About to go to Big Island for first time

[The_Lillard_King]

I've always said this board is a wealth on knowledge. Suggestions?

Staying near Kona

 

[crowTrobot]

If you are into hiking Kilauea Iki trail with side trip to Thurston Lava Tube is one of the best & most interesting I've ever done in a lifetime of hiking. Circles then drops to the floor of an older caldera. Lots of other great hikes in Hawaii Volcanos NP, too, including from Chain of Craters road. Only trouble is it's a long time consuming drive to get to VNP and back in one day from the Kona area. Doable but you have to leave early.

South of Kona, Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge) is a pretty cool place to spend a couple hours.

I haven't yet done one of the Snorkling with Giant Manta Rays tours, but people say that's a once in a lifetime type experience, too.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

If you are into hiking Kilauea Iki trail with side trip to Thurston Lava Tube is one of the best & most interesting I've ever done in a lifetime of hiking. Circles then drops to the floor of an older caldera. Lots of other great hikes in Hawaii Volcanos NP, too, including from Chain of Craters road. Only trouble is it's a long time consuming drive to get to VNP and back in one day from the Kona area. Doable but you have to leave early.

South of Kona, Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (Place of Refuge) is a pretty cool place to spend a couple hours.

I haven't yet done one of the Snorkling with Giant Manta Rays tours, but people say that's a once in a lifetime type experience, too.

Thanks. I haven't researched it at all (and left my book on hawaii at home). I love to hike and snorkel, so I will look into that.

 

[Masbee]

I've always said this board is a wealth on knowledge. Suggestions?

Staying near Kona

I am thinking you might get more replies if you supplied a little information, such as:

Have a car?

Alone, significant other, group?

Budget?

What kinds of activities you like: relax at the beach; be pampered; run around looking at stuff; people watching; water sports; thrill seeking; native culture; history, etc.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

I am thinking you might get more replies if you supplied a little information, such as:

Have a car?

Alone, significant other, group?

Budget?

What kinds of activities you like: relax at the beach; be pampered; run around looking at stuff; people watching; water sports; thrill seeking; native culture; history, etc.

Thanks man, I just figure posters don't like me much.

Here on family reunion with about 15 of us. Sometimes we all road trip together, more often we go off in small groups and sometimes I just escape by myself.

Staying at a house (not a resort). Have a car and my budget is I plan to do a couple paid activities and then try to find the hidden gem activities on my own or with family members.

First day here and learned I am staying in a house about 3 miles outside Kailua-Kona. There was talk at dinner tonight about what to do and I mentioned the idea of snorkeling with the giant manta rays and someone else heard the same thing CT said, so I think that will be one of my paid activities.

The tough decision is the volcano national park which is a 2.5 hour drive from where we are staying. I think I'm going to do it and spend the night on that side of the island. But that will take up 1/4th of my time here and only 4 others are considering doing it.

I'm really into snorkeling.

I'm think about doing a fishing trip and would love to hear if anyone has gone fishing here and if it is worth it.

Not going to do zip lining (done that in other places and it just doesn't pump my blood like it does other people). That is high on the list for others here.

I also like to kayak, hike and cruise small beach towns. Basically looking for day trips each day. I like to stay busy but not seeking intense thrills or over exhaustion. Sister and couple others planning a seven mile hike into thin air . . . not for me.

Went into Kona today and got some ideas but really was overwhelmed with all the activities.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

(After this going to Kauai with my closet brother who has kids ranging from 6-14 and will be asking for tip about that island)

 

[crowTrobot]

Best easy snorkeling spot near you is Kahalu'u Beach Park off Alii Drive.

I've also taken one of the morning snorkel boat trips to Captain Cook Monument/Kealakekua Bay (incredible place), but that could get expensive for a big group.

You will not regret going to Volcano NP if you do

 

[Spud147]

I've always said this board is a wealth on knowledge. Suggestions?

Staying near Kona

Just have a great and relaxing time Kiss, you have so earned the break!!!!

 

[mobes23]

We used to love Kona Village, but it got destroyed by the tsunami (although, it's apparently moving toward a re-opening in 2014.) The good news is the beach is still there and still open and it's good snorkeling. It's possible the surf shack is still open there, but I heard rumors it might be closing soon for reconstruction. Also there's pretty much a guarantee of multiple turtles sunning themselves on the beach . It's also right next to the Four Seasons and there's a nice beach side path that goes along multiple resorts, with multiple restaurants along the way.

The first time we went, we drove all over the island, went to cool restaurants and did a lot of day hikes. Unfortunately, for purposes of this thread, after that we just stayed a Kona Village and enjoyed the place. I don't remember the names of the places we went that first time and can't be too much help here, other than I remember liking a black sand beach on the north side of the island, just across from Maui, and it was interesting seeing the areas higher up from the water. I remember seeing the largest cattle ranch in the U.S. on the north side of the island-- who'd have guessed it would be in Hawaii?

