BI - accom KONA and VOLCANO
 

Desperate Brit here again - Many thnaks to all those who have given me info for KAUAI - I now have that destination all sorted -
I now need some pointers for the BI please - we are going over specifically to do the Manta Ray Dive and visit the Volcano. From looking at this forum it seems Jacks Dive is the best bet for the Manta Ry dive - I thought about staying in the Kona Tiki hotel whilst there - any comments ? How far is that hotel away from the Manta Ray Dive site??
Then - over to see the Volcanos - we want to stay there overnight and see the Lava at night so thought about staying in Volcano village - any ideas please for somewhere cheap to stay for two or three nights ??

Also - how long will it take to drive from the Kona coast to the Volcano - is it best to go over the saddle road or via the coastal route ? Is it worth stopping somewhere en route overnight ?? Many thanks - Chrissie

Hey Chrissie,
With regard to driving from Hilo to Volcanoes National Park, here is a website map showing the ~2.5 hour drive from the Kona coast region to the Volcanoes National Park which is on the other side of the island:
http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/map.htm

Also be sure to press the lava tab on this website for info. about the hike to see it at the end of chain of craters road. I highly recommend the VNP and lava viewing as a full day into evening trip, though lava viewing conditions vary from day to day.

With regard to saddle road, I believe it reduces the length of travel by about 20 miles or so, but it is a narrow road, where one may encounter military convoys and generally car rental companies do not permit their cars to be operated there. I have not driven there personally, but others on this board say that one can find elevated views there-however there is not much in the way of gas stations or stores to stop at. :S-

Hi Chrissie,
We enjoyed our stay at the Kona Tiki last year while on the BI-very acceptable budget accommodations. Managers friendly and helpful. No phones/TV's if that matters. No AC but we always had a nice breeze and there was a ceiling fan. We had a room on the top floor that had a small kitchenette-I would request the top floor so you can leave the lanai door open. A light breakfast was served out by the pool in the AM. No swimmable beach right there. I had no complaints-my husbands only complaint was that he had trouble sleeping with the waves crashing in-it was quite loud but I loved it!! The office for Jack's will only be about a mile down the road-I'm not sure where their boat leaves from-we went with another operator. I hope the Manta's show for you-it was spectacular!!

I would take the southern coastal route to the volcano. Stop at the Black Sand Beach-always lots of turtles there. I would stop for snacks at the Na'alehu Fruit Stand-it doesn't look like much on the outside but definitely worth a stop. Great sub sandwiches on homemade rolls and wonderful homemade desserts-cookies, mac nut shortbread etc. We also got some great fresh fruit.

Have a wonderful time-the BI is our favorite. If time, try to do some snorkeling near the Capt Cook Monument or Place of Refuge-we've been to Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the BI and we've had the best snorkeling at those places on the BI.

Just got back from 6 days on the BI.
Did the Manta Ray dive with Jacks Dive Locker - the dive was THE BEST and the folks at Jacks were too. Be sure to make reservations in advance as the trip does sell out. We booked 1 week before out trip and took the last two spots on the boat for the night we wanted. The boat leaves from the pier right down from the dive shop (Everyone meets at the dive shop and they drive you down to the pier, load your gear, set it up - you don't have to lift a finger- very nice !!!)

As far as the the Volcano is concered - we drove to the Volcano via the southern coastal route(Hwy 11). I'd allow for at least 3 hours and that is if you don't stop anywhere along the way. We never took Saddle Road but on our way back we did take 19 out of Hilo going thru Waimea then to 190 and found the roads were a bit wider and easier to drive and took us less time.

Hi! we were on both Kauai and BI last month. I posted a trip report so both should come up if you search "Corgie".

Anyway, while at Volcano, we stayed at the Volcano Inn. A really nice, clean and reasonable bed and breakfast. We stayed at the Aloha room. It was private and perfect. I highly recommond it. If you go to www.volcanoinn.com you can find out more and book on-line. From the Kona airport it took us just over two hours to get to Volcano while driving south. We stopped at the black sand beach on the way for a break. Driving back from volcano, we drove through Hilo and north up the windward side. Be sure to take the "scenic road" just outside of Hilo. Really nice. Stop at the Aaka falls too.

The Kona Tiki looked okay but if you want to be that far out of the "town", I would look into "white sands" condo I believe they had some reasonable rates and you get the benefit of TV and phones (I personally like having a TV so I can get morning weather forcasts etc. while on the islands-- this has helped us avoid rainy areas many times!!) We stayed at the Royal Kona Resort for $100.00 Canadian. A real bargin and I loved it because after driving to beaches, snorkelling etc. we could walk to resturants, shopping during the evenings. The pool and lounge (one dollar draught beer) offer great views too. My only beef is that we had to pay US$7.00 a day for parking.
If you tell them it is a special occasion, they might upgrade you.

Anyway, hope this helps. Cheers!

My friend and I drove from Kona to Volcano on the main road, stopping in Captain Cook to kayak and snorkel at Capt. Cook Monument (Awesome snorkeling and we saw 15 spinner dolphins playing in the bay) In Volcano, we stayed at Volcano Guest House ? 866- 886-5226, it is a compund of several private cottages, we stayed in Twin II and just loved it - secluded, full kitchen, and they provide flashlights, rain gear, breakfast foods, etc. for your trips to the park. Plus it's close to the park - I HIGHLY recommend a night hike to see lava.

Saddle Road is kind of cool and not really terrifying to drive at all. It's been much improved since the car rental companies used to say "Don't take it".

When we did the volcano we took Saddle Road over, stopped in Hilo for lunch and then carried on from there.

It's not worth driving only on Saddle Road - but it does make a good loop if you come back via the southern highway.

There isn't anything to see up there except nature and scenic views. There is absolutely no place to stop for gas or food. But I think its worth seeing at least once. It's a landscape you're not going to see anywhere else.

Get the Big Island Revealed book to fill you in on other sites to see along the way. There's a cool grotto just outside of Hilo that was magnificent and no one else stopped there. There's also an incredible bridge that spans a gorge filled with ferns and flowers that looks like something fromt he stone age.

Chrissie:

Have visited the lava and Volcano Natl. Park several times.

I stay at the Dolphin Bay Hotel in Hilo
www.dolphinbayhilo.com It is only about and hour to the Volcano Natl. Park from Hilo....another 30-40 minutes to the end of Chain of Craters Road. John Alexander, the owner, is a volcano buff, he can help you on trips to the lava.

Dolphin Bay Hotel is small quaint hotel in north Hilo...all unit have kitchens...basically budget type.

Couple days in Hilo gives you time to see the sights around Hilo, and also see Volcano Natl. Park....plus a walk or two out to the lava....Its awesome.

Hilo, Pahoa, and the Puna district is like turning the clock back about 30 years....

Hawaii....it's all good