Big Island Hawaii seasonal activities for trip planning

Planning Your Trip

The Big Picture Questions - Get These Right for an Amazing Trip

Written by a Local Expert

This is where we start—the big questions you need to answer before you even think about booking that flight. Getting these right will set the foundation for an amazing trip.

What's the absolute best time of year to visit the Big Island?

People always ask this, and my honest answer is: it depends on what you're looking for! There's no truly "bad" time to visit, as our coastal temperatures stay in a beautiful range of 75˚–85˚F year-round. But the perfect time for you depends on your priorities—sun, whales, budget, or waterfalls. Let's break it down.

☀️ For Peak Sun & Beach Weather

If your dream vacation involves long, sunny days on the sand and the calmest ocean conditions for swimming and snorkeling, I recommend visiting between May and October. This is our summer season, which is generally warmer and drier across the island. The ocean is typically at its most tranquil, making it absolutely perfect for all water activities.

🐋 For Whale Watching

This is a truly magical time on the island. The humpback whale season runs from December through May, but the absolute best months for spotting these magnificent creatures are from January to early April. You can often see them breaching right from the shoreline, especially along the Kohala Coast.

💰 For Budget & Fewer Crowds

If you want to experience the island with fewer people and potentially lower prices on flights and accommodation, the sweet spots are the "shoulder seasons": April through May and September through October. The weather is still fantastic, but you'll miss the major summer and winter holiday crowds.

💧 For Lush Scenery & Waterfalls

If you dream of seeing the island at its most green and vibrant, with our famous waterfalls roaring at full power, plan your trip for the spring (March-May). This is right after our winter rainy season, and the rainforests around Hilo and the Hāmākua Coast are just spectacular.

🏄‍♂️ For Surfing

While we have surf year-round, the legendary big waves that attract professional surfers from around the world typically arrive with the winter swells from January to March.

How many days do I really need to see the Big Island?

My friends from the mainland always underestimate the "Big" in Big Island! It's twice the size of all the other islands combined, so trying to see it all in 3-4 days is a recipe for exhaustion and spending your whole vacation in a car. To truly experience the island's incredible diversity without feeling rushed, I strongly recommend a minimum of 7 to 10 days.

💡 Pro Tip: Consider a "Split Stay"

A key piece of advice I give everyone is to consider a "split stay." The island is so large, and its main attractions are on opposite sides—sunny beaches and resorts in the west (Kona), and the active volcano and lush waterfalls in the east (Hilo). Driving between them can take hours. A split stay minimizes this commute, allowing you to maximize your adventure time.

Here's how to think about your trip length:

3-5 Days (Short Stay)

This is a tight schedule. To avoid burnout, you must focus on just one side of the island. Either base yourself in Kona for beaches and ocean activities, or stay in Hilo/Volcano to focus on the national park and waterfalls.

7 Days (The Sweet Spot)

This is the perfect amount of time for a split stay. I suggest spending 3-4 nights on the Kona side and 3 nights on the Hilo/Volcano side. This gives you enough time to deeply explore both distinct regions without spending entire days driving back and forth.

10+ Days (Extended Stay)

With this much time, you can have a truly immersive experience. You can do a leisurely loop around the entire island, adding in explorations of the northern ranchlands of Waimea and the remote, beautiful southern coast of Kaʻū.

The big debate: Should I stay in Kona or Hilo?

This is the question I get most often. I grew up on the Hilo side, and I love the lush rainforests and the real, local vibe. It feels like old Hawaiʻi. But for most first-time visitors who dream of sunny beaches and resort pools, I always point them to Kona. They are two different worlds, and the best way to decide is to figure out which world is yours.

The fundamental difference comes down to weather and geography. Kona, on the western coast, is on the leeward side of our massive volcanoes, meaning it's sheltered from the trade winds and gets very little rain. This creates a hot, dry, sunny climate perfect for resorts. Hilo, on the eastern coast, is on the windward side, so it gets all that moisture from the trade winds, making it one of the wettest cities in the U.S. and creating a lush, tropical rainforest environment.

