7 DAY BIG ISLAND ITINERARY
A Balance of Adventure and Relaxation
A 7-day Big Island itinerary that blends beaches, volcanoes, rainforest, and real local flavor—built for travelers who want more than just resort life.
The Big Island isn’t trying to be cute. It’s raw, massive, and a little untamed—in a good way. If you’re the kind of traveler who prefers crater hikes over cabanas and fresh poke over prix fixe, this 7-day Big Island itinerary is for you.
We’ve built a week of contrast: white-sand beaches and volcanic moonscapes, dense cloud forests and slow coffee mornings, roadside snacks and full-sensory waterfall hikes. You’ll cover a lot of ground (literally), but each day balances movement with pause—so you leave energized, not exhausted.
DAY 01
Kua Bay, Beach Simplicity Done Right.
Start simple. Kua Bay—also known by its Hawaiian name Maniniʻowali Beach, though most locals simply call it Kua Bay—is one of the cleanest, brightest beaches on the Big Island. It’s part of Kekaha Kai State Park, which means no resorts in sight, just white sand, turquoise water, and lava rock bookends.
Swing by KTA Super Stores, a beloved local chain, to load up on picnic essentials like fresh poke, chilled musubi, li hing gummies, and cold drinks. Plant yourself at the beach by 9 a.m. The parking lot is limited and fills fast. You’re here to do nothing, and do it well.
When hunger strikes, drive back to Kona, about 30 minutes, to grab a bite at Willy’s Hot Chicken, a no-frills local favorite. It’s the kind of spot where showing up in your beach clothes just feels right.
DAY 02
Trip to Volcanoes National Park.
This island is still being born. And there's no better place to see that than Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
From Kona, it’s a long but worthwhile drive—about two to two and a half hours each way. Leave early, ideally by 7 a.m., to make the most of your day. Fill up on gas in Captain Cook or Ocean View, and pack food and water since options are limited once you're inside the park. Bring sturdy shoes and layers. The elevation is higher and the weather changes fast.
The park itself is massive—over 300,000 acres—and covers everything from lush rainforest to blackened lava fields to steaming craters. This isn’t a backdrop. It’s a living, shifting landscape still being shaped by eruptions, earthquakes, and deep cultural meaning. Start at the Kīlauea Visitor Center to get oriented, then explore the Crater Rim Drive. Don’t miss the Steam Vents, Kīlauea Iki Overlook, or the walk through the Thurston Lava Tube.
For a deeper experience, consider joining our favorite small-group expert guided tour. It goes beyond the popular overlooks, with access to native forests, lesser-known trails, and stories that connect geology with culture. It’s one of the best ways to experience the park without rushing through it. This is especially nice because they’ll pick you up at most hotels in Kona—so if you don’t have a car, or just want to focus on snapping pictures instead of navigating the long drive, it’s a great option.
DAY 3
Kona Coffee Farm Tour and Cloud Forest Hike.
There’s no better way to start your day than with a cup of Kona coffee made just a few steps from where the beans were grown.
Spend the morning at a small-batch coffee farm in the hills above Kailua-Kona. Many offer tours where you can walk through rows of glossy-leaved coffee trees, learn how the beans are processed and roasted, and sample a cup that actually tastes like the place it came from. It’s quiet, personal, and way more satisfying than any souvenir shop stop. We recommend this particular coffee tasting experience, which combines great views, great coffee, and genuinely warm hospitality.
Afterward, continue uphill to explore one of the island’s most unique ecosystems on a cloud forest walking tour in Kona. This upland reserve sits where ocean air meets cooler mountain elevation, creating a mist-filled world of towering tree ferns, moss-draped branches, and rare native plants. The trail winds through a high-altitude jungle that feels more like Costa Rica than coastal Hawai‘i.
If you want to get off your feet, the sanctuary also offers a special sound bath experience that’s one of our favorite activities on the Big Island. In the atmosphere of the cloud forest, it makes for a super relaxing and surprisingly affordable indulgence—something you don’t do every day.
Wear closed-toe shoes (if opting for the walking tour) and bring a light jacket. The air gets cooler up here, and the rain tends to drift in and out without warning. But that’s part of the magic.
DAY 04
Snorkeling Kealakekua Bay – Big Island’s Best Snorkel Spot.
Kealakekua Bay is one of the most iconic and ecologically rich places in Hawai‘i. It’s a protected marine sanctuary teeming with coral gardens, tropical fish, and spinner dolphins. But it’s also a deeply sacred site in Hawaiian history—the location of ancient Hawaiian villages, temples, and the landing (and eventual death) of Captain James Cook in 1779. The cliffs, the stillness of the water, the sense of depth—both literal and cultural—make this more than just a snorkeling spot.
