Big Island Bound
See the best of the Big Island and still have time to chill at the beach!
What if you could see everything on the Big Island and still have time to lay on the beach and work on your tan?
Guess what? You absolutely can.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Being overwhelmed with the planning process. You probably don't even know where to start. What are the “don’t miss” spots on the Big Island? What’s the best way to see them? Do you need to pay for tours or can you do it on your own?
Feeling like you want to see everything, but not knowing how to fit it in. You’re coming a long way to get to the Big Island and it’s expensive so you want to see everything but you also want to feel like you’ve had a vacation when you get back home. How are you supposed to do it all?
Not being sure how to go about planning each day. Is there a strategy for being able to see everything without backtracking? How many things can you really do in one day? Are there certain things you should do early on in your trip and others than should wait until the end? Planning an itinerary can seem like a part time job.
You’re traveling a long way to get to the Big Island (and spending a lot of money) so you definitely don’t want to miss anything. But you also don’t want to run yourself ragged on your “vacation.” The truth is, you can see it all and STILL have time to chill. You just need somebody to show you the ropes!
Take a minute and imagine if you could...
Spend time playing at the Big Island’s most beautiful beaches. Find the very best ones for snorkeling, swimming, and spotting turtles.
Only go on the Big Island’s very best excursions. Don’t waste your time (and money) on tours and activities that aren’t absolutely fabulous.
Dine at some of the Big Island’s most amazing restaurants. From local dives to fine dining, don’t waste your money at tourist traps.
Not backtrack across the island every day. Spend your time actually enjoying the Big Island and not in the car driving to get from place to place.
This is totally possible, friend!
Want to know the secret? Friend, meet:
Big Island Bound!
Big Island Bound is my custom set of Big Island itineraries that are designed to help you see the very best of the Big Island while still having plenty of time to stop and enjoy its beauty.
I’m showing you the itineraries that I use when I visit the Big Island (plus a few tweaks because hindsight is 20/20 right?). I’m breaking down each day’s recommended activities with extensive commentary so you’ll know WHY I recommend doing certain things and what you can expect.
Like to do things at your own speed? I’ve got you covered! I’m also going to give you the tools and resources you need to plan your own itinerary, so you’ll be able to customize an itinerary that works for you.
So, what do you get?
Classic Big Island Itinerary: This is my preferred itinerary for first time visitors to the Big Island. With 6 full days on the Big Island, you can definitely cover the entire island (within reason ; ). This itinerary is laid out for you in a sequence that allows for adventure days and rest days. Days are broken up so you’ll only be focusing on one part of the island each day. This eliminates extra driving time and maximizes fun time! This isn’t just a short list of bullet points for each day. This is a detailed 13 page PDF that you can print off and take with you.
This itinerary includes:
- Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm Tour
- Snorkel/Scuba with Manta Rays
- Stargazing at Mauna Kea
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Exploring downtown Hilo
- Exploring downtown Kona
- Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay
- Plenty of waterfalls
- the island's best beaches (including the green and black sand beaches)
- and restaurant recommendations for every day
Less or More Than 6 Days on the Big Island: If you're trip is shorter or longer than 6 days (lucky duck!) I've got plenty of suggestions for how to stretch out the 6-day itinerary including where to spend more time plus extra things to do.
Custom Google Maps: I’ve made custom Google Maps that go along with each itinerary. Each day’s activities and spots are color coded and layered so you can look at your whole trip or just one day at a time. Google Maps are perfect for driving directions. Download it to your phone before you leave and share it with everyone you’re traveling with.
Building Your Own Itinerary: If you want to go the DIY route, I’ve got 5 tips for how to maximize your time and organize your activities by day. You’ll also get a PDF of things to do on the Big Island sorted into categories (snorkeling spots, beaches, tours/activities, and sites) as well as a list of my favorite restaurants sorted by each part of the island. Use this list as a starting point and add things that interest you to your itinerary.
How to Make Your Own Google Map: You’ll get access to printable directions (with screenshots) on how to make your own Google Map of your itinerary.
Customizable Itinerary Template: You’ll
get a printable blank itinerary template with space for planning up to
16 days. Use it to plan out your trip and keep track of everything you
want to see.
Access to my private Facebook group: If you haven’t already, you’ll be able to join my private Facebook group where myself (and so many others) are always on hand to answer any of your questions about traveling to the Big Island.
Your Travel Guide
Now, who's the beach bum who created these itineraries? Aloha! I'm Cate Lincoln. I write the Hulaland blog where I've helped tens of thousands of people plan their trips to Hawaii. I used to live on Maui (and I've traveled to all of the Hawaiian Islands many times) and I love sharing my Hawaii vacation planning expertise with people.
One of the things I hear the most often is "I feel like it's a part time job planning my vacation." And that's especially true if you're trying to figure out how to see and do EVERYTHING in Hawaii. From my years of living in (and visiting) Hawaii, I've seen and done pretty much everything, so I've already done the leg work for you. You don't actually need to see everything. You only need to see the best. I'll let you know what you HAVE to do, what you can skip, and the best order to do things in. So leave your planning worries on the mainland and get ready for endless aloha.
I can't wait to share these itineraries with you! Get ready to visit my favorite beaches, eat at the best little dive restaurants (and food trucks!), stake out my favorite spots for seeing sea turtles, and hike some of the most fabulous trails in Hawaii. Actually, can I come on this trip with you? ; )
Frequently Asked Questions
Still not convinced? Here's what a few travelers have to say about the itineraries:
"Heading to Hawaii in January for our honeymoon.I just bought the itinerary and all I can say is - WOW!!! This is SO helpful. I am so excited right now."
- Melissa Fasciana
"Just got back from Hawaii on Tuesday. Thanks Cate for your itinerary and suggestions...so helpful! We followed it pretty closely. If anyone is wondering if September is a good time to go...it's perfect. The kids are back in school, and I didn't find anything to be too crowded at all! Ah, I'm pretty sure I was meant to live in Hawaii my whole life.
- Dana Lynch
"I bought the itinerary for our honeymoon and it has been a lifesaver! We are having the best time on our honeymoon, and I honestly wouldn’t have known to do half this stuff without it!"
- Lauren Nicole AhartDo yourself a favor. Stop stressing yourself out trying to plan the perfect itinerary and snag these Big Island itineraries today! You’ll be so glad you did.
Visiting more than one island? Check out the itinerary bundle here.