Big Island Itinerary- 4 Days in Hawaii
Visiting the Big Island of Hawaii should be on any adventurer’s list. From lush rainforests to tropical beaches and rugged volcano tops, the Big Island has a little bit of everything to explore. There’s so much to see on this Hawaiian island, but the perfect 4-day Big Island itinerary should allow you to see all the highlights this paradise has to offer. Snorkel with manta rays, summit the tallest Hawaiian volcano, Mauna Kea, and visit rushing waterfalls on your Big Island vacation. The itinerary below includes information on how to do all of this as well as where to eat, what to expect, and how to get around the Big Island of Hawaii.
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Getting Around the Big Island
If you are staying on the Big Island for more than one day, you will want to rent your own car. Most of the main attractions on the Big Island are many miles from each other, and having your own transportation will make it easier to see as much as possible.
To save money and get the best deal we rented through Hawaii Discount Car Rentals. Hawaii Discount Car Rentals compares all the top rental companies on the island to give you the best deals. You can also filter results to rent a Jeep to make sure you have 4WD on the Big Island, which some locations on this itinerary call for.
Book Your Big Island Car Rental Here
Tips for Driving on the Big Island
- The weather can vary drastically across the island. This itinerary has you driving every day, so make sure to check the weather across your route!
- Don’t expect gas stations everywhere you go. Especially if you are driving across the central part of the island, gas stations are limited
- Look out for wildlife. Wild boar are present in Hawaii, as well as a lot of wild chickens.
- Be prepared to drive slowly! The road around the Big Island has a lot of curves that require you to go slow and not pass. The speed limit is also heavily enforced, so stay at or below the speed limit.
Big Island, Hawaii Packing List
Be prepared for all sorts of weather on your visit to the Big Island! We had a lot of sun and rain, often on the same day. We also brought our hiking clothes and layers to keep warm at Mauna Kea.
- Sandals- You will definitely want sandals for visiting the beach!- Teva Sandals
- Tank Top– Bring lots of short-sleeved shirts and tank tops to combat Hawaii’s humidity- Crop Tank Top
- Shorts- Bring some lightweight shorts for traveling around the island. These were my favorite shorts to wear in Hawaii- Quick Dry Shorts
- Swimsuit– You will need a swimsuit to go snorkeling or relax by the pool- One Piece Swimsuit
- Towel– Bring a small towel to dry off after your swim- Compactable Towel
- Day Pack– Always bring a pack on any hike no matter the length to carry water and essentials- Recommended Osprey Day Pack
- Sunscreen– Make sure any sunscreen you buy is Reef safe! We waited to buy our sunscreen in Hawaii to make sure we got the right one.
- Bug Spray– The East side of the island especially is a bit more buggy.
- Rain Jacket- Hilo and the East side of the island get frequent rain. You may also experience rain on the West side of the island, although it will likely be in shorter intervals.- My Favorite Rain Jacket
- Sun Hat– Bring a hat to protect your face and neck from the sun.- Women’s Sun Hat
- Snorkel- You can rent snorkels on the island, but we opted to bring a few cheap ones we bought earlier.- Budget Snorkel
- Hiking Boots- Bring a waterproof boot with traction, because the trails are often muddy. Also don’t forget hiking socks!- My Favorite Hiking Boots, Men’s Version
- Sunglasses– Don’t forget a good pair of sunglasses!- Polarized Sunglasses
- Heavy Coat- If you are driving up the Moana Kea summit, you will want a heavier layer!- My Favorite Packable Jacket
- Winter Hat- Bring a warm hat for the summit as well.- Warm Beanie
- Waterproof Phone Case– I used this case to capture underwater photos and videos which you can see below.- Underwater Phone Case
- Camera- Bring a camera to capture your memories!- Beginner Travel Camera
Big Island Itinerary Map
This 4-day Big Island itinerary will include over 9 hours of driving and cover over 380 miles. The map above traces the suggested driving route.
