Big Island of Hawaii Hotels and Resorts

Mauna Kea Golf Course

The Mauna Kea Golf Course has some of the best ocean vistas, along with a rich history. Legend has it that course designer Robert Trent Jones Sr. pointed at the Pacific Ocean and told then-owner Nelson Rockefeller, “If you allow me to build a golf course here, this will be the most beautiful hole in the world,” then followed through on his word. The third hole spans over a deep-blue chunk of the Pacific, traverses black lava rock, and drops onto a green with deep bunkers protecting it on each side. This hole is both beautiful and dangerous, and is almost exactly as it was when Palmer, Nicklaus, and Player christened it on December 8, 1964. In 2008 the course was updated by Jones's son Rees, who kept its original charm, design language, and history intact, while upgrading the course with modern touches. 

Mauna Lani

Since opening in 1981, the Mauna Lani has hosted multiple professional golf tournaments and collected numerous “best of” awards from top golf magazines. It’s been played by many golf greats, including Palmer, Nicklaus, Player, and Lee Trevino. From a family-friendly 9-hole course to a tournament-level PGA play, the Mauna Lani has something for everyone.

Makani Golf Club

Designed by famed architect Perry Dye, the Makani Golf Club has been called one of the most unique golf courses in Hawaii, and offers an authentic Hawaiian golf experience. The course sits below the Mauna Kea volcano at 2,000 feet above sea level, which affords the course both a cooler climate and panoramic views of the Pacific and the Kona coastline below.

Kona Country Club

Situated in scenic Keauhou just 6 miles from downtown Kona the Kona Country Club, designed by William Bell is a more affordable option compared to pricier clubs, and it also offers spectacular ocean views for those Instagram-worthy tee shots.

The Big Island has numerous scenic vista points and short walks that can be accessed from many main roads. If you're more adventurous, these are our picks for top scenic hikes on the Big Island.

Volcanoes National Park

Volcanoes National Park spans 72 square miles and has a variety of microclimates and hikes. Most hikes are easy to moderate, but some require planning and special consideration, especially if you’re traveling with pets or children. You could easily spend a day exploring this park, and after doing so you can return to your resort, relax by the pool, and edit all of the awesome Instagram-worthy photos and videos you took of this bucket-list experience. While volcanic eruptions are not commonplace, they can lead to partial or entire park closures. If this does happen, you can still view the park from a distance for a memorable experience.

This is a very popular park, so plan a few things to do and see, and have a backup plan in case a trail is closed or a parking area is full. There are quite a few day hikes in the park; check the Volcanoes National Park Day Hikes page for up-to-date information. The park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Typically, changes resulting from volcanic activity will be posted on the park's operating hours and seasonal calendar page, which also lists visitor center hours. For up-to-date fees, you can visit park fees section of their website.

Here are our top Volcanoes National Park hikes:

Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube)

On your way to the 500+ year old Nahuku lava tube you’ll traverse a lush and verdant rain forest. Once inside the tube, you’ll stand where a river over 2,000 degrees once flowed. As with everything in Hawaii, be respectful and don’t touch the tube walls or any plants inside, as an entire ecosystem lives in this fragile and one-of-a-kind environment. Parking near the lava tube is extremely limited, especially during peak hours. You can also hike to the tube from the Kilauea Iki Overlook or Devastation Trailhead, challenging hikes that can take 2-5 hours.

Once in the lava tube, you may encounter standing water and tripping hazards. Hiking shoes or other sturdy trail shoes are recommended, along with the necessary amount of water and snacks depending on your point of departure.

Crater Rim Trail & Drive

You should check with the park office to see which Crater Rim trails and parking areas are open and easily accessible. NPS also offers a great park resource for the drive and top scenic areas along Crater Rim Drive. Bring water and food, and remember that the weather can change very quickly, from scorching hot sun without any breeze to extremely windy sometimes combined with pelting rain. Sunscreen is also recommended.

Lava Hike

Seeing lava burst through the ground is an unforgettable, Instagram-worthy experience moment. You can join a guided lava tour or hike it yourself. In both cases, make sure to dress properly, educate yourself on the risks of hiking in an active lava field, and bring plenty of water and sunscreen. Sturdy hiking shoes are essential, as the sharp, hot ground can obliterate sandals and tennis shoes. If park officials determine that access to flowing lava is safe, they’ll allow you on the lava field. Viewing conditions change on a daily basis, so you should inquire about conditions either by talking to a park ranger, outside the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai, or calling the center at 1-808-985-6011(9 a.m. -5 p.m. daily Hawaii). If you have young children, consider a family-friendly, less dangerous waterfall hike instead.

