Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is the largest island in the United States and the third-largest in Polynesia. The Big Island of Hawaii is formed by five volcanoes, two of which are still active. About 185,000 people live on the island. Full of great snorkel spots, a variety of beaches, and volcanic remnants, the Big Island contains many adventures and is the perfect tropical getaway. Five days on the Big Island is the perfect amount of time to spend for a great introduction to the island and should be part of any Hawaii itinerary. I have now spent over six weeks exploring what the Big Island has to offer and it has been an adventure every time!
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Table of Contents
History of the Big Island
Hawaii is said to be named after Hawai’iloa, a Polynesian navigator who discovered the island. Captain James Cook is the first European explorer to visit the islands and was killed in 1779 at Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. The big island was also home to King Kamehameha who united most of the Hawaiian Islands in 1795. Throughout the years, the Big Island was visited by various tourists and groups. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became an official state in the United States.
When to Spend Five Days on the Big Island
Hawaii is a great place to visit any time of the year. The Big Island has a pretty consistent climate for the majority of the year hovering between 75 and 85 degrees. The dry season is from April to October with November to March seeing a lot more rain.
In order to get the best airfare deals and prices, visit in April, May, and August-October when there are fewer crowds. During the winter months, visitors can see the Humpback Whales migrating. No matter what, anytime is a good time to spend five days on the Big Island.
How to Get to the Big Island
The Big Island contains two airports: Kona International Airport and Hilo International Airport. The majority of the flights from the mainland and from Asia arrive in Kona. Hilo contains more flights to and from the other Hawaiian Islands, primarily from Honolulu International Airport.
On my last trip, I snagged an airfare deal of $200 round trip from Los Angeles. Normally flights cost around $500 and up. When I visited Maui, I was even able to book everything using points!
Transportation Around the Big Island
In order to be able to fully explore the island, you will want a rental car for your five days on the Big Island. We found ours by using Autoslash and got a decent price for an SUV for $175.
Where to Stay for Five Days on the Big Island
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Big Island hotels here!
The most central location to stay for five days on the Big Island is in Kona. The Holiday Inn Express Kailua-Kona is a nice and central location to Kona. I also recommend staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. This is a massive resort with tons of amenities. There is an on-site lagoon perfect for snorkeling as well as a massive pool complex. The great thing about this resort is it offers a ton of different room types, so it is perfect for every kind of traveler.
You can also opt to stay in Hilo if you want to be a little more off the beaten track, or want to stay close to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. During one trip, we opted to stay at this Airbnb conveniently located across the street from the beach.
What to Do During Five Days on the Big Island
Day 1: Kona
Cost for the Day: $13.50
For your first of five days on the Big Island, spend the day exploring what Kona has to offer.
Grab Breakfast at the Coffee Shack
Cost: $$
Hours: 7am-6pm, Closed Tuesdays
Start your morning with breakfast at the Coffee Shack. This cafe offers spectacular views of the valley and the coast. They also offer tons of delicious food including homemade bakery items. We tried several things off the menu and it was all amazing. If you are a coffee lover, make sure to grab a cup of Kona coffee too!
Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Cost: $10/person, $20/car, or free with National Parks Pass
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm
After breakfast, head to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. This park preserves an area where Hawaiians who broke ancient laws could flee too. At this place of refuge, they could be absolved of their sins by a priest. Later, the area was used as a place of refuge from battles.
When visiting the park, there is a self-guided trail to follow past various important sites around the park. Make sure to grab a map from the visitor’s center to get information about each stop. Sites to see include the Royal Ponds, Keoneʻele Cove, the Great Wall, and Canoe Hālau. Plan to spend an hour walking around the park. Please remember these are important cultural sites, so treat them with respect.
