I've been reading through recent posts on the BI and would like ask for opinions on how to split time on the BI. Based on posts, I think we will fly into Hilo and out of Kona. We like to hike, snorkel/dive, eat great local food and relax. I saw recommendations for both the south and the north side of the island. I probably don't want to stay at more than 3 places.

This board has been great in helping me plan other vacations. Suggestions for a route and number of days at each location?

Thanks!

Fritch, with eight days, I would stay in two places. I would choose a couple of nights at Volcano Village near at VNP (I like Kilauea Lodge), then spend the other six nights at a resort on the Kohala/Kona Coast. The Hilo area is too rainy for me ... I would spend the two nights at VNP, then drive the Northern route over to the Kohala Coast.

Fritch, I would do exactly as elsiemoo suggests. We stayed at the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast and loved it. I also agree with staying at the Kilauea Lodge.

Thanks so much for your help elsiemoo and Samsaf!

I would stay in Hilo rather than Volcano Village. There is more to see & do. One or two nights is enough. You are still close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Its about 40 minutes form Hilo.

In Hilo - Banyan Drive (this is where most hotels are), Liliuokalani Gardens, Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots

North of Hilo - 4 Mile Scenic Drive, Akaka Falls State Park

Lots of info. There are about 10 sites that are good for all islands. Just ignore the Oahu things:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

Fritch, here is an excerpt from Frommers on Hilo:

"Hilo--When the sun shines in Hilo, it's one of the most beautiful tropical cities in the Pacific. Being here is an entirely different kind of island experience: Hawaii's largest metropolis after Honolulu is a quaint, misty, flower-filled city of Victorian houses overlooking a half-moon bay, with a restored historic downtown and a clear view of Mauna Loa's often snowcapped peak. Hilo catches everyone's eye until it rains -- it rains a lot in Hilo -- and when it rains, it pours.

Hilo is one of America's wettest towns, with 128 inches of rain annually. It's ideal for growing ferns, orchids, and anthuriums, but not for catching a few rays. But there's lots to see and do in Hilo, so grab your umbrella. The rain is warm (the temperature seldom dips below 70°F/21°C), and there's usually a rainbow afterward."

This is what Frommers says about the Kohala Coast:

"The Kohala Coast--Fringes of palms and flowers, brilliant blankets of emerald green, and an occasional flash of white buildings are your only clues from the road that this black-lava coast north of Kona is more than bleak and barren. But, oh, is it! Down by the sea, pleasure domes rise like palaces no Hawaiian king ever imagined. This is where the Lear jet-set escapes to play in world-class beachfront hotels set like jewels in the golden sand. But you don't have to be a billionaire to visit the Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and Mauna Kea resorts: The fabulous beaches and abundant historic sites are open to the public, with parking and other facilities provided by the resorts, including restaurants, golf courses, and shopping."

Only you know which atmosphere would better suit you, what you think you'd like more. I love visiting around Hilo, seeing the beautiful sites, then going back to the Lodge at VNP or back to a resort on the Kohala Coast. Good luck with your decisions!

Fritch, re-reading my above post, I wanted to say ... I realize you aren't choosing between Hilo and the Kohala Coast. You will be choosing whether to stay in Hilo or at VNP on that side. I just wanted you to see the description of the two areas. As I said before, I would definitely choose VNP over Hilo, for a couple of nights, then on to the Kohala Coast.

Fritch- In my Hawaii trip report, I mentioned that if I could do one thing over it would be to stay only 2 nights/1 day in VNP, instead of 3 nights/2 days. We loved VNP but imo if you get an early start, it can easily be seen in one day. I agree with others re staying in Volcano Village vs. Hilo., and also definitely agree with staying in only 2 places.

The drive up the coast north of Hilo, over to the Kohala coast, is beautiful. Akaka Falls is a quick stop, make sure you stop at Waipio Lookout. We preferred to stay north of Kona, less crowds, and rented a small cottage rather than stay in a resort type setting. Enjoy!

