First day arrive around 4:30, rent car and drive to Hotel, Have dinner and then walk around resort.

Sun, Dive to either the Volcano and hike around, or drive to the south to Green Beach.

Mon, Stay on the beach nearby and go to the Luau that night at our hotel. (Sheraton)

Tue, Drive to either Volcano or Green Beach.

Wed Beach morning and then Afternoon Snorkey At Fairwinds.

Thur, Sub tour at 11:00 then beach afterward.

Fri Relax by pool till time to check out and then fly back home.

A little too short, I wish we could have stayed one more night.... But how does that sound?
Wendy in Marietta,GA

It's a long drive from the Sheraton to VNP and the traffic will likely add more time (it's about 3 hrs each way). Since you want to spend two days seeing the park and/or Green Sand Beach anyway, you would be better off spending one night in the Volcano area.

Well, what if we skip the Volcano? Just focus on the the west side and maybe green sand beach.
Or just wake up really early and drive to the volcano, like around 6:00am and then drive back late. We did ok when we drove from Miami to Key West which took forever.
We really can't spend the night near the volcano we already have plans and I don't think it will work.

We did a one day trip to VNP from Waikaloa and it is a very long day. It's doable but long. I believe the green sand beach is also a considerable distance. Keep in mind you have to account for jet lag & the four hour time difference. It's going to be hard to just hop out of bed and get rolling (I live just outside Boston). I'd switch one of your beach days to Sunday to allow for some recovery time and do VNP later in the week. Also, don't get your hopes up about seeing flowing lava at the park. It depends on where it is at the time of your visit and it's a difficult walk. Where a minimum of sneakers or if you having hiking shoes bring them. That lava can hurt!

Wendy, don't skip the volcano. It's well worth any effort put forth to get there. We didn't even bother with the green sand beach when were there, but it was myself, hubby and a 13 year old son. It depends on your interests obvsiously but VNP is well worht it.

The drive to VNP is not that taxing, really, but if you want to spend substantial time walking around it fills the day. What I'd recommend instead is to drive to the Hilo airport (couple of hours from Kohala) and take a flightseeing trip over the volcano, either helicopter or (my preference) fixed-wing. You get a better idea of the landscape, and if the lava flows are visible you can get right over them, rather than having to hike a mile or more over the lava fields, only to be kept away (wisely) from the active flows.

The fixed-wing flight will be much cheaper than the chopper, everyone will get a window seat, and you'll be able to spend more time over the volcano (or sightseeing - waterfalls, etc.) than you would for the same price on the helicopter.

I'd use one of your days to explore the Parker Ranch up around Kamuela. Go up into the hills and see how the landscape changes from desert to forest to pasture - gorgeous, historic country.

The volcano is worth the drive. We made a day trip from Waikoloa and it was a long day but not particularly taxing. We had time to do Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road, and several short hikes. I don't have a problem with getting up early in Hawaii. With the time difference, I'm usually wide awake at 3 or 4 am.

We also did the Fairwinds tour and loved it!

I'll agree that the volcano is definitely worth the drive!! IMHO, that is THE reason to go to the Big Island. I agree that getting a hotel/B&B near VNP is much better than driving back and forth to Kona.

I agree with not skipping VNP. However, out of all the amazing things to see on the Big Island - and with a short amount of time - I would not include Green Sand Beach among the "must dos". What about the drive up to north Kohala - Hawi and Polulu Valley lookout - and Waimea and Waipio Valley and the Hamakua Coast including Akaka Falls one day? If you're based in the Kona/Kohala area, then one day drive counterclockwise from your base, seeing as much as you can (Volcano Day) and the other day drive clockwise seeing as much as you can (including some of the things listed above).

What is the sub tour?

I would scratch the Green Sand beach, and think carefully about the sub tour before I gave half a day to it. I've heard several people describe the tour as disappointing. Definitely see VNP; I would spend a night at Kileaua Lodge there! I would go the Northern route; that's where the spectacular beauty on BI is!

We did a flightseeing tour which gave us a wonderful view of the green sand beach. For me, that was sufficient.

A great half-day trip is to drive north to the far end of Kohala coast and see the Polulu Valley overlook. The scenery is BREATHTAKING!

Well I guess if we just wake up early the first day and drive to the volcano and hike around some we could get back before dark?

Yes, you can make a day trip out of it. Pack a lunch (there are not many places to eat near the park) and do plan on a long day. But it will be very enjoyable!