03-31-2026
5 Day Big Island Itinerary
Five Days on the Big Island of Hawaii
Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
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Explore the Big Island in 5 Days
Big Island of Hawaii 5-Day Itinerary Suggestions
At some point in planning your vacation to the Big Island of Hawaii, it’s probably going to hit you, “Wow, this is a lot harder than I thought it’d be... there’s so much to do.” Welcome to the state where the possibilities for activities and adventures are limitless, to where you’ll likely never find yourself bored unless you refuse to leave your hotel room. This portion of our website is here to help you focus on planning your trip and should allow you to organize what you want to do into simple itineraries. Planning your vacation doesn’t have to be a chore, and hopefully, our recommendations will be of assistance in your preparation.
Ultimately, we’ve designed our Big Island of Hawaii itineraries around a set number of on-island Big Island days: offering one, three, five, seven, and even ten-day itineraries for exploring the island, soaking in the best sights, and ensuring your precious time, and potentially money, on the Big Island of Hawaii are spent wisely. We’ve tried to balance our itineraries between those who seek adventure and those looking to find a good beach and relax. Overall, we want your experience to be exactly what you’ve dreamed of when planning your Big Island of Hawaii trip.
We’ve provided all Big Island directions via Google Maps when possible, as Google Maps works on all platforms and across all devices. You should be able to pop the directions into your phone or tablet and go. To help you visualize each day’s itinerary, we’ve also provided overview maps that help you get your bearings.
Our five-day Big Island of Hawaii itinerary includes many of the recommendations in our three-day Big Island itinerary, plus some other must-see sights, attractions, and activities for the extra two days on the island. The additional two days will go a long way on the Big Island of Hawaii and reduce some of the driving required to see the island’s highlights during a shorter visit. We still recommend most visitors book a trip to the Big Island that lasts at least a week in duration if you genuinely want to explore the island thoroughly. Still, we’ve done our best to work on five days of great Big Island attractions and activities for you below. Skip ahead to the 5-day itinerary now →
Overview of Hawaii Island - the “Big Island”
Often called the "Big Island" to help distinguish it from the 1,500-mile-long archipelago with which it shares its name, Hawaii, the Big Island has certainly earned its nickname. Sitting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the landmass of the Big Island is approximately the same size as the state of Connecticut, about 4,050 sq. miles and still growing daily thanks to Kilauea Volcano on the eastern coast of the island. Composed of five major volcanoes, the island is the youngest in the Hawaiian chain with origins dating back some 800,000 years to the present day.
The Big Island of Hawaii, of course, is the largest landmass in the Hawaiian island chain- which consists of eight major islands and 124 islets. The archipelago is made up of numerous volcanic islands in the central Pacific Ocean stretching in a 1,500-mile crescent from Kure Island in the northwest to the Big Island of Hawaii in the east, encompassing an area of 6,459 square miles. The eight major islands at the eastern end of the chain are, from west to east, Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii.
The vast majority of the Big Island's visitors stay in the western-sided Kailua-Kona area with its fantastic weather, abundant shopping, and vast array of dining options. This region also features a wide variety of accommodations, from high-end resorts and condominiums to quaint B&Bs and inns. The ocean off the Kona coast is clear and great for both snorkeling and diving. To the north of Kona is the Gold Coast of Kohala. While drier and more barren than Kona, the region offers amazing beaches, great weather conditions, and several luxury accommodations to choose from.
On the other (eastern) side of the island, you'll discover Hilo and the Puna region. These are good locations to base from if you're interested in exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This part of the island receives an abundance of rainfall that creates lush and green surroundings.
The Big Island of Hawaii seems determined to break the norm; the stereotype of the average tropical island, that is. Here you'll find the ongoing battle between green forests, black lava fields, the ocean, and the rain almost incomprehensible; the diversity is simply stunning. You may find yourself wondering, "Is this an ancient landscape or a future one?"
Hikers, horseback riders, and land lovers, in general, will find a wide variety of stunning peaks, valleys, forests, and lava fields to explore. Water lovers will find a plethora of water activities awaiting them, especially on the leeward side where the two giant volcanoes create near-pristine water and wave conditions year-round. Snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, SCUBA diving, and much more are superb here. In our daily itineraries, we’ll attempt to guide you to the very best the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer.
Those who prefer to stay on dry land will also enjoy a myriad of land activities. Golfers, beach lovers, and bird watchers can also take pleasure in knowing there are unmatched locations for each of their passions.