4 Day Big Island, Hawaii Itinerary
This 4-day itinerary will visit all of the main attractions and activities on the Big Island from Kailua-Kona to Hilo including snorkeling with manta rays at night and visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Day 1- Snorkeling & Exploring Near Kona
Day one on the Big Island is full of snorkeling and exploring the sights near Kailua-Kona. This is a packed itinerary that you could also spread out over two days to have more time.
Start your day snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay– one of the Big Island’s best bays. In the afternoon visit Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Monument, before ending your day with an unforgettable tour snorkeling with the manta rays at night!
Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay
The Big Island has many great spots for snorkeling. One of the top spots is Kealakekua Bay located in Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. There are a few ways to reach the bay, from a guided snorkeling tour to hiking down to the bay with your own snorkels. This bay is also where you will find Captain Cook Monument.
A guided snorkeling tour is the easiest way to reach Kealakekua Bay. There are several options on Tripadvisor that will last you a few hours. You can instead rent a kayak and paddle over yourself. However, you cannot land kayaks or other watercraft at the Bay, so you will need to tether yourself to the kayak and be able to exit and reenter while in the water. If you want to spend time on the land around Kealakekua Bay, you will have to hike down.
Hiking down is by far the cheapest option, but also the most strenuous. The trail to Kealakekua Bay is 3.7 miles round trip and moderately steep. There is very limited parking, so arrive early to get a spot. Make sure to bring good footwear and plenty of water! Hiking down is fairly easy, but there is nowhere to fill up water, and you will have to hike out later in the day when it will be hotter and more exposed to the sun. This is the only trail I have completely run out of water on, and I was glad to have more in the car!
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Monument and Two Step Beach
Not far from Kealakekua Bay is Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Monument. This area was once a royal grounds and sanctuary, and the park has a lot of information about Hawaii’s Polynesian History. Spend an hour or so here wandering the grounds and learning about the reconstructed structures around the park.
Just steps away from Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Monument is Two Step Beach. This beach is composed of lava rock and another great place to go snorkeling. Depending on when you visit, this is also a good spot to watch the sunset over the ocean.
Night Manta Ray Snorkeling
My tour with Sea Quest was hosted, but my opinions expressed are my own.
Snorkeling with the manta rays at night is a must-do on any Big Island itinerary! It has been named one of the top tours to experience in your lifetime and is certainly one of the most unique attractions in Hawaii. The Big Island is one of the few places in the world where you can swim with manta rays, so don’t miss this if you are visiting!
Several companies offer manta ray tours, but we went with Sea Quest and I can’t imagine a better experience! Snorkels and wet suits are included with the tour, so you just need to show up with a bathing suit.
The boat ride is a short ride into the bay where you will unload from the boat and hold onto a large floating board. Blue lights are cast below which attract plankton that manta rays feed on. It is incredible to watch these gentle giants soar below you with wing spans reaching 12 feet!
If you want to capture photos or videos while snorkeling, make sure to get a waterproof case for your phone! I used this one on both of my snorkeling excursions in Hawaii and had no issues- Underwater Phone Case
Where to Eat in Kona
Looking for where to eat near Kailua-Kona? Below are some of the best places near Kona, including coffee shops and delicious local poke.
- Shaka Tacoz– Shaka Tacoz has two locations near Kona, and makes the best fish tacos I’ve ever tasted! I cannot recommend this place enough.
- Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice– Any shaved ice in Hawaii will be good, but Ululani’s was my personal favorite that we tried.
- Kona Brewing Company– This is a cute brewery with a nice outdoor area to eat in.
- Willie’s Hot Chicken– A great spot for a delicious and fast lunch.
- Da Poke Shack- Hawaii is known for poke, and Da Poke Shack is said to have some of the best. They often sell out, so go early!
- Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill Kona– We ate at Jackie Rey’s Hilo location and it was amazing both in food and atmosphere.
