Big Island May 31-June 11
 

On a friend's recommendation, I am using Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed, as my primary guidebook. It is wonderful, but as it is older, I'm finding that some of it top picks aren't around any more. One example: Captain Beans' Cruises for a dinner cruise. I'm staying in a well-located condo in Kailua Kona just off Allii Drive. Would appreciate current recommendations for best dinner cruise, best luau and best snorkeling adventure. Any other tips appreciated! : )

Snorkeling - have used BODY GLOVE for snorkeling trip. We were there in Feb 2012 and the whale watching was included in the excursion - trip was great, good food, great snorkeling spot. The office (where you park) was a bit hard to find so be sure and get specific instructions on how to get there....
Bought ours on line through an auction and saved over $50.00 which made it even better!

Drive up the Kohala Coast is awesome (Hapuna beach is the best in all of Hawaii)

You might try on line version of your book to more updated version

http://dolphindiscoveries.com/ They take you to two great spots, and have a few options, and are reasonably priced. Call and ask for any discounts (you'd be surprised)

If you haven't done it yet - hertily recommend you drive over to see the Volcano. Great visitor center/Ranger Walk/talks, driving around the rim, hiking down into the little Kileua crater, etc.

The night snorkel with manta rays is a unique experience you may want to consider. Another fun diversion is the horseback ride into Waipio Valley. I'm not much for horseback riding but really enjoyed it. If you make it to the Waikoloa/Kohala area there is a petroglyph trail which is easily accessible. And, if you do not already have it on your list, be sure to see Volcano and consider driving up to the summit of Mauna Kea for sunset and stargazing. Amazing!!!!! Have a fun trip!!!

Last month, we drove over to Hilo for the Segway Tour... Off Road and Botanical Gardens. That was a fun afternoon! It was nearly 3 hours long but is only offered a couple of times a week so reserve in advance. Besides enjoying the Segways themselves, we learned a bit about the plants in the rainforest and sampled a few of the edible plants and their fruits. It was a good mix of paved paths and field travel.

Agree with luvtravl that the mantra ray night snorkel is unique. We chose a zodiac although there were other larger boats. Your choice. The tour leaves the harbor prior to sunset.

Our favorite sunsets were from the patios right in Kona. Lava Java has a good view. We ate at Sam Choys and while the view is incredible, the food was not worth mentioning.

Probably the most memorable night for sunset and all around fun was at HUGGOS, where LT Smooth was playing Sunday night. HUGGOS is popular and gets pretty crowded. Persevere ...LT has won a couple of Grammies for his Hawaiian music and we felt like it was a private concert. In a way it is. During the Hawaiian songs we were treated to a lovely dancer. Mesmerizing. Then when LT started playing songs we recognized, we slipped off our sandals and danced in the sand.

We drove north this trip to Hawe and enjoyed browsing through the galleries. Lunch was at Bamboo and naturally we had to have the Bamboozer.... not what you might think. It's a sample plate of their specialities. Not a cheap lunch option but enjoyable.

Aloha!