The Perfect ONE WEEK Big Island Itinerary for First Timers

Are you planning a trip to the Big Island and looking for the ultimate one week itinerary?

The Big Island of Hawaii is one of my favorite places I’ve ever traveled to. Full of adventurous activities, gorgeous landscapes, and wonderful people, the Big Island is the perfect destination for your next vacation!

While most people who travel to Hawaii visit Oahu or Maui, the Big Island is absolutely worth your time. It’s less developed, less touristy, and much more adventurous. After spending a week exploring every inch of this island with my husband (and a few shorter trips before that), I can confirm it needs to be on your bucket list!

In this post, I’ll go over exactly how to spend 7 days on the Big Island, including time on both the west (Kona) side and the east (Hilo) side. If you’ve never been to the Big Island, this itinerary hits all of the highlights, like night snorkeling with manta rays, hiking a volcano, and exploring waterfalls.

With one week, you’ll be able to explore the island at a relaxed pace and experience everything it has to offer (which is a lot!!).

Itinerary Overview

Here’s a quick look at what’s in store on this Big Island itinerary!

As I mentioned, you’ll start the trip on the west side of the island in the Kailua-Kona area. This is where the major airport is on the island (though there is a small one in Hilo) and where most people base themselves for their whole vacation.

However, I’ve also included a few days on the east side of the island around Hilo, which is home to those lush landscapes, waterfalls, and volcanoes!

• Days 1-3: Kailua-Kona Area
  • Night diving (or snorkeling) with manta rays
  • Drink local beer at Kona Brewing Co.
  • Kayak and see dolphins at Captain Cook
  • Golf or spa day at a fancy resort
  • Relax on white sand beaches
  • Learn about Hawaiian culture at a luau
• Day 4: Drive from Kona to Hilo (+ some fun stops along the way!)
• Days 5-7: Hilo & Surrounding Areas
  • Visit a coffee or chocolate farm
  • Explore rainforests and waterfalls
  • Hike across an active volcano
  • See turtles on a black sand beach

Day 0: Arriving on the Big Island

This itinerary assumes you are arriving on the Big Island in the afternoon or evening on Day 0, so the real fun begins on Day 1.

To get to the Big Island, most people will fly into Kona International Airport (KOA) on the west side of the island.

Depending on where you are coming from, you might have a connection in Honolulu or you may be coming straight from the mainland. We flew from Orlando to Denver and then Denver to Kona on United Airlines.

Either way, Kona is typically the cheapest airport to fly into on the Big Island; however, there is also an airport on the Hilo side, Hilo International Airport (ITO).

If you are flying into Hilo, you can simply reverse this itinerary. You’ll need to drive between Hilo and Kona about halfway through the trip, which we will talk about more in the next section!

Where to Stay in Kona

Once you’ve picked up your rental car at the Kona Airport, it’s time to make your way to your hotel in the main Kona area. Wondering where to stay in Kona? I have some options!

There are tons of hotel options in the Kailua-Kona area depending on your budget and style. If you are a budget traveler, Hawaii might not be the place for you. However, your best option will be finding an Airbnb or rental property to save money!

If you’re ok with mid-range prices, I highly recommend staying at the Royal Kona Resort. This is where we stayed during our time in Kona, and we absolutely loved it!

Day 1: Snorkeling or Scuba Diving + Kona Brewing

Morning: Ocean Adventure from Kona

Welcome to Day 1 of this Big Island itinerary! I recommend taking advantage of your jet lag and getting an early start on your first morning by going on a snorkel or scuba dive tour.

If you are scuba certified, the Big Island has some of the best diving in the Hawaiian islands! There are tons of different dive sites that vary from beginner to expert. We dove with Kona Diving Company on their 2-tank, morning dive and had an incredible time!

If you’re visiting in the wintertime, another incredible option is to go on a whale watching cruise. Between November and April, humpback whales make their journey to the warmer waters of Hawaii from Alaska!

On a whale watching cruise, you will be able to spot humpback whales up close. Some boats even have underwater sonar so you can listen to the whale sounds!