I agree with Beatle. 2 nights in VNP should be plenty. We only stayed one night, and that was actually plenty for us. However, I would love to have stayed a second night simply because of Kilauea Lodge! I recommend the Kilauea Iki hike at VNP and also the Thurston lava tube and a drive down Chain of Craters to the ocean.

There is great snorkeling at Captain Cook south of Kona. We hiked down, but I would definitely kayak over next time. Also, Polulu Valley on the north short is a nice and easy hike with a gorgeous black sand beach at the bottom.

May I suggest staying in VNP perhaps a third day ... then you would have time to hike to the Green Sand Beach at the southern tip of the Island. It's sand is like velvet and a special place to hike ... have lunch at the small restaurants you pass by ... more info on this hike can be found in the BI Revealed.

We flew in/out of Hilo and stayed 3 nights at the the Castle Hilo Hawaiian, 2 nights at Volcano House and 5 nights at the Hapuna Prince ... that cut down on the long drives.

I agree with most of the advice given so far. Based on your set of activities I'd recommend you spend the bulk of your time in Kohala. Just remember Kohala (and the entire west side of the BI) is almost entirely barren lava flows. If you're looking for "South Pacific" you're going to be disappointed. However, resorts in Kohala are consistently spectacular, and nearly all of the island's white sand beaches are here as well. The two best beaches are at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (which is closed until next year, although the beach is open) and Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. The Orchid and Mauna Lani have smaller white sand beaches, while the Four Seasons and Kona Village's beaches are rocky and narrow. The Hilton Waikoloa has no natural white sand beach.

Thanks for the information. We love lots of different environments ranging from very orange and barren Utah to very wet areas of Costa Rica so I think we will see if we can fit in a little bit of Hilo, VNP and somewhere quieter on the west coast. We like small B&B's or resorts with no more than 8 rooms so I'll re-read the BI postings now that I have a better sense of where to spend 8 nights. Fritch

Definitely stop at the Waipio lookout and go down to the beach if you're up for a climb - the view up the valley is beautiful and atypical for the BI. A place that we saw too late to book that looked stunning: http://www.hawaiicliffhouse.com/locationpage.html
Aloha

Somewhere to consider in South Kona -- http://www.hawaii4two.com/
lovely cottages--great view of the ocean for sunset. Not a B&B - but Steve, the owner, will keep you supplied with fruit and wonderful coffee from the estate.

Thanks for the recommendations on places to stay - I don't necessarily need a B&B, we just aren't large resort with lots of amenities kind of people - we like the small places where you can spend time talking to the owners.

Fritch

About Green Sand Beach...

We were on the Big Island in February. Hiked out to Green Sand Beach on a beautiful, sunny morning. We parked with all the other cars and THOUGHT everything was fine. When we got back, however, our car and three others had the windows smashed and our belongings stolen. And since we had just checked out of our hotel in captain Cook and were making our way to VNP, we had all our clothing, scuba gear, everything in our car. ALL GONE. The local police were able to recover some of our items (which they kept for evidence, and STILL hasn't been returned) but the rest were gone for good.

Whatever you do- please leave everything behind when you go there.

Heymo - thanks for the tip. "The Big Island Revealed" - a book recommended here, suggested leaving all doors unlocked and nothing in the car. I thought that was extreme but I will listen to their and your warning.

For the others who posted recommendations, here is what I decided to do -
A. Two nights in Hilo - Arts and Orchid B&B (as a base to explore NE BI)
B. Three nights at VNP - Kilauea Lodge
C. Four nights in Kona - Hale Hualalai B&B
D. Also opted for the 4WD based on the same book mentioned above.

I clearly heard from the group of posters that Hilo is wet and Kohala is dry and has great resorts but for us it's about great food and hiking. Rain won't faze MN residents! I'll post my report in Jan when I return.

Fritch

Fritch, I think you will love the Hale Hualalai. We were there for 3 nights last November, and we really enjoyed our stay there. Lonn prepares incredible breakfasts and serves coffee grown on his own land.