The Big Island welcomed us with open arms—and a bright red Mustang convertible! From the moment we landed, it felt like we were in for something unforgettable. We settled in at the peaceful Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, where mornings began with plumeria blossoms and ocean views. We celebrated our anniversary with the best breakfast we’ve ever had at Island Lava Java, explored the flavors of Kona coffee at Greenwell Farms, and learned how real chocolate is made at the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory. One day took us across the island to experience Kilauea, the Kilauea Iki Trail, and the surreal Thurston Lava Tube. Along the way, we swam with wild spinner dolphins, relaxed on black sand beaches, and witnessed a lively hula and fire show. The Big Island gave us a perfect balance of adventure, flavor, and Hawaiian spirit.

Itinerary

This itinerary is based on the Big Island portion of our 2014 Maui combo trip from June 25-July 1.

🛬 Day 1 – Travel to Seattle

• ✈️ 4:35 PM – 6:50 PM – Flight from St. Louis to Seattle (Southwest 4477)
• 🏨 Overnight at Best Western Plus Plaza by the Green (free airport shuttle and breakfast)

🛬 Day 2 – Travel to Big Island via Maui

• ✈️ 10:00 AM – 12:55 PM – Flight from Seattle to Maui (Hawaiian 29)
• ✈️ 12:40 PM – 3:12 PM – Flight from Maui to Kona (Hawaiian 250)
• 🚗 Pick up Mustang convertible rental from Budget
• 🏨 Check-in to Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows (5-night stay)
• 🌴 Evening stroll around the lush hotel grounds
• 🌅 Balcony view of the sunset from your oceanfront room

🥭 Day 3 – Anniversary Day: Coffee, Chocolate & Romance

• 🍍 Breakfast at Island Lava Java (try papaya with vanilla yogurt & admire palm tree latte art)
• 🌺 Enjoy a Couples Massage at the resort, if you want to splurge (ours was $500!)
• ☕ Coffee tour at Greenwell Farms (learn how coffee cherries are harvested and roasted)
• 🍫 Visit Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory (see cacao pods and dry beans, featured on Alton Brown’s Good Eats)
• 🍺 Beer tasting at Kona Brewing Co. (discover Wailua Wheat, only available in Hawaii in 2014)
• 🍽️ Anniversary dinner @ CanoeHouse at the resort (fine dining with ocean views)

🤿 Day 4 – Scuba Diving & Beach Time

• 🐢 Scuba dive (see eels and honu – turtles)
• 🏖️ Spend the afternoon bodyboarding and relaxing at Hapuna Beach (soft sand and gentle waves)

🌋 Day 5 – Volcanoes National Park Day Trip

• 🚗 Drive across the island to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
• 🌋 Visit Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano (💡Be sure to check for alerts in effect to ensure it is safe to visit)
• 🥾 Hike the Kilauea Iki Trail (3.2 mi, ~2 hrs)
• 🌑 Explore the Thurston Lava Tube
• 🍉 Stop at a roadside fruit stand for tropical fruit sampling
• ⚫ Visit the coarse black sands at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
• ⬇️ Visit Ka Lae (South Point) – the southernmost point in the U.S.

🐬 Day 6 – Dolphins, Local Eats & Poolside Vibes

• 🐬 Snorkel with a pod of wild spinner dolphins with Dolphin Discoveries (an unforgettable encounter, and a guilt-free way to see dolphins since they’re in the wild and you don’t bother them)
• 🧺 Purchase a handcrafted coconut-leaf woven bowl from a local artisan
• 🌺 Leisure time at the resort (one last flower for Sarah’s hair from the plumeria trees)
• 🔥 Evening hula & fire show (authentic Hawaiian performance at the resort)

🛬 Day 7 – Fly to Maui

• 🍽️ Try the classic Loco Moco for lunch (a local favorite consisting of rice, a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg – not exactly gourmet)
• ✈️ 1:44 PM – 2:17 PM – Flight from Kona to Maui (Hawaiian 269)

💡Big Island Tips

• 🚗 Rent a car (convertible if you can!) – The island is big and spread out, and a convertible made those scenic drives even more fun
• 🌄 Cross the island to explore Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Give yourself a full day to hike the Kilauea Iki Trail, walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, and stop at steam vents. Note that Kilauea is a shield volcano, not a cone volcano, so set your expectations accordingly. We were unimpressed with what was more a giant smoldering hole in the ground than the classic volcanoes we had in our minds. The hikes were great, though!
• 💨 Expect varied weather – The island has multiple climate zones; pack layers if you’re heading to higher elevations like a volcano
• 🐬 Swim with wild spinner dolphins – Unforgettable! Book early with a responsible, eco-friendly tour company
• ☕ Tour a Kona coffee farm – Greenwell Farms was a favorite for learning and tasting; don’t skip the free samples!
• 🍫 Visit the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory – See how real Hawaiian chocolate is made from pod to bar (and yes, it’s delicious)
• 🖤 Don’t miss the black sand at Punaluʻu Beach – Turtles often nap on the shore and the coarse sand is a sight in itself
• ⬇️ Visit Ka Lae (South Point) – The southernmost point in the U.S.—super windy but cool bragging rights
• 🏨 Stay in the Mauna Lani area – The Mauna Lani Bay Hotel offered stunning views and great access to beaches and restaurants
• 🏞️ Stop at roadside fruit stands – Try whatever’s in season (we loved the fresh coconut and mango)
• 🔥 Catch a hula and fire show – A beautiful cultural experience that’s often included at resorts

Pictures

Here are our favorite Big Island Pictures.

Big Island and Maui Highlights

Check out our other Hawaiian blogs:

• Maui 
• Kaua’i
• O’ahu