into the waters off Kamakahonu Beach in Kailua Pier. You will see beautiful Hawaiian fish in the clear waters right near the beach. This is also a good spot for parents with kids to snorkel.
If you are a beginner snorkeler, definitely check out these first-timer tips here. They are based on my own experience snorkeling for the first time in Oahu, Hawaii!
While you’re there, check out the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark, a reconstruction of the Hawaiian king, Kamehameha, and pay your respects. Note that this landmark is an important sacred site for Hawaiian people, so be respectful.
Once you’ve had your fill of the sun and the beach, drive over to the Broke Da Mouth Grindz (a curious name for this place, lol) restaurant for Filipino-Hawaiian style food. Their generous portion sizes of Kahlua pork, lau lau, and garlic furikake chicken are finger-licking good and will keep you full for a long time.
Wondering what foods you need to try in Hawaii? Check out these 18 dishes that you absolutely need to sample in the Aloha-State!
Day 1 Evening - Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, Dinner and nightlife in Ali’i drive
In the afternoon, visit a coffee farm to learn all about the Hawaiian coffee made on the hills of this island. Because the hills are covered in fog in the morning which burns off in the afternoon, the coffee can grow well and is incredibly tasty. We went to Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation close to Kona, and it was a cool experience.
In the evening, head over to Ali’i drive for a late dinner of udon and sushi at Sushi Cocoro & Udon. Let your hair down with a drink at the lively Gertrude’s Jazz Bar.
Nearby is also the famous Kona Brewing Co. where you can get a tour and pizza.
Day 2 Morning - Snorkel in Kealakekua Bay
Day 2 of your Big Island 5 day itinerary will be a snorkel day! Start your morning with a snorkel tour of Kealakekua Bay, home to fishes in most colors of the rainbow and coral forests. It is a marine sanctuary and is naturally protected from wind and strong waves. If you do not wish to go with a tour operator, you can also hike down to the bay. Note that it is not a shaded trail, so it can be pretty hot and strenuous. So, make sure to carry plenty of water. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak and ride out to the bay and snorkel. If you are lucky, you may even see spinner dolphins there!
We decided to go on a boat tour with Kona Style and they gave us a 20% discount as we had also booked the manta ray snorkel with them!
Day 2 Evening - Two Step, Place of Refuge, Captain Cook Monument, Night Snorkel with Manta rays
Close by the Kealakekua Bay is another great snorkeling spot that can be accessed free of charge. This is Two Step, named after lava rock beds that appear to be two steps going into the water. This is a good snorkeling spot for children and beginners as there is a small pool formed by the rocks.
A few hundred feet away is one of the most serenely beautiful spots on the island, the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge). This is an archaeological park with burial grounds and a reconstructed Hawaiian village, offering a unique view of life on the island from centuries ago. Add to the fact, that it is right next to the ocean, and you get to see poignantly beautiful views of the waves crashing against rugged lava shore next to reconstructed huts and carved wooden Ki’i. Here, take the self-guided 0.5-mile tour.
Then, on your way back, make a stop at the Captain Cook Monument. Captain Cook was the first European that landed in Hawaii and this spot marks the location where he breathed his last during a battle.
Later, head back to Kona for the most exciting adventure ever! A night snorkel with manta rays is absolutely at the top of my list for the Big Island of Hawai’i. Seriously, getting up, close and personal with these giant, gentle creatures was a bucket list item and I still get goosebumps thinking about it to this day! To learn more about all you should expect on a manta night ray snorkel, including tips, dos and don’ts click here!
Looking for a manta ray snorkel tour operator? We went with Kona Style, and you can read my complete, honest review here.
Day 3 Morning - Waipio Valley Overlook, Pololū Valley Lookout and hike, Laupahoehoe Point
After your nighttime workout in the ocean watching mantas, sleep in the morning. Today, you will do some light hiking and sightseeing. You will get to see the incredible Waipio Valley which was home to Hawaiian kings back in the day from the Waipio Valley Overlook. As you drive on Highway 19 to the northwest corner of the island, keep an eye out for stunning scenery made up of black lava rocks for hundreds of feet on either side.