 

[Eastoff]

You should go visit Waipio Valley, on the north part of the island.

The lava tubes are cool, but I didn't see any active volcano. I hear there was a spot I didn't find from some other friends at the wedding I went to.

 

[Masbee]

Best easy snorkeling spot near you is Kahalu'u Beach Park off Alii Drive.

I've also taken one of the morning snorkel boat trips to Captain Cook Monument/Kealakekua Bay (incredible place), but that could get expensive for a big group.

You will not regret going to Volcano NP if you do

I agree with this advice. Captain Cook is very popular. Worth planning a trip there, and not that far from Kona.

If you love snorkeling, you should do that at least a couple of times. You don't have to always pay for an excursion. Just ask about locals about the best spots and the best times to go, get your gear, and walk into the bay. No boats needed.

Since you are in Kona with a large group, you should know there is a Costco in Kona. They have some local products too, and gas, and the savings add up for a group.

Volcano National Park is really great. But you are right that it is a long drive - the farthest away from you in Kona you can get. Don't try to do it in one day. I think it is too late to plan a trip. Plan for it the next time you go. It is worth it. You also want to plan to try to view lava flow, and at night. Right now it is far from the main part of the park, so requires advanced planning.

 

[Masbee]

http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/kahaluu-beach-park-kona/

Here is a bunch of good info on Kahaluu for you. Get your snorkel gear and go right now!

 

[e_blazer]

Some good advice above, TOB. I've been to the Big Island several times and spent a month there last November. Amazing place, but also "Big" and if you're there on a short visit, you'll need to budget your time. Volcano National Park is interesting, but if you're from Oregon and have seen a lot of the volcanic things in our state, I'd say it's really only worth the trip if there's an active eruption going on and you can spend the night so that you can see it at nighttime. If you do decide to go to the east side of the island, get up early in the morning in time to take in a sunrise over the tidepools in the Pahoa area. Going to Uncle Robert's farmers market is a blast, but probably not something you'll have time for on a short visit. My favorite beaches are to the north of the airport... Hapuna Beach, the fish ponds at the Mauna Lani resort, the beach at the Mauna Kea resort. Regarding the Captain Cook monument, as others have said, the snorkeling there is flat out amazing. We rented kayaks and paddled over to it, but they told us the State was shutting that down due to environmental damage. I think your only options right now are to go there on one of the commercial tours or to hike into the site.

That said, the basic thing is to not try to do too much. Enjoy what the island has to offer in the area you're staying.

 

[Masbee]

You should go visit Waipio Valley, on the north part of the island.

If you get tired of the heat and the lava and want some lush vegetation, waipio is a cool place to go. The drive to that side of the island is not that bad.

You have to pay to be shuttled down the steep road into the valley. Then you can hike around. Many years ago we rented a 4x4 and I drove us down (and up) that road. Seeing the wrecked cars down the cliff is creepy. Going back up is harder than you think. You can't see the road out the windshield. I swore I would never drive it again. Next time we took a shuttle.

There are plenty of other places to go to get out of Kona, go for a drive, then go for a nice hike in lush vegetation, if you don't want to deal with a shuttle.

 

[Masbee]

There are some good beaches in the Kona area, so no need to make a big trip just to hang out at a beach, but if you feel like a drive and to see a different section of the island, our favorite beaches on the big island are on the Kohola Coast, which is about 30 miles from Kona.

Mauna Kea Beach (Kauna'oa)
Beautiful crescent of white sand with trees and maintained by the resort and not crowded. Snorkeling is decent here too.
drive to the Mauna Kea resort. The guard at the gate will tell you if there is room and direct you. There is space for only 30 cars for visitors, so you have to get lucky or get there early in the day.

If the parking was full, or if we just felt like it, we go to:
Hapuna Beach State Park.
Turn off just south of Mauna Kea resort.
Very, very pretty. Big. Lots of soft, white sand, that gently slopes into the water, lots of trees for shade, great for groups and families, lawns, bathrooms, gazebos, lifeguards. Parking lot is up the hill and a bit of a walk, but there is a closer drop-off if you have wheelchair or elderly, etc.

Our preference was to walk a ways along the beach toward the Hapuna Prince Hotel. It gets less crowded over there. And the snorkeling spot is the rocks in front of the hotel.

We would go in the morning, hangout, swim, eat our picnic lunch. But, if you have lots of dough, either of these luxury hotels have cafe's and restaurants that will happily serve you nice food and drinks for insane prices.