Keep in mind that whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, so boats will have to stay 100 yards away from the whales.

Don’t miss this activity if you’re visiting the Big Island during this time of year! You can read my full guide to Whale Watching on the Big Island here!

Evening: Explore Kailua-Kona and Dinner

If you have extra time in the afternoon after your tour, I highly recommend walking around the downtown Kailua-Kona area. We loved walking along the beach, exploring the many shops, and eating Hawaiian shaved ice and gelato!

Then, after your day of adventuring, head to Kona Brewing Company for some local beer and yummy nachos for dinner!

Although it felt a little touristy, we loved getting to try some Kona beers that aren’t available anywhere else in the USA!

Day 2: Kayaking to Captain Cook + Manta Night Dive

Morning: Kayaking or Hiking to Captain Cook Monument

If you went scuba diving on Day 1, I recommend kayaking to the famous Captain Cook monument on your second day on the Big Island. The monument marks the spot where Captain Cook, one of the first westerners to set his sight on the Hawaiian Islands, was killed in 1779.

The monument lies within Kealakekua Bay which offers some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island. To get to the monument, you can either hike, take a private tour, or kayak!

I highly recommend renting kayaks through Ehu and Kai for this adventure. To launch a kayak in the Bay, you need a special permit, which Ehu and Kai has when you rent through them. They also provide backrests, a dry bag, and snorkel equipment for a fee, which really come in handy for this journey!

Their pick up location is located right next to the Bay across from the monument, so it’s a quick 30-minute kayak there! Along the way, you might even get to see manta rays, dolphins, and sea turtles! We personally saw a pod of dolphins on our trip, and it was so magical!

Once you arrive at the monument, you aren’t allowed to park your kayak on land, so you’ll need to tow it behind you while snorkeling. We took turns snorkeling so someone could stay in the kayak.

I highly recommend reserving your kayaks advance online, and booking an early morning timeslot! As the morning went on, more and more crowds arrived at the monument, including large snorkel boats, which made it much less enjoyable.

Or, if you don’t want to kayak alone, you can book a guided tour with Ehu and Kai in a traditional outrigger canoe!

You can read my full guide on kayaking to the Captain Cook here!

If you went snorkeling (instead of scuba diving) yesterday, you may have already visited this spot. Luckily, the Big Island of Hawaii is jam-packed with adventure activities!

If that’s the case, other things you can do on Day 2 are taking a helicopter tour or going ATV’ing.

Evening: Swimming with Manta Rays

In the evening, it’s time to take part in the most exciting activity on the Big Island – swimming with manta rays!

Manta rays are gentle giants, so there is absolutely no danger to swimming with them. Most tours will take you out to the snorkel spot around sunset, and you’ll get in the water just as the sun goes down.

The manta rays are attracted to plankton, which are attracted to the big lights your tour guides will put in the water.

You can choose to either snorkel or scuba dive with the manta rays! I’ve done both, and if you are scuba certified, I highly recommend this option! You’ll get more time in the water (typically) and a better show!!

When you’re scuba diving with the mantas, you are actually just sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor. The mantas will swim above and in front of you, and it’s an amazing show.

Check pricing and availability of this top manta ray tour here!! 🌚🌊

If you’re not scuba certified, snorkeling with the mantas is still an amazing experience. You barely need to swim either!

Your tour company will put these giant rafts in the water that have lights underneath them. You’ll hold onto the raft and watch the manta rays swim under you!

I did this option when I was 15 and while it was a little daunting, I was soo glad I did it!

No matter which option you choose, I promise it’s one of the most exhilarating activities you will ever do!

Day 3: Beaches, Massages, Golf, and A Luau

Morning: Kona Beaches and Optional Massage

After a very adventurous first couple of days, today is all about rest and relaxation. Today, head to one of the white-sand beaches on the Kona side of the Big Island, like Kua Bay or Hapuna Beach.

If you’re looking for even more R&R, another great option is to book a massage at one of the luxurious resorts on the Kohala coast like the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort or Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.

