Location: Kona
Day 1 - 21 Sep 2019
Kona International Airport
Content: We started our journey with 8 hours United Airlines flight from Los Angeles International Airport to Kona International Airport. It’s a small and breezy airport, easy to navigate and car rental service is also available.
Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa
Content: Taking a 30 min drive we reached our hotel and checked-in. Lovely ocean front location, staff is welcoming, rooms were spacious and comfortable. Ocean front rooms are recommended for the best view.
Manini'owali Beach
Content: Rented a car and took a short drive en routing Manini'owali Beach which is also known as Kua Bay beach. It’s a long beach with shallow waters, perfect place for boogie boarding and snorkeling.
Big Island Grill
Content: Visited a nearby Hawaiian restaurant for our dinner. Ordered sword fish and desert, taste was fantastic, service was quick and price were reasonable. Parking can be a issue.
Location: Kona
Day 2 - 22 Sep 2019
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Content: Woke up early in the morning with a cool ocean breeze and had breakfast. Later took a 30 min drive to Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park also known as the place of refugee. It was a historic village known for fishing and farming area. It offers hiking through the shores offering treasures and surprises. Beautiful quiet place.
Reef Snorkel Adventure Express
Content: After a short drive boarded a cruise which provided us best Whale watching experience and a chance to see dolphins. Hump back whales were incredible, staff was very knowledgeable and friendly.
Hapuna Beach
Content: Taking an hour drive reached Hapuna Beach, where we relaxed on gorgeous beach with fine sand and stable waves, shower facility was available to wash off the sand and more parking facility was also provided.
Broke Da Mouth Grindz Bar & Grill
Content: While returning back to our hotel we took a stop at a local restaurant near to our hotel for dinner, where we ordered hurricane chicken and salad which was delicious and crispy same as the way we like, staff was friendly and they did great job .
Location: Pahala
Day 3 - 23 Sep 2019
Punalu?u Beach
Content: After breakfast started our journey towards Punalu beach which was 2 hour drive from hotel. Which is known for its turtle nesting area, a beautiful unique beach with black sand for relaxing and watching green sea turtles. Swimming is not recommended due to its strong tides.
Location: Volcano
Day 3 - 23 Sep 2019
Volcano Inn
Content: Later we reached volcano city and checked-in to a hotel. Location was great near to Volcano national park, staff was welcoming and quarter were clean and decent.
Jaggar Museum
Content: Dropping off our luggage we took a short drive towards Volcano national park and visited Jaggar Museum. A good place to gain knowledge about the local people and history of volcanic eruption. Beside the museum we saw live volcano.
Nahuku Thurston Lava Tube
Content: Later walking further we visited Nahuku Thurston Lava Tube which is a subterranean cave formed by ancient flowing lava. Caves were truly remarkable nothing can be more adventurous than walking through this caves.
Kilauea Iki Crater
Content: Started hiking from the lava tube towards the crater, it still has active vents which needs to be taken care off. Worth the hike the view is pleasant and scary at the same time.
Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
Content: Had dinner at a local restaurant located near to national park. Quiet accommodating place, superior service at an affordable price. Portion size were small.
Location: kalapana
Day 4 - 24 Sep 2019
Lawa viewing area
Content: Had breakfast and left for Kalapana, on our way we took a stop at a Lawa viewing spot where it used to be a beach before but currently there is black sand beach formation going on due to lava.
MacKenzie State Recreation Area
Content: Taking a 30 min drive after the watching lava formation we reached MacKenzie State Recreation Area. Beautiful views with peaceful surroundings, need to be taken care of waves. Bathroom needs maintenance.
Isaac Hale
Content: Just with a 5 min drive reached Isaac Hale Park which is a public beach. Walking through the shores saw surfers and some hot springs but swimming here is not recommended as it contains dangerous surf & currents. Shore is rocky.
Location: Pahoa
Day 4 - 24 Sep 2019
Ning's Thai Cuisine
Content: While returning back to hotel we took a stop at a Thai restaurant in Pahoa village. Ordered spring rolls and pineapple curry both were amazing and hospitality was great.
Location: Hilo
Day 5 - 25 Sep 2019
Ken's House of Pancakes
Content: With a fresh morning full of energy we took a 30 min drive towards Hilo where we visited Ken's House of Pancakes for our breakfast. Ordered pan cakes and waffle with coconut syrup, waiting was too much but it was worth the taste and presentation.
Pacific Tsunami Museum
Content: Pacific Tsunami Museum also known as tsunami museum which is dedicated to history. It is a small museum with expensive collection of photos, great place to learn about tsunami hazards in Hawaii.
Carlsmith Beach Park
Content: Carlsmith Beach Park also known as four mile beach, which is among top places of Hilo known for swimming and snorkeling. Absolutely delightful beach were families enjoy watching turtle and some water activities.
Richardson Ocean Park
Content: In the evening we visited Richardson Ocean Park, it is a beautiful black sand beach which offers swimming under water spring fed pools. Great place for snorkeling and surfing.
Hilo Hawaiian Hotel
Content: Checked in to hotel which offered informal bay side lodgings, great location with view of mountains and old city, bed was comfortable and bathroom was big and clean. Later had dinner at the pool side restaurant in the hotel itself.
Location: Hakalau
Day 6 - 26 Sep 2019
Botanical World Adventures
Content: With a beautiful sunrise had our breakfast and took a 30 min drive. Botanical World Adventures is a commercial botanical gardens with a large waterfall located in Hakalau. We walked the garden and experienced zip line which was long, not much scary. While returning back towards the exit point had a Segway ride.
Location: Honoka
Day 6 - 26 Sep 2019
Waipio Valley
Content: Later on we headed further towards our next destination of the day which was Waipio Valley, which is also known as valley of kings. We had a four wheel drive car so we planned to have some thrill and drive down towards the valley, the drive was breathtaking with lot of caution sign boards. Horse riding towards the valley is also available. Driving skills required here.
Location: Waimea
Day 6 - 26 Sep 2019
Fairways at Mauna Lani
Content: Started our journey towards Waimea where we checked in to an ocean front hotel. Beautiful spacious condos with high ceiling with all the amenities required and at an affordable price.
Kawaihae Harbor
Content: Dropping off our luggage with a short 15 min drive reached Kawaihae Harbor to enhance the beauty of sunset in Waimea. Kawaihae Harbor offers twice a day scuba diving excursions.
The Fish And The Hog
Content: Taking a 20 min drive reached a local seafood restaurant in a historic building, The Fish And The Hog for our dinner. Ordered tacos and onion rings which were delicious and portion was decent. Service was slow and took too much time then expected.
Location: Kona
Day 7 - 27 Sep 2019
Kona International Airport
Content: After a delicious breakfast we took an hour drive returning back to Kona International Airport from where we boarded an 8 hours Hawaiian Airlines flight to Los Angeles International Airport. Check-in was extremely smooth and crew on board was very polite and helpful.