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Top Big Island Hawaii Holiday Deals
Top Big Island Hawaii Holiday Deals
Top Big Island Hawaii Holiday Deals
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Popular Big Island Hawaii Hotel Deals
Popular Big Island Hawaii Hotel Deals
Popular Big Island Hawaii Hotel Deals
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TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
TOP 10 REASONS
Why travel to Big Island Hawaii: Find out the top 10 reasons to visit
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01
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A SNEAK PEAK
A Sneak Peek into Big Island Hawaii
- Big Island, home of Hawaii's monarchy – and great coffee – is also home to the world's tallest volcano, providing an authentic 'back to nature experience.
- Hiking through the national park rewards you with breathtaking views of glowing lava streams slipping into the ocean.
- The Big Island, known as Hawaii, is the largest Hawaiian island and land of dramatic contrasts.
- There are lush rainforests, black sandy beaches, snow-capped peaks, and 11 of the world's 13 climates here!
- The landscape is dominated by volcanic activity, from the stunning dormant craters of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa to the incredible Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Can find Luxury resorts, secluded beaches, and calm bays along the Kohala Coast.
- Stay in the charming town of Kailua-Kona to be close to historic Hawaiian temples and great snorkelling.
- World holiday vibes provide a variety of Hawaii package holidays, and our expert travel consultants are a wealth of information on what to do, often with first-hand travel experience.
- They are the perfect people to ask if you want to explore the Big Island before embarking on a multi-centre holiday of Hawaii, if you're going to combine the Hawaiian Islands with a city break, or if you want to create unforgettable memories on a family holiday.
02
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS
Top Tourist Attractions in Big Island Hawaii
- As it is also known, the Big Island has many open spaces!
- It has a tropical climate at sea level, but some peaks will have snow on them during the winter; it truly is a destination with four seasons in one day!
- Don't pass up the chance to see a volcanic landscape - one of many adventures available here.
- This great Volcanoes National Park is one of the few places in the world where you can see new land being formed as molten lava falls into the sea.
- The unexpected meeting of hot rock and cool water produces a massive steam cloud that can be seen for miles, but seeing it after dark is even more impressive, glowing red against the black lava field and the night sky.
- Check out the west coast, where Kona, a cute little waterfront town famous for its coffee and World Ironman championship, is located.
- Hawai'i was King Kamehameha the Great's last royal residence, and Kealakekua Bay is where Captain Cook first set foot on the island and was later killed.
03
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
SEASONS TO TRAVEL
Best Months to Visit Big Island Hawaii
- September and November are the best for a holiday on Hawaii's Big Island.
- That's when the island's ordinarily reasonable room rates take the biggest hit.
- Temperatures remain consistent throughout the year – typically in the high 70s or low 80s – so you may want to avoid the most expensive season, which runs from December to March unless you enjoy surfing.
04
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
WORTH A VISIT
The Best Places to Visit in Big Island Hawaii
Star Gaze on Mauna Kea, Hawaii's Highest Mountain
- Mauna Kea is Hawaii's highest peak and the site of the Mauna Kea Observatory, an active research facility.
- The temperatures here are freezing, in stark contrast to the tropical paradise below, but that doesn't stop crowds from congregating at the visitor centre every night for unparalleled views of the stars above.
- The summit and Visitor Information Station, located at altitudes of 13,800 feet and 9,200 feet, can only be reached by 4WD vehicles - a trip that rental car companies frequently prohibit.
Take in the scenery from the Waipio Valley Overlook.
- This breathtakingly beautiful valley on the Big Island's northeastern coast, about 50 miles north of Hilo, has been described as a sort of "Shangri-La," almost cut off from the outside world.
- About a mile wide, the valley cuts through the Kohala Mountains and is difficult to access due to cliffs on three landward sides.
- Strong seas make it equally inaccessible from the sea.
- The fertile valley floor is home to bananas, papayas, mangoes, avocados, and grapefruit, as well as colourful ginger trees, orchids, and hibiscus.
- A long black-sand beach connects the valley to the ocean.
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park teaches about Hawaiian traditions (Kona Coast)
- This park is an excellent place to learn about island customs.