After your massage, you can grab lunch and then hang by the pool or relax at the beach!

For those traveling as a couple, these resorts also have some of the best golf courses in the country. When we visited the Big Island, I got a massage while my husband played a round of golf, and then we enjoyed the beach after together!

If you want a more local option closer to Kona, we also visited Magic Sands Beach and loved it! Located just 10 minutes south of downtown Kona, this beach park is free to visit and the perfect place to spend your morning.

For lunch in this area, I can’t recommend Da Poke Shack enough, which is just up the road from Magic Sands. We had the best poke of our life here!! You can also head over to Ali’i Gardens Marketplace for some shopping and poke if Da Poke Shack is closed.

Evening: Attend a Luau

In the evening, it’s time to learn about Polynesian culture and attend a luau! There are a variety of different luaus on the Big Island to choose from at varying price points.

In general, you can expect to pay around $100-$200 per person for a luau. That normally includes a buffet dinner, open bar, and the show!

We visited the luau at our hotel, Voyagers of the Pacific, which felt like a good ratio between price and production. Plus, it’s right on the water and has gorgeous sunset views.

Other luaus on the island include the Island Breeze Luau and the Legends of Hawaii Luau.

While they might seem a bit cheesy, luaus are a great way to learn more about Polynesian culture and history (which goes way beyond Hawaii!).

Day 4: Drive From Kona to Hilo

Morning: Lookouts and Waterfalls

Today you will check out of your Kona hotel and make your way to the east side of the island. A lot of people visit the Big Island and only stay on the Kona side, but this is a mistake!

The Hilo side of the Big Island is full of adventure and needs to be on your itinerary too!

The drive from Kona to Hilo normally takes around 1.5 hours if you drive straight through. However, I recommend making some stops along the way to help break up the drive.

You can read my full guide to all of the places to stop on the drive from Kona to Hilo here, but at a minimum, I recommend stopping at Waipio Valley and ‘Akaka Falls State Park along the way!

Waipio Valley is typically a quick stop! Entrance to the actual valley is closed to visitors. However, you can book a guided tour like this one if you are interested in going into the valley, which is a sacred place to the Hawaiian community.

The other option is to just stop at the Waipio Valley Lookout, which is free and open to all! This lookout gives you a taste of the beauty of the Valley, and you can even spot some of the incredible waterfalls and coastline the Valley offers. This is what we did and were happy we stopped!

The other main landmark I recommend stopping at on your drive from Kona to Hilo is Akaka Falls State Park. This state park has a $5 per person entrance fee and $10 per vehicle fee if you park in the main parking lot. However, it is well worth it!

Within the park, you’ll find paved walking trails through lush rainforest. We were blown away by the tropical flowers and foliage in the park! Not to mention, the not one but TWO incredible waterfalls in the park.

The main waterfall is ‘Akaka Falls, which you’ll visit along the main loop in the park. The waterfall and surrounding foliage is simply stunning and makes for a great photo op!

After you finish up at this park, it’s time to make the final leg of the journey to Hilo!

Evening: Dinner at Pineapples

Once you arrive in Hilo, check into your hotel and wander around downtown Hilo a bit! (If you need a recommendation for where to stay, check out the nexts section!)

Downtown Hilo feels very different from downtown Kona, but in a good way! Hilo is much less touristy and where a lot of locals live.

For dinner, I highly recommend Pineapples, one of the best places to eat in Hilo! We had to wait a bit for a table here, but it was absolutely worth it.

After dinner, pop over across the street to Puna Chocolate Company, where you can taste and purchase authentic, Hawaiian-grown chocolate! I got a cup of hot chocolate as a night cap and it was absolutely lovely. This is also a great place to purchase souvenirs from your trip!

Where to Stay in Hilo

If you’re not sure where to stay during your time in Hilo, I highly recommend SCP Hilo Hotel. With the best location in Hilo, this eco-friendly hotel focuses on local culture and giving back to their community.

