I'm leaving for the Big Island in 9 days and am trying to finalize my itinerary. My husband and I will be there for 10 days and right now this is what we have scheduled to do...Volcano National Park, Dolphin Quest, Rafting and Snorkeling near the Captain Cook monument, and he's going deep sea fishing while I spend a day at the spa. We are staying 2 days in Volcano and the rest on the Kohala Coast. My questions are:
1. Are there any must-see's that I have left out?
2. What are the hilights at the volcano in case I'm pushed for time and can't see it all?
3. Is an ATV trip worth the money?
4. Are there any great hikes you would recommend?
Thanks in advance for all you're help. It's greatly appreciated.

Amanda, if you love beautiful flowers and are into photography at all, don't miss the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens! Also, I think the Place of Refuge is really interesting and thought-provoking. I have not seen any need for an ATV on our visits there. In ten days, you can see and do so much. "Alternative-hawaii.com" is a great site to look at photos and facts, and to get ideas for the Big Island. Where have you decided to stay?

Thanks bonniebroad! I do love photography so I will definitely have to check out the Botanical Gardens. We are staying at the Ohia Hideaway at the Volcano. It's a cottage rented out by Chalet Kilauea Volcano Vacation Homes. On the Kohala Coast we're staying at the Fairmont Orchid with the acception of one night at the Hilton Waikola Village. I hate to move around that much but the Fairmont did not have a room available for our final night on the island. I had some Hilton Honors miles that I decided to use for a free night at the Hilton.

Of course the highlight of the volcano is seeing the lava up close, but if you are pushed for time and not planning to stay after dark, drive around the crater rim drive and view the crater from the Volcano House and several other spots, stop at the steam vents and the Thurston Lava Tube, then drive down Chain of Craters Road to the lava if you have time. YOu can get an update on lava conditions at this website: http://www.nps.gov/havo/home.htm
Also, Wiapio Valley is an incredible place on the way from Kohala to Volcano National Park on the northern route. Another beautiful stop on that northern route is Akaka Falls. Have a wonderful time! I love the Big Island!

AmandaF: My favourite hike on the BI was Kilauea Iki. We followed the Blue Book's advice and parked at Kilauea Iki Lookout and went counter clockwise. It's a fairly easy hike and so beautiful and awesome. First you go through rainforest; then right down into the crater and across to the other side and then back through more rainforest. It was alot of fun!

We also did the hike out to the lava but didn't stay into the evening, which I wish we had. We were advised by the host of our B&B not to do both in the same day, but we could have done both easily.

Hi! We did a lot of the same activities that you did. We loved the snorkeling expedition - money very well spent. We went with Sea Quest on the 6 person rafts - they spent a lot of time taking you along the coast and giving you information. We did Dolphin Quest and loved it as well.
We struggled with the volcano trip - we took Saddle Road to get there and it was a great ride, but it was rainy and foggy when we got to the volcano and we couldn't see anything! We also visited Rainbow Falls - watch out for the mosquitoes!
I would recommend going to Akaka Falls near the Waipio Valley - a nice ride and great scenery.