Two Step
Cost: Free
Also known as Honaunau Bay, Two Step is a natural preserve located on the western part of the Big Island. This beach is made of rocks instead of sand. It is a great place that offers impressive coral reefs perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. Oftentimes, there are dolphins in this area. It takes swimmers two steps to get into the water, but it can take a bit of work to get back out. The water is pretty deep, so you should be a good swimmer to snorkel in this area, or make sure to wear a life jacket. If you do not visit Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, it will cost $5 for you to park here.
Magic Sands Beach Park
Cost: Free
If you get tired of snorkeling at Two Step, head to one of the most popular beaches in Kona: Magic Sands Beach. This beach is a great white sand beach for lounging and swimming. It can get pretty crowded, so keep that in mind when trying to head there.
Scandinavian Shave Ice
Cost: $3.50 and up
Hours: 11am-8pm
Scandinavian Shave Ice is one of the best shave ice places on the big island. They offer a ton of different flavors and combinations. Make sure to either get ice cream inside of it or get a snow cap for an extra flavorful treat.
Dinner at Foster’s Kitchen
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-9pm
Tonight, grab dinner at Foster’s Kitchen. This delicious restaurant offers amazing views of the Kona coast, especially at sunset. Ingredients are fresh, locally sourced, and made from scratch. I like that they buy from a lot of local farmers and have high-quality service. I loved the whipped goat cheese bruschetta and the chicken pesto pasta. Even their cocktails are made from scratch and fresh ingredients. Foster’s also offers happy hour from 3pm-5pm daily.
Don’s Mai Tai Bar and Restaurant
Cost: $
Hours: 11am-8pm
After dinner, grab some Mai Tais from Don’t Mai Tai Bar. They have a ton of different Mai Thais or you to try as well as other tropical cocktails. You can even do a sample flight if you want to try several of them.
Day 2: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Cost: $30/car or free with America the Beautiful Pass
Hours: 24/7
Today, spend your second of five days on the Big Island exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This National Park contains two active volcanoes and impressive volcanic landscapes. You could easily spend several days exploring what the park has to offer, but one day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will provide you with a good overview of the park. The earlier you start you can get the better as it is almost a two-hour drive from Kona and the park gets more crowded as the day goes on.
Upon arrival, make sure to stop at the visitor’s center to see which parts of the park are open. Sometimes due to volcanic activities portions of the park will be closed. Also, make sure to stay on the marked trails as it can be dangerous to depart from them.
Thurston Lava Tube
First, stop at the Thurston Lava Tube. This is a super cool 1.5-mile round-trip hike to a 500-year-old lava tube. It is one of the most popular stops to visit in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This should only take about an hour to complete.
Kilauea Iki Hike
Next, head to the Kilauea Iki Hike. This is one of the most popular hikes in the park. The Kilauea Iki Hike is a moderate to strenuous 3.3-mile hike that takes you into the crater of an inactive volcano. Plan to spend 2 to 3 hours completing this hike.
Chain of Craters Road
Make sure not to miss the Chain of Craters Road during your visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This 18.8-mile road offers many stops along the route and eventually ends overlooking the ocean. Lava once flowed where the road now stands, thus creating a very distinct landscape. Make sure to take the 0.2-mile walk at the end to see the Holei Sea Arch.
If you have more time to spend than five days on the Big Island, plan to spend a second day at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Day 3: South Point
Cost for the day: $20
Today, spend the day on the southern part of the Big Island. When spending five days on the Big Island, you must visit South Point! There are some pretty scenic places to visit in this area. South Point is the southernmost part of the Big Island as well as the United States. It is sometimes called Ka Lae which means “the point” in Hawaiian. This area is registered as a National Historic Landmark. There is no other land from this point until you reach Antarctica!
Punalu’u Bake Shop
First, stop at the Punalu’u Bake Shop, the Southernmost Bakery in the United States. This should be your first stop in the morning because everything is baked fresh daily. You will have the best selection in the morning. I recommend grabbing several Malasada which is kind of like a donut with cinnamon sugar. The traditional and taro ones were the favorite of our group.
