Overview
The Big Island is twice the size of all other Hawaiian islands combined, with terrain ranging from snow-capped volcanic summits to jet-black lava coastlines and tropical rainforest. This three-day adventure itinerary covers the Kohala Coast for ocean action, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park for geological exploration, and the wild Hamakua Coast for waterfall chasing. Driving distances here are significant, so plan your days around geography rather than trying to cover the whole island.
Essential gear: Reef-friendly sunscreen, water shoes (lava rock is razor-sharp), 3+ liters of water per person per day (Kohala Coast is arid), headlamp for lava tube exploration, rain jacket for Hilo side, and closed-toe shoes for volcano trails. A 4WD rental is recommended for Mauna Kea summit access.
Day 1 — Kohala Coast: Surf, Bodyboard & Lava Coastline
7:00 AM
Hapuna Beach — Begin at the Big Island's premier bodyboarding beach. Hapuna is a half-mile crescent of white sand on the Kohala Coast with powerful shorebreak that produces fast, hollow waves perfect for bodyboarding and bodysurfing. The beach drops off steeply, so waves break close to shore with considerable force. Lifeguards are on duty daily.
Check water quality before entering; Hapuna generally tests clean due to its exposed, high-energy shoreline with minimal freshwater input. Strong currents can develop on either end of the beach during larger swells.
Parking: State beach park lot ($5/vehicle). 45 min drive south from Waikoloa resorts, or 30 min from Kona. Lot fills by 10 AM on weekends.
10:00 AM
Drive 5 minutes north to
Mauna Kea Beach (Kaunaʻoa Bay). This crescent-shaped beach has calmer conditions than Hapuna due to its more sheltered orientation and the rocky points on either side. Snorkeling along the southern rock shelf often reveals sea turtles, manta ray cleaning stations, and reef fish. Non-resort guests can access the beach via the public right-of-way; parking is limited to 30 public spots at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel gate, available first-come-first-served.
Check water quality.
Parking: 30 free public spots at the hotel gate. Arrive before 8:30 AM or try after 3 PM when morning visitors leave.
Afternoon
Drive 20 minutes south to Kua Bay (Maniniʻowali), one of the most dramatic beach settings on the island. The white sand beach sits in a bay carved from black lava flows, creating a striking contrast. The surf here can be powerful and the bottom drops off quickly. Bodysurfing is popular when conditions are moderate, but the beach is unguarded, so exercise caution. The access road is paved but narrow. Continue south to explore the Kekaha Kai State Park coastline trail (1.5 miles over rough lava rock to Mahaiʻula Beach, bring water shoes).
IF BROWN WATER IS ACTIVE
The Kohala Coast is arid and rarely affected by brown water since there are few streams. If conditions are poor, hike the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail along the coast (ancient Hawaiian footpath over lava rock), or drive to Pololu Valley Lookout (1-hour north) for a steep valley hike.
Day 2 — Volcanoes National Park & Chain of Craters
7:00 AM
Drive 2.5 hours from Kohala Coast to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park ($30/vehicle, valid 7 days). Enter through the main gate and drive to the Kilauea Visitor Center for current eruption status and trail conditions. The park spans from sea level to 13,681 feet and contains two of the world's most active volcanoes.
9:30 AM
Hike the Kilauea Iki Trail (4 miles loop, 2-3 hours). This trail descends 400 feet into a crater that held a lava lake in 1959 and crosses the solidified but still-steaming crater floor. The descent through rainforest and the walk across the barren lava lake is one of the most surreal hiking experiences in the Pacific. Bring 2 liters of water and rain gear; the park gets 100+ inches of rain per year.
Afternoon
Drive the Chain of Craters Road (19 miles one-way descending 3,700 feet to the coast). Stop at lava tube entrances (Thurston Lava Tube is the most accessible, bring a headlamp for the unlit extension), pit craters, and the Holei Sea Arch at the road's terminus where waves crash against 90-foot cliffs. If the park has any active surface lava flows, check the ranger desk for viewing areas and safety zones. Return via Highway 11 to your Kohala Coast base (2.5-hour drive).
IF BROWN WATER IS ACTIVE
Volcanoes National Park is completely inland and unaffected by ocean conditions. This is an ideal rain-day swap for any ocean activity from Day 1 or Day 3.
Day 3 — Hilo Side: Waterfalls, Black Sand & Snorkeling
7:00 AM
Drive 2 hours from Kohala Coast to Hilo via the Hamakua Coast (Highway 19). Stop at Waipiʻo Valley Lookout (mile marker 8), where a 2,000-foot-deep valley opens to a black-sand beach below. The road down is restricted to 4WD vehicles, but the lookout itself is the main attraction. Continue south to ʻAkaka Falls State Park ($5 parking), where a short paved loop trail leads to a 442-foot waterfall plunging into a gorge surrounded by bamboo forest.
10:00 AM
Drive to Richardson Beach Park in Hilo, a black-sand beach with some of the best shore-access snorkeling on the east side. Sea turtles feed on the limu (seaweed) growing on the lava rock here almost daily. The water is calmer than the Kohala Coast beaches but visibility depends heavily on recent rainfall since the Hilo side receives far more rain.
Check conditions carefully. Entry is over smooth lava rock; water shoes recommended.
Parking: Free at Richardson Beach Park. Restrooms and outdoor showers available.
Afternoon
Explore Hilo town: the farmers market (Wednesday and Saturday mornings are largest), Rainbow Falls (free, 80-foot waterfall visible from the parking area), and Boiling Pots (a series of connected pool-and-waterfall formations along the Wailuku River, never enter the water here due to flash flood risk). The drive back to Kohala Coast via the Saddle Road (Highway 200) through the lava fields between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa takes about 1.5 hours and is one of the most dramatic drives in Hawaiʻi.
IF BROWN WATER IS ACTIVE
The Hilo side is often rainy regardless. Skip Richardson Beach snorkeling and add ʻAkaka Falls plus Waipiʻo Valley Lookout, then explore downtown Hilo's shops and the Pacific Tsunami Museum ($10).