- HiCo Coffee- HiCo has a few locations on the Big Island. It was a good stop for some morning coffee and avocado toast.
Day 2- Kona Coffee & Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
On Day 2 of your Big Island itinerary, visit a Kona coffee plantation before journeying South to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You can return to Kona for the night, stay near the National Park, or continue on to stay near Hilo on the East side of the Island.
Kona Coffee Tour
Several coffee plantations near Kona offer tours. Kona coffee is regarded as some of the best coffee in the world, so even if you don’t stay for a tour, make sure to stop by one to sample coffee and buy some beans.
We visited Greenwell Farms which offers free tours every day on the hour or half hour. Other coffee farms that offer tours include:
Punalu’u Beach
There are several black sand beaches on the Big Island but Punalu’u Beach is one of the most famous. The waves can be fierce here so it is not a great spot for swimming, but the black sand beach contrasted with the blue waves and palm trees is a beautiful and unique site. Sea turtles frequent this beach so be on the lookout! If you see sea turtles, give them their space and do not touch them.
On your way to the beach make sure to stop at Punalu’u Bake Shop for breakfast or lunch! They serve Hawaiian bread, sandwiches, and their famous malasadas. Malasadas are similar to a donut and a must-try when visiting Hawaii! Eat there, or take it down to the beach!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must-visit on your Big Island itinerary. It includes the two most active Hawaiian volcanoes- Mauna Loa and Kīlauea which last erupted in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
It costs $30 per vehicle to enter the park, or you can use the annual America the Beautiful Interagency Pass.
Before visiting, check the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park website for recent updates on the volcanoes and any warnings or closures. The volcanoes can erupt at any time so visit responsibly!
Best Stops in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park- Chain of Craters Road
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has several long hikes and a lot of shorter hikes that are easy to stop and see while driving down the Chain of Craters Road. This road is 19 miles long, snaking down from the entrance of the park to the coastal cliffs.
Below are some of the best stops and hikes to explore in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park when driving Chain of Craters Road.
- Thurston Lava Tube– 1.5 miles, easy-moderate– Thurston Lava Tube is one of the most popular attractions in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, so arrive early to secure parking. It is entirely dark inside the tube, but it is lit daily from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Keanakako’i Overlook– 2 miles, easy- This is an easy hike, much of which is on a road closed to vehicles. At the end is a spectacular view of Kīlauea’s crater, which was smoking when we visited!
- Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs– 1.4 miles, moderate– This trail leads to a site with over 23,000 petroglyphs viewable from a boardwalk.
- Hōlei Sea Arch– minimal hiking– Hōlei Sea Arch is at the end of the Chain of Craters Road. It is a short walk to view the lava rock formation sticking out into the sea.
- Steam Vents– North in the National Park on Crater Rim Drive, but off Chain of Craters Road are the Steam Vents and Sulfur Banks where the steam and volcanic gases seep out of the ground.
Day 3- Hilo Waterfalls & Mauna Kea
Day 3 of this Big Island of Hawaii itinerary is packed with waterfalls and other sites to see near Hilo! In the morning, drive up to the Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve, and check out Rainbow Falls. In the evening, drive or take a tour to Moana Kea summit for sunset.
Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden
A 15-minute drive from Hilo is the Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. This was one of my most anticipated spots on The Big Island and it did not disappoint! The trail through the garden is about 1.25 miles long, but you can easily spend over an hour wandering through the 2,500 species of trees and flowers that make up the preserve.
The trail is mostly paved or boardwalk, but visitors must be able to walk without mobility assistance devices. It costs $30 per person to enter the garden. Bring a rain jacket or poncho, shoes with grip, and bug spray!
Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is another waterfall you must add to your Big Island itinerary! Located in Wailuku River State Park, in the town of Hilo, Rainbow Falls is 80 feet tall with a rainbow often visible across it. It is only a short walk to see the falls.
