the Big Island of Hawaii

This itinerary assumes that you are flying to Hawaii from the US mainland.

Day One

Fly into Kona International Airport, rent a car, stay in nearby Kailua-Kona

Day Two

driving directions

• Leave by 10 am
• Drive to Kona Coffee Living History Farm or Hala Tree Organic Kona Coffee Farm, spend 1.5 hrs
• Drive to Pu'uhonua O Honauau Natl Historic Park, spend 1.5 hrs
• Drive to Kealakekua Bay, rent a kayak
• Drive to Captain Cook Monument Trail, hike partway down the hill, possibly all the way to Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (can also kayak here from Napo'opo'o Pier)
• Stay the night in Captain Cook
• Dinner options: Rays on the Bay or Manago
• Morning coffee options: Sacred Grounds or The Coffee Shop

Day Three

driving directions

• Leave Captain Cook by 9 am
• Drive to Kalae (southernmost point in the 50 states), spend 30 min
• Drive to Papakolea Green Sands Beach, spend 30 min (requires hiking)
• Drive to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, spend 30 min
• Drive to Hawaii Volcanoes NP, spend 4 hrs exploring
• Stay the night in the town of Volcano
• Dinner options appear to be fairly limited, best bet may be Crater Rim Cafe in the NP?

Day Four

driving directions

• Leave Volcano by 11 am
• Drive to Lava Viewing Area, spend 2 hrs
• Drive Kaimu Beach Park, spend 1 hr
• Drive to Lava Tree State Monument, spend 30 min
• Drive to Hilo, spend the night
• Dining options: Aloha Mondays (takeout only), Poke Market LLC, or Tabaraka
• Dessert: Kula Shave Ice or Puna Chocolate Company & Cafe
• Morning coffee: Paul's Place

Day Five

driving directions

• Spend the morning exploring Hilo
• Lunch option (if you're hungry): Tamari Lunch
• Leave Hilo by 1 pm
• Drive to Akaka Falls SP, spend 45 mins
• Drive to Laupahoehoe Beach Park, spend 45 mins
• Drive to Waimea, spend the night
• Dinner at Merriman's

Day Six

driving directions

• Spend the morning relaxing in/exploring Waimea
• Get food to go from Plates of Aloha
• Drive to Pu'u Huluhulu, spend 1.5 hrs, eat picnic?
• Drive to top of Mauna Kea, tour observatories, watch sunset
• Drive back down to Waimea, spend another night

Day Seven

driving directions

• Leave Waimea by 11:30 am
• Drive to Pololu Valley, spend 2 hrs hiking & exploring
• Drive by statue of King Kamehameha
• Drive to northern tip of Big Island
• Drive to Hapuna Beach SP, spend 1 hr
• Drive to Kaloko-Honokohau Natl Historic Park, spend 1.5 hrs
• Drive to Kona International Airport, return car, catch late evening flight back to mainland

Obviously if your flight is at an earlier time, you would need to leave Waimea earlier this morning.  Also, if desired/needed, you could easily reduce this itinerary to 6 days by leaving Hilo earlier on Day 5 and combining Days 5 & 6.

Enjoy the trip!