Big Island itinerary ideas
Hi guys! My husband and I are going to big island for a trip in late September - early oct. It’s a shorter trip, we will be there for 5 nights staying in Kailua-Kona. I have some things in mind we definitely want to do but I also wanted to hear some suggestions/recommendations & I have some questions.
We will definitely spend a day at the Hawaii volcanoes national park. We plan to spend a day doing the Akaka falls & rainbow falls hike, & maybe stop at some beaches that are nearby?
Is it worth doing a full beach day and if so at what beach/beaches? (Could do some beach hopping)
Definitely want to do the nighttime manta ray snorkel, but that could be fit at the end of our hike day or a beach day.
Is a captain cook coffee farm tour worth it? Or some other type of tour? Could do this the same day as a snorkel at Kealakekua Bay if that is worth it.
I was also thinking about doing the Mauna kea summit but how long does the summit take? I’ve read different things and wasn’t sure if it can be fit just into the sunset hours of a day.
Also any recommendations on places to eat would be appreciated!
Sorry it’s kind of everywhere, I just have some things in mind currently not really a planned out itinerary 😅
Posted Jun 13, 2026, 11:39 PM UTC