Big Island, Hawaii
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- SteveJobs
As these types of threads are en vogue on QBN, I figured I'd start my own. Going for a week. Any tips, secret spots, favorite food / surf / snorkel / volcanic hike locations? Will be staying in Kona.
Please write back soon,
Your favorite Steve.
- kgvs720
I thought you were sick?
- i teach you so much, but you learn so little!
http://dictionary.re…SteveJobs - Hahahahakgvs72
- i teach you so much, but you learn so little!
- bjladams0
definitely try the secret spots! food is good, and so is the surfing, snorkeling- and do some of the volcanic hiking... on location.
i've been a couple of times, but not in the last 10 years, so my advise would mean nothing. have fun though!
- linearch0
surf at pine trees.
go to volcano national park
helicopter rides up to the top of the volcano are amazing
kayak to capt cook monument
- betelgeuse0
Pololu Valley and the Waipio Valley House are a must.
Take a tour up to the Mauna Kea Observatory, it's awesoooooome!
- betelgeuse0
the little streak is the Hubble telescope :)
- l_vel_fe0
Another vote for at least 1 full day at Volcanoes National Park. Plenty of trails and areas to explore.
When you are Hilo-side, definitely get to the Kapoho Tide Pools, in my opinion it's the best work/reward ratio on the island for snorkeling. Tons of pools, never super packed and tons of awesome stuff to check out there.
Definitely drive to Waipi'o if you have the time, if you are feeling adventurous explore into the valley or make the 10 mi hike to Waimanu. Surf here is amazing but be careful, locals love it but it's not for the faint hearted or poor swimmers. A couple links for photographic evidence:
Checkout the farmers market in Hilo for an amazing array of jams/fruits, you've never seen so many mangoes!
Take a night trip up to Mauna Kea, touted as the best place to watch stars on earth. Be patient and you'll definitely spot some shooting stars.
Green sands beach near South Point is a fun place, some good surf and usually not too crowded. The sand is really green, but it's about a 2 mile walk/4wd.
Punalu'u Black Sand beach is a must stop, get there and spend at least 3-4 hours. Snorkeling is good and you can swim up close with turtles and watch them feed at one of their favorite spots on the island.
the KTA in Hilo has some of the best raw fish/seafood you can imagine, don't pass it up if you like tuna. Big reco to the spicy Ahi.
I spent 4 weeks on the island this past summer, feel free to PM if you want more details/info. Rent the 4wd if you can splurge, you can really open your horizons with it.
- SteveJobs0
Ok question. I don't really have an idea of the size of the island. We were going to rent a car (obviously), but were also considering a bike to check out some of the beaches. I'm just imagining a scenic drive, or would that not be the case, and should we just stick to the car rental?
Also l_vel_fe, can you provide more info on the 4wd? That sounds interesting. And thanks again for the tips. I've jotted them all down!
- sorry that is, a motor bike in addition to the car rental. not a the bike exclusively.SteveJobs
- duckseason0
Fly to Maui and do the Commando Hike.
You have to hike/climb up a stream, swim/climb through a lava tube and end up coming out in front of a waterfall and pool of water you can jump and swim in on one side and view of the ocean on the other.- Sounds fun, but the flight's already booked.SteveJobs
- Inter-island flights are quick and cheap.
I was staying on Oahu when I wentduckseason - Fun day trip.duckseason
- Granted I was there visiting friends on both islands - didnt have to worry about tranportation etc.duckseason
- betelgeuse0
4wd is well worth it in my opinion. There are a number of beaches that you can't get too without it.
And don't worry about driving the "saddle back road" it's not a big deal, although the rental car companies will make it sound like it's incredibly dangerous.
- they re-paved it not long ago.Douglas
- ya it's not a big deal at allbetelgeuse
- betelgeuse0
4wd is well worth it in my opinion. There are a number of beaches that you can't get too without it.
And don't worry about driving the "saddle back road" it's not a big deal, although the rental car companies will make it sound like it's incredibly dangerous.
- Douglas0
The Four Seasons is awesome if you're looking for a fancy meal. For cheap, i'd recommend Ba-Le, great Vietnamese (pho and banh mi).
Holualoa is a nice little artists community up on the mountain to walk around for a couple hours. I think Volcano has a hippie art area too, but not sure of the name.
Hilo side,
as mentioned,
http://www.hilofarmersmarket.com…Cafe 100 - http://bigislandgrinds.com/2005/…
get the Loco Moco.Big Island Candies - http://www.bigislandcandies.com/…
excellent cookies.Get some poke and any other fresh fish at Susian fish market, but l_vel_fe is right that the KTA has awesome fish too. Everywhere has great fish actually since it's all locally caught.
- l_vel_fe0
so rt11 is the main strip that connects Kona to Hilo and pretty much wraps around the island. the island isn't giant (maybe 90mi wide) but it takes about 2.5 hours to go from end to end and there isn't necessarily a 'straight route' anywhere. maybe 4 hours or so to do a big loop depending on your speed. A lot of it is only 1 lane so if you get stuck behind a slow pickup it could slow you down.
when i was there i just went with the jeep for a week at the rental place (in order to get to Green Sands and down into Waipi'o valley) and a compact for the other 3.
motorbikes i'd recommend heading up to waimea area (north side of island), and driving that stretch, it's the 'scenic' highway and you have some nice views onto the ocean. it's more rural/farm country on that part of the island.
there is also a nice stretch on 11 between Keokea and Captain Cook that gets windy but also has some great views to the east. You can take some side roads down to the ocean side (steep declines), but they do offer some lush scenery. It's probably easier to find some bikes to rent in Kona and drive from there down. You can also checkout Two Step (near captain cook) for some good snorkeling but it's usually pretty crowded.
on Kona side there are tons of 4wd access beaches (black sand and whitesand) directly off of rt11. The Lonely Planet guide has great maps and access information for the specifics on these.
in terms of actual places to rent 4wd (quads or dirt bikes etc) i dont have any specifics.
gas is usually 40-50 cents cheaper on Hilo side also.
- i couldn't believe how much cheaper gas was on the Hilo side. strange.betelgeuse
- Wow, thanks, I really appreciate the info!SteveJobs
- my pleasure! the big island holds a special spiritual place in my heartl_vel_fe
- and my guess on the gas prices; Kona side = tourists. $$ Hilo side = locals. cheaper.l_vel_fe
- Douglas0
i'm learning a lot from this thread and i've been there about 8times. taking notes.
- l_vel_fe0
almost forgot, definitely take RT137 to the end when you're down near Kapoho. It takes you along the coast (realllllly close to it) and you can see the raw power of the breakers up close, great place for a picnic. the tree cover/greenery there is awesome. that would be an awesome place to bike/just waste time of driving. i must've driven it 3 times and it still wasn't enough.
- were you there for a month just living or working on something?Douglas