The Perfect ONE WEEK Big Island Itinerary for First Timers

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 a week long vacation, and this Big Island itinerary captures it all.

If you’ve never been to the Big Island, I’m here to tell you to add it to your bucket list! While most people who travel to Hawai’i visit Oahu or Maui, the Big Island is just different. It’s less developed, less touristy, and much more adventurous.

In this post, I’ll go over exactly how to spend 7 days on the Big Island: my ultimate one week Big Island itinerary. 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.

So if you are wondering what to do to fill your Big Island vacation, keep reading!

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The BEST One Week Big Island Itinerary: 7 Days in Hawaiian Paradise

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

• 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.

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 in this itinerary, which we will talk about more in the next section!

Renting a Car on the Big Island

Almost every activity in this Big Island itinerary will require some driving, so you will need to rent a car when you arrive on the island.

The Big Island is HUGE, so there’s really no getting around this. Did you know every other Hawaiian island could fit within the Big Island?

Yeah, it’s that big.

I highly recommend using RentalCars.com. They allow you to compare prices across all of the major rental car companies. Plus, they have a great cancellation policy (typically free cancellation up to 48 hours in advance). Oh, and they price match!

Where to Stay in Kona

Once you have your rental car, it’s time to make your way to your hotel in Kona. 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. The hotel has everything you need for a perfect stay in Hawaii: beautiful pool, great rooms, perfect location, sunset bar, and a luau! All of these amenities come without the insane price tag.

However, if you are looking for something more luxurious, there are some truly incredible hotels just outside of the Kona area, like the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai or the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. You can’t go wrong with either!

P.S. For a full breakdown of where to stay on the Big Island, including a breakdown of the 4 main areas, plus pros and cons of each, make sure to check out my guide here!

Day 1: Snorkeling or Scuba Diving + Kona Brewing

Welcome to Day 1 of your one week 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!

Not scuba certified? No worries! You can still get out on the water on your first morning and see some incredible sea creatures. I recommend a snorkeling and dolphin watching adventure like this one to see and do it all!

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. Don’t miss this activity if you’re visiting during this time of year!

You can read my full guide to Whale Watching on the Big Island here!

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

Day 2: Kayaking to Captain Cook + Manta Night Dive

If you went diving on Day 1, I recommend kayaking to the famous Captain Cook monument on your second day. 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 and offers some of the best snorkeling on the Big Island.

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

In fact, if you went snorkeling (instead of scuba diving) yesterday, you may have already visited this spot. If that’s the case, other things you can do on Day 2 are taking a helicopter tour or going ATV’ing.

In the evening, it’s time to take part in the most exciting activity on the Big Island – snorkeling or scuba diving with manta rays (read my full guide HERE!)

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’ll either float on the surface or descend down to the bottom to watch these incredible creatures do their nightly dance. I promise it’s one of the most exhilarating activities you will ever do!

Day 3: Beaches + Luau

After a very adventurous first couple of days, Day 3 of this Big Island itinerary 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.

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

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 (full guide here!). 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.

If you’re planning a trip to Hawaii but can’t decide which island to visit, make sure to read my comparison guide between Oahu and the Big Island here!

Day 4: Drive From Kona to Hilo

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!

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!

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.

Day 5: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park + Black Sand Beach

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.

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. 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!

Other fun activities within the park include exploring the Thurston Lava Tube, driving the Chain of Craters Road, and visiting the Sulphur Banks. If you want to spend more than one day at the park, I recommend staying in Volcano Village right outside the park!

After you’re finished exploring the National Park, continue another 20 minutes south 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.

Day 6: Rainbow Falls + Zip lining

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! Or you can hit up the Hilo Farmers Market!

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. If you’re lucky, you’ll be greeted with the beautiful rainbow reflecting off the falls!

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. Some of the tours even go over waterfalls – how cool is that?! You can read more about this option at the Umaumau Experience in my guide to the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island.

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! You might even see some turtles here.

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!

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!

Final Thoughts

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!

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