There is a 1 mile long shoreline trail that connects the two beaches. Pretty tough in flip flops though. Looking at how the 1% live in their fabulous (and hardly ever occupied) oceanfront homes on that trail is entertaining.

I see e-blazer and I like the same beaches.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

Wow that is a lot of good information. Thanks for all the tips. Wish I had more time. Went snorkeling today at Two Steps (?, next to a national park). That was an incredible experience. I know the Oahu has Hanauma Bay, but if this is what snorkeling is like on the big island, I'm going to love this place.

Tomorrow going for a change of pace and doing a sandy beach, relax and maybe get in some body surfing. One family mentioned Hapuna, I think I will join them. Probably going to do that lunch at a fancy resort Masbee mentioned, the bill adds up fast, but I feel so good about life during lunches like that.

Heard about the snorkeling at Captain Cook . . . but the group has it wrapped up with the swimming with the dolphins. I don't know about this as it is 170.00/person. Probably going to pass.

Volcano sounds great but was going to pass. But sure enough family politics makes it's way into my paradise and . . . I'm going. Going overnight. So is Black Sand Beach or Green Sand Beach worth it on the drive there? Is the fastest way south? Tips to make better time?

I really appreciate all this info and good will (your posts read like a travel book, it's great). It flows right with my great experience here (minus the family politics, ugh).

Then I got one last weekend here . . . geez it goes fast.

 

[jlprk]

I don't remember the names of the places we went that first time and can't be too much help here, other than I remember liking a black sand beach on the north side of the island, just across from Maui, and it was interesting seeing the areas higher up from the water.

We scooped some black sand in 1963 and kept it in my parents' living room until a burglar stole it in the 80s. Now the beach is almost a secret, to conserve the volcanic sand. What's the name of that beach?

 

[mobes23]

We scooped some black sand in 1963 and kept it in my parents' living room until a burglar stole it in the 80s. Now the beach is almost a secret, to conserve the volcanic sand. What's the name of that beach?

Lol - I can't remember the name either and didn't see it with bing or google. If I remember right, if you drive up the west side of the island, then you'll find it where the road ends.

 

[Eastoff]

You have to pay to be shuttled down the steep road into the valley.

I just walked it.

 

[Masbee]

I just walked it.

Yeah, I did that once too. I just don't recommend it to people I don't know well. It is a hard slog coming back up in the heat and humidity and can be dangerous if you meet a vehicle at the wrong spot.

 

[Eastoff]

Yeah, I did that once too. I just don't recommend it to people I don't know well. It is a hard slog coming back up in the heat and humidity and can be dangerous if you meet a vehicle at the wrong spot.

very true. I forgot he is there with his family as well.

 

[Masbee]

Tomorrow going for a change of pace and doing a sandy beach, relax and maybe get in some body surfing. One family mentioned Hapuna, I think I will join them. Probably going to do that lunch at a fancy resort Masbee mentioned, the bill adds up fast, but I feel so good about life during lunches like that.

Hapuna Beach is great. You will love it. At Hapuna Prince I think they just have poolside lunch service and a café inside - casual eating at high prices. That is why we always brought a picnic. If you don't like the what's going on at the Price for lunch, Mauna Kea has a nicer beachside café for lunch. Still basic sandwiches at high prices, but you can't beat the location and atmosphere.

If you want to explore the nearby harbor town of Kawaihae, go north on the highway just past Spencer Beach, and there are several good places to eat; Café Pesto is our favorite, but there are other spots as well as places to get plate lunches and burgers.

Another option for eating if you are done with Hapuna Beach (or want a long break from the beach) is to drive about half an hour upcountry to Waimea. You get completely different scenery and there are several good places to eat: Merriman's is fantastic fisherman/farm to table kind of place; Big Island Brewhouse; Red Water Café; Hawaiian Style Café and others. You need shirts for these places.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Hawaiian Shaved Ice in the town of Kona is awesome. Shaved ice with fro-yo in the middle. Sounds odd, but it's fantastic. I wasn't going to try it, but once I did, it was magical.

I stayed on the Big Island for a month several years ago. Visited the volcano (the steam vents are rad), visited the lava tubes on the Hilo side and enjoyed the beautiful waterfalls, watched lava flow into the ocean (we had to walk over old hardened lava rock that covered the highway for a better view), etc. Go to the local surf spot known as Banyans right near a couple of condo buildings for good surfing/bodyboarding. Go to Magic Sands Beach for good body surfing. We also went to the Green Sand Beach (the sand is green - it's rad; little bit of a trek to reach, but worth it).

We went to check out some of the big resorts and what not for various activities (such as the main Hilton). I can't remember the name of the hotel, but there's one that people would gather at after dusk, as it was a great place to see the rays at night.