The Big Island Travel Guide
Maximize your memories from the moment you get there.
Island hopping has never been this easy.
With Our 3-day Big Island Travel Guide.
Based on a lived adventure by exchange students in the spring of 2024.
Published: 12/4/25 / Smilla Bakteman Hedlund
Things to know about Big Island
When traveling to Oahu, one thing that every student must experience is to visit the other islands. Because even if Oahu is an amazing island, the other islands in the chain are very different from it. The most popular ones to travel to would be the Big Island—for its amazing landscape, Maui—for its iconic places, and Kauai—for the incredible nature.
However, traveling to a new place is not always easy, but it has never been this easy – with Try Out the Waters 3-day travel guide for Big Island. A guide that is based on an experienced adventure by a larger friend group of exchange students during the spring 2024 semester.
Important note : Even if this guide includes a timeline, it is important to use this as inspiration and not facts, because those times can vary depending on weather and other circumstances. Therefore, use this guide as inspiration when setting your plan together. Mahalo.
The Big Island Travel Guide
Day 1 – Kailua Kona
The first day is filled with something for everyone, starting off by experiencing the widely popular Kona Coffee, followed by some shopping by visiting the popular Kona farmers market. A great day for a larger friend group, as it includes something for everyone. However, if we would recommend one thing on this list that you cannot miss out on, that would be to go snorkeling with manta rays. This experience is a must-do when visiting the Big Island, a memory that you will be able to bring with you for life.
The Big Island Travel Guide
Schedule
8:00 : Arrive at Kailua Kona airport.
8:30 : Pick up the car.
9:00 : Breakfast – Try the famous Kona Coffe.
11:00: Kua Bay
13:00: Kona Farmers Market.
16:00: Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park.
21:00: Manta Rays
The Big Island Travel Guide
The Big Island Travel Guide
Day 2 – Hilo
When traveling, the second day can often feel a bit overwhelming. However, for this day, make sure to get a full night of sleep because you will need it when exploring all the must-visits on the island. Day 2 is filled with incredible views, beginning with the Kīlauea Iki Crater, which is the island’s active volcano. However, make sure to check the regulations before going to the visiting center, as this can change based on the state of the volcano. Next, the Honoli’i Beach Park is a black sand beach. This beach is heavily enjoyed by surfers, however, watch out for the strong waves and currents, and therefore we would not recommend this one when traveling with children.
The thing on this list that we recommend the most would be visiting Mauna Kea during sunset. Driving up the 4205m mountain comes with an incredible view of the clouds and sun, and therefore many people compare this place to being Mars on Earth. However, when visiting, make sure to plan accordingly, as you need to spend 30 min at the visiting center to acclimatize to the altitude and the reduced oxygen levels. However, this stop is definitely a must-visit on the island.
The Big Island Travel Guide
Schedule
8:00: Breakfast.
10:00: Kīlauea Iki Crater.
12:30: Lunch.
14:00: Honoli’i Beach Park.
16:00: Mauna Kea visiting center.
17:00: Mauna Kea Summit
21:00: Stargazing
The Big Island Travel Guide
The Big Island Travel Guide
Day 3 – South Point
Let’s go home with a bang. The last day is filled with different activities to check out the rest of the must-visits on the island. For the group that wants to experience the waterfall shown below, Rainbow Falls is a great place when looking for a good view without a hike.
But the most exciting stop during this day would be driving to the south point of the island. Even if the south point itself is only cliffs with an incredible view, it’s a great place for cliff jumping or just looking at the never-ending ocean. It is also in this area where the green sand beach is located. However – make sure to do plenty of research beforehand, as it could be a little tricky to get to the beach, where locals often provide a ride to the actual sand sandbeach, but it is something that you need to research before heading to the beach.
The Big Island Travel Guide
Schedule
8:00: Breakfast.
10:00: Rainbow Falls.
10:30: Early lunch.
12:00: Drive to the south point.
14:00: Papakōlea Green Sand Beach.
16:00: South Point Cliff Dive.
17:00: Drive back to kailua-kona.
19:30: Return car.
21:30: Flight back to Oahu.
The Big Island Travel Guide
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Other Stories
All international students are very different from each other, but something everyone shares is the excitement of experiencing something new.
Get to know more about our story and all the unique stories from all the visiting, exchange, and international degree-seeking students that Try Out the Waters is based on.
The Big Island Travel Guide
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