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Home » Travel » United States » Hawaii

Big Island of Hawaii Travel Tips

Published: Jun 20, 2016 · This post may contain affiliate links

The Big Island of Hawaii is one of our favorite places in the world. There is just something special about being on island time and living Aloha during your vacation. Today we are sharing our best Big Island of Hawaii Travel Tips.

These are the travel tips that we have learned from living on the island and visiting almost every year.

The Big Island is huge and there is so much to see and do on the island. It is almost impossible to fit everything into one trip which makes it a great place to return to year after year.

Contents hide
Big Island of Hawaii Travel Tips
Drive times
Hawaiian Lingo and terms to know
Top things to do
Places to stay
Additional Hawaii Resources

Big Island of Hawaii Travel Tips

When you arrive at the airport, make sure and pick up brochures and pamphlets for things you may be interested in. Most of them have great coupons that will save you money during your vacation

Bring reusable grocery bags with you or pick some up at the grocery store for a fun souvenir to bring home. Plastic bags are not allowed on the island and many stores charge to bag items in paper bags.

Costco has the best gas prices on the island most of the time. You can make it from Costco back to the Kona airport on full if you go straight there.

Don't plan too much! Give yourself time to live Aloha and find new fun things to do on the island

Looking for a great sunset spot. Check out our favorite sunset spots on the Big Island! Trust me you won't be disappointed with the amazing sunsets on the island.

The island of Hawaii is huge! Please don't try to do the entire island in one or two days. You will spend your entire trip in the car driving from one place to another. Even after living on the island and going back every year I still find new places to explore.

If you are heading to the island to see the current Lava Glow make sure to plan ahead with the right shoes, flashlights, camera gear, and have a plan on where you want to go.

Drive times

From Hilo to Volcano - 45 minutes

Kona airport to Kona town - 15 minutes

Kona town to Hapuna Beach - 45 minutes

Kona to Hilo - 2.5 to 2.75 hours on average

Kona to Volcano - 2.75 to 3.25 hours

Sunset-at-Don-the-Beachcombers-Kona-Hawaii.jpg

Don the Beachcombers on Alii Drive has an excellent happy hour menu and outdoor seating to enjoy the sunset!

Here are 7 of our favorite restaurants on the Big Island

Remember sunscreen and use it often! Hawaii is closer to the equator than the mainland and you can easily get burnt quickly without realizing it.

Even winter in Hawaii can be surprising! The weather is warm, there are poinsettias growing in yards that are massive, and the views never disappoint,

Police cars do not always look like normal police cars. Many times they are unmarked cars that they place a red light on top of. It is very easy to get caught speeding without realizing there is a police vehicle behind you.

Hawaiian Lingo and terms to know

Aloha - Hello, goodbye, a friendly greeting

Shaka - Hang loose sign with your hand

Slippers = flip flops

Kane - Men

Wahine - Woman

haole – a white person but not necessarily derogatory

Ohana - Family

Grinds - food

PuPus - Appetizer

Keiki - Children

Mahalo - Thank You

TuTu - Grandmother

Honu - Turtle

Malasada - Portuguese Donut! A must try on the island

Do you have any great Big Island of Hawaii Travel Tips? Let us know so we can add them to our post!

Mahalo!

Top things to do

Swimming with Manta Rays - Enjoy an adventure of a lifetime getting in the water with these gorgeous sea creatures.

 

Places to stay

There are a ton of epic lodging options on the Big Island. Here are some of our favorite hotels and resorts.

SCP Hilo Hotel on the Big Island - This eco-conscious hotel chain is low key and has gorgeous rooms.

Club Wyndham Kona Hawaiian - The Club Wyndham Kona Hawaiian is on the east side of the island, so you’ve got  easy access to awesome snorkeling, historic sites and, of course, Kona coffee

Additional Hawaii Resources

If you are visiting Hawaii for the first time we suggest packing an extra duffel bag with you! We always end up bringing home more coffee, souvenirs, and Hawaiian food than we expect to.

Off the beaten path Kauai - Hidden experiences and secrets on Kauai

Big Island Desserts you have to try

Driving to the top of Mauna Kea

Free things to do on the Big Island

Big Island Sunsets

Hawaii National Parks

Best Luau in Oahu

If you are heading to Oahu don't miss the top things to do on the North Shore

Check out all of our Hawaii Travel Guides

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About Tammilee

Lifestyle blogger who travels the world and drinks too much Chai tea. Travel blogger, award winning photographer, sunset hunter, Birkenstock girl, bird nerd
You can find Tammilee on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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