4 days itinerary feedback

Question

Aloha TA experts,

Looking for feedback for my upcoming trip to BI during 1st week of december. I have accommodation at Waikokia Village for first two nights. We like snorkelling, sandy beaches, good food and love moderate hikes.

Day 0 arrival day: Tuesday: we have half a day here. Our Bnb is located at Waikoloa Village. Will goto nearby beach (maybe hapuna) this day and dinner local.

Day 1: Kohalo Coast (Wed) --- Head towards Waipio Valley driving through Waimea, goto Pololu Valley, Hawi, and stop at a beach on return to Waikoloa Village. Is there anything we can add to this day? Is there a snorkelling or other activity that is recommended?

Day 2: Volcanoes Day (Thurs): Early morning drive stopping at Akaka Falls, Volcanoes Park, Kilauea Overlook, Punaluu Beach and return to Waikoloa village. I know this is a lot of driving. Can you recommend if this is doable or how i can plan to cover these places? This is day we checkout from Waikoloa village. Looking for recommendations if we should change our base? I was thinking of BnB in Kona but decided against because of the crowd and parking hassle. Also the rocky shores was a con.

Day 3: Friday explore coffee/vanilla farms. Looking for recommendations for snorkeling. Do we do a snorkeling tour of captain cook? Any other places/ activities to consider? We would love to do the Manta ray tour.

Day 4: don’t have anything to plan for this day so far.

Kindly recommend and advice.

Mahalo

Answer

Your 4-day Big Island itinerary looks exciting and well thought out. Here’s a detailed feedback and suggestions for each day to optimize your trip while balancing driving time, activities, and your interests.

Day 0 – Arrival & Hapuna Beach:

Starting at Hapuna Beach is perfect as it’s close to Waikoloa Village. It’s a wide sandy beach, excellent for swimming and relaxing after your flight. For dinner, consider a local eatery in Waikoloa Village or the Queens’ MarketPlace area for casual options.

Option: Anaeho’omalu Bay is another nearby beach with calm waters for sunset walks.
Option: For local flavors, try Lava Lava Beach Club or Huggo’s on the Rocks for a beachfront dinner experience.

Day 1 – Kohala Coast / Waipio Valley / Pololu / Hawi:

This route is doable, but plan early starts to maximize daylight and reduce crowd time. Pololu and Waipio are scenic, with great short hikes to valley lookouts. Driving through Hawi and Waimea allows for stops at local shops or shave ice spots.

Option: On the way back, consider stopping at Mauna Kea Beach or Spencer Beach for snorkeling; the water is usually calm in December.
Option: Short hike in Pololu Valley for valley floor experience, but note that it’s steep and can be muddy.
Option: Add a visit to Lapakahi State Historical Park for a glimpse of old Hawaiian village ruins.

Day 2 – Volcanoes Day / Akaka Falls / Volcanoes National Park / Punalu’u Beach:

This is a full day with a lot of driving. If you start early (around 7am), it’s doable but will be a long day. Consider packing snacks and water. Waikoloa Village as a base is acceptable; moving to Hilo or Volcano area would reduce driving but you’d lose the Kohala and Kona coast convenience.

Option: Limit stops to Akaka Falls, Volcanoes National Park highlights (Kilauea Overlook, Thurston Lava Tube), and Punalu’u Beach to keep the pace manageable.
Option: If you want more time at Volcanoes, consider overnighting in Volcano Village; it allows sunset or night glow viewing without rushing back.
Option: Skip minor hikes if pressed for time; focus on key viewpoints and visitor center.

Day 3 – Coffee / Vanilla Farms & Snorkeling:

Exploring Kona’s coffee farms and the Captain Cook area is great. For snorkeling, both Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Bay (Two Step) are excellent and accessible.

Option: Consider a guided snorkeling tour at Captain Cook Bay to access marine life safely.
Option: Plan Manta Ray Night Snorkel or Dive tour in Kona; book in advance as slots fill quickly.
Option: Short visit to a vanilla or macadamia farm along the route.

Day 4 – Flex Day / Relaxation:

Use this day to either relax on Kona or Kohala beaches, do light snorkeling, or revisit favorite spots. You could also do a short hike near Pololu or Waipi’o if missed earlier.

Option: Hapuna or Mauna Kea Beach for calm water and sunbathing.
Option: Snorkel at Kahalu’u Beach Park in Kona if you want easy access and colorful fish.
Option: Explore Kona town for coffee, local food, or souvenir shopping.

General tips:

Start early for long driving days; aim to beat traffic and enjoy cooler mornings.
Check snorkeling conditions daily; some sites can be rough in December.
Pack light hiking shoes, reef shoes for snorkeling, sun protection, and plenty of water.
Consider swapping some sightseeing if any family member prefers shorter drives; flexibility helps.

Overall, your itinerary is achievable, balances adventure and relaxation, and covers the Big Island’s highlights while allowing opportunities for snorkeling, moderate hikes, and local cuisine.