- The current temple site was restored by national park officials and is a replica of the original, which dates from the late 18th century.
- The palace was a haven, guarded by a massive wall 10 feet high and 16 feet wide.
- This thick wall that separates the former palace sanctuary has been preserved over the centuries, with repairs completed in 1902 and 1963-64.
- Replica koa wood carvings of temple gods have been placed in their original positions using information gleaned from photographs.
Ahu'ena Heiau
- This fully restored temple in Kailua Kona, directly behind the Kamehameha Hotel, is possibly the best example of a Hawaiian place of sacrifice.
- Kamehameha I built Ahuena Heiau on Kamakahonu Beach and dedicated it to the god Lona.
- Kamehameha I spent the last few years of his life with him at Ahuena Heiau.
- According to Hawaiian custom, his bones were removed from his corpse on a stone platform in the temple and taken north, possibly to Wawahiwa Point, where they were left in a secret location.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
- This state historic park, located south of Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook landed in 1779 and later died in a skirmish with native Hawaiians.
- Kealakekua Bay is a Marine Life District, which means it has pristine waters and a plethora of sea life.
- This is popular snorkelling, scuba diving, and kayaking destination due to the abundance of colourful fish and thriving coral.
- The Captain James Cook Monument and Hikiau Heiau, a temple built to honour the Hawaiian god Lono, are two of the park's highlights.
05
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
DISCOVER MORE
Big Island Hawaii Off the Beaten Track
Kailua-Kona
- The Big Island's beach vacation epicentre in Kailua-Kona on the west side, with plenty of coastal strips and bays offering seaside fun and plenty of sunshine.
- Numerous lodging options range from luxurious 5-star international chains to condos.
- It's a great place to stay because it's close to some of the island's best beaches and cultural sites.
- Explore many shops, restaurants, and nightclubs where you can party the night away.
- In the direction of South Kona, you'll find a good selection of budget accommodations, including B&Bs and guesthouses.
Hilo Town
- If you choose Hilo Town and its surrounding areas as your place to stay on Hawaii's Big Island, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views and natural beauty.
- The island also allows you to avoid the crowds that congregate in the west, particularly in the popular Kailua-Kona area.
- Many of the town's hotels also have views of the beautiful bay.
- As the main resort area on the Big Island's eastern 'windward' side, Hilo receives more rainfall than the rest, which accounts for the lush valleys, rainforests, and stunning waterfalls.
- And, because of its proximity to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo is the obvious choice for nature lovers visiting Big Island in search of spectacular scenery and a taste of adventure.
Waikoloa
- In comparison to the rest of the Big Island, Waikoloa, north of Kailua-Kona, has sunnier weather almost all year.
- It is also windier than the rest of the west coast, with winds blowing around and down the long foothills of the dormant Mauna Kea volcano from the island's eastern 'windward' side.
- Nonetheless, the Waikoloa coast has beautiful beaches, such as the white-sand Anaehoomalu Beach, where families can enjoy fantastic swimming, snorkelling, and even hiking.
- The resort areas of Waikoloa have the same well-developed feel as Kailua-Kona, with a good selection of shops, restaurants, and bars alongside lavish hotels, golf courses, and oceanfront clubs.
- It's worth noting that the nightlife scene in Kona isn't as vibrant as it is in Kailua-Kona.
06
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
FOOD FUN FASHION
Big Island Hawaii Culture and Traditions
Coffee, chocolate, beer and macadamia nuts
#Food
- Hawaii's tropical climate allows for the cultivation of a wide range of exotic crops not available elsewhere in the United States.
- Hawaii is the only commercially grown state coffee, resulting in the world-famous Kona coffee and equally delicious but lesser-known coffees from the Ka'u, Puna, and Hamakua districts.
- Chocolate is yet another exotic crop grown on the Big Island.
- Cacao is grown organically on the rich volcanic soil before being processed and sold locally in Hawaii.
- The healthier local product is macadamia nuts.
- These nuts are among the most beneficial in the world and have been linked to lower cholesterol levels, among other things.
- After you've indulged in these treasures, you can cap off your day with a local beer.
- Waimea (Big Island Brewhaus), Kona (Kona Brewing Company), and Hilo all have (micro) breweries (the Mehana Brewing Company).