South Point
Next, head to South Point. This is the actual spot of the Southernmost part of the United States. If you are daring, you can jump into the ocean off a set of cliffs and climb a ladder back up. However, if you choose to jump, use caution as the currents in this area can be very strong. South Point is also a super scenic area and a great place to take pictures. There are ruins of old shrines, fishing temples, and spectacular cliff views. Many local fishermen also come to fish here.
Papakolea Green Sand Beach
This afternoon, head to the Papakolea Green Sand Beach. There are three options to get to this beach: You can hike, hire a local truck to take you, or take a 4-wheel drive/all-terrain vehicle. If you choose to hike it to the beach, it is 3-miles each way. There is no shade along the trail and it is pretty rocky, so make sure to have appropriate shoes as well. If you choose to drive yourself, you MUST make sure your car can make the journey. Most rental car agreements do not let you take the car out to Papakolea. The road has tons of hills and is rocky, so many cars will not be able to make it all the way to the beach.
I recommend hiring a local to drive you to the beach. It costs $20/person round trip and was COMPLETELY worth the price. They pile everyone into a pickup truck. There are no seatbelts and most people will sit in the back of the truck, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. Your driver will drive you out to the beach and wait for as long as you want to drive you back. Note that the Papakolea Green Sand Beach is very remote. There are no restrooms or other facilities out there. Make sure to wear a lot of sunscreen, your swimsuit, and bring food with you.
Punalu’u Beach
End your day at Punalu’u Beach. This gorgeous black sand beach is great for relaxing and you might even see some sea turtles there. On the way, stop at Whittington Beach Park for a scenic view. Here they have a bunch of picnic tables that look out over the ocean. There are also the ruins of an old pier that are cool to look at.
Day 4: Mauna Kea
Cost for the day: Free
Today, head up one of the volcanoes to experience views of the island and the possibility of snow if you visit during the winter months. At over one million year old, Mauna Kea is one of the dormant volcanoes of the island. It sits at 13803 feet above sea level. If measured from underwater, Mauna Kea is the largest mountain in the world. Mauna Kea is one of the few places in the world where you can go from sea level to almost 14000 feet in less than two hours.
Pu’u Huluhulu Hike
On the way up to Mauna Kea, stop to go on the Pu’u Huluhulu hike. This hike lies at about 6578 feet, so it is a good way to start to acclimate. The entrance is along Mauna Kea Access Road. You will see a small parking lot and a small trailhead. From there, head up to the left along the trail. The hike is pretty easy and heads up a dirt path along a grassy hill. At the top of the hill, you are rewarded with a view of the surrounding volcanic area.
Mauna Kea
After completing the short hike, head up to the visitor’s center at 9200 feet. This is another good place to stop for a rest and to acclimate. You can also check road conditions here. It does not cost anything to access Mauna Kea. However, you do need a 4-wheel drive car in order to access the summit. Once at the top, you will be able to take in the views of the area. There are also several observatories that are great for stargazing, but they are not open to the public.
A few things to note if you choose to head to the peak
- You should slowly ascend and acclimate for at least 30 minutes.
- If you are under 13 years old, use caution as you are more affected by the high altitude.
- If you are going to scuba dive, do not go up the summit within 24 hours of diving.
- You should be in good health to ascend the summit.
Day 5: Pololu Valley
Cost for the day: Free and up
For your last of five days on the Big Island, head to Pololu Valley. Pololu means long spear in Hawaii. This is the northernmost of the Valleys along the Kohola Mountain and it offers spectacular views. You can opt to just visit the lookout, but I recommend taking the 0.6-mile hike down to the floor. This takes about 25 minutes each way. The trail is unpaved and rocky, but it is not too strenuous. It takes you right to a gorgeous forest and a black sand beach.
