Our family prefer to stay at rental home instead of hotel whenever we travel that way we can do laundry and pack lifht. In addition, we can save money by cooking/ preparing food at home instead of eating out all the time.
At the East side of the Big Island, we stayed in a rental home nearby Kapoho Tide pools. At the West side our friends recommended us to stay in Captain Cook area so we stayed at this vrbo (very clean and the owners let us use their kayak/ paddle board for free). They also have other unit/ cabin if you travel with more than 4 people.
The 600 square feet unit we rent:
At the East side of the Big Island, we stayed in a rental home nearby Kapoho Tide pools. At the West side our friends recommended us to stay in Captain Cook area so we stayed at this vrbo (very clean and the owners let us use their kayak/ paddle board for free). They also have other unit/ cabin if you travel with more than 4 people.
The 600 square feet unit we rent:
We packed and close the day with eating brunch at The Coffee Shack
We opted to have their famous pie to go to eat on the plane. It was heavenly.
So sad because it's time to go home:
Finish this good book during our vacation
Big Island in One Week Itinerary: Pick and choose as you prefer. We didn't visit all the places.
Places to snorkel:
West/ Kona area:
- Two Step Beach aka Honaunau Bay within walking distance from Place of Refuge Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
- Captain Cook: One of the best snorkeling place in the world. To get there you can hike (very long and hard), ride kayak or boat.
- Manta Ray Snorkel. We went with this tour: http://www.
mantaraydiveshawaii.com/ adventures/manta-rays-dive- snorkel/
Places to eat: Get some water and food at Costco and Walmart. The local bread: Punalu'u Bread can be found at Wlmart
- West/ Kona Area: Umeke's ,One Aloha Shave Ice (try their Kona Ice Cream too)
- West/ Captain Cook: Annies Burger (get the Poke Cake Burger and garlic French fries), The Coffee Shack, Big Jack's Island BBQ, Da Poke Shack
- East/ Hilo: Dragon Kitchen Sushi, Pho Viet open until 8 PM
- East side near Kapoho: Kaleo's, Pahoa Fresh Fish
Beaches:
East North:
East North:
- Mauna Kea Beach, come early due to limited parking
- Manini'owali Beach Mile Marker 88 in the main highway 19, no shade
- Hapuna Beach
Places to Visit:
- West: Visit "Place of Refuge" then snorkel at "Two Steps" (only 1 minute walk from each other)
- East: Volcanoes National Park. Plant to stay until sunset to see the lava glow. The pass to Volcano National Park is good for 1 week.
- East: Akaka Falls is the highest waterfall in Hawaii. Good walk but be prepared for mosquitoes.
- Hilo Farmer's Market: to get the tropical fruits
Other things that we didn't get to do due to limited time:
a. Star gazing at Mauna Kea observatory VIS. Best to do after sunset
b. Visit Punalu'u Bake Shop, the delicious local bakery
c. Go on Kona Coffee Tour
d. Visit Green Sands Beach, be prepare for a very tough hike
e. Visit Punalu'u Beach, the most popular black sand beach on Big Island. Swimming isn't ideal but there is a picnic area and restroom facilities so you can have lunch while feeling black sand between your toes
Related Posts:
Big Island Day 3: Akaka Falls, Hilo Farmer Market, & Richardson Beach
Big Island Day 4: Snorkeling & Swimming with Manta Rays
Big Island Day 5: Kayaking to Captain Cook Monum
Big Island Day 6: Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, Two Step Beach, and Ali'i Drive
Big Island Day 4: Snorkeling & Swimming with Manta Rays
Big Island Day 5: Kayaking to Captain Cook Monum
Big Island Day 6: Pu'uhonua O Honaunau, Two Step Beach, and Ali'i Drive