Continue on to Polulu Valley Lookout for dramatic views of the folds and creases of the coastline. Then, head over to the Awini trailhead and hike down the short but steep 0.6 miles to the black sand beach below.
Next, drive east towards Laupahoehoe Point, one of the most stunning shorelines you will see on the island. Take your drone with you and capture the most unbelievable footage of waves crashing onto huge black lava rocks. It was a surreal sight.
Day 3 Evening: Puako Petroglyphs Park, Holoholokai Beach
On your way back, make a stop at the city of Waimea and grab lunch. Visit the Kuhio Hale Farmers Market for fresh Hawaiian fruit and other produce. Next, start driving south and stop at the Puako Petroglyphs Park. This park is an archeological preserve with more than 3000 rock etchings dating back to 1200AD! It was very cool and interesting to see the rocks out in the open, exposed to the elements. The trail around this park is short, and we covered it completely in about 20-30 minutes. Close-toed shoes are recommended, but not required.
Nearby this park is one of the most uniquely picturesque beaches I have ever been to. Holoholokai Beach boasts black lava rocks mixed with white coral. Add in the greenery from small trees growing along the shores, it makes for breathtaking landscapes. We spotted tide pools with marine organisms and tiny crabs hanging out on the lava rocks.
An optional pitstop in this area is Hapuna Beach, another pretty beach with a nice, sandy strip.
Day 4 Morning - Hilo, Hawai’i Tropic Bioreserve & Garden, Akaka Falls
This morning, you will head towards Hilo. If you decide on splitting your hotel stay between Kona and Hilo, check out of your Kona hotel this morning.
Start your day by driving to Hawai’i Tropic Bioreserve & Garden to see over 1800 incredible species of flora that Hawaii has to offer. You will need to pay a fee to enter, but the incredible variety of colors of the orchids and the dazzling tropical greenery will make it worthwhile.
Next, drive up to the mesmerizing Akaka Falls. A short loop of 0.5 miles will bring you to the 442-ft waterfall in a dark green gorge. The loud splashing of water making its fall onto the pool below drowns out people’s voices. This is one spot you should not miss on your Hilo trip. Note that there is a $10 parking/entrance fee here.
Afterward, head towards the city of Hilo and grab lunch at Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine for a satisfying fish plate. In addition, check out the fresh produce at the Hilo Farmers Market.
Day 4 Evening - Liliuokalani Garden, Coconut Island, Rainbow Falls, Peepee Falls, Kaumana Caves
After lunch, you will be ready for a walk to burn off the calories. Head towards the Liliuokalani Garden, named after the Hawaiian queen. This garden is a peaceful place with several koi ponds with koi fish and Japanese-style sculptures. Walk further to the curious Coconut Island accessed via a footbridge. There, you can explore the ruins, observe the lava flow sign of the lava rocks near the ocean, or jump into the water from a dive tower!
By now, if you are still itching to see more waterfalls and lush greenery, drive to Rainbow Falls and Peepee Falls. These falls are lesser-known than Akaka Falls but equally beautiful. Rainbow Falls are named after the rainbows visible on sunny days from the water spray!
Another stop on Saddle Road is the Kaumana Caves, formed by Mauna Loa. You can descend into this lava tube created in 1881. There are no admission fees to access this lava tube.
Stay overnight in Hilo.
Day 5 Morning: Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Southernmost Tip of the US, Punalu’u Bake Shop, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
On the final day of your Big Island 5 day itinerary, you will explore the south side before heading to Hawai’i National Volcanic Park.
