Whoo hoo! Ten days on the Big Island late April. What should we not miss?

[KarenB]

Heading to the Big Island for the first time in April. We will be staying in Kona and renting a car, not 4 Wheel drive. Looking for any suggestions on what we should not miss (or even what we should pass on). It is DH and myself, we are very active and love hiking and the water. We would much rather eat at small local places, days of eating from small food stands/carts, or even make a few meals at the rental. We may get a one night rental or hotel in Hilo to save on some driving.

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[PoppyJ]

Following! Also going to the Big Island for the first time.

I still haven't been able to decide on a hotel, though I am leaning towards a split stay between Kona or Waikola and Hilo. May I ask where you are staying?

 

[KarenB]

Following! Also going to the Big Island for the first time.

I still haven't been able to decide on a hotel, though I am leaning towards a split stay between Kona or Waikola and Hilo. May I ask where you are staying?

We have an Air B&B on a hillside near Kona.

 

[happybaker]

We loved the Big Island when we visited in 2019. We only stayed a few days before heading to Oahu. I would love to go back for 10 days.

One of our favorite things was our snorkel trip. Even my 78yo dad enjoyed the day. We did the Morning Kealakekua tour. I think it's changed a little foodwise since we went, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.

https://www.fair-wind.com/kona-snorkel-tours/

Of course we enjoyed Volcano National Park and the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

Have a great trip!

 

[SueInBoston]

I'll be there next week for 7 days, then Maui for 3 (we're just doing Road to Hana, been to Maui 2x but never made it so want to check that off the list) I'll let you know when I'm back

 

[KarenB]

I'll be there next week for 7 days, then Maui for 3 (we're just doing Road to Hana, been to Maui 2x but never made it so want to check that off the list) I'll let you know when I'm back

That would be great, thanks!

 

[KarenB]

That would be great, thanks!

And have a fantastic time SueInBoston!!

 

[evilmommie]

https://www.fair-wind.com/kona-snor...qE29bt9joeprJUFYgRRq1aJlaxnNYH-zWMeC7c_nyaVc7 Best snorkel trips on the Big Island! Hands down.

Also, it will be Humpback Whale migration season in April and it’s absolutely stunning. It will be like whale soup out there in the water. Just jump in the water from the beach, dunk your head under and you’ll be able to hear them! Have a great time!

 

[pks_domer]

I don't know if they still do it-- it's been a decade or so since we've been there-- but we did a tour with a pre-dawn hike into a lava field, where you could watch the active lava flow into the ocean (from a safe distance away, obviously) as the sun came up. Pretty memorable hike.

 

[pks_domer]

Oh-- and if you are a sand-color person, hiking in to the "green" sand beach might be fun. A bit different from the other (white, black, red sand) beaches in Hawaii.

 

[pezgirlroy]

Heading to the Big Island for the first time in April. We will be staying in Kona and renting a car, not 4 Wheel drive. Looking for any suggestions on what we should not miss (or even what we should pass on). It is DH and myself, we are very active and love hiking and the water. We would much rather eat at small local places, days of eating from small food stands/carts, or even make a few meals at the rental. We may get a one night rental or hotel in Hilo to save on some driving.

Thanks for any suggestions!

I don't know if they still publish it but (over 20 years ago) we had a book called the big blue book of the big island. Something like that and it was just amazing. so helpful. The big island was our favorite. We went scuba diving, horse back riding in the valley. We were coming from the East Coast so our first real day there we woke up at like 3am because our time clocks were off. So we just got in the car and drove over to Volcano National Park and it was amazing to be there at that time.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

My family visited Oahu and the Big Island back in 2018 (heading back this August!) The kids were young, maybe 6 and 8, so we didn't go too hard, but we did some cool stuff:

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - we did some nice hiking in the Kahuku Unit
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
Hamakua Macadamia Nut Visitor Center
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Park
Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm / Hawaii's Local Buzz coffee

Eat lunch at an L&L Hawaiian Barbecue - the best plate lunches
Zippy's - local fast food chain for chili
For beautiful views of the ocean in Keauhou Bay, there's a place called Sunset Kai Lanai (formerly Sam Choy's Kai Lanai), the good was good but the name and ownership have changed since our last visit.