Throughout the area, there are a ton of rope swings that are fun to play on and make for some great pictures. There are also some hiking trails through the woods. If you walk all the way to the end of the beach, the entire hike is about 2.5-miles round trip. Although the beach is not the best for swimming due to its strong currents, it does offer picturesque views.
**Note that there are no restrooms anywhere at the lookout or in the valley.
After visiting Pololu Valley, head along Highway 250 from Kapauu to Waimea for scenic views through the area. This area contains a ton of ranches and woods. The road climbs over the Kohola volcano and offers a ton of great photo stops.
Village Burger Kamuela
Cost: $$
Hours: 10:30am to 5pm
Grab some food at Village Burger Kamuela for lunch. This is a delicious burger place and offers some pretty fun add ons for the burgers (like goat cheese). They also have some fun sauces for their fries.
Manuela Malasada Co
Cost: $
Hours: 9am-5pm
If interested in trying another malasada place, stop at Manuela Malasada Co in Waimea. This is another super popular place to grab these sweet treats.
More Than Five Days on the Big Island?
There are so many fun things to keep you busy for five days on the Big Island. If you have more than five days on the Big Island, make sure to check out these places as well. I have spent almost 6 weeks exploring the Big Island and still have not seen everything it has to offer.
Day 6: Waipio Valley
Cost for the day: Free and up
Today, opt to visit the spectacular Waipio Valley. Waipio Valley was once home to the Hawaiian Kings and densely populated. Now, it is home to a secluded valley with a gorgeous beach and Taro farms. The area is named after the river that flows through the valley.
Waipio Valley Lookout
There is a small parking lot at the Waipio Valley Lookout, but you can only park there for 30 minutes. If you plan on going into the valley, you will need to find a spot along the side of the road. Make sure to pay attention to the parking signs and make sure not to block anyone’s driveway. Note that there are restrooms at the lookout but none in the valley, so make sure to plan accordingly. Also, make sure to bring food and water with you, especially if you plan on hiking.
Into Waipio Valley
To get down into the valley you have a few choices. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, you can drive down into the valley. However, make note that this is one of the steepest roads in the world. In 0.6-miles, the road gains 800 feet with about a 25% grade the entire time. It is paved the entire way, but it can get a bit narrow in some parts, so it is not highly recommended to drive unless you are familiar with the road. Also, many rental car contracts do not let you drive down this road.
You can also opt to hike down into the valley. The hike can be a bit strenuous due to the incline, but it is a gorgeous hike. There are several picture opportunities along the way. Make note that you will be hiking on the same road the cars drive on, so you need to be alert and aware of your surroundings the entire time.
Once you reach the bottom, head right and follow a dirt road to the beach. The dirt road can get quite muddy if there has been recent rainfall, so keep that in mind whether you are driving or hiking.
The beach area is quite large, and you can spend some time walking around the area. The water is not necessarily the best for swimming due to the strong currents. It was also quite windy when we were there as well. From the beach, we were also to catch a glimpse of the waterfall in the distance.
If you head left after getting into the valley, you have the opportunity to see the Taro farms and perhaps some wild horses. A hike into the Waipio Valley is a neat way to spend one of your five days on the Big Island.
Tex Drive In
Cost: $
Hours: 6am-6pm
After exploring Waipio Valley, stop at Tex Drive In. This place has some great food options and the best malasadas on the island. The malasadas here come regular (covered in cinnamon sugar) or you can add in a filling. What flavors they have depends on the day. I loved the strawberry filling.
Day 7: Hilo
Cost for the day: Free and Up depending on activities
If you have seven days on the Big Island, opt to visit Hilo. Hilo is the largest city on the Big Island and has a cute downtown area. It lies between the base of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. You could technically combine a trip to Hilo with day 4 if you do not mind a longer day. Hilo has quite a few things to do to keep you busy.
On the way into Hilo, opt to stop at the Kaumana Caves. These tropical park descents into a massive 1881 lava tube cave. Make sure to bring a flashlight with you as there are no lights inside.
