Hawaii Big Island
 

My husband and I are planning a trip to Big Island in August. Is there enough to keep us busy for 10 days, or should we split our time spending 5 Days on Big Island and 5 days on Maui? We like to be active most days with a little relaxation. We don't care much about night life. Thanks.

We have spent a few two-week vacations on the Big Island alone, and had plenty to do. Don't need nightlife, either, just good snorkeling and sightseeing and relaxing. What we've done is split our stay between two entirely different places: usually one full-service nice resort like the Mauna Lani, then one week in a condomium closer to Kona (love Sea Village condos). That way we get two perspectives, which feels like two islands, without having the trouble of flying anywhere. We're 50-something parents, with two teens, and that's been our formula for success on the Big Island. We've stayed also on Maui, Kauai and Molokai, but we prefer the Big Island.

Thanks for your reply. We think we may be spending a couple days also in Maui. Are there any things we must absolutely see and do when in Big Island? Thanks

I spent 10 days on the Big Island this past May, and it was wonderful! I didn't have nearly enough time to do all of the things I wanted to do! There's a trip report from me on the board. Besides Volcano National Park, there are TONS of things to do!

hi dkaymarie.

I am going for a week and I upset that I will not be there long enough to see it properly. And I have been 3-5 other times. Easy to spend days in those grand hotels though and not venture out.

Maureen, how far is Kohala coast and Kona?

Look so close on the map and I have not been in about 10 years.

On the BI go see:
Black sand beaches in several locales
Capt. Cooks monument
VNP
Place of refuge
Sunset dinner cruise
Drive to Hilo to check it out
Helicopter tours if you please
Check out the observatory
Have dinner at Roy's at least once. Do make a reservation.
We spent 9 days on the BI last summer and didn't see it all. I envy you. We loved the BI. I'll bet you will too. Aloha! Larry

to add to Jacketwatch list

Star gazing and Mauna kea
Canoe at Kealakekua get lucky see dolphin
Waipio Valley drive down to the beach onn a 4WD

Green and black sand beach on the souther part of the island.

1.Volcanoes National Park-Go see the volcano erupting. Unreal!
2. Hamakua Coast Drive-Start early one morning from Hilo.Beautiful!
3. Drive between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Saddle road in the early morning. Awesome!

Hawaiian traveler that drive along the Hamakua coast, can you extend that into the Kohala Coast? Wondering if we can make that the drive back to Hapuna Prince after we go to Kilauea.

My sister insists that we

Sarah:
Yes you can. Get a map, real easy to do. Aloha!

Here's an AWESOME online Big Island map:
http://www.the-hawaii-map.com/

You'll need a Broadband connection.

You'll be surprised, but 10 days on the big island will go quickly. FYI- Geographically it is big enough to hold all the other islands. If you're the active types, I usually recommend 10-14 days.

We just got back from Hawaii last week. We spent 5 days on the BI and 5 days on Maui. It was our first trip and we wanted to see everything so we were very busy. We only spent a couple of hours by the pool and had no beach time at all. However, I am glad I got to see both islands. We preferred the BI overall but Maui really is beautiful.

There is definately enough to keep you busy for 10 days. We own a condo in Punalu'u at Black Sand Beach if you are interested in the volcano. You can see it at blacksandparadise.com. We are also on www.vrbo where you can find many great places to stay. Another forum with all kinds of ideas is www.konaweb.com. Time in Kona, Waikoloa, Hilo and near the volcano is ideal. August is a good time to be there, although I think anytime in Hawaii is great.

We spent 5 nights on the BI a few years ago and could have used one more day but think 10 would have been too many for us. We don't spend much time just lying in the sun.
I agree with the suggestion for splitting the trip into two hotels but disagree with using Kohala and Kona.
The island is really large and you will spend hours driving from attraction to attraction, so you should pick locations further apart.
Because, you will want to see the volcano, spend two or three nights at in VNP or Hilo (although the latter gets a lot of rain)and the rest of your time in Kohala (my preference)or Kona.
We loved the Mauna Lani.

Hi fellow fodorites....how much can I see and how much will I miss if I spend 5 days, max, in the BI without an iota of driving skills (I'm from NYC)? How is the public transportation? Is there one? Are there tour buses or tour groups I can go with? How about bikes? Would riding a bike compensate for a car? I badly want to go this summer but I don't want to end up getting frustrated because I can't go anywhere.

Your thoughts will be so appreciated and please don't sugarcoat your responses. I would rather have a realistic picture of what awaits me.

Thank you so much!

ttt

First, I agree with all the responses that there is plenty to do on the big island for 10 days. We just came back from 7 days and it took us 5 just to unwind. Loved it there, very relaxing.
I did not see anything in the way of public transportation. I would say generally that both Maui and the big island would be easier with a car. We rented a car but some people at our resort did not. There were taxis stationed outside our resort each evening and there are tours to the volcano, hiking, waterfalls etc.

pinstripesboy, you might start a new thread with your question. I'd say if you can't drive, you could stay on a resort that offers all the amenities you will need, has restaurants and shops, plus where you can purchase and catch day-trip tours like for snorkeling, sightseeing, etc. Obviously the Hilton Waikaloa is such a place (maybe more family-oriented), as is the Mauna Lani (a bit more sophisticated). Or maybe in Kona try one of the hotels in the center of things that also offers concierge services and day-trip opportunities. You will be limited on any of the Hawaiian Islands without a car. I think some people rent scooters, which will take you further than walking.

I spent 3 days on the BI and hated it. It was ugly compared to Maui and Kauai. I was very dissapointed in how ugly it was until I got to the resort area. But that is my 2 cents worth. Hope u have fun. Im a MauiGirl at heart. (I spend 6 weeks in Maui every summer)