A Week in Hawaii’s Big Isle

Nature in Full Force

There is nowhere else in the world quite like it. Living up to its name, the Big Island is expansive enough to fit all the other Hawaiian islands into its boundaries and diverse enough to host ten of the world’s 14 microclimates. The power of nature grabs guests by the heartstrings and doesn’t let go. From snow-capped mountains to steamy volcanos to up-close encounters with whales to lush rainforests to luxury resorts, no traveler is left untouched.

Day One

This expansive island, brimming with adventure, requires multiple days to take it all in. Start with a stay at Volcano Rainforest Retreat, nestled thick within the magical canopies of palms. This location is the most remote, yet minutes from Volcano National Park. Mainlanders can easily rise before the sun to chase the magnificent orange glow of Muana Loa in all her glory. Stretching to nearly 14,000 feet above the sea, visitors can easily gaze upon glorious eruptions before dawn. As one of the world’s largest volcano shields, there’s ample space for hiking. For experiences like none other, visit Thurston Lava Tube chute and volcano Steam Vents. This is also a place to sample the regional fare at its best, and Aunty Pon’s Thai Food Truck is a local fave of heaping proportions.

Day Two

Relax at the misty Volcano Rainforest Retreat while taking a morning dip in one of the private outdoor soaking tubs. Snack on local pastries and native fruit provided in suite, or grab a hot breakfast at Kilauea Lodge. The day is best spent sweeping back through the national park to see any missed sites. Pay a visit to Holei Sea Arch (a scene akin to the Cliffs of Moher), walk lava fields, and see petroglyphs. End this day with a stargazing tour at Mauna Kea Summit. Tours run at various times, so astronomy lovers or avid hikers could easily make a day of it. And for an added treat, some tours even include dinner.

Day Three

Awaking in a new place, SCP Hilo Hotel offers the perfect backdrop to a modest stay on the east side of the island and is just a short walk to a peaceful morning stroll through Lili’uokalani Gardens or morning paddle boarding in Reeds Bay. Get a taste of Hawaii’s state parks while encountering not one but two cascading falls in a half-mile trek at Akaka Falls State Park. Go for a plunge, and you just might spot globefish swimming their way upstream. On the way back, stop by Rainbow Falls for a quick view of this sun-drenched watering hole. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a rainbow glistening in the sun. Though Hilo is the second largest city on the island, oftentimes guests can easily spot the Milky Way from their hotel balcony. So be sure to wind down with a low-key dinner and a tiki drink porch-side.

Day Four

Hilo has long been an industrious farming town. In fact, most of the Hawaiian islands still import their goods from the Big Island today. Wander through Hilo Farmers’ Market for a taste of local creations like none other: breadfruit cinnamon rolls, peanut butter chocolate from Puna Chocolate Company, bright red ice cream bananas, mamaki tea, and mango bread. Discover a lush paradise at Hawai‘i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden. Guests are enchanted by jungle plants, bubbling streams, winding panoramic trails, and waterfalls ushering their way to the ocean floor. For a “sweet” experience, visit Big Island Bees Apiary & Museum to view hive art and beeswax sculptures while learning about the island’s most precious pollinators.

Day Five

Moving down the island, this day offers an opportunity to Wake Up with the Whales. If you time your travels right, you may be visiting the clear blue waters of ‘Anaeho’omalu Bay at the same time as half the world’s humpback population. These beautiful beasts are often seen from shore, showing off as they frolic in the shallow waters that birth their young. However, if you want an up close and truly magical encounter with these curious giants, a boat tour with Ocean Sports at Waikolia Beach Marriott is highly recommended. While November through April are the months for whale action, if traveling in the summer, Ocean Sports still has ample tours with expert guides to get guests brimming with glee. Try Swimming with Spinner Dolphins and Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay—both tours are available year round. Back on dry land, walk ‘Anaeho’omalu Beach to the black rock jetty to catch a glimpse of sea turtles grazing in the clear waters below. Then line up early for a bite at Lava Lava Beach Club’s open-air patio. Doors open at noon, and it seems that everyone knows about this once well-kept secret. Spend the last half of the day at 49’s Black Sand Beach, a tiny, breathtaking beach that can’t be found on any tourist lists but is well-worth the $20 entry fee for non-residents.

Day Six

The last few days land visitors in Kona, close to the airport. For caffeine-lovers, Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory and Kona Coffee both offer behind the scenes tours of Hawaii’s most coveted commodities. One unmissable stop in Kona is Ali’i Saltwater Swimming Pool. A rare find tucked between apartment buildings and a rocky coastline is a hidden treasure with cool vibes. At dusk, thrill-seekers can go for a night dive with 12 to 15-foot Manta Rays. Boats filled with suited-up scuba divers and snorkelers patiently wait for an up-close encounter with droves of these gentle giants as they feed on plankton that line the ocean floor.

Day Seven

Due south of Kona lies two of the most eye-catching beaches on earth. For visitors who desire to see one of only four green sand beaches in the world, make the trek to Papakolea Beach. Though it’s a five mile (round trip) mostly flat trail, it’s arguably one of the easiest green sand beaches to get to, compared to Galapagos, Norway, and Guam. The second stop on this beach day is made up of pulverized basalt. Punalu’u is one of the most famous black sand beaches on earth. There is something quite playful and warm about sinking colorful toes into pitch-black sand while gazing up at wind-blown palms that emerge from the pigment-rich shores. But that’s not the only site to be had here; endangered Hawksbill turtles can also be found basking in the sun.