The first time, we stayed at a resort in the Keauhou area, this time we're planning on the Waikoloa Beach area.

 

[soccerdad72]

I would recommend downloading an app called 'GuideAlong' (it used to be called GyPSy). It's a paid service, but their GPS driving guides are the best for the islands. We used it for our day on the Big Island and it gave us so many interesting facts and great stops that we would have never considered on our own. Their Road to Hana guide was the best as well. One of the only times I've ever paid for something on the App Store, but well worth the money.

 

[Jasper07]

I would recommend downloading an app called 'GuideAlong' (it used to be called GyPSy). It's a paid service, but their GPS driving guides are the best for the islands. We used it for our day on the Big Island and it gave us so many interesting facts and great stops that we would have never considered on our own. Their Road to Hana guide was the best as well. One of the only times I've ever paid for something on the App Store, but well worth the money.

GuideAlong is a must when visiting!!

 

[bennifer]

We were on the Big Island for a week in June! It's amazing. We stayed in Kona and Hilo. Our favorites were:
Pu'ukohola Heiau NP
Pu'uhonua o Hanaunau NP
Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
Kahuku Unit of Volcanoes NP - hike the red cinder cone! It's easy and pretty short but very cool.
Volcanoes NP
Punalu'u Beach (Black Sand) and Punalu'u Bakery
The Hamukua Coast: Akaka Falls, Waipio Valley Lookout

DH and DS didn't snorkel with manta rays, (I don't swim), but they now regret not doing it. We also regret missing the green sand beach. I want to go back right now!

One final thought - we rented a car, not a 4 wheel drive and regretted it. On Oahu, a car is fine, but on the Big Island, it's worth the splurge to not have to worry about damaging a car.

 

[KarenB]

We were on the Big Island for a week in June! It's amazing. We stayed in Kona and Hilo. Our favorites were:
Pu'ukohola Heiau NP
Pu'uhonua o Hanaunau NP
Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
Kahuku Unit of Volcanoes NP - hike the red cinder cone! It's easy and pretty short but very cool.
Volcanoes NP
Punalu'u Beach (Black Sand) and Punalu'u Bakery
The Hamukua Coast: Akaka Falls, Waipio Valley Lookout

DH and DS didn't snorkel with manta rays, (I don't swim), but they now regret not doing it. We also regret missing the green sand beach. I want to go back right now!

One final thought - we rented a car, not a 4 wheel drive and regretted it. On Oahu, a car is fine, but on the Big Island, it's worth the splurge to not have to worry about damaging a car.

Thanks for the list! We have been looking at many of the same stops. I feel the manta ray swim may be touristy but something that should be experienced once.

 

[KarenB]

I would recommend downloading an app called 'GuideAlong' (it used to be called GyPSy). It's a paid service, but their GPS driving guides are the best for the islands. We used it for our day on the Big Island and it gave us so many interesting facts and great stops that we would have never considered on our own. Their Road to Hana guide was the best as well. One of the only times I've ever paid for something on the App Store, but well worth the money.

Interesting-thanks!

 

[KarenB]

Oh-- and if you are a sand-color person, hiking in to the "green" sand beach might be fun. A bit different from the other (white, black, red sand) beaches in Hawaii.

We found a spot to see a green sand beach. A bit of a hike to get there, but right up our ally.

 

[KarenB]

https://www.fair-wind.com/kona-snor...qE29bt9joeprJUFYgRRq1aJlaxnNYH-zWMeC7c_nyaVc7 Best snorkel trips on the Big Island! Hands down.

Also, it will be Humpback Whale migration season in April and it’s absolutely stunning. It will be like whale soup out there in the water. Just jump in the water from the beach, dunk your head under and you’ll be able to hear them! Have a great time!

Oh my word! This would be amazing! I love your description.

 

[Sidney Land]

Maybe take a tour to the top of Mauna Kea. Yes, it snows up there. I understand the observatory might be dismantled, dunno.