Boiling Pots and Pe’epe’e Falls
Just a mile North, also in Wailuku River State Park, is an overlook to Boiling Pots and Pe’epe’e Falls. Boiling pots are a series of small cascading pools, that can appear to be “boiling” in heavy rain, and Pe’epe’e Falls is an 80-foot waterfall visible in the distance from the viewpoint.
Sunset at Mauna Kea
Watching the sunset from the summit of Mauna Kea is one of the best things to do on the Big Island! Mauna Kea’s summit is the highest point on the Hawaiian Islands at 13,803 feet above sea level. It is unique in that you can drive right to the top of the summit with the right car!
The height of the summit combined with the dry air and isolation makes it an amazing spot for astronomy, and there are 13 observatories located around the summit.
You can choose to drive or take a tour to the top of Mauna Kea. If you are inexperienced with driving on steep, unpaved mountain roads, then a tour might be a better choice. However, we had 4WD experience and we found that renting a 4WD car would be more cost-effective than doing a tour for two people.
What to Know Driving up Mauna Kea
The road up to Mauna Kea is gravel and rugged, so here are a few things to know before venturing up.
- You must have 4WD to reach the summit! The visitor’s center is located at 9,200 feet, and accessible by any car. At the visitor center, a ranger will check that your car is 4WD and that you know how to properly use 4WD before continuing onwards. We used Hawaii Discount Car Rentals to ensure we rented a Jeep with 4WD.
- You must wait at the visitor center for at least 30 minutes before continuing to the summit. It is easy to get altitude sickness at the summit, and stopping beforehand can greatly reduce this risk. Bring plenty of water as it is dry at the visitor center and summit.
- You cannot stargaze at the summit. Since there are working observatories, rangers will flash their lights at you to usher you down after the sunsets so car lights don’t interfere with the observations. If you want to stargaze yourself, stop at the visitor center on the way down to look at the sky.
- Pack layers and check the weather before heading up! Mountain-Forecast is a good place to check! The summit is much colder than the rest of the Big Island and can get snow. Sometimes the road will close for inclement weather.
Where to Eat in Hilo
The town of Hilo is a bit less touristy than Kona, but we found the food to be excellent! Below are all of the amazing restaurants and stalls we found during our time in Hilo.
- Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill Hilo– This was the best food we had in Hawaii and some of the best food I’ve ever had! I highly recommend this if you are looking for a nicer place to eat out in Hilo.
- Suisan Fish Market– This is a must-try lunch spot in Hilo. Here you can find delicious fresh poke and fruit!
- Cafe Pesto Hilo Bay– Cafe Pesto is another nice lunch or dinner spot for fresh, locally sourced meals.
- Kula Shave Ice– Located right across from the Hilo Farmer’s Market, Kula Ice has fantastic and interestingly flavored shave ice.
- Alii Ice- This little store is located in the Liliʻuokalani Gardens and is perfect if you need to cool off with some ice cream. The real stand out was the paletas which are Latin American ice pops
- Pineapple Island Fresh Cuisine– This restaurant is mostly open to the air and a great place for some food and drinks.
- Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shack– This is a cute little store to get colorful smoothies and ice cream in unique flavors like ube and dragonfruit.
- Hawaiin Style Cafe Hilo– A classic cafe for breakfast. Although, be warned- the “side” of pancakes is two giant pancakes!
Day 4- Back to Kona
On the last day of your Big Island itinerary, stop at the Big Island’s most famous waterfall and a couple of amazing viewpoints on the North side of the Island before heading back to Kaiulua-Kona. If you have an evening flight, you should be able to do most of this before your flight, with an early start! If you don’t want to be rushed, cut out Pololū Valley, or head out the day after!
Akaka Falls
About 15 miles North of Hilo is Akaka Falls. This giant 442-foot-tall waterfall is the most famous waterfall on the Big Island and a must-see on your itinerary. The path to view Akaka Falls is only 0.4 miles long and easy for anyone who can walk up the steps.