Next, head to Wailuku River State Park. Here, visitors can stop at the infamous 80-foot Rainbow Falls and catch a glimpse of a rainbow if you are lucky. You can also make a stop at the boiling pots to see a series of big pools that bubble from the volcanoes.
Once in Hilo, make sure to stop at one of the many delicious places to eat to grab some lunch. Hilo also has some great stops for swimming and snorkeling. If you want to see sea turtles, head to Richardson Ocean Park or Carlsmith Beach Park.
Other sites to see in the Hilo area include the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden, and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor’s Center.
Total Cost for Five Days on the Big Island
Airfare: $198/person
Rental Car: $175 total ($87.50/person)
Hotel: 5 nights at $140/night, $700 total ($350/person)
Total per Person: $635.50/person
Shaka Guide
Shaka Guide is a GPS self-guided audio tour that you can download to your phone. Currently, they have one for each of the Hawaiian islands. They provide great background information about the area. The best part is you do not need the internet to use them. Click below for the Shaka Guide for each island.
If you plan your trip right, you can visit the Big Island on a budget and have a wonderful adventure. Five days on the Big Island can make for a fun getaway. If you have more time, you can opt to spend more time on the Big Island or hop over to Oahu, Kauai, or Maui and take one of these Hawaii road trips. Hawaii is also a great stop when heading to Japan or New Zealand if you want to break up the long flights.
22 thoughts on “Five Days on the Big Island: Spectacular Sites to Explore”
The Big Island offers a lot and the nature is incredible! I definitely hope to get there and Kauai at some point. 🙂
Such a great itinerary for the big island. Hopefully I can use it in the future!
I haven’t been to the Big Island before, but it looks as stunning as I would expect from Hawaii! Would love to go and see Pololu Valley
I had a wonderful trip to the big island back in 2016! Can’t wait to go back one day
Only been to Oahu before but I totally fell in love with Hawaii. I’m planning on returning soon to explore the other islands so I’m definitely saving this post 🙂
I went to the Big Island in November and it was amazing! I loved it. So many of these things are must dos, so I love seeing them on other itineraries as well!
I have very little knowledge about Hawaii in general, so I really enjoyed reading about the Big Island and what you can get up to on it!
Wow… I so want to visit Hawaii, and this looks like a wonderful itinerary. I love volcanic landscapes and gorgeous beaches. But then again, who doesn’t? Thanks for sharing 🙂
Such a lovely read, and loaded with great memories. We honeymooned on the big island long ago, but I think we missed Hilo.
Awe so cool! Yah I feel like Hilo doesn’t get as much love as Kona.
I’m a former resident of the Big Island and you did a wonderful job creating an itinerary! This is great advice for a trip to one of the most astounding places on the planet. Beautiful photos too!
Yah k you! That is good to hear! There is so much fun to be had there.
I love that there’s so much to do on the Big Island . I can’t wait to visit . Love the pictures .
Thank you!
We’re so excited to head to Hawai one of these days. There are so many things we want to do across The Big Island (especially volcano hiking!)
Yes! The volcanoes were my fav.
This is awesome! I’ve only been to Hawai’i once (Oahu), so I’d love to check out some of the other islands. Kauai and the Big Island are next on my watchlist! I mostly wanted to visit the Big Island to check out the national park, but it’s exciting to see there’s a lot of other things to do in just five days on the Big Island! Thank you for the recommendations!
Yes! I need to go back to kaui and Maui. Maui also has a national park.
We have yet to do the Big Island, but it is on our list. Thanks for all the inspiration and ideas!
Yay! Glad to inspire.
Nice post with lots of great detail. I think I would really love day 2 when you hiked the volcanoes and visited the lava tube and chain of craters. That all looks so interesting to me. I’ve never been to Hawaii but hope to get there some day.
Yes! That was my favorite. I’m a sucker for national parks.