There is little debate that Hawaii is one of the best beach vacation destinations in the world! Cradled amidst the deep waters of the grand Pacific ocean, the volcanic islands that makeup Hawaii are thousands of years old. Getting a footfall of over 9.4 million tourists annually is a testament to how popular of a vacation spot it is. Of those, about 1.65 million tourists visit the Big Island of Hawaii every year. If you are one of those lucky ones and are looking for places you absolutely must visit on the Big Island, read on to learn more about this Big Island 3 day itinerary.
From lush eye-popping greenery to white and black sandy beaches, and evergreen jungles, the Big Island of Hawai’i has something for every visitor. In fact, you can easily spend several weeks here and still find new places to explore. However, even with a limited time of 3 days, this itinerary will help you sample the best that the Big Island has to offer.
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 Big Island of Hawaii is spelled “Hawaii” as well as “Hawai’i”. The name in the Hawaiian language is “Hawai’i”.
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
Here are the three different locations for your stay at your Big Island of Hawai’i sojourn.
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.
Stay in Kailua-Kona if you:
- Want sunny, dry weather
- Proximity to manta and other snorkel tours is important
- Want to hang out on the beach (most of the Big Island don’t have beaches, but rocky lava shore instead)
- Crave a wide variety of food places to sample Hawaiian fare
- Good nightlife is important to you
- Have a limited budget – Kona caters to a wide variety of travelers
- Don’t mind the crowds.
Best for: Couples, singles, parents with kids, foodies, snorkelers, divers, travelers of all budget
Hotels:
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.
Stay in Waikoloa if you:
- Are a luxury traveler looking for high-end resorts
- Want to be away from the crowds
- Are traveling with kids
- Want to indulge in some R&R and not drive around too much
Best for: Couples and families looking for a high-end experience
Hotels:
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.
Stay in Hilo if you:
- Want a place close to the National Volcanoes Park
- Want to experience the wet and green side of the island
- The absence of nightlife is fine for you
- Don’t like crowds, and want peace and quiet
Best for: Adventure seekers, budget travelers, hikers, parents with kids, and those that are looking for quiet
Hotels:
Should you stay in one location or split it up?
For a Big Island 3 day itinerary, stay at one location and hotel. Splitting up your time on the island between the west (Kona-Kailua) and the east (Hilo) would only make sense if you stay for 5 or more days.
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 3 day itinerary
If you have 3 days to spend on the Big Island of Hawaii, you can still see some of the major highlights that this stunning island has to offer. 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. Here is my recommended Big Island 3-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: Papakolea Green Sand Beach, Southernmost Tip of the US, Punalu’u Bake Shop, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
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.
If you are not interested in the Green Beach or Black Sand Beach (below), head to Hilo and the stunning waterfalls instead. Then, on the way back, visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3 Evening: 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.
Day 3 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, really want to see the night sky of Hawaii!
If you have more days to spend on the Big Island, be sure to read this 4-day itinerary and 5-day itinerary posts on the Big Island!
What if you have one day only? (Big Island 1 day itinerary)
Now, what happens if you have only 1 day on the Big Island? While it may not seem like much, having 12+ hours is still plenty of time to sample some of the best things that this island has to offer, while ensuring that you will return later to discover more.
Here is everything you should do in your Big Island 1 day itinerary:
- Puako Petroglyphs Park
- Holoholokai Beach Park
- Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Refuge Place)
- Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii National Volcanic Park
- Night time snorkeling with manta rays
Note: If you want to see the volcano at night (for the best views), you will have to skip the night time snorkeling with manta rays.
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.
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.
Big Island of Hawaii itinerary FAQs
How long does it take to travel around the Big Island of Hawaii?
To drive around the island completely along the coastline, it will take about 7 hours without traffic.To go from one end of the island (Kona to Hilo), it takes about 1.5 hours cutting straight across without traffic. During commuting hours, expect it to take closer to 2 hours. If you drive along the northern coastline, the same trip will take about 3 hours without traffic. Taking the southern route along the coast will take about 3.5 hours without traffic.
Can I travel to the Big Island of Hawaii in December?
Yes, you can travel to the Big Island of Hawaii in December. The weather on the leeward side is still pleasant with daytime temperatures of high 70s and low 80s F. Note that the holiday season will be quite busy though. Additionally, you can still snorkel with manta rays in December, as these reef manta rays do not migrate.
I cannot swim. Can I still see the manta rays on the Big Island?
If you cannot swim, you can still see the manta rays from ashore or by going for a ride along with a tour operator. However, to get in the water, you should be able to swim. Beginner swimming skills are sufficient as long as you follow all your captain and crew members’ advice. Read more about that here.
Should I go to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park if the Kilauea volcano is not actively erupting?
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has a lot to offer beyond the Kilauea volcano. As mentioned earlier, you will get to see many geological sights such as the sulfur banks, the steam vents, the caldera and the crater. These are amazing sights to see and ponder about how dramatically our earth’s landscape can change. So, even if Kilauea Volcano is not actively erupting, you need to visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! Trust me, it will be worth it. Don’t forget to pack your America the Beautiful Pass, if you have one.
Is 3 days enough on the Big Island?
If you have limited time or are island-hopping in Hawaii, and want to sample a little bit of the Big Island, 3 days is good enough. However, if you want to see the major highlights of the Big Island of Hawai’i, plan to spend at least 5 days there.
Here is my post on how to spend 5 incredible days on the Big Island.
Other Big Island Posts You Should Check Out
In addition to this post, you should also read the following posts to have the best time on the island!
Subscribe to my list and get travel tips and ideas!
Planning your travel to the Hawaii? Get all the Hawaii travel resources here!
If you are also planning to go to Oahu, make sure to read my post on Oahu itinerary planning here!
Enjoyed reading this article? Don’t forget to follow me for my latest stories!