The bay sits about 30 minutes south of Kona, carved into the coastline near the town of Captain Cook. You can technically reach it by land via the steep Ka‘awaloa Trail, but it’s a strenuous downhill hike with limited parking—and a punishing uphill return. Most people (smartly) choose to experience the bay by joining a small group tour with a local, permitted guide.
There are two great options we recommend for exploring the bay. You can take a kayak and snorkel tour across the calm, glassy water and snorkel directly from shore with one of the few operators allowed to land at the Captain Cook Monument. Or, opt for a small-group boat tour that explores South Kona’s coastline, with snorkeling at two legendary bays—Kealakekua and Hōnaunau—plus lava tubes, sea caves, and the kind of local storytelling that brings the coastline to life.
DAY 05
Road Tripping the Hāmākua Coast.
After a few days of sun and salt, today is about movement. The Hāmākua Coast is the lush, waterfall-laced spine of the island’s northeast, where cliffs plunge into the ocean and old sugarcane towns still hold their shape. It’s the most scenic drive on the Big Island—and a chance to feel how dramatically the landscape shifts from Kona’s dry lava fields to dense rainforest.
Start early and head north from Kona, cutting across the island via Saddle Road. Your first stop is the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout, where one of the most storied valleys in Hawaiian history opens up beneath you. From there, follow the coastline south. Stop at Tex Drive-In in Honoka‘a for hot malasadas, Laupāhoehoe Point for crashing surf and rugged lava rock, and any roadside stand that looks like it’s been there for 50 years. This is slow driving at its best.
The centerpiece of the day is ʻAkaka Falls State Park—a short, paved loop trail through bamboo and banyan that leads to a 442-foot waterfall dropping straight into a gorge. From there, wrap up your afternoon in Hilo. Stroll through Liliʻuokalani Gardens, watch locals fish from the seawall, and—if the timing’s right—pick up fresh strawberry mochi from Two Ladies Kitchen. (Yes, there will be a line.)
On the way back to Kona, take Saddle Road again—but this time notice how the landscape opens up into high-elevation pasture and lava plains. You’ll pass between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, two of the largest mountains on Earth. If you have a 4x4 that can handle the steep, rugged road, sunset at the summit of Mauna Kea is unforgettable. If your car is less ambitious, you can still drive up to the visitor station at 9,200 feet and feel the shift in air, light, and silence. There’s even a short hike from the turnoff to a lookout point that offers a stunning sunset alternative—no summit required.
The full loop—from Kona to Waipiʻo, down the Hāmākua Coast to Hilo, and back to Kona via Saddle Road—makes for a long but rewarding day, with around 4.5 to 5 hours of total drive time. If you leave early and pace your stops, it’s easily doable without feeling rushed. Just make sure you’re fueled up before crossing the interior on your way back—there are no gas stations between Hilo and Kona once you’re on Saddle Road.
DAY 06
A Classic Beach Day at Hāpuna.
You’ve earned an easy one. Hāpuna Beach is one of the most beloved beaches on the Big Island for good reason—wide, flat, and sprawling with soft white sand and clear, swimmable water. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the entire day without ever needing to overthink it.
There’s plenty of space here, so even when the beach is busy, it doesn’t feel packed. The gentle slope makes it great for swimming, and the long shoreline is perfect for walking. Families post up under umbrellas. Couples nap in the sun. Kids body surf and dig holes. It’s not off-the-beaten-path, but it doesn’t need to be.
Facilities are good: bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, and a small snack bar. Parking is easy if you come before mid-morning. Bring a cooler, bring a book, bring nothing at all.
If you feel like stretching your legs, the Ala Kahakai Trail runs along the coastline from here to Mauna Kea Beach. You can walk a stretch of it for a quieter view of the coast—and still make it back in time for a lazy swim before sunset.
DAY 07
Guided Waterfall and Cultural Hike in North Kohala
End your trip on a high note—literally and figuratively—with a day in North Kohala, one of the most scenic and culturally rich regions on the island. It’s greener up here, cooler too, with rolling pastures, deep gulches, and hidden waterfalls tucked into forested valleys. The pace is slower, and the land feels older.
This part of the island is best explored with a guide, especially if you want to access private trails and waterfall-fed swimming holes that aren’t available to the general public. Our favorite small-group experience leads you through historic agricultural terraces, across footbridges, and into valleys that feel like something out of a storybook. You’ll hear about the region’s ancient irrigation systems, early Hawaiian settlements, and the ways people have lived with this landscape for centuries.
If the day is clear, you might catch distant views of Maui across the water. But even in the mist, the atmosphere is incredible—lush, quiet, and completely different from the island’s volcanic south. It’s a beautiful, grounding way to close out the week.