- Their beers are available
Poke
#Food
- Is raw fish typically marinated with soy sauce, onions, and lemon? (
- Grown in popularity due to the "Poke Bowl," but it is very Hawaiian and, honestly, tastes the best here on the islands.
- Poke is available in most restaurants as well as supermarkets.
- For example, the local KTA supermarket is good to get some poke.
- Suisan Fish Market in Hilo and Umeke in Kona are good places to get a poke.
Acai bowls
#Food
- Acai bowls are one of our favourite foods in Hawaii!
- Nothing beats a fruity acai bowl in the morning or a cold and refreshing treat after a hot day at the beach.
- While acai bowls originated in Brazil, they have become trendy on the Hawaiian islands and are our favourite things to eat when we visit.
Mochi
#Food
- Mochi is a traditional Japanese made from glutinous rice (mochiko flour) pounded into a paste and shaped into whatever shape you want.
- It is a popular food during the Japanese New Year, but it is also eaten.
- While mochi has Japanese roots, it has also become popular in Hawaii and other countries worldwide, with each country having its version of the delectable treat.
Spam musubi
#Food
- Did you know that Hawaii consumes Spam per capita in the United States?
- Spam, canned cooked pork, was a popular dish for troops during WWII and grew in popularity afterwards, particularly in Hawaii.
- Every year, there is also a Spam festival on Oahu!
- We'll never forget our first trip to Oahu and seeing the entire dollar aisle at Target filled with all sorts of knick-knacks with the Spam logo on them.
Fashion
#Fashion
- From Hawaiian quilts and jewellery to handcrafted glass and rare koa wood bowls, the island of Hawaii has a plethora of one-of-a-kind, handcrafted keepsakes created by local artisans.
- Leave extra side in your suitcase for souvenirs, whether you're trying on designer aloha shirts or discovering art inspired by Pele's fire.
- Explore Hilo's shopping malls and stores, Historic Kailua Village, and Kohala Coast.
- Alternatively, visit the Kealakekua Ranch Center in south Kona, the Keauhou Shopping Center in Keauhou, the Queens' MarketPlace, or The Kings' Shops in the Waikoloa Beach Resort.
- Then venture off the beaten path to the small towns of Holualoa and Hawi, which are home to art galleries and boutiques.
- Don't forget to bring home memories of Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, jams, and other local flavoured confections from Hilo Hattie, Big Island Candies, and the Maunaloa Macadamia Nut Factory
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
#Fun
- If you're wondering what to do first on the Big Island, you can't go wrong with a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- The Hawaiian Islands are a chain of massive volcanoes, and The Big Island is currently over the hotspot.
- Active lava flows and eruptions are still forming the island.
- Volcanoes National Park is quite large, with numerous activities to choose from.
- It is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and ideal for early-riser landscape photographers.
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach
#Fun
- Punalu'u Beach's dark black sands result from the Big Island's long history of volcanic eruptions.
- Over time, it formed as hot lava flowed into the ocean, exploding into tiny fragments and washing ashore.
- The beach is home to endangered Hawksbill and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, which enjoy sunbathing on the warm black sand.
- While it's a great place to see these incredible creatures up close, don't get too close.
Kayak Kealakekua Bay
#Fun
- Kealakekua Bay's water is crystal clear and teeming with colourful fish and coral reefs.
- It's also the site of Captain James Cook's death in a skirmish with Native Hawaiians, the first Westerner to visit Hawaii.
- The bay is one of the best snorkelling spots on the Big Island.
- Most snorkelling tours are booked by boat, but you can rent a kayak and explore on your own for the more adventurous.
- Anna and I rented a two-person kayak from Kona Boys and spent the morning swimming with tropical fish.
Dolphin Spotting in The Bay
#Fun
- Spinner dolphins and sea turtles have been spotted in the bay on occasion!
- Unfortunately, might didn't see any dolphins that day; however, you will hear that spotted further down the coast.
- Can find the ruins of a Hikiau Heiau (sacred temple) dedicated to the Hawaiian fertility and music god Lono on the bay's east side.