For non-Hawaii residents, it costs $5 per person to enter the State Park, and an additional $10 per car for parking.
Waipi’o Valley Lookout
The Waipi’o Valley is one of the most beautiful areas of the Big Island, nestled between 2000-foot-tall cliffs. It is an area of great cultural and historical significance for Native Hawaiians.
The road to enter the valley is closed to visitors to mitigate the destruction of the road. However, it is still worth the trip to the lookout to gaze at the picture-perfect view of the tropical valley.
Pololū Valley Lookout
North of Waipi’o, at the very top of the Big Island, is another lookout, gazing down into Pololū Valley. You can hike down into this valley. The trail down to the beach is about half a mile and very steep! Pololū Valley is considered sacred, so be respectful and follow any rules posted or directed.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of inclement weather covering the top of the island on our last day, so we did not get to witness this site.
Other Things to Do on the Big Island- 5th Day Itinerary
If you completed the four-day Big Island itinerary above, and still have a day for sightseeing, here are some more of the best attractions and things to do with a fifth day on the Big Island. They are divided up into things to do near Kona and things to do near Hilo, depending on where you are staying.
More Things to Do Near Kona
If you have more than 4 days on the Big Island, consider adding one of these extra adventures near Kona!
- Whale Watching Tour– Off the coast of the Big Island is one of the best places to see humpback whales! November through April is the best time to go!
- Helicopter Tour– There are a few helicopter tours on the Big Island, including some that will take you to a remote waterfall!
- Green Sand Beach– Papakōlea Beach (also known as Green Sand Beach) is about an hour and a half South of Kona and requires a 5.6-mile round-trip hike to reach. You can find more information here.
More Things to Do Near Hilo
If you have 5 days on the Big Island and want to spend one more day in Hilo, check out some of these other things to do near Hilo.
- Hilo Farmer’s Market- The Hilo Farmer’s Market is open every day from 7-3 with lots of delicious, fresh local food.
- Kaumana Caves- Currently Closed
- Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo- The Pana’ewa Zoo is the only tropical zoo in the US and is nonprofit. Entrance is free, but it is encouraged to leave a donation. They have over 80 unique species, including a white Bengal tiger
- Kehena Black Sand Beach- A little South of Hilo is Kehena Black Sand Beach. This beach is clothing optional, so be warned if that’s not what you’re looking for!
If You Have Less Time- 3 Day Big Island Itinerary
If you only have 3 days on the Big Island, try this alternate itinerary. This is quite packed so add or remove activities based on your energy level!
- Day 1- Explore near Kona. Snorkel in Kealakekua Bay and night snorkel with manta rays
- Day 2- Road trip to the East side of the island. Visit Akaka Falls and the Hawai’i Tropical Bioreserve. If you have time, drive up or take a tour to Mauna Kea.
- Day 3- Day trip to Volcanoes National Park, stopping at Punalu’u Bake Shop and Punalu’u Beach on the way there or back.
How Many Days to Spend on the Big Island?
If you want to see as much as possible quickly, four days on the Big Island will allow you to do that! However, if you want a little more breathing room and some time for relaxation, I would extend this itinerary over 5 or 6 days instead. We spent 7 days on the Big Island, and I felt like it was one too many, and by the end, we were looking for more things to do.
However, the extra days did allow us to reschedule things easily due to rain, so consider adding in an extra day or two if you want to fit everything in without fighting bad weather.
When to Visit The Big Island
As you can see in the graphs above, the temperature is fairly consistent on the Big Island. So the main deciding factor for when to visit the Big Island will depend on how much you want to avoid the rain!
March and April are the wettest months on the Big Island, with Hilo getting almost twice as much rain as Kailua-Kona. We visited in November, which I thought was perfect to escape the cold of the mainland without getting too much rain in Hawaii.
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