It's about 300 miles to drive around the Big Island
, and that's just staying on the edge of it. You can easily add miles as you stop at random places or cut across the island.
What is the best month to visit the Big Island of Hawaii?
The best time to visit Hawaii's Big Island is
between September and November
. That's when the island's generally reasonable room rates take the most significant plunge.
What is the Big Island of Hawaii known for?
While all Hawaiian Islands have a volcanic history, the Big Island is known for
its extremely active volcano – Kilauea
, which is located within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kilauea made news around the world during its massive eruption in the summer of 2018.
Is Kona and Hilo on the same island?
Kona, not Hilo
, is the place to stay on the island of Hawaii during your vacation. Kona offers better weather, the best beaches and snorkeling, newer resorts, more vacation rentals, and more nightlife compared to Hilo Town. Hilo is worth a visit but may not be worth staying for more than a night.
Which Hawaiian island is the prettiest?
With its jagged cliffs, lush valleys, and paradisiacal beaches,
Kauai
is truly heaven on earth and is our top pick for the most beautiful island in Hawaii.
How long does it take to drive the whole Big Island?
To circle the entire Big Island takes
almost 6 hours
, if you include a loop through North Kohala. When driving between Hilo and Kailua-Kona, you might consider taking the north scenic coast route in one direction and the Saddle Road route between the mountains going back!
What should I avoid in Hawaii?
- Underestimate the ocean. …
- Touch a monk seal, sea turtle, or other wildlife. …
- Use sunscreen that isn't reef-safe. …
- Hike on an illegal trail or late at night. …
- Park wherever you want to take in the sights. …
- Bring back lava rocks as souvenirs. …
- Step on coral.
What is the rainy side of the Big Island?
Sunny and Dry West Side – Kona and Kohala Coast
The massive mountains on the Big Island create a dry side and wet side of the Island. The prevailing trade winds approach Hawaii from the North East. When the winds bring humid ocean air up against the mountains it provides lots of rain on the
East side of the Island
.
How many days do you need in Big Island?
Being the largest of the Hawaiian Islands there is a lot of ground to cover and a lot of exciting and adventurous activities to do. Many visit Hawaii Island on a day trip from Oahu. We recommend spending
at least five days
on the Big Island, even longer if you can!
Is the Big Island worth it?
Re: Is Big Island worth visiting?
Yes, of course itʻs worth visiting
. You could easily spend your entire time there and not see and do everything.
Is the Big Island Cheaper Than Maui?
The Big Island is the third most visited in Hawaii and offers accommodation for all budgets.
It tends to be cheaper than Maui
and it has two very different sides: Kona (west side) and Hilo (east side). In Kona there are many resorts and hotels with prices usually a bit higher than in Hilo.
What should I not miss on the Big Island?
- Visit the Seahorse Farm in Kona. …
- See the green and black sand beaches. …
- Take a helicopter tour over an active volcano. …
- Star gaze atop Mauna Kea. …
- Tour a coffee plantation in Kona. …
- Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
What side of the Big Island is better?
Locals refer to the Hilo side as the island's
East side
, which includes downtown Hilo (the second largest town in Hawaii) and the Volcano area. Ultimately, the east side's proximity to all the great Big Island attractions makes staying here worthwhile.
What is the nicest part of the Big Island?
- Kailua-Kona. Downtown Kailua-Kona is the epicenter of the west side of the island. …
- Kahaluu Keauhou. …
- Holualoa is one of the best-kept secrets on the Big Island. …
- North Kohala. …
- Hilo.
Which side of the Big Island has the best beaches?
The Big Island's most popular beach is located on the Kohala Coast on the
northwestern shore of the island
. This half-mile stretch of white sand is loved by many for its calm swimming conditions that are perfect for families with younger kids, as well as great for bodyboarding and snorkeling.
Which is the least touristy island in Hawaii?
Molokai
. Molokai is the least visited island of Hawaii. With about 65,000 visitors, the island attracts only a fraction of all the tourists that visit the island group each year.
Which Hawaiian island is the cheapest?
Oahu
is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $2,625. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in nearly $1,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $3,600.
What is the real name of the Big Island of Hawaii?
The Big Island is officially known as
the island of Hawaiʻi
and received this nickname for a good reason: it is the largest island of the United States with a total surface of 4,029 square miles (10,433 square kilometers)! Its surface area is also greater than that of all other Hawaiian island combined.
How long does it take to go from one side of the Big Island to the other?
Driving to and from the island's two largest towns—Kailua-Kona and Hilo—will take
well over an hour
, and that's the short way. Driving along Hawaii Belt Road and Mamalahoa Highway would be considered the scenic route—the 125-mile trip takes about three hours.
How far is the Volcano from Kona?
The distance between Kailua-Kona and Volcano is
52 miles
. The road distance is 102.8 miles. How do I travel from Kailua-Kona to Volcano without a car?
What island has black sand beaches?
Have you ever seen a beach with black sand? Because of constant volcanic activity, you'll find white sands and black sands on the island of Hawaii. Located on the southeastern Kau coast,
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
is one of the most famous black sand beaches in Hawaii.
Why don't you whistle at night in Hawaii?
Do not whistle at night—
it will attract the Night Marchers
!
According to Hawaiian legends, some say these restless souls are looking for a way to reclaim their rightful territory or searching for a way to enter the new world.
Do you still get a lei when you land in Hawaii?
Arrange a traditional lei greeting for your arrival at the airport on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island of Hawaii
! Your friendly island greeter will welcome you with a warm “aloha” and present you with a beautiful fresh flower lei – a symbol of aloha, welcome and love in Hawaii.
Do Hawaiians not like tourists?
No, Hawaiians don't hate tourists
. In fact, they very much appreciate the economic benefits that tourism brings to their islands. However, tourists can do a few things to avoid offending or angering the locals.
Is the Big Island windy?
The trade winds only prevail about 70% of the time on average
(about 90% during the summer, they can be as low as only 40% during the winter). When the predominant winds blow from the southwest, they are called Kona winds.
How hot does it get on the Big Island of Hawaii?
For the most part, the Big Island is warm and tropical year-round. Average temperatures near the major resort areas (coastline) range from
75-85°F (23°C-29°C) in winter and summer
, respectively. At the higher elevations like Volcano and Waimea, temperatures are often much cooler, especially during the night.
What is the coldest month in Hawaii?
The coldest month of the year in Honolulu is
January
, with an average low of 68°F and high of 79°F.