Accommodations on the Big Island of Hawaii & Where to Stay Summary
On the Big Island, you’re probably considering splitting your stay between the Kona side and Hilo side of the island, that’s smart - it will make visiting each respective side of the island’s attractions easier, because after all, the big island is, well, BIG. The last thing you want to do most days is to spend hours in the car driving to a destination on the other side of the island. If you haven’t yet decided where to stay on the Big Island of Hawaii, we can help with that too, be sure to check out our Where to Stay on the Big Island of Hawaii article for the best tips and suggestions on where to book your stay. Don’t worry if you’ve already booked your trip on just the Kona or Hilo side, or if your lodging isn’t even in Kone or Hilo, as there are a number of accommodations, b&bs, inns, etc scattered across the island. Regardless of where you’re staying, we’ll still help you plan accordingly.
Be sure to also read our Best time to Visit the Big Island article for an in-depth look at which time of year is best to visit the Big Island for your travel party.
Getting Around the Big Island of Hawaii
On Hawaii island, a rental car is definitely the best option for getting around the island and viewing all the sights we detail in our itineraries. This is especially true because of how spread out some of the various attractions are located geographically speaking. The rental rates in Hawaii are often some of the cheapest anywhere in the world because the competition is usually fierce.
There is no reliable bus service on the island and taxi services are both expensive and illogical for sight-seeing purposes.
Summary of what to pack on your Big Island of Hawaii trip
Regardless of how much you’ve traveled in the past and where you’ve been, there is one good rule to follow when coming to Hawaii, leave as much as you can at home. Seriously, bring only what you’ll need during your stay and nothing more. For starters, schlepping around three suitcases is NOT what you want to be doing after getting off a long plane ride. Next, consider that long pants, dress clothes, and anything else formal really have no use in Hawai‘i (unless you are staying in a very exclusive resort). Chances are a pair of shorts and an old Aloha shirt are all you’ll need for even some fine dining.
As far as clothing goes, that’s usually a few pairs of shorts, several T-shirts, sandals or flip-flops (slippahs as Hawaii residents call them), and a good visor or hat, anything made of a cotton blend is usually good. A light jacket might also be nice for those visits to higher elevations.
With the motto, “less is more” in mind, here are a few other items to bring. Sunblock (the UV on Hawai‘i is typically 10+ in the spring, summer, and fall), a backpack (for any hikes) and a water bottle, slippers (flip flops, shower shoes, zoris), mask, snorkel, and fins (or rent locally instead), two bathing suits (one to wear while the other dries) and a cover-up, your phone or a camera, lightweight raincoat or poncho (for mountain/rain forest hiking), bug spray with DEET (for any forest hikes), flashlight (if the sun goes down before your hike ends or for night walks on the beach), hiking boots and hiking rods, and most importantly a list of all your troubles to leave behind. For more information on what to pack, seeing our What to Pack When Visiting Hawaii article.
Five Day Itinerary for the Big Island
5-Day Big Island Wayfinder Guide
We'll officially kick off our itinerary suggestions by quickly covering the days you both arrive and depart. While they are not completely a wash in terms of planning something to actively do or participate in those days, we like to keep them open and use them for relaxing after we arrive and before we depart.
Arrival Day on the Big Island
Let the first day you arrive be a day to adjust to the islands. Grab a bite to eat, pick up supplies and/or groceries, enjoy your first Hawaiian sunset that evening, and get to bed early as it has likely been a long day. If you’re flying in from another island, as we often do, then some light sightseeing probably won’t be a problem once you’re set up with your new rental, etc. But generally, we advise people to take it easy the first day, soak in their local surroundings, and acclimate to Hawaiian time.
Departure Day from the Big Island
Like your arrival day, this day is meant to wind down from your trip and prepare for your jump to another island or for the journey home. We suggest grabbing a bite to eat from one of your favorite local restaurants near your accommodation and maybe some final souvenir shopping at some of the many stores and local shops around the island. Undoubtedly, the local community would appreciate your business. In Hawaii there are no “Goodbye’s” - so we’ll say A Hui Hou, which in Hawaiian means ‘Until we meet again.’ Aloha!
Big Island 5-Day Itinerary — Day by Day
Five days gives you breathing room to actually experience the Big Island instead of just racing through it. You will cover both coasts, spend a proper day in the volcanic interior, and still have time for a helicopter tour or South Point expedition. Split your accommodations between Kona (Days 1-3) and Hilo/Volcano Village (Days 4-5).
For local food recommendations each evening, check out our best local dining articles and look for the Big Island section.
Day #1 - North Kona & South Kohala
Start your trip on the dry, sunny leeward coast. Kailua-Kona is your home base — walk the seawall along Ali'i Drive in the morning, then head north up the Gold Coast. You will hit two of the island's best white-sand beaches and end the day at the dramatic Pololū Valley Lookout on the island's northern tip.
