With seven days on the Big Island, it is possible to circle around the island and have a good first look. There will be plenty of time to take in the volcano and the lava, to explore the beaches and forests around the Island, and to let the aloha atmosphere get to you!
We have made a short 1 minute video of the itinerary. You can find the itinerary details below the video in the day-by-day itinerary description.
Start your trip by picking up a car at one of the car-rental offices on the Kona Airport, and get ready to spend your first two days and nights in sunny Kona!
Drive into town and drop of your bags at your accommodation (if you have not yet booked, have a look here for accommodations in Kona). If you arrive in the winter months, sign up directly for a whale-watching cruise, and if you feel adventurous, combine that with a Manta Ray night dive. These tours are very popular and booking one day in advance (i.e. book your tour for our second day in Kona) is heavily recommended. Afterwards, drive down Highway 11 to explore some of the beautiful west coast beaches. Stop at Kealakekua bay for some snorkeling and to check out the James Cook Monument, and then get back in your car and drive 4 miles south to Puʻuhonua O Hōnaunau (also known as the city of refuge or Honaunau bay). This is the favorite snorkeling spot for many locals, and was elected "One of America's best beaches 2004" by the Travel Chanel! Pick up some food and stay here to see the sun dip into the ocean. Then head back to Kona to finish your first day sipping the Islands best Mai Tai's at the Kona Inn.
Day 2: Ocean views and adventures.
Get up early the following day. This should be easy since you still will be on mainland time. Have breakfast with Kona coffee at the Fish Hopper at Ali'i Drive and watch All of Kona parading up and down the boulevard. Stroll around Kona town afterwards to explore the excellent shops around Ali'i drive.
If you want to use your second day in Kona for more beaching, head out to Kahalu’u Beach Park. This beach is often nicknamed "turtle beach" and is a great place for leisure and snorkeling. Make sure to be back in time to Kona for the tours you have already booked for today (if you have, of course!).
Wake up early again and make the 3+ hour drive to Volcano Village (click here for our overview article on volcano village). Drop your bags in a cozy vacation rental close to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. (Have a look here for your vacation rentals in Volcano Village). Then, go to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Start your visit at the visitor center and plan your day in the park from there. Some "must sees" in the park are the Jaggar Museum, the Thurston Lava Tube, the Chain of craters road all the way down to the ocean and at least two of the many trails of the park. If you feel good, we recommend at least the Kilauea Iki trail, that takes you down into the Kilauea Iki caldera.
Go back to Volcano Village to have dinner in one of the local restaurants, and afterwards relax in front of the fireplace or in the hot-tub at your vacation rental. Close of your first day by returning to the Jaggar Museum overlook in the park to see the glow of the Kilauea Volcano under the stars.
Day 4: Red-hot lava!
Spend this day also in Volcano Village. You can choose to go back to the Hawaii Volcano National park and get in a solid day of hiking on the 100+ miles trails inside the park, Make sure to be back around 4 p.m. to drive down to Kalapana. Kalapana used to be one of the most beautiful beaches of the world, but was overtaken by lava in the 90s, and now is the place to be if you want to see slowly flowing, red hot lava up, close and personal! (click here for our information and safety tips on lava viewing). Do call the Hawaii Volcanoes National park before you head out to inquire about the current lava viewing conditions. We recommend you to take a professionally organized lava tour, since that will maximize your chance to see the lava and minimize your risks.
Afterwards, drive up to Volcano Village to enjoy your night in peace and quiet in the rain forest.
Day 5: Hilo, hot springs and stargazing
The following morning drive South one hour over Highway 11 to Hilo (click here for our overview article of Hilo). You have a full day to explore Hilo and the Puna district south of Hilo.
Drive to the Puna District and soak at the volcanically heated pools of Ahalanui and go to the nearby tide pools in Kapoho great snorkeling! Go to the quaint colorful old town of Pahoa for a good lunch and afterwards drive back to Hilo.
Now it is time to drive up saddle road to visit the top of Mauna Kea and visit one of the best places in the world to look at the stars! You need a 4WD car to drive all the way up to the summit of Mauna Kea. There are also professional tours organized from Hilo that will take you up the mountain. Read our information and safety tips on stargazing on Mauna Kea here.
Day 6: A lazy Hilo morning
Start your day with breakfast on the Hilo Boulevard while watching the sun rise over the Ocean. Take a little stroll along the shops at the boulevard and/or visit the Tsunami Museum and the Farmers Market.
Stop at either (or both) the 'Akaka Falls state Park to see the most famous waterfall of Hawaii, or the World Botanical Gardens for a short hike through lush fern forests to stunning waterfalls that ends at the multi-tiered Umauma falls.
Then drive further north to Honoka'a Town. This former sugar town has an interesting collection of shops and galleries, and is a great place to grab some food. From Here, it is a short drive to the Waipi'o Valley overlook at the end of Highway 240. This will give you a stunning view of the "Valley of Kings" and shouldn't be missed! If you have time enough (i.e. if you arrive at the overlook before ±2 p.m.), going down into the valley is certainly worth it! Be advised though, that you need a car with 4WD and good breaks to make the decent. Once down, yo can either take a hike up the lush valley to one of the tall waterfalls, or spend some time at the gorgeous black sand beach.
Have diner in Hanoka'a town and then drive to Waimea to spend the night
Day 7: Waimea and black sand beach.
Waimea is an old rancher town, and offers access to great hikes and some beautiful beaches. This is a good place to spend your last day on the island in leisure, and slowly make your way down the coast back to Kona to catch your flight home.
Take Highway 250 up to the historical colonial town of Hawi. From here is is a short trip to the beautiful valley and black sand beach of Pololu.
Afterwards, drive down south next to the ocean over Highway 270 to Waikoloa Village. Stop here for some 'local grinds', and continue your drive back to the airport. If you are early for your flight, there are plenty of scenic points along the highway towards the airport for some last-minute photo's!
There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet.The vowels: A, E, I, O, U, and the consonants: H, K, L, M, N, P, W. Despite this limited amount of letters, Hawaiian know some proper tongue-twisters, such as the state fish called "humuhumunukunukuapuaʻa"
Drive into town and drop of your bags at your accommodation (if you have not yet booked, have a look here for 
Get up early the following day. This should be easy since you still will be on mainland time. Have breakfast with Kona coffee at the 
Wake up early again and make the 3+ hour drive to Volcano Village 
Spend this day also in Volcano Village. You can choose to go back to the Hawaii Volcano National park and get in a solid day of hiking on the 100+ miles trails inside the park, Make sure to be back around 4 p.m. to drive down to Kalapana. Kalapana used to be one of the most beautiful beaches of the world, but was overtaken by lava in the 90s, and now is the place to be if you want to see slowly flowing, red hot lava up, close and personal! (
Then drive further north to Honoka'a Town. This former sugar town has an interesting collection of shops and galleries, and is a great place to grab some food. From Here, it is a short drive to the Waipi'o Valley overlook at the end of Highway 240. This will give you a stunning view of the "Valley of Kings" and shouldn't be missed! If you have time enough (i.e. if you arrive at the overlook before ±2 p.m.), going down into the valley is certainly worth it! Be advised though, that you need a car with 4WD and good breaks to make the decent. Once down, yo can either take a hike up the lush valley to one of the tall waterfalls, or spend some time at the gorgeous black sand beach.