Hikes outside of Volcanoes National Park

‘Akaka Falls Trail

‘Akaka Falls is a tourist favorite for good reason. At 442 feet, it’s the tallest sheer-drop waterfall on Hawai‘i Island. The 0.4-mile trail loop starts on concrete stairs and leads to a paved path flanked by ferns and tropical rain forest foliage. This family-friendly walk takes about 30 minutes. There are lookouts with views of the smaller 300-foot Kahuna Falls, as well as the ‘Akaka Falls that plunge into a stream-eroded gorge. If you’re pressed for time or have fidgety children and want to view just ‘Akaka Falls, go left at the first junction in the path to take a short walk directly to the waterfall view.

Kaumana Trail

The Kaumana Trail is a 1.5-mile one-way hike (3 miles out and back) that takes a little over an hour to complete. The hike parallels an old lava flow from 1855 that goes through an old forest. The hiking trail is part of the old Puʻu ʻOʻo Horse trail, which once supplied dry goods and cattle from the town of Hilo to the now defunct Puʻu ʻOʻo Ranch. It’s a great way to explore both the lava and the rainforest. When the weather is clear, you see pristine views of both Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. The Kaumana Trail is always open. In addition to bringing water, snacks, and proper hiking attire, consider wearing bright clothing as hunting is allowed in this area. You can also bring binoculars to view native birds in the area, and at 5,000 feet elevation the weather could change, so dress in layers and if you have raingear you may want to bring it along.

There are two trailheads on Highway 200, between mile markers 18 and 20. This will navigate you to one of the trailheads where you can find parking nearby. The hike is near the town of Hilo. If you are staying on the Kona Coast it’s about a 90-minute drive, so keep this in mind for planning purposes. This hike can be combined with a trip to Hilo, which is a good way to get introduced to the other side of the island.

Here are our picks for some of the best restaurants on the Big Island. All are Three or Four Diamond restaurants, make sure to reserve a table that way you don't miss out. 

Best oceanside fine dining

For oceanside fine dining, Kamuela Provision Company specializing in steak and seafood tops our list. Located on the Kona Coast in Waikoloa Beach, lanai (outdoor/oceanside) diners are served a 3-course chef's menu complemented by sunset views of the Pacific Ocean. If you dine inside, you can choose from a menu showcasing fresh locally sourced ingredients.

Best unique dining experience

If you want a special dining experience while visiting Volcanoes National Park, the Kilauea Lodge restaurant delivers. It focuses on Hawaiian dishes featuring local ingredients and served in a cozy wood-filled dining room.

Best oceanside sushi 

Looking for oceanside sushi and a memorable, premium dining experience? The Ulu Ocean Grill in the prestigious Four Seasons Resort fits the bill, with a focus on fresh, local, and sustainable ingredients.

Best romantic beach dining

If you’re looking for a romantic night out with a special dining experience, look no further than Brown’s Beach House. This luxurious open-air beach destination serves sophisticated farm-to-table meals in a romantic setting. Book well in advance if you want a table just before sunset, and plan to drive about an hour if you’re staying in Kona.

Best Pacific Rim fusion

Manta, located in the Mauna Kea Resort, offers a blend of contemporary fare infused with Pacific Rim flavors. This is a perfect spot for a memorable breakfast, laid-back lunch, or sophisticated but not stuffy dinner. If you want Instagram-worthy pictures of your meal to share with friends or followers, this is the place to dine.

Best casual dining

And finally, if you are looking for something more casual, the Beach Tree offers “Italian Inspired California Casual” dining with a Hawaiian beach-house vibe located at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai. You have options of dining on the beach or in the open-air dining room.

Manta ray ocean adventure

A Manta Ray snorkel experience is a top marine encounter in Hawaii. See these amazing creatures in their natural habitat in Keauhou Bay while sailing on a historically accurate Hawaiian double-hulled sailing canoe. 

Dolphin ocean snorkel experience for families with older children

The Kona dolphin swim experience takes great care to ensure respect for the spinner dolphins. You'll snorkel in a pristine coral reef with brilliant tropical fish, coral, and of course, dolphins. This trip includes snorkel gear, a healthy tropical lunch, and beverages; just wear a swimsuit and sunscreen. This trip is not for beginner swimmers or snorkelers. See the website for additional restrictions.

