How many days should I spend on Big Island Hawaii?


How many days should I spend on Big Island Hawaii? While you can get a taste of the Big Island in 3 days, spending at least 5-7 days, and ideally more, exploring its diverse attractions is recommended. This allows time for visiting popular sites like Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Mauna Kea Summit, and the beautiful beaches.


Do I need a car for the Big Island?

Unless you want to just relax at your hotel, the answer is yes. Driving is the best way to get around and will provide you with the most flexibility. Hawaii Island is known as “The Big Island” for good reason — spanning 10,931 square miles, it has a lot of ground to cover.


Is it worth going to Big island?

The Big Island is definitely worth visiting! It has the most natural diversity of all the Hawaiian Islands, meaning that when you tour it, you'll never be bored with what's outside your car window. All this diversity gives you more than just pretty views!


Is the Big Island as good as Maui?

Big Island offers the widest variety of experiences for authentic Hawaiian experiences. Maui is perfect for you if you're looking for an island with a more miniature landscape but plenty of outdoor activities.


What is the best time to go to Big Island?

But, that said, some months are still better when considering things like weather and your budget. The best times to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, taking into consideration the weather, how crowded, or not, the island is, and demand for accommodations are the month(s) of April, May, August, September, and October.


Is 3 days in Big Island enough?

One Weekend on the Big Island Isn't Enough You can customize your 3-day Big Island itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you're looking for, you'll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend on the Big Island!


Can you see Maui from the Big Island?

On a clear day, like Sunday, from Honolulu's east side, you can see nearly all of Maui County: Molokai, Haleakala, and Lanai.


Is 4 days on Big Island enough?

While the answer depends on your preferences and travel style, we recommend spending at least five to seven days on the island to experience its diverse attractions and activities fully. Ideally, as we noted above, you'd devote a week to 10 days to exploring the island.


Is 7 days too short for Hawaii?

While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation.


Is Kona or Hilo better?

The main differences are the climate and types of activities available. While Kona has drier weather and is popular for snorkeling, whale watching and coffee tours, Hilo caters to travelers seeking out lush rainforests, active volcanoes and small-town hospitality.


Is the Big Island expensive?

You should plan to spend around $250 per day on your vacation in Big Island of Hawaii, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $106 on meals for one day and $38 on local transportation.


What should you not miss on the Big Island?

10 essential experiences on Hawai'i's Big Island
  • Snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay. ...
  • Mauna Kea star party. ...
  • Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. ...
  • Waipi'o Valley. ...
  • Pu?uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. ...
  • Kona (& Ka'u) coffee farms. ...
  • Hapuna Beach. ...
  • Merrie Monarch Festival.


Why is the Big Island so expensive?

We have among the highest income taxes and tourism taxes. Now, Hawaii also has a tax called the general excise tax, which is kind of like a sales tax, except it's on all goods and services at every step in the production process. So even though it looks small, it's actually really big by the time it hits the consumer.


Is it worth going to Hawaii for 3 days?

If you wish to discover the island as a whole, we recommend that you stay at least 5 days so that you have time to enjoy its various attractions and go on a few hikes. If you prefer to make only a quick stop to get an idea of life in Honolulu and do only the essentials, 3 days may be enough.


How to enjoy the Big Island on a budget?

10 Ways to Save Money on Hawaii Big Island
  1. Kona Joe Coffee.
  2. Great Hawaiian Mac Nut Trail.
  3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
  4. Cruise the Kohala Coast.
  5. Spend time on Big Island's colored beaches.
  6. Explore forgotten sugarcane plantations of Ka'U.
  7. Go snorkeling at Honaunau Bay.
  8. Sample local flavors at Hilo Farmers Market.


Is 5 days enough on the Big Island?

Whatever you reason, lots of travelers choose to spend just 5 days on the Big Island of Hawaii. Even though it's a much larger area (with slower driving) than you might expect, you'll cover a lot of ground with this Big Island itinerary for 5 days.


Why is Big Island so special?

The Big Island is still growing and is home to the world's most active volcano, Kilauea. There have been 61 historical eruptions, and since January 1983 eruptive activity has been continuous along the east rift zone. Mauna Loa is also among Earth's most active volcanoes, having erupted 33 times since 1843.


Is driving in Big Island difficult?

However, driving in Hawaii does come with its own set of challenges that you should be prepared for, including poor road conditions. While the more populated islands like O'ahu or the Big Island have decent roads, the more rural isles like Kaua'i have roads that are often unpaved and difficult to drive on.


How many days do you need at each Hawaii island?

Oahu: 4-6 Days. Mau'i: 5-7 Days. Kauai: 4-6 Days. Hawaii (Big Island): At least 5-7 Days, 7-10 is preferable.


Is 4 full days in Hawaii enough?

A 4 day Oahu itinerary is perfect for your first visit if you are also Hawaiian island hopping to Maui or Kauai. If you have enough time, 5 days on Oahu or even on a week on Oahu will give you more time to slow down for hiking or relaxing at the beach.


Is 10 days too much in Hawaii?

10 days isn't a huge amount of time for exploring all of Hawaii. You could easily spend 10 days on just one Hawaiian Island! But if you're hoping to see as much as you can on a 10-day Hawaii vacation, this itinerary should give you a jump start on your planning.


Why is Hilo so cheap?

Lower Tourist Population = Lower Prices This means greater room availability and lower prices for accommodations in and around Hilo, making a Hawaii vacation within easier reach for those traveling on a budget.