Kohala Coast
Hāpuna Beach
A broad white-sand beach and state recreation area.
4.7/5 · 2800 Google reviews
App review snapshot · 2026-10-01. Ratings can change.
THE ISLAND GUIDE
Hawaiʻi Island
A landscape still being made.
Aerial view of waves meeting a rugged beach on Hawaiʻi Island
Get to know Hawaiʻi Island.
From the black sand of Kaʻū to the broad beaches of Kohala, this island rewards unhurried travel. Group your stops around Kona, Hilo, or Volcano instead of crossing the island for every outing.
Start exploringKona · Hilo · Volcano
Make time forVolcanoes & varied coastlines
In this guide37 beaches · 13 walks & hikes
Check Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park alerts before setting out. Eruptions, gas, and trail closures can change access. Official island guidance
37 stops
Beaches & parks
Beach parks, quiet bays, and open coastlines. Find a place, then check the day’s conditions.
Kohala Coast
Waialea Bay / Beach 69
A smaller bay south of Hāpuna.
Closure notice reviewed October 4, 2026: Waialea section remains closed for fallen trees and storm recovery.
Before you swim: Check Hawaiʻi Ocean Safety, speak to lifeguards, and obey posted signs. Stay clear of wildlife.
13 stops
Hikes & walks
From short coastal walks to demanding trails. Choose a route that fits your experience and the weather.
Volcano · Crater hike
Kīlauea Iki
Descend through forest and cross a solidified lava lake.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Giftly · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Crater Rim Dr, Volcano, HI
Volcano · Short walk
Nāhuku / Thurston Lava Tube
Rainforest and a lava tube. Check lighting and access notices.
Volcano · Paved walk
Devastation Trail
A walk through a landscape recovering from the 1959 eruption.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Wanderlog · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: Crater Rim Drive, Volcano, HI 96785, USA
Before you hike: Check the official source for closures, permits, and trail conditions. Stay on open, marked routes.
31 stops
Culinary
Neighborhood favorites, Hawaiian food, sweet treats, and special dinners. Explore by food category, ranked from highest to lowest.
Hilo · Coffee roaster
Big Island Coffee Roasters — Hilo Café
Hawaiian coffees, lattes, house-made syrups, iced drinks, and pastries at the Hilo café and roastery.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Restaurant Guru · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 76 Kalanianaole St, Hilo, Hawaii, USA
$1-$10: Restaurant Guru snapshot
Kailua-Kona · Sushi & izakaya
Izakaya Shiono
Traditional sushi plus ramen and other Japanese dishes in Kona’s Brewery Block.
Rating & price sources
Reported by Restaurant Guru · observed 2026-10-02. Ratings can change.
Rating location: 74-5599 Pawai Pl B4 & B5, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA
$20-$30: Restaurant Guru snapshot
Hilo
Moon and Turtle
Neighborhood restaurant with a changing international menu and Pacific influences.
2026 Hale ʻAina Silver: Best Hawaiʻi Island Restaurant.
Menu and hours need confirmation
2 stops
Farmers markets
Meet local growers and makers. Check the organizer’s latest schedule before heading out. Times are Hawaiʻi Standard Time.
Keauhou · Farmers market
Keauhou Farmers Market
Local farm products at Keauhou Shopping Center, convenient for a Kona-side morning.
Saturdays · 8 a.m.–noon
Hilo · Farmers market
Hilo Farmers Market
Downtown stalls with tropical produce, flowers, local food, and handmade goods. Vendor selection varies by day.
Daily · 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Check each market’s linked organizer for its latest schedule. Weather, holidays, and vendor availability can change plans.
3 stops
Lūʻau
Food, music, hula, and storytelling. Compare the setting and package inclusions directly with each operator.
Kailua-Kona · Oceanfront dinner & show
Island Breeze Lūʻau
A meal and Polynesian performance beside Kamakahonu Bay at the King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel.
Waikoloa · Resort dinner & show
Legends of Hawaiʻi Lūʻau
A Hawaiian feast at Hilton Waikoloa Village with hula, music, storytelling, and a fire-knife finale.
Kohala Coast · Dinner & Hawaiian entertainment
Mauna Kea Lūʻau
A lūʻau at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel with Hawaiian food, steel-guitar music, hula, storytelling, and a fire dance in a coastal setting.
1 stops
Golf
Municipal rounds, Upcountry fairways, and resort courses. Confirm tee times and visitor eligibility directly.
Volcano · High-elevation golf
Volcano Golf Course
An 18-hole course in the Volcano area, with a cool upland setting that feels different from the Kona resort coast.
8 stops
Museums, monuments & attractions
Museums, royal places, historic sites, family attractions, and the zoo. Check admission and operating calendars.
Hilo · Natural & cultural history
Lyman Museum & Mission House
A Hilo museum pairing island geology and natural history with Hawaiian culture, local communities, and a historic 1839 mission house.
Hilo · Hawaiian culture & astronomy
ʻImiloa Astronomy Center
Exhibits connect Hawaiian wayfinding and language with modern astronomy and the exploration of the universe.
South Kona · Hawaiian cultural landscape
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
A powerful coastal landscape of royal grounds, reconstructed structures, fishponds, and a place of refuge protected by the National Park Service.
0 stops
Cruises & sails
Dinner at sea, catamaran sails, and sunset cocktails. Compare boarding locations, food, and drink policies.
We don’t have a verified cruises & sails listing for Hawaiʻi Island yet. Explore other islands.