Dolphin encounter for families 

Dolphin Family & Friends is a “children’s bucket list” experience. This deluxe small-group encounter is orchestrated by professional trainers in a shallow lagoon setting where your family will meet, touch, feed, and play with dolphins. This one-of-a-kind adventure will make lasting memories and is a special experience your family will cherish.

Fishing charter for small groups

This Kona Fishing Private Charter provides top-of-the-line fishing gear and features a full-size chair for landing that trophy fish. You can also relax and take in the views of the Hawaii coast from the air-conditioned lounge. 

Zip lining waterfall experience

The Akaka Falls Skyline Adventure is a 7-line course with incredible views of Hamakua coast, waterfalls, and native farmland. The zip lines get progressively longer and higher, offering better and better views.

Mauna Kea Summit and Stars (ages 16+)

The Mauna Kea Summit and Stars tour starts in the afternoon starts with picnic dinner at a private camp on the western slopes of Mauna Kea. After dinner, you'll ascend the volcano and summit at 13,796 feet above sea level in time to take in the breathtaking views of Haleakala at sunset.

After sunset, you’ll descend to the visitor’s information station at 9,000 feet elevation, where your guide will set up a telescope for stargazing.

Transportation and parkas will be provided, but you should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes, and bring a sweatshirt to sweater. Be prepared to walk on muddy and uneven surfaces. Due to high altitude, you should reconsider this tour if you are pregnant or in poor health. Scuba divers must wait at least 24 hours after scuba diving before taking this tour. The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old. 

The Volcanoes National Park and Waterfall Safari  is just shy of an hour long and provides spectacular views of Kilauea and the destruction from previous lava flows. The pilot then points the helicopter northwest of Hilo for spectacular waterfall viewing.

It is strongly recommended to wait 24 hours after scuba diving to take this tour. Due to safety regulations, there are passenger weight restrictions, so please check the tour operator website for more information. 

Complete your Hawaiian vacation by experiencing a traditional luau. The Royal Kona Resort Luau is presented on the shores of the Pacific Ocean in an enchanting setting. In addition to the delicious all-you-can-eat buffet, you’ll enjoy mai tais, cocktails, beer, wine, and soda. Throughout the evening you’ll experience lively cultural performance presented by a cast of singers, dancers, and drummers. The evening culminates with a mesmerizing fire knife dancer. Many find luaus so enjoyable that they attend multiple during their vacation. 

At 4,028 square miles, it's larger than all of the other islands combined. There is so much to see and do you're unlikely to see all of the Big Island in a single visit. Trip planning is essential; AAA travel advisors can help. 

Most Hawaiian resorts do not offer all-inclusive packages, which allows visitors to experience cuisine and culture outside the resorts. 

Yes, there are 4 active volcanoes on the Big Island and 1 on Maui, for a total of 5. The active volcanoes on the Big Island are Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, and Hualalai. While major eruptions are rare, they do happen, and mainly impact the area around Volcanoes National Park.

The Pololu Valley Lookout is one of the top spots, as it has epic views of the ocean. It’s also a great sunrise spot and tops for landscape photography.

The Waipo Valley Overlook has one of the best viewpoints on the entire island and is best visited in the afternoon when the sun is at your back. You can also combine a photoshoot with a hike.

Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park is perfect for capturing epic sunrise photos, and provides an endless view of the Big Island coastline.

If you’re into waterfalls, Akaka Falls State Park has a fall that is almost 3-times higher than Niagara Falls.

If you want to drive and take photos, the Pepeekeo Maikai Scenic Route is a 4-mile scenic drive that traverses rainforest roads, the coast, and waterfalls. The drive is short, but there are so many things to see and photograph along the way that it can easily take an hour with all the stops. It starts between mile markers 7 and 8 on Route 19, just north of Hilo, and ends just after mile marker 12.

Volcanoes National Park has many Instagram-worth opportunities and can be combined with hiking.

Holei Sea Arch is a natural rock arch caused by erosion and is one of the best spots on the coastline for landscape photography.

Punalu’u Black Sand Beach along with the backdrop of palm trees and the brilliant blue water of the Pacific Ocean. Another unique beach option is the Papakolea Green Sand Beach, 1 of only 2 green sand beaches in the country. You’ll need to hike or pay locals to guide you to the beach; the terrain is too uneven to drive. It’s worth it though; the green sand makes it one of the most Instagrammable places on the Big Island!