I'm heading to the Big Island end of November. I did a lot of research when I went to Oahu about 2 years ago but I'm short on time as this was a last minute trip.

Waterfalls... do I have to take a guided tour to get to them? Waipi’o Valley / Hiilawe Falls / hidden waterfalls -- where are they?

What's the best way to view the volcano / lava? Again, is it necessary to take a tour?

We love to snorkel. Where are the best spots? Can we kayak to submerged caves and lava tubes to then snorkel? If so, where are those?

How about rainforests and botanical gardens? We're also fans of eating where the locals eat vs. tourists. Do you know of such places?

Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Michele

Snorkeling:

http://www.snorkeling-hawaii-insider...ig_island.html

www.snorkelbobs.com Scroll to the bottom and click on Map'nTips

Waterfalls: I've only been on Hilo side. These waterfalls are easily accessed on your own:

Hilo - Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots

Akaka Falls State Park - Short loop trail that includes Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls.

Botanical Gardens - Lili'uokalani Gardens in Hilo is scenic. It is right off Banyon Drive. Also try:

http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/botgarden.html

Other sites:

www.bigisland.org

www.gohawaii.com

www.thisweek.com

www.spotlighthawaii.com

www.101thingstodo.com

www.hawaiiweb.com

www.alternative-hawaii.com Has good narrative driving tours, no maps though.

www.driveguidemagazines.com Has great maps including many detailed maps. Also good dining guide.

HVNP - You can tour this on your own. Visitors Center, steam/sulfur vents, short hikes, Jagger Museum, Thurston Lava Tube.

Drive to the end of Chain of Craters Rd. This is where you sould start your hike to the current lava flow (I have not done the hike). 4-5 hours without the lava flow hike.

HVNP info:

http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

The BI is awesome! We have been twice and will probably go again next summer.

Waterfalls: We went to Akaka Falls on the way to Volcano National Park, easy enough to walk to. Gorgeous.

Snorkel: We've had great luck at Hapuna Beach, and did a great boat trip to Captain Cook Monument.

VNP: The Volcano National Park is outstanding. Absolutely stunning, and you don't need a tour. They give you a great map at the entrance of the park, and you can explore on your own all day.

Waipaio Valley: We went to the overlook, and it was beautiful. I think next time, we will take a tour through the valley. You can do it by horse, mule, shuttle, wagon, or a steep hike, I think.

Restaurants: We have enjoyed Coast Grille, Cafe Pesto, Bubba Gump's, Huggo's, and especially Roy's!

Have a great trip!

Waterfalls: Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, back of Waipio Valley. Guided tours aren't necessary for any of them, although you might want one for Waipio.

Volcano: Lava locations and conditions change daily, sometimes hourly. Guided tours are not required, but count on a 2-4 mile hike each way to reach the flows.

Snorkeling: Kealakekua Bay near Keei. Go very early morning (right after sunrise if possible) for best conditions.

Rainforests/Botanical Gardens: Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens in Onomea. A bit overpriced IMO, and bring bug repellant or buy some in the lobby. The gorges that run along the north shore of the island also offer some incredible (and free) hiking opportunities. You'll see these gorges on the way to Hilo if you take the north route.

Also, the Panaewa Rainforest Zoo in Hilo is an interesting diversion for an hour or two. Free admission, and a surprising array of animals and native plant life.

Locals restaurants: Paniolo Country Inn in Waimea (for breakfast or lunch), Cafe Pesto in both Hilo and Kawaihae, Sibu Cafe in Kailua (my personal favorite family-run dinner place), Ken's Pancakes in Hilo, Keei Cafe in Keei, Manago Hotel Restaurant in Captain Cook.

Thank you all for the information you've posted. I know it will be helpful in the planning of my trip.

Get a copy of Big Island Revealed, by Wizard Publishing. Best guidebook ever.

Thanks for the tip on the book. I'll pick it up this weekend.

For a nice fresh fish sandwich and an ocean deck, try Kona Grill, right in the middle of Kona proper. They have a restaurant part, too, but we've always just gone for the simpler fare. It seems a place where lots of locals go, too. It's good food at a decent value.

Thanks for the dining tip. We'll try it out.

We'd like to do some kayaking and were thinking of when we visit Captain Cooks Monument. If we do, can we easily find sea caves and safe places for cliff jumping vs having to go on a guided tour?

Is there a specific Coffee Farm you would suggest to visit?

Is there a Macadamia Farm?

One last thing, we're thinking about a horseback riding adventure. Which would be the best in terms of adventure and beauty? Waipio Valley?

Thanks again all...

You can get a map of all the coffee farms on the Big Island with their contact information, whether they offer tours, and their location. Some of these same farms grow macadamia nuts. Greenwell Farms seems to get good reviews for tours and product! If you can't find this site googling, I'll look it up for you at work tomorrow. There are some good threads here about horseback riding if you do a search. Na'alapa takes people down into the Waipio Valley for a two hour ride. That's the one that looks interesting to me.

Topping to topple those who would ruin this forum with childish protests. Ban them all!

Here is a map of coffee growers on Big Island:

http://www.konacoffeefest.com/drivingtour/map.html

I asked Ken Love (owns a coffee farm near Kona) about a coffee farm tour. This is his reply:

I would recommend the Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative on Napoopoo road towards the bottom of Kealakekua bay where they can also look across the water and see Cooks monument. The mill, and seeing how coffee is processed is amazing. The coop is 50 years old next month and made up of 300 members. There are a number of coffee trees on site but its not a large working farm except for my test field for tropical fruit. They also have a store and number of museum pieces.
They can reach me by email, [email protected]

The Uchida farm is a historical living history farm where they can see how coffee was grown and picked in 1921 as well as how the Uchida family lived at the time.

Other good tours are Holualoa Coffee and Greenwell farm.

There are a plethora of others who are more interested in selling coffee than really explaining the process or history.

Hope this is what you need
ken

We'll be packing up for the BI a week from today. I received the "Hawaii - The Big Island Revealed" book. Fantastic information... thank you!

Have fun! We love the Big Island, having visited about four times, for two weeks each. You will love it! Please post a trip report when you return, eh?

Yes. I definitely will once we return.

One more question... does anyone know where we can get a good plate lunch?

Kona Mix Plate. I hope it's still there-in a sort of outdoor strip mall in Kona. Also had good one in Hilo but can't recall name of the place.