Hilo vs Kona side for active tourists

Question

All

Everything seems to recommend staying on the Kona side either in town or the further along resort area. However, if we are not going to be lounging on the beach, the Hilo side seems to be better for things to do - waterfalls, garden, shopping, plus day or two at Volcano park? The other side doesn’t seem to have much except the beach. I’m trying decide if maybe need 3 days Hilo for activities then 3 days Kona side for snorkel tours and relaxing. Or is it easy enough to just drive to Hilo multiple times?

I see that Hilo hotels won’t have swim beaches and not much beach access in general.

I’ve seen conflicting information on driving vs splitting time between both locations. When we did Kauai and Oahu, we drove and explored out all day then spend 4pm on at our resort to end the day. Most of the recommendations say 1 night or most 2 in Hilo but also saw you need a full day at the park. Maybe the Hilo activities are just quick even though the list looks longer?

Just looking for advice from someone that knows Hilo!

Answer

Short answer: yes — for an “active” trip that isn’t just beach time, splitting at least a few nights between Hilo and Kona is the most practical and enjoyable approach. Hilo (the east/“rainy” side) puts you close to waterfalls, botanical gardens, park entrances, and the Hamakua Coast sights; Kona (the west/sunnier side) puts you close to snorkeling, coffee farms, and the resort/beach vibe. Many trip planners recommend splitting your stay on week-long itineraries to reduce long daily drives and get the best of both sides.

Below I’ll cover the practical differences, driving logistics, a sample 6-day split plan, and specific tips (what to do and what to avoid) so you can decide whether to base in one place and drive or stay in both.

Quick summary of the practical tradeoffs

Base in Hilo if: you want easy access to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Akaka/Rainbow Falls, the Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden, waterfall hikes, local markets, and a more “lush” island feel. Hilo makes those things short drives.
Base in Kona if: you want sunny weather, west-side beaches, world-class snorkeling (Manta, Kealakekua Bay, Honaunau), coffee farm tours, evening dining options, and larger resort choices. Kona is the convenient launch point for most ocean tours.
Driving between Kona and Hilo: depends on route — the central “Saddle Road” (via Route 200) is the shortest (roughly 1.5–2 hours from coast to coast depending on start/end points), while the scenic northern or southern coastal routes take 2–3+ hours if you add stops. That makes a same-day round trip possible but can eat half a day if you want to explore en route.
Volcanoes NP time: plan at least a half to a full day (4–6+ hours) to see the park’s major highlights comfortably (visitor center, Kīlauea overlook, Crater Rim Drive, one or two short hikes). If you want long hikes or to watch glow after dark, add more time.

Is it easy to just drive to Hilo multiple times from Kona?

You can — especially if you use Saddle Road — but it’s not trivial to do multiple full days: each Kona↔Hilo one-way trip will cost you driving time (1.5–3 hours depending on route and traffic) and fuel. If your plan is to do several full days of Hilo-area activities (botanical garden, waterfalls, Volcanoes NP, Waipiʻo lookout), that’s a lot of seat time. For a relaxed trip, splitting nights is usually better; for a very active itinerary with only 1–2 Hilo days, staying in Kona and driving up for one or two day trips can work.

Suggested options (realistic choices based on length of trip)

Option A — Split stay (recommended for 6+ days): 3 nights Hilo / 3 nights Kona
Why: minimizes repeated long drives, lets you explore the Hamakua Coast and Volcanoes at a relaxed pace, then finish with snorkeling/relaxation on the west side. This is the balance most guides recommend for a week+ trip.
Option B — Single base (Kona) + day trip(s) to Hilo
Why it works: good if you strongly prefer west-side beaches and only want 1–2 “big” inland days (Volcanoes, Waipiʻo). You’ll spend more time driving but avoid hotel switches. Works best if you don’t mind a couple of 3–5 hour round trips.
Option C — Single base (Hilo) + day(s) to Kona
Why it works: good if your priority is Volcanoes, waterfalls, and local culture; you can still do one long snorkeling day from Hilo but expect long travel to major Kona snorkel sites (many tours launch from Kona).

Sample 6-day split itinerary (3 nights Hilo → 3 nights Kona)

Days 1–3 (Hilo base)
- Day 1: Arrive, stroll Hilo Farmers’ Market / downtown, easy beach (Liliʻuokalani Park) and dinner.
- Day 2: Akaka Falls → Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden → Onomea Bay / scenic Hamakua coast. Short stops and gentle walks.
- Day 3: Full day at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park (4–6+ hours for main sights; add sunset/after-dark if lava viewing is active and safe).
Transfer day — drive Saddle Road (Route 200) midday to reach Kona (shorter route, about 1.5–2 hours coast-to-coast), check in, relax at your Kona hotel.
Days 4–6 (Kona base)
- Day 4: Morning coffee farm + afternoon beach/snorkel at Kealakekua Bay or Honaunau (book a boat/snorkel tour from Kona).
- Day 5: Manta ray night snorkel/dive or daytime snorkeling at Kua Bay / Hapuna (depending on preference).
- Day 6: Optional Kona town sightseeing, relax, departure.

When it makes sense to just stay in one place:

If your trip is very short (3–4 nights), pick the side that matches your priorities (Hilo for Volcanoes/waterfalls; Kona for snorkeling/beaches) and accept a single long day trip if necessary.
If most travelers in your party dislike switching hotels often, a single base + 1 long Hilo day is workable — but be ready for the drive and start early.

Logistics & tips

Car rental drop fees: If you pick up at one airport and drop off at another, check fees. Many visitors simply pick up and return at the same airport and drive between sides.
Fuel and timing: Saddle Road is fast and the shortest; coastal scenic routes look better but take longer—plan accordingly.
Park timing: Volcanoes NP — arrive early or plan for a long afternoon to see the key overlooks and do a short hike; if there is active volcanic glow at night and conditions allow, staying past sunset is worth it (check current park conditions).
Weather expectations: Hilo is wetter and greener — pack a light rain layer. Kona is sunnier and drier; bring reef-safe sunscreen and water for hikes.
Where to stay in Hilo: Choose somewhere central to town so you can hit the farmers’ market, shoreline, and Hamakua drive easily. In Kona, choose based on snorkeling/activities you plan (north Kona for Kona town & boat tours; Kohala coast for resorts and big beaches).

Final recommendation

If you have about a week and you want both waterfall/Volcano exploration and quality ocean time, the 3 nights Hilo / 3 nights Kona split is the best compromise: you’ll avoid repetitive long drives, get enough time to enjoy Volcanoes NP without rushing, and still have relaxed snorkeling/resort time on the Kona side. That balance is what most itinerary guides and longtime visitors suggest.