With every stay, they donate to multiple different local charitable organizations. You can read more about their commitment to the community and planet here.

This is a great way to ensure you are giving back to the Hawaiian people when visiting their islands.

Day 5: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park + Black Sand Beach

Morning: Hiking Across a Lava Lake

To start off the second half of this Big Island itinerary, you’ll be taking a day trip to the incredible Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located just 45 minutes from Hilo, there’s enough in this park to fill an entire day, so I recommend getting an early start.

The cost to enter the park is typically $30 per vehicle. Or, if you have an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, entry will be free!

With over 150 miles of hiking trails, there’s something for every traveler within the park. If you’re looking for an incredible beginner-friendly hike, I highly recommend the Kīlauea Iki trail. This was one of our favorite things we did on our Big Island trip!!!

On this trail, you will hike down into a lava lake crater that was formed by the 1959 eruption of Kīlauea. It’s not too challenging, but the views are insane! Plus, it’s not every day you get to walk on lava lake!

It’s amazing to see the plants making their way through the cracks in the earth. The hike down to the lake is also beautiful, as it’s through some lush foliage!

We spent around 2 hours on this hike, which was the perfect introduction to the park!

Other fun activities within the park include exploring the Thurston Lava Tube (known as Nāhuku), driving the Chain of Craters Road, and visiting the Sulphur Banks.

We decided to tackle the Thurston Lava Tube and the Chain of Craters Road on our trip! The Thurston Lava Tube entrance is right across from the Kīlauea Iki trail, which was very convenient.

The lava tube is easy to hike thanks to the guided pathway. However it was very dark inside the cave, and you’ll need to watch where you step and where you walk, as it’s easy to bump your head!

Again, there’s not many places on Earth like this national park. Where else can you walk through a cave formed by the flow of lava?!

Another option, if you are looking for a longer hike, is to conquer the Devastation Trail, Uēaloha (Byron Ledge), the Kīlauea Iki loop, and Nāhuku on an epic 6 mile hike!

Afterward leaving the Thurston Lava tube, we decided to stop by the Visitor Center to learn more about the Big Island of Hawaii and its 6 volcanoes! They had some interesting demonstrations and a cute gift shop inside!

Then, we got back in the car and started our drive down the Chain of Craters Road. This 19-mile road starts at the main section of the park and winds all the way down to the coastline!

There are a few incredible look outs to stop at along the route. However, note there is no food, water, or gas available along the road, so plan accordingly! The views of the ocean at the end of the road were well worth the drive!

Afternoon & Evening: Black Sand Beaches

After you’re finished exploring the National Park, you’re bound to be hungry! We had an incredible late lunch at Taco Tita, which is about 30 minutes away from the park but near your next stop. We ate some of the best burritos we’ve ever had here!

After lunch, continue over to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. This beach is absolutely stunning, with green palm trees, beautiful black sand, and if you’re lucky, Hawaiian sea turtles!

The park is free to visit and very relaxing after a long day at the National Park. We loved just sitting here, watching the waves and spotting sea turtles.

I recommend bringing a little towel with you, and there’s also a beach stand selling snacks!

Once you’re finished here, make the drive back to Hilo and have dinner at the incredible Hilo Bay Cafe right outside downtown.

Day 6: Rainbow Falls + Zip lining

Morning: Breakfast and Waterfalls

Today it’s time to explore the wild side of the Big Island more!

First, start your morning off by grabbing breakfast at Ken’s House of Pancakes. Make sure to try the macadamia nut pancakes – they were sooo yummy! Or you can hit up the Hilo Farmers Market for a more local experience.

After breakfast, head up the road to the famous Rainbow Falls. This incredible waterfall is right off the main road, just a short walk from the parking lot. You can’t beat that!

If you’re lucky, you’ll be greeted with the beautiful rainbow reflecting off the falls! The best time to see the rainbow is around 10am-12pm, according to the locals! We got lucky and it was visible the entire time we were there.

You can also walk up above the waterfall on a small platform to see the pools. Unfortunately swimming is not allowed here, but it’s still worth a visit!

