"Stunning Variety All on One Island!" Top 5 Page for this destination Hawaii (Big Island) by RickinDutch

Hawaii (Big Island) Travel Guide: 1,847 reviews and 4,397 photos

Staggering variety

From tropical rain forests to snow mountain peaks to arid desert, the Big Island has everything. There are two distinct sides to the island - the dry, sunny, touristy side on the Kona and Kohala coasts and the Hilo side with much more rain, tradewinds, volcanos, and the second largest city in the Islands, Hilo.

Condo near Kona

View from the Lanai

We stayed at a beautiful condo about 5 miles south of Kona. Close enough to be able to visit town, but far enough away to avoid most of the hustle and bustle. We're small town folk and can only handle crowds for just so long. This condo was so peaceful and private, it was hard to build up the energy to go somewhere. My biggest motivator was the air conditioning in the car! Lived in Alaska so long, anything over 75 is just too hot!

Wow!

Turtle at City of Refuge

Spent 3 weeks here and loved every minute of our stay. Lots to see and do from snorkeling to horseback riding to watching lava pour into the ocean to snow skiing. A great book to guide your stay is "The Big Island Revealed" 4th edition. We found everything in there to be accurate from restaurants to hidden lava tubes.

The Big Island is larger than all the other Hawaiian Islands combined. We stayed at a beautiful condo just south of Kona and used that as our base with one night at a B&B in Volcano Town on the other side. Knowing what I know now, I would recommend splitting up your stay and allow more time on the lush Hilo side of the island - it is much less touristy and seems so much more real.

I'll get right on adding tips as soon as I can.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots to do and see!

Last visit to Hawaii (Big Island): Jun 2006
Intro Updated Aug 15, 2006
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Reviews (26)

Long stop at Hawai'i Tropical Botanical garden - Hawaii (Big Island)

Drive around the island - slowly Things to Do (10)

The Big Island is the only Hawaiian Island that you need to plan out a circumnavigation. There is so much to see and do... more travel advice

Gurding the city of refuge - Hawaii (Big Island)

City of Refuge Things to Do (10)

Trully an awesome experience! Pu'uhonua o Honaunau is a special place and ranks up there with Volcano Park for me. In... more travel advice

Geckos are great pest controllers Local Customs (1)

Everywhere in the islands these little lizards are found, indoors and out. Made me nervous the first time I saw them,... more travel advice

Windmills on the way to South Point - Hawaii (Big Island)

South Point - Southernmost point in US Things to Do (10)

I had heard from friends that there wasn't much to see at South Point, and so it was with low expectations we headed... more travel advice

Shopping (1)
Cheapest Groceries
Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All Take no rocks!

Restaurants (8)
See All Greek with a Great View
Hotels (4)
See All Nice B&B in Volcano

Travelogues (1)

Written Jun 12, 2006

8 photos

Sunsets were unbelievable!

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Comments (19)

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ifam Mar 16, 2012 at 11:48 AM

Hi. Thx for ur note on my page. Im reading ur intro here n thrilled to read more. Good tips. Will keep coming bk to read more. T cre.
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SteveOSF Sep 4, 2009 at 2:21 PM

Excellent Hawaiian tips. I would like to visit the Big Island the next time I go to Hawaii.
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Hexepatty Jun 26, 2008 at 12:00 PM

I've eaten LOTS of 'shrooms in my time. Just NEVER "shroomed" ... if that makes sense! ; )
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Lacristina Feb 5, 2008 at 2:48 PM

I love the Big Island. Hiking the volcanoes, watching the lava pour into the ocean at sunset, all of it. I really should do my own page. Many thanks for my BD greetings and for your comments about my tips!
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daryll Dec 9, 2007 at 6:53 AM

Lovely page Rick! I'm hoping to map Hawaii on my travel destination next year!
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pangtidor May 6, 2007 at 4:06 AM

Nice and detailed stories of your travel diary in Hawaii. The kind of tip I like.:-)
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Helenbb Mar 9, 2007 at 5:50 PM

Hawaii!! nice island . i will be there one day :))
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JessH Feb 13, 2007 at 2:20 AM

I thought I'd check-out some of your other pages. Looks like you had a fantastic time in Hawaii... so fantastic that it makes us envious! haha! Great tips & super photos. Thanks for sharing / Jess :-)
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Andraf Feb 1, 2007 at 2:29 PM

Nice page with many good tips. I saved a few of them for my DIY guide. Thanks for taking the time to write your impresions. I'm headed for Big Island in March. Really looking forward to it.
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touristgal Jan 3, 2007 at 6:05 PM

Just got back from the big island. You are right, Hilo is so lush. This was the first time I spent time on the other side. Loved IT!