Hi Everyone,

I am planning a trip to Big Island for July 06. My bf and I will be there for 7 days. This will be our first trip to a tropical location. Our main issue right now is where to stay on the Big Island. We are thinking about 3 nights in Kona or Captain Cook, 2 nights in Waimea, and 2 nights in Keaua.
Question: Stay at Kona or Captain Cook?
We are planning to visit all the tourist attractions near Kona and South Kona. We would like to go to beaches but aren't planning to spend half a day lying there. We are interested in Snorkling, hiking, and kayaking. We are also thinking about visiting the green sand beach. Should we stay near Kona or Captain Cook to minimize the amount of time spending in car traveling to beaches and attractions? We are from Texas, so we don't mind 1 hour driving distance. Thanks for any suggestions.


Angela

Do you want to see the volcano? I might suggest 2 nights there, then pick a spot on the Kona coast to stay for 5 nights. I wouldn't move around for 3 nights, 2 nights, 2 nights, just pick a place to stay then drive about during the day. The volcano is a long day's drive from Kona, but people do it all the time. Captain Cook is pretty and green, but there's not much town, the restaurants etc. are all a few miles away in Kona. By Keaua, do you mean Keauhou? That area is the southern edge of Kona itself.

Read some BI trip reports on this board to get an idea of what people have seen and where things are in relation to other things!

I meant Keaau. We are flying into Kona and out from Hilo (to go to Oahu). The idea behind splitting up the nights between Kona, Waimean, and Keaau, is so that we can focus on each area a little better. We wanted to check out the Kohala coast and Waipio Valley while staying in Waimea then drive along the north coast to Hilo. We picked Keaau because we thought it is a good location to travel to Hilo, VNP, and Puna district.

Keaau is a good location for Hilo, VNP and Puna. You are right. Do you have a particular place in mind, as there are no hotels there?

You ought to go to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park if you are going to Big Island.

Also some of the waterfalls in or near Hilo are nice. Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots in Hilo and Akaka Falls/Kahuna Falls in Akaka Falls State Park north of Hilo.

DEFINITELY make a trip to the volcano. It was the highlight of my visit to the BI, and it's definitely something you can't see anywhere else on Earth! LOTS of excellent hiking, too.

I'd recommend staying in the Kona area. It's more convenient to restaurants, etc.

Thanks for all these great suggestions.

We have booked two nights at the Art and Orchid Bed and Breakfast for Keaau. As for Kona and Waimea, we haven't decided.

You will love the Art & Orchids Bed and Breakfast. That's a great choice. Have a wonderful time. I love the Big Island!

Hi junchoon,

We stayed at the Art and Orchids B&B last November and it's lovely. The hosts are friendly, helpful and make a great breakfast.

I'd spend the rest of the time in Kona or further North on the Kohala coast for drier weather. Waimea is an easy drive from the Kohala coast for daytrips. Staying on the coast would be a great after Art & Orchids which is inland.

Kayaking in the Kealakekua Bay (where the Capt. Cook monument is) in the morning is a good way to see the dolphins! Snorkeling there is excellent also, but both of these activities should be done in the morning.