Hi All! My husband and I (mid-30's) will be making our first trip to the Big Island in June. Below is our proposed itinerary. Can you please review it and give my your feedback? FYI...we don't do any water sports like snorkeling or scuba - hence why you'll see an absence of this from our itinerary.

• Day 1: Arrive in Hilo 2:45 pm; pick-up rental car; drive to B&B in Volcano Village; dinner at Kilauea Lodge

• Day 2: Volcano National Park - Crater Rim Drive including major stops such as Jagger Museum; multiple overlooks; Thurston Lava Tube, etc. Chain of Craters Road in late afternoon and hike out to Lava for evening viewing. Dinner at Thai Thai either before or after hike to Lava (any recommendations here)?

• Day 3: Take south route from Volcano Village and make stops at South Point, Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, Kealakekua Bay (view Captain Cook Monument across the way) Coffee Farm (Greenwell Farms), and Place of Refuge. We don’t snorkel, scuba, or snuba so won’t be doing any of those water activities at any of our “water” spots – just stopping to view the scenery and “take it in.” Continue drive up to Hapuna Beach Prince resort & check-in (we’ll be staying at Hapuna for the remainder of our stay). Dinner at Coast Grille at the resort.

• Day 4: Morning/afternoon lounge around resort/beach. Late afternoon/evening Hawaii Forest & Trail Mauna Kea Star Gazing Tour. Dinner included in tour.

• Day 5: Morning/early afternoon lounge around resort/beach. Afternoon check out Kohala Coast resorts (Hilton Waikoloa, Mauni Lani, Fairmont, Four Seasons). Dinner at Roy’s.

• Day 6: Morning/early afternoon lounge around resort. Lunch at Café Pesto in Kawaihae. Drive to Waimea in late afternoon and look around. Dinner at Daniel Thiebaut’s.

• Day 7: Pololu Valley Lookout (not hiking down); ice-cream at Tropical Dreams in Hawi & Gallery @ Bamboo in Bamboo Restaurant. Take Kohala Mtn Road to Hiway 19 past Waimea to Hiway 240 for Waipi’o Valley (likely not going down into the Valley). Hiway 240 to Old Mamalahoa Hiway to Waimea at Hiway 219. Shopping in Waimea. Dinner at Merriman’s.

• Day 8: Explore Kona and Alii Drive – do some shopping. If we didn’t get to all our stops on Day 3 go south and finish up what we wanted to see. Dinner at Pahu l’a at Four Seasons resort.

• Day 9: Hiway 19 to Hilo and Mauna Loa Visitor Center. Go back North through Hilo and take 4-mile scenic rout (Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens). Stop also at Akaka Falls and possibly Rainbow Falls. Clam Bake dinner at Mauna Kea Resort.

• Day 10: Lounge around resort/beach; play day by ear for stuff we want to see again or whatever else may arise. Dinner at Brown’s Beach House at Fairmont Orchid.

• Day 11: Check out of resort and head to Kona airport for flight home.

Thanks for your feedback! If there are things we've completely missed or that we should skip please don't hesitate to let me know!

Cheers,
Tracey

Check out the Keei Cafe on day 3 for lunch. It is in Captain Cook.

Kona Brewing Company has good pizza and great beer in Kona.

We loved Waimea.

The black sand beach is a interesting area that may take alittle more time than you have allowed. As the green sea turtles like to come up and bask in the sun. Also has a fresh water pond on the other side. Further down the road there is suppose to be a green sand beach. While we didn't make the trek down to it we were assured it is there. I don't recall how much of a hike it is perhaps someone could help out here.

Your schedule is very good. One thing I wanted to point out from South Point to Kona the road gets very windy and there are no public washrooms along the way. It was the worst drive I have ever had with my wife complaining about it. South Point I was dissapointed with greatly. Basically a light beacon and there were allot of people camping out there (I believe they were living there "squatters"). There is some shop across the street from the Hawi Ice Cream place that sells bamboo art if I am not mistaken. Enjoy.

Thanks to all of you for your comments and feedback. I'm interested if others have additional comments they'd like to share.

At this point, I'm contemplating scrapping South Point and spending more time at Black Sand beach. I've been hearing many of the same comments from various message boards about South Point - not much to see and squatters.

Anybody have any experience with Brown's Beach House restaurant at Fairmont Orchid and Canoe House at Mauni Lani Resort? Which has the better food and atmosphere? A couple of folks on another board say that Canoe House is better, however other forums suggest that Brown's is better. Heck, both are probably great, and I'll just need to pick one, but I am interested in additional reviews if folks have them.

Thanks again and keep the feedback coming!

Cheers,
Tracey

Tracy,
I recently stayed at the Hapuna Beach Prince. I highly recommend that you choose the breakfast option with your room. This will entitle you to the breakfast buffet every morning of your stay. If it's not included with your room, the breakfast buffet cost $25.00 per person per day, plus tax and tip. Guests can also order ala carte but the prices are high ($4.00 for a glass of juice, $5.00 for a small bowl of fruit). So the breakfast option (which cost me $20.00 per day extra) is well worth it.

I think your itinerary looks fine. However, day 9 will be a long one. Drive to Hilo from Hapuna is close to 3 hrs. Could be longer if you stop to spend & much time at any of the falls or views (Akaka Falls,Waipeo Valley).

Your trip looks good. It's smart to have lounge days, especially on the BI.