Drive to the trailhead for Papakolea Green Sand Beach and park your car. From there, you can either hike down to Green Sand Beach, or locals offer to drive you there on their pickup trucks for a fee. While we were there, some locals offered to take us down to the beach and back up for $20 per person. We skipped that and hiked down to the closest location from where we could see the ocean. So, while we missed out on this beach, we heard a lot of people raving about how pretty it is (albeit not quite as green as they expected)!
Next, drive towards the Southernmost Tip of the US spot close by. While a bit gimmicky, it was cool to stop for a bit, and think about the fact that we were at the south-most point of the US! This location is a fantastic drone-flying area covering swaths of black lava shores on one side and golden foliage on the other. Talk about photogenic!
If you are not interested in the Green Beach or Black Sand Beach (below), head directly to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (see section below). You can do a hike there.
By now, you’re probably starving! Make a stop at the Punalu’u Bake Shop for their delectable assortment of malasadas and plate lunches. Note that there are very few places to eat around the National Volcanoes Park, so make sure to grab something in the town of Punalu’u before heading to the park.
After your stomachs are filled with malasadas, head towards Punalu’u Beach or the Black Sand Beach of the Big Island. True to its name, you will be greeted with a picture-perfect black sandy beach lined with coconut trees.
Day 5 Evening: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
I saved the very best for last! As the afternoon rolls in, drive over to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and head straight to the Kilauea Visitor Center. There, decide on where you would like to go in the park. Based on my experience, it is better to visit about 3 hours before sunset. That is plenty of time to look at the park highlights, do a short hike, and see active lava in the dark after sunset if you’re lucky! Make sure to pack your America the Beautiful Pass, if you have one.
The highlights of the park are Halemaumau Crater, Steam Vents, Sulphur Banks, Thurston Lava Tube, and the Keanakako’i Overlook. This overlook is from where you can see active lava. You will need to walk about 1 mile each way from the closest parking lot. One thing to note here is that this parking lot fills up very quickly right before sundown. So, plan accordingly. You can also park a bit further at the Pu’upua’i Overlook and walk an extra 0.5 mile each way.
Because the park is open 24 hours a day, you can even visit the park late at night, if you only want to see the lava from Kilauea. Instead, spend more time exploring Hilo.
Day 5 Additional Option
For astronomy enthusiasts looking to stargaze, there is an awesome option at Mauna Kea. So, on day 3, once you complete visiting all the sights other than Kilauea, drive up to the Mauna Kea Visitor Center before sunset, and check out the night sky. Then, on your way back, stop by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park again and take a look at the Kilauea volcano in the dark. Note that this will require a fair amount of additional driving. So, only go for it if you really want to see the night sky of Hawaii!
When to visit the Big Island of Hawai’i
The weather in Hawaii stays temperate year-round. So, even in December you can get sunny warm days, depending on where you stay. In the winter, the weather in Hilo and the rest of the windward side drops to about 65 F (although highs are still in the higher 70s). However, the leeward side remains warm, specifically Kona, with an average temperature of about 80 F. The summer tends to bring hordes of tourists to the island. Thus, the shoulder season months of May and early June, and September are best for visiting the Big Island.
Avoid the holiday season and major holidays as it can get quite crowded. However, the Big Island of Hawai’i is not quite as busyas Maui and Oahu. So, if you want to visit a Hawaiian island during the holidays, this island is a better bet.
What to pack for the Big Island of Hawaii
The Big Island of Hawai’i, can have a myriad of climates in different pockets of the island. So, expect sun, warmth, cold, and rainy weather, all on the same day! So, make sure to pack a layer or two in addition to your beach necessities.
For a complete guide on what to pack for the Big Island and to optimize your luggage room, check out this list (plus a free, downloadable PDF checklist) here!
Additional Big Island Post You Should Check Out
For a complete guide on the Big Island, including where to stay, how much it costs, and how to get around the island, be sure to read this post. This post will walk you through absolutely everything you need to plan an amazing vacation that you will remember for a long time!
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If you are also planning to go to Oahu, make sure to read my post on Oahu itinerary planning here!
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