Sunset on Mauna Kea Volcano
#Fun
- Ever know that it snows in Hawaii?
- And did you know that Hawaii is home to the world's tallest mountain?
- You now have! At 13,796 feet, Mauna Kea Volcano in Hawaii's tallest mountain (4205 meters).
- However, the majority of the volcano is underwater.
- When measured from the seafloor, Mauna Kea stands 33,476 feet tall (10,204 meters).
07
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
NATURE & SAFARI
Big Island Hawaii: Food, Fun & Fashion Guide
- With so much beautiful land to preserve, the Big Island is brimming with parks.
- These aren't your typical state parks with swing sets and basketball courts, but rather ones with waterfalls, lava trees, beaches, and views.
- If you're on Puna's east side, you can see the remnants of a generations-old lava flow that hardened vertically around trees.
- There's plenty of snorkelling, swimming, and tanning at Kona's beach parks along the sunny coast.
- What's great about Big Island parks is that you can usually count on amenities like bathrooms, BBQ areas, picnic tables, pavilions, showers, and campgrounds.
- Spencer Beach Park is a dependable option for spending a few days camping by the ocean.
- It's located along the sunny Kona Coast with a generally calm beach and offers some of the best camping on the island.
- Check out Kahalu'u Beach Park in Kona, which has fine white sand and an abundance of fish, or Mahukona at the other end of the coast, which has no sand.
- Lava Tree State Park, located on the east side of the Big Island outside of Pahoa, is home to hundreds of vertical, hollow lava columns that stand to remind us of a lava flow that occurred several hundred years ago.
- You can eat lunch and then go for a walk through the rainforest park.
- The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo, located about 4 miles from Hilo, is the only tropical zoo in the United States.
- Inside, you'll find a variety of rainforest animals and endangered Hawaiian animals like spider monkeys, lemurs, nene geese (the Hawaiian State bird), and over 80 other species.
- The Pana'ewa Zoo is also a botanical garden with orchids, bamboos, 100 different types of palms, and a water garden
08
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
EVENTS & FIESTAS
Big Island Hawaii: Natural Beauty & Safari Adventures
- There are plenty of Big Island events and activities to keep any visitor occupied for the duration of their stay.
- However, suppose you are a return visitor or simply looking for something different to make your Big Island vacation even more memorable.
- In that case, you should consider attending one of the special events here throughout the year.
- "Flower viewing" and cultural activities throughout South Kohala every year.
- This beautiful area, Waimea, celebrates the fleeting bloom of its 60-year-old Japanese cherry trees with hanami.
- The events include Japanese and Hawaiian musical performances, food tastings at Kohala resorts, and hands-on demonstrations of origami, bonsai, and mochi pounding.
- The annual Kona Brewers Festival brings together superb local beer and cider, local food pairings, and local music and entertainment for one evening at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel's historic Kamakahonu Beach.
- The event includes 30+ breweries from Hawaii and the mainland, 30+ local restaurants, hula and live bands, a pre-festival 5k/10k race, and a home brewers' competition.
- The proceeds from ticket sales local non-profit organisations and used to fund programs that benefit Hawaii's environment, youth, and culture.
- The Hawaiian Merrie Monarch Festival is an annual week-long celebration of Hawaiian culture and the cultural renaissance King David Kalakaua's reign.
- The Festival revolves around the world's largest hula competition, attracting teams from all Hawaiian Islands.The iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel hosts the annual Big Island Jazz & Blues Festival.
- This Big Island event combines the scenic coastline and pleasant weather of the Kohala coast with excellent music and a first-rate venue.
- It includes a weekend of events, with the highlight being a full day of performances by award-winning artists worldwide.
- It is sure to please everyone, from casual listeners to fans.Here in Holualoa, the annual lighting of the village Christmas Tree is celebrated with an evening of music, open galleries along the main street, and an appearance by Santa.
- Everything is a short walk from the Holualoa Inn, and the Festival makes for a delightful evening stroll among the artist's shops and music venues.
FAQs to Plan Your Best Big Island Hawaii Holiday
Places similar to Big Island Hawaii to visit
Places similar to Big Island Hawaii to visit
Places similar to Big Island Hawaii to visit