🌞 Kona Side (West)

Vibe: Tourist-focused, bustling, resorts, vibrant nightlife, upscale feel
Weather: Hot, dry, and sunny. Consistently beautiful sunsets (18-32 inches rain/year)
Beaches: The island's best white sand beaches. Ideal for swimming and sunbathing
Main Attractions: Snorkeling/diving, manta ray tours, coffee farms, luaus, shopping
Accommodation: Wide range of large resorts, luxury hotels, and condos
Cost: Significantly more expensive (accommodation, gas, food, activities)
Airport Access: Kona (KOA): Larger airport with more direct flights from the mainland

🌿 Hilo Side (East)

Vibe: Local, laid-back, "old Hawaiʻi," historic, slower pace, charmingly gritty
Weather: Wet and tropical. Rain often falls at night, leaving days clear (127-147 inches rain/year)
Beaches: Dramatic black sand beaches and rocky coastlines. More for scenery than swimming
Main Attractions: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, waterfalls, botanical gardens, lush rainforests
Accommodation: Fewer options. More B&Bs, inns, and budget-friendly hotels
Cost: More affordable. A major draw for budget travelers and locals
Airport Access: Hilo (ITO): Smaller, quieter airport, mostly serving inter-island flights

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your travel style. Are you a "Resort & Sunshine" traveler or an "Adventure & Authenticity" traveler? Answering that will point you in the right direction. Or, if you have a week, do what I recommend and experience both!

Do I need to book rental cars, tours, and hotels far in advance?

My mainland friends always think they can just "wing it" here. For some things, maybe. But for a rental car? Absolutely not. And with more visitors discovering our island, booking popular activities ahead of time has gone from a good idea to a necessity. Here's my advice on what to book and when.

🚗 Rental Cars: CRITICAL

This is non-negotiable. You must book your car months in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak season (summer or winter holidays). The island has a limited number of rental cars, and they do run out. Don't wait until the last minute.

🏨 Accommodation: Important

For the best selection and prices, book your hotels, condos, or B&Bs several months out, particularly if you have your heart set on a popular resort or are traveling during a holiday period.

🎯 Tours & Activities: Recommended

The days of spontaneous Hawaii travel are changing. A new trend across the state is the implementation of reservation systems for popular parks and attractions to manage crowds and protect our natural resources.

⭐ Must Book in Advance

Two Big Island experiences have limited capacity and sell out weeks, sometimes months, ahead of time: the Manta Ray Night Snorkel and Mauna Kea Summit Tours. If these are on your bucket list, book them as soon as you book your flights.

What should I pack for the Big Island's many climates?

On the Big Island, you can go from sunbathing on a black sand beach to shivering on a mountaintop in the same day. I've seen visitors in flip-flops at 10,000 feet, and trust me, they weren't happy! With 10 of the world's 14 climate zones right here, packing in layers is the secret to staying comfortable.

🏖️ For the Coast (Kona/Beaches)

Pack your standard summer attire—shorts, t-shirts, swimwear, cover-ups, a good sun hat, and sunglasses.

🌧️ For Rain & Humidity (Hilo/Rainforests)

A lightweight, waterproof rain jacket is absolutely essential. You will use it. Breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics are much more comfortable here than heavy cotton.

⛰️ For High Elevations (Volcano/Waimea/Mauna Kea)

This is the one people always forget. Warm layers are a must. A fleece, sweatshirt, or a warmer jacket and long pants are needed, especially for evenings or for watching the sunrise or sunset from a high altitude.

👟 Footwear

You'll want a variety. Comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for hiking, water shoes for rocky ocean entries, and flip-flops (or "slippahs," as we locals call them) for the beach.

🎒 Essentials

• Reef-safe sunscreen is required by law in Hawaiʻi to protect our fragile coral reefs
• Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated
• Good beach bag for your gear
• You can leave the high heels at home; even our nicest restaurants are "island casual"