A picnic can add much value to your vacation. With a little preparation, such as packing a cooler with cold drinks and pū-pū's (Hawaiian for an assortment of small meat and seafood appetizers), a picnic will fit perfectly between the activities you plan in the morning and the afternoon. You can sit down and picnic everywhere where you find a calm spot with a nice view. However, there are also many designated picnic areas distributed over the Big Island with proper tables and seating. We list our favorites on the following map.
If you want to give your picnic a Hawaiian flavor, consider taking some of these foods along. These foods can be bought at almost all supermarkets (with the exception of the strawberry mochi and the wine). For more information on these dishes, have a look at our local specialities page.
If you are driving through Hilo, pick up some delicious strawberry mochi at two ladies kitchen!
Cold water!
Map of Picnic Areas on the Big Island
Keokea Beach Park
Keokea Bay used to be a retreat for sugar cane workers. Nowadays, this 7-acre site has been transformed into a beach park with an elevated pavilion that facilitates good picnics. There is also a small pool on the right of the bay that is safe for swimming, and you can also take along your snorkeling gear, although this is probably not one of the best spots for that on the island.
To get here, turn makai (towards the ocean) at mile marker 27.5 on highway 270 onto the Keokea Beach Road, and continue for a mile until you reach the rugged Keokea Bay.
Next to an ocean view and picnic tables shaded by palms, this beach park also gives access to a large pertroglyph field that is great for a before or after picnic stroll. Look for the Puako petroglyph trail (30 minutes roundtrip).
To get here, turn 'makai' (towards the ocean) between mile marker 74 and 75 on Hwy 19 north of Kona. The entrance to the beach park is just right of the Fairmont Orchid Hawaii Resort.
The Manuka State Park has an arboretum (a botanical garden for trees) that surrounds a lawn and a serence and expansive picnic area. The surrounding native and exotic forest hosts some hikes, and serves well for an after-picnic stroll.
To get here, turn mauka (towards the mountain) between mile marker 82 and 81 on Hwy 11, into the Manuka State Park.
This huge fishpond is a point of tranquility in Hilo. It is also know as the "Royal pond' because it served as a fishpond for three generations of Kamehamea's. You can find picnic tables scattered through the park surrounded by a lawn and a varyety of huge trees. For an after picnic stroll you can try to find the Kamahamea Statue.
To get here, park your car at the parking lot on the end of Piilani street in Hilo.
These gardens are build on tiny islands on the east side of Hilo Bay. From these islands you have 5 star view of Hilo, and if you are an early bird, the sunrises from this spot are some of the best on the island!
The gardens are named after Hawaii's last ruling monarch, Queen Lili'uokalani, and have a serene quality over them. Next to picnic tables, you can also find the shortest river of the United states (Wailoa river, 1/3 mile) in these gardens, as well as good swimming and snorkeling spots.
If hot pond are your thing, this is a great place for a picnic! Also known as Puala'a or Secrets beach, this large (200ft x 50ft) hotpond is directly connected to the ocean, and is surrounded by a beautiful palm grove! Picnic tables an showers are also available.
To get here from Hilo, follow Hwy 130 past Pahoa, and go north on Hwy 137. The county park is at mile marker 10.5, just north of Isaac Hale beach park.
There are some picnic tables next to a scenic river in Waikaumalo Park. Part of the Hamakua Coast, this can be a good spot for a picnic if you are touring the scenic coast.
Laupahoehoe beach park is halfway between Honoka'a and Hilo, on the wildly and beautiful Hamakua coast. It offers picnic tables and tide pools between stacks of lava rocks at the ocean that are definitely worth exploring!
To get here, turn makai (to the ocean) just north of Laupahoehoe town onto laupahoehoe point road. Follow this road for 1.25 miles to the parking lot and park entry at the end.
Kalopa State Park is one of the hidden gems of the big Island. Tourists mostly overlook this large forest reserve which also houses a pretty park with picnic facilities. The ark is at 2000ft elevations, and has some great hikes such as an easy family nature hike (0.7-mile loop trail) in a native ohi'a forest.
To get here, coming from Hilo follow Hwy 19 and turn mauka (towards the mountains) after mile marker 39 onto papalele road. From here you can follow the signs for 2.5 miles.
Just below the summit of Mauna Kea, inside a cinder cone, is Lake Waiau. This is the only glacial lake in the mid-Pacific, and, at 13,020 feet above sea level, it is also one of the highest lakes in the world!