Afternoon and Evening: Ziplining Over Waterfalls

In the afternoon, I recommend going on a zip lining tour. Zip lining in Hawaii should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list, and Hilo is the perfect launching point for zip lining.

There are a few different tour options, but you can expect to pay around $200 per person. This zip lining tour was voted the #1 zip line tour in Hawaii and takes you over the incredible 250ft Kolekole waterfall!

Read more about zip lining over waterfalls in my guide on the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island!

Or, if you are looking for another (cheaper) option, I highly recommend checking out Carlsmith Beach Park. This free beach park has some of the most beautiful water I’ve ever seen! The lagoon is protected from the swells by rocks, so it’s basically a giant saltwater swimming pool.

We loved snorkeling here, although the water was a little chilly! But we saw so many sea turtles, so it was definitely worth it!

In the evening, head to Honoli’i Beach Park, which is just a few minutes up the road from downtown Hilo. Here, you can watch the surfers do their thing as the sun goes down!

Looking for more things to do on this side of the island? Check out my list
20 Incredible Activities You Need To Do In Hilo!

Day 7: Coffee or Chocolate Farm + Fly Home

Today is your last day on the Big Island, which means it’s time to head back to Kona to fly home!

I recommend booking an afternoon or evening flight to give yourself plenty of time to make it back across the island. Another option is to travel back to Kona on Day 6 and stay the night there instead. I recommend doing this if you have a morning flight to play it safe.

If you have time before your flight, I recommend adding in one last activity before heading out: a coffee or chocolate farm tour! Did you know the volcanic soil on the Big Island creates a nutrient-rich environment for agriculture?

The Kona Coffee Belt is a 30-mile long strip of land on the Big Island of Hawaii that is famous for its coffee farms. There are over 600 coffee farms within this area, and visiting one of them is one of my favorite Big Island activities!

Greenwell Farms is a great option that gives free tours and include free coffee samples! We loved visiting here and learning more about how coffee is made in Kona! It’s also great for souvenir shopping.

Honorable Mentions

As you can see, this Big Island itinerary is already action-packed. If you have more time on the island, or are looking for other options, here are some ideas!

South side of island: Visit Papakōlea Green Sand Beach and cliff jumping South Point
North side: Horseback riding in Waimea Cowboy Country
East side: Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden, Mauna Kea stargazing

Make sure to check out my list of 10 Free Things to Do in Kona and 30 Incredible Things to Do on the Big Island for more ideas!

And that wraps up my Ultimate One Week Big Island Itinerary! I hope I’ve convinced you that the Big Island absolutely needs to be on your bucket list.

While Oahu has great surfing and Maui has great resorts, the Big Island is perfect for the adventurous traveler who wants a taste of everything Hawaii has to offer!

If you have less than a week on the Big Island, I recommend cutting out a few of the activities like snorkeling or zip lining. However, don’t miss swimming with the manta rays and Volcanoes National Park!

Now that you know exactly how to spend one week on the Big Island, make sure to check out my full guide on Where to Stay on the Big Island to help pick you the perfect hotel for your trip!

Read More Big Island Blog Posts Below! ⬇️🌺
The Perfect ONE WEEK Big Island Itinerary For First Timers
Where To Stay On The Big Island (+ Big Island Hawaii Map)
30 INCREDIBLE Things To Do On The Big Island Of Hawaii
Whale Watching On The Big Island: Tours, Best Time, & More
Best Snorkeling On The Big Island Of Hawaii: A Detailed Guide
How To Kayak To Captain Cook Monument On The Big Island
A Guide To Night Snorkeling With Manta Rays In Kona, Hawaii
10 FREE Things To Do In And Near Kona, Hawaii
Best Luaus On The Big Island: A Complete Guide
Kona To Hilo: A Complete Guide To Driving Across The Big Island
20 INCREDIBLE Things To Do In Hilo, Hawaii (& Nearby)
A Guide To Exploring The Best Waterfalls On The Big Island

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!