The drive from Kona to Pololū runs about 90 minutes each way, so start your beach time early and save the lookout for late afternoon when the light is best.
Stops for the Day
- 1 Kailua-Kona Town — Stroll Ali'i Drive, grab morning coffee, see Hulihe'e Palace
- 2 Kua Bay — One of the best white-sand beaches on the island, crystal-clear water
- 3 Hapuna Beach — Wide crescent of sand, consistently ranked among Hawaii's top beaches
- 4 King's Shops / Waikoloa — Lunch, shops, and the Waikoloa Petroglyph Reserve nearby
- 5 Pololū Valley Lookout — Dramatic clifftop viewpoint overlooking a black-sand valley
Day #2 - South Kona
Head south from Kailua-Kona along the coast for a day of history, snorkeling, and some of the island's best cultural sites. Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau (the Place of Refuge) is one of Hawaii's most significant historical sites, and the snorkeling at nearby Two Step is world-class.
Kealakekua Bay has the best reef on the island — get there by kayak or boat tour for the full experience. Grab lunch at a roadside spot on your way back north.
Stops for the Day
- 1 Kealakekua Bay — Pristine reef and the Captain Cook Monument, best accessed by kayak or boat
- 2 Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau — Sacred place of refuge with carved ki'i (wooden images) and restored temple grounds
- 3 Two Step — Named for the natural lava rock steps into the water, top-tier snorkeling with turtles and reef fish
- 4 Kailua-Kona — Head back to town for dinner along Ali'i Drive
Day #3 - Volcanoes Adventure
Today you drive from the Kona side to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. It is roughly two hours from Kailua-Kona, so leave early. Consider moving your accommodation to Hilo or Volcano Village for tonight and tomorrow — it saves backtracking and puts you closer to the next two days of sights.
The park contains one of the most active volcanic systems on the planet. Hike the Kīlauea Iki Trail if you can — it drops you down into a solidified lava lake surrounded by rainforest. Dinner at the Volcano House restaurant with views over the caldera is hard to beat.
Stops for the Day
- 1 Kīlauea Visitor Center — Get oriented with ranger talks and current eruption updates
- 2 Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) — Walk through a 500-year-old lava tube surrounded by tree ferns
- 3 Crater Rim Drive — Multiple overlooks of Kīlauea Caldera and Halema'uma'u Crater
- 4 Chain of Craters Road — 19-mile drive descending 3,700 feet through old lava flows to the coast
Day #4 - Hamakua Coast
The Hamakua Coast is the Big Island's green side — waterfalls, tropical gardens, and valleys carved by centuries of rainfall. Start at Waipi'o Valley and work your way south along the coast toward Hilo.
Stop at What's Shakin' on the 4-Mile Scenic Loop for some of the best fruit smoothies you will ever taste. The Hawai'i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden is worth the admission fee if you have an hour to spare.
Stops for the Day
- 1 Waipi'o Valley Lookout — Jaw-dropping view of the "Valley of the Kings" with its black-sand beach 1,000 feet below
- 2 Laupahoehoe Point — Scenic coastal park with a powerful history and crashing surf
- 3 'Akaka Falls — Easy 0.4-mile loop trail leads to a 442-foot waterfall plunging into a gorge
- 4 What's Shakin' / 4-Mile Scenic Loop — Legendary smoothie stand and a jungle-canopied back road
- 5 Hawai'i Tropical Bioreserve & Garden — Over 2,000 species of tropical plants in an oceanfront valley
Day #5 - Tour / Excursion Day
Your last day is a choose-your-own-adventure. A helicopter tour over the island gives you a perspective that no amount of driving can match — waterfalls hidden in valleys, active lava flows, the sheer scale of Mauna Loa. Book ahead; these sell out.
If you prefer staying on the ground, drive south to Ka Lae (South Point), the southernmost point in the United States, then hike to Green Sand Beach and stop at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach to see Hawaiian green sea turtles on your way back.
Stops for the Day
- 1 Helicopter Tours / Kona Airport area — Aerial views of waterfalls, lava flows, and hidden valleys (book in advance)
- 2 Ka Lae (South Point) — The southernmost point in the United States, wild and windswept
- 3 Green Sand Beach — Rare olivine sand beach reached by a 5-mile round-trip hike (do NOT take illegal shuttles)
- 4 Punalu'u Black Sand Beach — Jet-black sand and Hawaiian green sea turtles basking on shore
This itinerary is a suggested framework — adjust based on your energy, weather, and what grabs you. Also check out our one, three, seven, and ten-day Big Island itineraries. A rental car is essential for this itinerary.
Published by: John C. Derrick
Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
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