Depends on how far you are traveling. We live on the East Coast and we pretty much have to chalk up two days for the plane ride, even arriving at 3 p.m. Hawaii time and leaving on a red-eye back. The Big Island is big with a lot to do and it can take a while to get from one side to the other. I'd opt for extra time if you can get it.

Good Info.... We're flying out of Seattle, so it takes about seven hours. Planning on seeing as much as we can.

I recommend you consider spending a night or two up at the incredible Volcano (see Volcano Village Lodge among others http://volcanovillagelodge.com/lodge.shtml ) - and then wind up kicking back for a few days on the Kona Coast. There are other post in here - under Hawaii - about Big Island - and I love the Visitor's center at the Volcano, checking out the movies/Ranger Talks/walks, etc and going down into the little Ke Iki crater for a nice hike.

North of Hilo - is just georgeous green rain forest foliage - and Akaka Falls should not be missed.

My husband and I have been to the Big Island many, many times since 2000--the last time was in Feb-March 2012. We always try to stay as long as we can--so if you can get another day, I'd do it.

Though you can do a day trip from Kona side to Volcano National Park--I agree with Tomsd--it makes a long day and limits your time at the park. Many spend 2-3 days on Hilo side--go to the Park, see the attractions in and north of Hilo--Akaka Falls, botanic gardens http://www.wbgi.com/ or http://htbg.com/ and if you're there on a Wednesday or Saturday--Hilo has a wonderful farmer's market on those days--better on Saturday. (BTW--I think the hike in the park that Tomsd is referring to is Kilauea Iki http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/hike_day_kilaueaiki.htm )

We usually stay in Kapoho when we're on the east side of the island--only 30-45 minutes from either Hilo or Volcano and sunnier than those two areas with tidepools. Here are a coupld of websites that have rentals in the area: http://www.bigislandvacationrentals.com/ http://tinyurl.com/7z8m8qy

The Waiopae tide pools are just south of Kapoho in the Vacationland subdivision--have protected snorkeling with great coral, per my husband (he says go at high tide) http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/mlcd_waiopae.html

And there is excellent snorkeling at Honaunau Bay next to Place of Refuge http://www.nps.gov/puho/index.htm It's called Two Step by the locals (though you'll never see that on any sign). And if you find getting in the water off the lava difficult or intimidating, just go a little to the south and get in the water where canoes are launched. It tends to be crowded the later in the day you go and there tends to be fewer waves in the morning.

Kealekakua Bay also has good snorkeling and a popular snorkeling beach is at the south end of Alii Drive (the main street through Kailua) Kahalu'u Beach Park--lifeguards, concession stand, protected snorkeling, turtles--crowded on weekends.

Neil:

We are going to the BI this summer with a 13 yr-old and 8 yr-old. I research the heck out of every trip. We decided to split our time between Hilo and the Kohala coast. We arrive in Hilo at night, will spend the night at a hotel in Hilo, and then head down to Kapaho for four nights in a house there. Three days on the Hilo side, one day driving over to Kohala, and five days based out of Kohala.

That's about the right split for TBI: 5 nights Kona or Kohala, 2 or 3 nights eastside (Volcano, Hilo, or Puna)

Neil_Maus- I'd go for 7 nights if you can get it.

Great feed-back!! Thx... Seven nights sounds like the way to go on the B.I. Our son is graduating H.S., so we're Hawaii bound as a graduation present. Two weeks ago I already reserved a condo on the Kona side. We are willing to spend the time and drive around for places to visit / day trips. Looks like we will just have to leave early, and / or stay late.

Hi Neil, my two cents:

7 night definitely, and spend 2 nights in volcano village and 5 on the Kona side. Hilo/Puna is also cool but I am guessing that the beaches (snorkeling etc) and the volcano are your main interests. The Kona side offers great sunny weather and beach action, while in volcano village you are smack in the middle of a lush rain forest and minutes away from volcano national park.

If you do stay in volcano village I strongly recommend to stay in a vacation rental. Not only is this often cheaper than staying in a hotel, but you also get lots of space, privacy and if you book well a fireplace and/or hottub.

To find good ones just google "vacation rental volcano village" or a similar term. I have had good experience with www.hawaiivolcanovacations.com, but there is plenty on offer in volcano so do browse around.

Have a great time!

It's a blast to drive around BI. Do start early - and I recommend you head over to the Volcano from the south side of Kona (stop by City of Refuge on the way if you haven't planned going there to see it another day/snorkel, etc) - and then after spending time at the Volcano - head up north of Hilo to Akaka Falls - and then the drive up to Waimea (good stop for dinner/a burger, etc) - and then back to the road down to Kona. From Hilo north is a smoother/less curvy drive, so it makes the 2nd half a lot easier.

Another day - head up to the very north end at Hawi - and take the mountain road back down to Waimea - passing through part of the huge/fabled Parker Ranch.

Looking Glass. They are both "fabled", which is not merely limited to a definition of legendary Gods.

You of course no doubt have read Michener's Hawaii, righto?

And know of the generations of Hawaiians that settled the Waipo Valley, once called the Valley of Kings? http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/hamakua-coast/waipio-valley-lookout

Or that the Parker Ranch is one of the largest ranches in the US and are celebrating their 50th Rodeo this year?

http://parkerranch.com/

I would definitely recommend 7 days on the BI. We rent a house in Kona for a week at a time and it is never enough time!

Because we do the house rental, we don't spend two days near Volcano, but we always spend one very long awesome day to go to Volcano during every trip because it is so magical!