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Big Island (Hawaii Island)
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Big Island (Hawaii Island)

Volcanoes, Manta Rays and Mauna Kea's Stars

Plan this trip
3 daysIdeal stay₹20,920From / night₹5,710Food / day₹1,430Entry

The youngest and largest island, bigger than all the others together: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Kilauea side (eruptions come and go; check the park and USGS updates), stargazing from Mauna Kea's visitor centre at 2,800 m, night snorkelling with manta rays off Kona, Kona coffee farms, Punalu'u's black-sand beach and Akaka Falls near Hilo. Kona and Hilo are 2-2.5 hours' drive apart, so many split the stay. 45 minutes' flying from Honolulu.

Highlights

  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
  • Manta ray night snorkel off Kona
  • Mauna Kea stargazing
  • Kona coffee farm tour
  • Punalu'u black-sand beach and turtles
  • Akaka Falls

Things to do

  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: Crater Rim and Chain of Craters RoadMorning · 6h
  • Manta ray night snorkelEvening · 3h
  • Mauna Kea visitor centre stargazingEvening · 4h
  • Kona coffee farm tourAfternoon · 2h
  • Snorkelling at Kealakekua BayMorning · 4h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Big Island (Hawaii Island)via GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Big Island (Hawaii Island)via Klook

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When to go

Best time: April – October

Heads up

Volcanic Activity and Vog

Kilauea erupts on and off; eruptions close parts of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and send volcanic smog (vog) across the island. Check the park's and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's updates, especially with asthma or a heart condition.

  • Humpback whale season, Maui — Thousands of humpbacks winter in Hawaiian waters from about December to April, most in the channels off west Maui, where whale-watching boats leave Ma'alaea and Ka'anapali daily; February and March are the peak.