Are you planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii but have limited time? Do you want to look at the main highlights that this gorgeous island has to offer but not quite sure how to plan your travel? Well, this guide will walk you through all the spots that you need to hit for your Big Island Hawaii 4 day itinerary!
Do you have only 3 days on the Big Island? Check out my shorter itinerary here!
Some history and geography facts about the Big Island
The Big Island of Hawaii is 4,028 square miles in size, making it the biggest island among the Hawaiian islands (hence, the name!). It also is the youngest of the most-visited islands of Hawaii at about 400,000-800,000 years, and its Kilauea volcano erupted as recently as 2018. In contrast, the island of Maui is 0.8-1.3 million years old, and the Oahu island is 2.2-3.4 million years old, and Kauai is the oldest at 5.1 million years.
The difference between the windward and leeward sides of the Big Island
Similar to all the other islands in the state of Hawaii, the Big Island has a distinctive climate based on the areas that are windward vs. leeward. The windward side refers to the side that faces the prevailing or trade winds that pick up moist air from the water. Once this air reaches the island, it ascends to the hills and mountains, condenses, forms clouds, and then, precipitates. Thus, this side experiences more rainfall, and boasts lush greenery and evergreen jungles.
In contrast, the leeward side faces away from the trade winds and is sheltered thanks to hills and mountains. Therefore, this side tends to be dry and has the best beaches on the island!
In Hawaii, the Pacific Ocean’s northeasterly trade winds cause the north and east sides of all the islands to be wetter, while the west and south sides are drier. The famous beaches such as Waikiki in Oahu and Kona on the Big Island have sunny weather most of the year.
How to travel to Hawaii’s Big Island
The Big Island of Hawai’i has two main airports: Kona in the west and Hilo in the east.
Flying into Kona
The Kona airport is the bigger of the two. Major airlines fly into Kona daily from all over the US. You can also fly nonstop into Kona from Asian countries such as Japan. The Kona airport is smaller than the airport in Oahu, but it easily accommodates the large number of tourists.
We flew into Kona via a direct flight from San Jose, CA. As we landed in Kona, we could see the black lava rocks that make up the shoreline of the Big Island, glistening in the sun. This was a stark realization of how this island still experiences volcanic activity.
Flying into Hilo
The Hilo airport is located on the windward side and is the closest to the National Volcanic Park. In fact, if you have only one day on the Big Island, use it to visit this park as it is a wonderful bucket list place to go. The flight options are slightly more limited, and will typically have a stopover at a different Hawaiian island.
Where to stay on the Big Island
There are three main locations to stay on your Big Island Hawaii 4 day itinerary.
Kailua-Kona
Situated on the west, the most popular spot to check-in is Kailua-Kona and its surrounding areas. It boasts sunny weather most of the year and has incredible snorkeling and other water activities. This area is the closest to the Kona airport.
We chose to stay here for our entire vacation and were able to hang out in the downtown area every evening. The nightlife was great and its proximity to the manta ray snorkel tours was an added bonus. However, note that this area is more expensive than the others.
Waikoloa
Waikoloa is located north of Kona, on the northwest corner of the Big Island. This location has high-end hotels and resorts, catering mostly to the luxe traveler. It is close enough to Kona so you can avail the nightlife there, but far away enough for you to get some solitude.
Hilo
Situated on the windward side, Hilo is wet. It has stunning hiking trails, waterfalls, and greenery to take your breath away! The town is to the east and is larger than other Hawaiian islands’ windward towns like Hana (on Maui). Thus, expect to see small Hawaiian town sights such as a farmers’ markets, food stalls, and food trucks.
For more details on these locations and which area would be the best fit for you, be sure to check out this post here.
Should you stay in one location or split it up?
For your Big Island Hawaii 4 day itinerary, you should stay at one location and hotel if you want to do a day trip to Hilo (Day 3 below). However, if you do not want want to spend >4 hours on the road, split up your time on the island between the west (Kona-Kailua) and the east (Hilo). That way, you can minimize your time on the road, stay overnight in Hilo on day 3, and visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park the next day. Note though that you will lose out on some time when you check in/out of hotels.
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.
Big Island Hawaii 4 Day Itinerary
On your 4 days on the Big Island, you will be able to see the major highlights. Make 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. More on that below. Here is my recommended Big Island Hawaii 4 day itinerary.
Day 1 Morning - Kona downtown, Kamakahonu beach, Broke Da Mouth Grindz
On the morning of day 1, get a rental car straight from the airport and start your day early by heading to downtown Kona. If you’re staying in Kona, check in to your hotel. If your hotel is further out, explore Kona downtown, grab a delicious acai bowl from Kona Wave Cafe, and head towards Kamakahonu Beach for some sun and sand.
Later this evening, you will be snorkeling with manta rays. So, if you need some snorkeling practice (beginners tips for snorkeling here), 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. 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 - Night Snorkel with Manta rays, dinner, and nightlife in Ali’i drive
In the early afternoon, drive to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. This is an archaeological park with burial grounds and a reconstructed Hawaiian village right beside the ocean, offering a unique view of life on the island from centuries ago. This park is a beautiful, serene place of contemplation, and we spent a couple of hours exploring the grounds
Later, check in to your hotel (if outside Kona), and 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. However, if you are scared of snorkeling in open waters, you may opt for the Kealakekua Bay or Two Step instead.
