First Trip to Big Island
 

Hi, We are going to Hawaii in April. Never been, not sure what to do. We are staying at the Shearton Keauthou Bay Resort. We have a 6 days to see stuff. I want to do fun things that don't cost too much, but Would be an experience that we would never forget. I want to go to the beach, maybe snorkel, see the volcanos.. I would like to take a helicopter tour, but they cost too much, or do the sub tour.... Any good dinner cruises?? I guess I can figure most of it out myself, but would love a little help!! thanks
Wendy in Marietta,ga

I've only been on the Hilo side.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Visitors Center, Jaggar Museum, Thurston Lava Tube, several overlooks and short hikes, sulfer & steam vents & Chain of Craters Rd to the end where lava closed the road.
http://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

Hilo: Lili'uokalani Gardens, Banyon Drive, Rainbow Falls, Boiling Pots.

North of Hilo:
4 mile scenic drive, Akaka Falls State Park. Short loop hike to Kahuna Falls and Akaka Falls.

Lots of info:

www.gohawaii.com They will send a free brochure.

www.bigisland.org

www.thisweek.com This Week on Big Island XXX

www.spotlighthawaii.com Big Island Gold XXX

www.101thingstodo.com 101 Things to do on Big Island XXX

XXX These three have free hard copy brochures that you can pick up at airport baggage area and other places on Big Island

www.alternative-hawaii.com Good narrative driving guide

www.driveguidemagazines.com Good maps & restaurant reviews

Buy a "Big Island Revealed" book.

Activities/attractions:

www.hawaiiactivities.com

www.hawaiifun.org

http://www.snorkeling-hawaii-insider...com/index.html

www.snorkelbobs.com

Do a search on this site and you'll find TONS of good info and trip reports!

Surf and tides around Hawaii are prety rough, so you don't see many dinnre cruises like in the Caribbean/Mexico.

For cheap thrills, you can't beat the Volcano National Park. It is truly an experience you'll never forget!

Instead of a helicopter tour, we did an air tour with Mokulele Flight Service. It was about half the cost, but stilll very good!

We are in Keauhou now. Had dinner at the Sheraton a couple nights ago. People were enjoying the oceanside pool and impressive waterslide. The concierge at the hotel can set you up with activities. The best snorkel curise on the island is the FairWind. It leaves from Keauhou Bay; just a short drive (or long walk) from the hotel. The drive through South Kona to the Place of Refuge is worth doing. We stopped at some coffee farms along the way. You will need to drive quite a ways to find a good beach. Highly recommend Anaehoomalu Bay Beach in Waikoloa for safe swimming and beauty. This will be about an hour drive north from the hotel.

Fixed wing plane tours are much less than copter tours and you get more time in them as well. I don't know about dinner cruises but as for land restaurants do try Roys! Its located in the Kings shops across from the Marriott.

From the Sheraton Keauhou, you are close to Kahalu'u Beach, which has wonderful snorkeling and easy beach entry. There is also terrific snorkeling at Honaunau, next to Place of Refuge, which is also worth a visit. The entry at Honaunau is a bit trickier, over smooth lava, but you'll see a place where people are entering, and there are two "steps" to help you enter and exit the water. At both places you'll see a nice variety of fish and lots of turtles. Rather than a dinner cruise, have drinks and pupu's, while listening to live entertainment at the Verandah Bar in the Keauhou Beach Resort. Arrive before sunset. The bar is built over the water and you can watch the turtles bask in the sun and watch the sun go down. Awesome sunsets!
Get the book "Big Island Revealed". It will give you ideas for things you can do that are free or low-cost.

I agree with rjscott about going to the Keahou Beach Resort for sunset views. We stayed at that hotel last week but went somewhere different every night and found that the the best sunset was right there at our own hotel. You will be fairly close to Kealakekua Bay and I highly recommend going snorkeling there, the fish and the reefs are spectacular, the best I have seen. You could go with one of the boats that go out there or you could save money by renting a kayak and crossing the bay yourselves. My husband and I did that and I'm glad that we did because we were able to be on our own time schedule. I suggest renting the kayak at the bottom of the road that goes down to the bay because then you do not have to hassel with putting it back on your car and also the guys at the rental place will help you get in and out of the water. It was more expensive there than at other places but it was so worth it. It is tricky getting in and out of the water if you are not experienced. It was our first time and we did fine with help and it was a lot of fun.
We went to an orientation breakfast the first day and even though it was an invitation for a timeshare resort, (the one we went to on Maui wasn't)
it was still very informative about the island and everything there is to do. We ended up going to the timeshare presentation because we wanted to do an air tour and we saved hundreds of dollars with the discount that they gave us. It gave us huge discounts on all of the activities on the island and they were not high pressure at all like others I have been to so it was worth it.
We visited the Sheraton in hopes of seeing the manta rays but they were not around that particular night but we were very impressed with the hotel, it is gorgeous you will love it!

My list of don't miss items:

1.) rent a kayak and paddle to Cook's monument on Kealakekua Bay. You usually get a good view of wild dolphins, if you are patient. Go early. Don't take a guided tour, anyone can paddle a sea Kayak on a bay.

2.) See the sunset on top of Mauna Kea Volcano (4 wheel drive vehicle needed) Stay for the stargazing at the visitor center. Dress warm.

3.) Walk to the lava flow in VNP. Plan a full day/evening. Its best to see the lava after dark. Good shoes and a good flashlight absolutely necessary.

Lots more, but those are three good ones.

By the way a fixed wing circle island flight is a good & less expensive alternative to a helicopter. I flew with Mokulele Flight Service and they did a nice job.


Lots of visitors to the Big Island do the Captain Bean dinner cruise once. Its been around for years, so it must be OK.

With six days, don't overschedule, most of the things I suggested are pretty much full day activities.

these are really good advice. I'm also planning to go to Big Island in May, will be staying at the Sheraton Keauhou, I'm absolutely can not wait.

Humble foodie suggestions:

Canoe House at the Mauna Lani Hotel (Kohala) - one of the most romantic restaurants in the cosmos.

Sam Choy's cafe in the industrial park between the Kona airport and Kailua town. Breakfast and lunch only, but plentiful, good and fun.

Merriman's in Waimea/Kamuela. Outstanding.

Tex Drive-in on the road between Kamuela and Hilo. Hot Malasadas. Oh.

Ocean Sushi Deli in downtown Hilo. I contend it's the best sushi in the country. You might not agree, but how will you know? Informal, un-fancy to the max, full of locals at lunchtime.

Where is the closest beach that is near Sheraton Keau8thou Bay Resort? My husband was a little sad that our hotel is not on the beach where you can jump in the ocean and still be near the hotel.

it's right next door, follow the path past the beach shack snack bar and you're there

Dang, Gardyloo... now you've made me hungry! Those malasadas at Tex's Drive In were to DIE for! ;-)

You might want to try:

1. Punaluu Beach Park:
Black sands and big turtles on shore. Easily accessible.

2. Ka Lae Beach. Green sand beach. Not easily accessible unless you have 4 wheel drive.

3. Mauna Kea. For sunset and stargazing. It's very cold up there.