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Big Island Pocket Edition — $8.95 | Hawaii Guide

Big Island Pocket Edition — $8.95

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Big Island Pocket Edition

Quick-start digital travel guide — $8.95

The Short-Trip Big Island Guide

The Big Island is the biggest of the Hawaiian Islands by a long shot — you can fit Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Molokai inside it with room to spare. For a short trip that means choices: Kona or Hilo side, Volcanoes National Park or Mauna Kea, black sand beach day or Kohala Coast resort pool. You can't do all of it in three days.

The Big Island Pocket Edition helps you pick. Regional breakdown from Kona to Hilo, weather patterns (the island has most of Earth's climate zones), top beaches, and the must-see attractions — Volcanoes NP, Mauna Kea, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau, Waipio — with honest takes on which one fits your schedule.

What's Inside

  • Island overview — Kona vs. Hilo, why the island has two personalities
  • Regions map — Kona, Kohala Coast, Waimea, Hilo, Puna, Ka'u
  • Weather by month and by coast — dry Kona vs. wet Hilo
  • Top-tier beaches ranked — Hapuna, Manini'owali, Makalawena, Punalu'u black sand
  • Must-see attractions — Volcanoes NP, Mauna Kea, Waipio Valley, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau
  • Mobile-ready — read on phone, tablet, or save a copy to read offline

See What's Inside

A free-tier preview of the Big Island guide — island overview, regions, weather, and top picks. Past this layer, the Pocket Edition adds the top 5 attractions with our take, the top 5 beaches with swim safety, a 3-day itinerary, and the practical tips that save first-time visitors from rookie mistakes.

Who This Guide Is For

Cruise passengers with a day in Kona or Hilo. Visitors doing the Big Island as a 3-night stop inside a multi-island trip. First-timers who want the overview before committing to a longer return visit. Anyone who wants the highlights without a full guidebook they won't have time to read.

If you're planning 5+ days on the Big Island — splitting between Kona and Hilo, doing both Volcanoes and Mauna Kea, and exploring the Hamakua Coast — the Big Island Complete Edition at $19.95 is the better choice — hotel picks at every price range, restaurant recommendations, day-by-day itineraries, and hiking trails.

This guide is now free

The Big Island Pocket Edition is no longer sold — it’s now the free Big Island Pocket Guide — the same getting-started ground, free with your email.

Get the Free Guide →
Product Details
  • Format: Digital guide · opens on phone, tablet, laptop
  • Offline: Install Hawaii Guide as an app and your guide opens with no signal — reads cleanly on the Hāna Highway, Saddle Road, Waipiʻo, anywhere cellular drops
  • Length: Pocket tier — concise
  • Updated: April 2026
  • Delivery: Instant access + email link
  • Updates: Free for 1 year
  • Guarantee: 30-day refund — just email us
Planning a Longer Trip?

Step up to the Big Island Complete Edition for hotels, restaurants, 3/5/7-day itineraries, and hiking trails — $19.95.

See Complete →
Prefer a printed copy? The 2026 digital edition has more current detail, but if you\'d rather hold paper, our printed editions are at store.hawaii-guide.com →

What readers say about our Hawaii guides

“I would highly recommend this guide! Helpful information and e-delivered immediately!”

— Kelli B., guide purchaser

“Great useful information. Vision impaired. Love that I can enlarge images. Nicely done.”

— Dianne K., guide purchaser

“We are just finishing our 17-day trip to Oahu and the Big Island. We wanted to THANK YOU for your helpful suggestions and insights.”

— Dave K., reader

“I purchased some of the Hawaii Guides last spring. The guides have been quite helpful. I really appreciate the tips to enhance our visit. Mahalo and keep up the great work!”

— Ralph T., guide purchaser