Snorkeling with manta rays was the highlight of our trip (and yes, that includes the active Kilauea volcano!). Getting up, close and personal with these giant, gentle creatures was a bucket list item and left us amazed and in awe. To learn more about all you should expect on a manta night ray snorkel, including tips, dos and don’ts click here!
Afterward, 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.
Looking for a manta ray snorkel tour operator? We went with Kona Style, and you can read my complete, honest review here.
Day 2 Morning - Waipio Valley Overlook, Laupahoehoe Point
After the long first day, sleep in the morning and get ready for 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.
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 2 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 there.
An optional pitstop in this area is Hapuna Beach, another pretty beach with a nice, sandy strip.
Day 3 Morning - Hilo, Hawai’i Tropic Bioreserve & Garden, Akaka Falls
On your third day on the Big Island, either go for a day trip to the incredible east city of Hilo, or check out of your hotel and stay overnight in Hilo. Assuming you start from west side of the island, take the Saddle Road that slices the island in half and see the incredible scenery on the way.
Start at the 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 impressive 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 3 Evening - Liliuokalani Garden, Coconut Island, Rainbow Falls, Peepee Falls, Kaumana Caves, Mauna Kea
After lunch, you will be ready for a walk to burn off those 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, it is late afternoon, and time for you to start driving back. On the way, make sure to stop at Rainbow Falls and Peepee Falls. They 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.
For astronomy enthusiasts looking to stargaze, there is an awesome option at Mauna Kea. Before sunset, drive up to the Mauna Kea Visitor Center, and check out the night sky. You can drive up to the Mauna Kea Summit, but note that you will need a 4 Wheel Drive car to make the trip. Stay the night in Hilo.
Day 4 Morning: Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Southernmost Tip of the US, Punalu’u Bake Shop
On your last day on the Big Island, you will explore the south side and Hawai’i National Volcanic Park. But first, start your day by driving south to see two unique beaches and the southernmost tip of the US!
Drive to the trailhead for Papakolea Green Sand Beach and park your car. From there, you can either hike down to the 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! We also flew our drone here and captured beautiful footage of swaths of black lava shores on one side and golden foliage on the other.
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.
Day 4 Evening: Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
After your stomachs are filled with malasadas, head towards the Punalu’u Beach or the Black Sand Beach of the Big Island. True to its name, you will greeted with a picture-perfect black sandy beach lined with coconut trees. While we did not see any turtles which are supposedly common here, but we did capture some surreal photos of black sand juxtaposed with green palm trees and blue waters.
Now comes the best part! 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.
What to pack for the Big Island of Hawaii
The Big Island of Hawai’i, like the other Hawaiian islands, exhibits a myriad of climates in different pockets of the island. So, expect sun, warmth, cold, and rainy weather, all on the same day! Also, if you go to the top of Mauna Kea, expect snowy weather, so layer up and carry a thick jacket.
Additionally, compared to other Hawaiian islands, there are less number of beaches here. Therefore, owing to the sheer number of other things you will do, go light on the beach stuff. Here are some of the main items to carry:
- Swimsuit (obviously)
- Flowy dresses
- Shorts (both as coverup over your swimsuit and for hiking)
- Hiking shoes (if you plan on exploring the trails)
- Snorkel gear
- Warm jacket, if you travel to Mauna Kea
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!
How much does it cost on the Big Island of Hawai’i?
A wide range of hotels and Airbnb are present on the Big Island of Hawai’i. You can get hotel rooms starting from $50 all the way to over $1000! For getting around the island and food options, expect to pay $30-$50 per day on the lower end, not including a car rental. The prices add up if you go for a nice dinner with drinks. On average, expect to pay $50-$100 on food daily. In comparison with other Hawaiian islands, Maui is more expensive than the Big Island, while Oahu is cheaper.
Getting around the Big Island of Hawaii
A rental car is absolutely necessary on the Big Island of Hawaii. While on other islands like Maui, you can stay in the resort aren, and never leave, the most spectacularly beautiful spots on the Big Island are only accessible with a private vehicle.
To pick up your rental car at the airport, head outside to the entrance of the airport to catch the free shuttles of the car rental companies. These shuttles come by every 10-15 minutes and take you on the short ride to your rental car company office.
However, if you are within a certain budget, you can avail the free public bus called the Hele On Bus. They service most of the island and also connect Kona to Hilo. Note that it can be quite slow and does not cover a lot of the sightseeing spots.
Additional points to renting a car on the Big Island
- If you want to drive down to the Green Sand Beach in the south, or to the Mauna Keaa Summit, make sure to rent a 4WD vehicle. However, note that some rental companies exclusively prohibit driving in these areas. So, read the T&Cs carefully.
- Most hotels and resorts charge a steep parking fee for overnight parking. So, make sure to account for that in your budget.
- Most of the freeways have a maximum of 55 mph. So, while the distance may appear short, expect the driving time to be longer than in mainland US. The traffic moves slower on the Big Island owing to many single lane roads, so, plan accordingly. Also, expect traffic jams during commuting hours.
- Having a top-down car sounds super glam, but note that a huge part of the island gets tons of rain and mist. So, you will not get to drive with the top down for a good chunk of your time.
Is 4 days enough on the Big Island?
Between 4-5 days is an ideal amount of time to spend on the Big Island. This will allow you to see the major highlights of the Big Island of Hawai’i, and leave some room to laze on the beach and sip a mai tai.
If you have 5 days to spend in Hawaii, be sure to read this post on the perfect 5-day itinerary to the Big Island.
Have a week to stay on the Big Island? Check out this 7-day itinerary for everything to see and do on your weeklong trip!
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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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