"The Big Island is without question the best kept secret in all of the Hawaiian Islands."
It is twice as large as all of the other islands combined, and if this is your first trip, you are in for a very pleasant surprise. You don’t even think you are on an island, it is that large and there is so much to see and experience. Getting bored here is really not an option. There is simply too much to see and do. Even if you spent a month here, you would see less then 10% of what the Big Island has to offer. Of the 13 major climate zones in the world, 11 of them are found on the Big Island. The rainfall varies 7 inches to more than 250 inches. The terrain, topography, and micro climates vary tremendously and incredibly all within short distances from each other. Take your choice, from barren deserts, lush valleys, cactus fields, moonscapes, pine forests, prairies, jungles,rolling hills, lush pastures, misty meadows, arid steppes, cascading waterfalls, flowing lava fields, jagged cliffs, wild orchids, rugged coastlines, crescent white sand beaches, palm lined black sand beaches, green sand beaches, you name it, it is here.
We highly recommended that you buy the travel book,"Hawaii, Big Island Revealed". It is by far the best travel book on the Big Island with great color photos & descriptions. You can pick this up at any store over there for around $16.00.
Recommended place to stay: Waikoloa Beach Villas
Costco is by far the cheapest for gas on the island ($3.99/gal as compared to 4.26 to 4.49). I would also recommend buying your steak, fruit and bread at Costco. Groceries are not cheap on the island and we found Safeway to be the most expensive.
Things to do, places to go:
Anaeho’omalu Bay also known as "A" Bay is great for spotting turtles. You can either walk (5-10 min) or drive as there is a small parking lot. Walk down to the beach and then turn left and just keep walking looking for turtles. We spotted turtles on the beach every day we went. It is lined with palm trees and has great sunsets. Snorkeling is good in the early mornings. It is a favorite place to launch outrigger canoes. Feel free to use the beach lounge chairs on the beach in front of the hotel.
A MUST! Pololu Black Sand Beach is located at the north end of the Island where the road ends. From the lookout, it is about a 20 minute hike down into the valley to the beach. This whole area in the lush jungle is stunningly beautiful, but the surf and tides are quite strong here and swimming, body boarding, and snorkeling are not advised. We did not make it here this trip as it is quite a hike and mom couldn't do it with her bad knee, but we will definitely go here again! This is one of my favorite spots!
Hapuna Beach, located 6 miles north of Waikoloa, is a long white sand beach with strong waves ideal for body boarding (unless you are there on a day like we were - see blog). This beach is always rated near the top of all the beaches in Hawaii. It can be a bit crowded during holidays and weekends as locals from the east side of the Island come here. If the surf is up, boogie boarding can be dangerous due to the shallow bottom.
Another must! The road is really bumpy but well worth the drive.
Mahai’ula Beach is one of our favorites beaches just north of the airport between 91 and 90 mile marker. Take the Kekaha Kai State Park road to the beach. This 15 minute rough ride is through the lava and is slow going but worth it. Park at the rough parking lot then take the 5-10 minute trail north. The beach is not crowed and great sand. You should have water shoes as the bottom is a bit rough til you get deep enough for swimming.You will see turtles there as well as watch for the flying fish just off the beach.
Waipio Valley Black Sand Beach is located at the north end of the Hamakua Coast. A very strenuous hike or 4X4 vehicle is required to get to this beach. The sheer beauty of this tropical paradise is breathtaking.
You should also try snorkeling at the Kahalu’u Beach Park at the South end of Kona.
Kilauea Volcana is well worth the drive. Kilauea, located in the south east part of the island is the most active volcano in the world, erupting continuously for the past 25 years. The entire area is very interesting and well worth visiting, but because it is a three and a half hour drive from Waikoloa, it really is best to leave early in the morning around 8:00 or spend a night to really see it all. Favorites sites are the Visitor Centre, Thurston Lava Tube, Jaggar Museum and multiple viewpoints of the Kilauea Iki Crater.. There are plenty of Bed & Breakfast choices and the restaurant at the Kilauea Lodge (Vicki’s favorite) Zagat rated is worth the visit. Also, at the current time, some of the best viewing of the volcanic activity is at the end of highway #130 near Puna.
South Point is one of Dennis’ favorites, located between mile marker 69 and 70 in the most southern part of the United States, this is a wind-blown area with strong currents and even a green sand beach accessible by 4 wheel drive or a long hike. Take the fort in the road to the right to see the broken road and boat hoists. We saw whales here right off the cliffs. It is quite desolate here but an interesting area to visit if you have the time.
Favorite places to eat, drink and be merry ( in no particular order):
Tommy Bahamas Restaurant & Tropical Bar in the Mauna Lani Shops has greattropical drinks, live music, wonderful island atmosphere and surprising sunset views.Try the crab bisque and I would recommend the shrimp and scallop curry dish. Desserts here are to die for!
Sansei Restaurant In the new Queen’s Market Place Shops specializes in a wide variety of seafood and sushi. Make sure you try the shrimp cakes. It is one of their specialties and has won awards. YUM!!!
Teshima’sJapanese Restaurant – south of Kona just past the highway 11 and 180 junction beside the Shell station. Great local Japanese restaurant. Specialty is their tempura and ahi sashimi. Google it to get this interesting history. Like an old diner you would find in small town Saskatchewan.
Kiluea LodgeRestaurant near the world famous volcano is certainly one of the best restaurants on the east side of the Big Island. It is Zagat rated and has a very interesting selection of wild game and other exotic choices. It has a very cozy atmosphere on a chilly evening complete with a fireplace.
Huggos’ On the Rocks is a must! Located on Alii drive in Kona they have happy hour between 3-6 and they have live entertainment that starts around 5. Good food and drinks and inexpensive. Entertainment is excellent and you get to sit in the sand right by the ocean.
Kona Brewery – great pizza and very relaxed atmosphere. Good music.
And if all else fails and you are not sure where to start, you can always do what Dennis does...take a walk, hide in the trees and take pictures....
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