• Hawaii Big Island
  • Coast, Hawaii Big Island
  • Coast, Hawaii Big Island

Hawaii Big Island holidays

Discover the famous Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii's Big Island with Kuoni

Add to travel planner

Hawaii or ‘Big Island’ has to be seen to be believed. It's famous for Volcanoes National Park – home to the Hawaii islands’ only active volcano, which is surrounded by landscapes reminiscent of the moon.

Apart from its breathtaking scenery, the island offers a wealth of watersports, world-class golf courses and scenic hiking trails.

See our latest Hawaii’s Big Island hotels.

Hawaii’s Big Island holiday highlights
•   Hike through the undisturbed Thurston Lava Tube, once passed through by a river of red-hot lava and today a spectacular walking route.
•   At sundown, climb Kilauea Caldera volcano. Find a secluded spot and gaze up at a blanket of brightly twinkling stars.

Hawaii honeymoons
Hawaii is a magical honeymoon destination, where you're guaranteed an unforgettable holiday to celebrate your union. Hawaii's Big Island is the perfect honeymoon escape. To find out more, visit our dedicated Hawaii Honeymoon page.

Hawaii weddings
Hawaii is an idyllic location for your wedding, with its romantic culture, scenic beaches and picturesque landscapes. To find out more about marrying in Hawaii, visit our dedicated Hawaii Weddings page.

USA multi-centre holidays
A vast nation with a limitless domestic airline network, the USA is the perfect multi-centre destination itself. Look beyond its borders and you can combine the US easily with the Caribbean, Bermuda and Mexico. The USA is also the perfect destination to build your own multi-centre itinerary.

USA tailor made
Tailor make your ideal Hawaii holiday from our vast array of product by combining destinations, hotels, tours and excursions to create your perfect bespoke holiday.

To tailor make your own Kuoni USA holiday or multi-centre itinerary simply:
•    View our online portfolio or order your free copy of our America & Canada brochure.
•    Then, call our USA sales team on 01306 747002 who will guide you through all of your options and prepare a detailed customised holiday quotation especially for you.
•    Email us to request a quote.

USA Facts
For further information, inspiration and holiday ideas:
•    Our comprehensive list of USA facts and information.
•    Our i-travel articles for USA Holidays

Capital city

Washington DC
Population

The USA has a population of more than 300 million.

Time difference / local time

GMT -10 hours
Language

Hawaiian and English.

Currency

US dollar.
Highlights

Volcanoes National Park
This famous attraction is home to one of the world's most active volcanoes, Kilauea.

Akaka Falls
Take a self-guided walk through lovely scenery, passing two cascading waterfalls.

Kaloko-Honokohau
Discover how early Hawaiians lived as you see fishponds, petroglyphs and temples.

Kealakekua Bay
Visit the place where Captain Cook first set foot on Big Island back in 1778 - and passed away a year later.

Lapakahi
Dating back over 600 years, you can explore this historic, partially-restored fishing settlement.

Kailua Village
This beachside town offers shops, eateries and historic sites.

Keauhou
Keep your eyes peeled for manta rays and Hawaiian green sea turtles in the water at this resort.

Hamakua Heritage Corridor
Drive this breathtaking route from Hilo to Waipio Valley Lookout, passing charming little towns, cascading waterfalls and lush botanical gardens.

Waimea
This green land is the home of paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys), and is also a cultural area with restaurants and shops.

Puukohola Heiau
See one of Hawaii's largest temples that dates back to the late 1700s. This historic site is part of the National Park System.

Coffee Plantations
Kona is home to endless coffee plantations harvesting the region's bean, and you'll find boutique coffee plantations in other areas of the island.

Downtown Hilo
Browse this historic town's shops, galleries and museums.

Beaches

Try watersports along the beautiful coastline.

Passports and Visas

•  Brits must have a full 10-year British Passport that's valid for six months after you return to the UK.
•  You'll also need a USA visa or waiver form/ESTA. Apply for your ESTA at least 72 hours before travelling (http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov).

Flying time to destination

17¼ hours to Honolulu.

Eating/Drinking

•  A popular local dish is 'plate lunch' - rice, macaroni salad and meat or fish such as kalua pork, chicken katsu and mahi mahi.
•  'Pupu' means 'appetiser', and restaurants serve up sumptuous platters of them for you to enjoy.
•  Hungry types should tackle a 'loco moco' - a filling feast of a hamburger steak, an egg, rice and gravy.
•  Cool down with a refreshing 'shave ice' - a snow cone on top of ice cream or azuki beans.
•  When you fancy something sweet, visit a bakery for a hot malasada or Portuguest doughnut.

Good to know

Dialling code
+1 808

Health/Vaccinations
•   No vaccinations are compulsory but it's recommended you have one for tetanus.
•   For more information, contact your GP or a specialist vaccination centre.

Tipping

•   If you're happy with the service, tip 15-20% in restaurants, bars and taxis.
•   Porters can expect anything between $3 and $5 per case – there's normally a Union Rate displayed in reception.
•   Give tour guides about $5 per day.

Climate data for this region

Best time to visit

• Hawaii enjoys a good climate all year, especially in coastal areas with warm seas. • Summer (April to November) is warmer and drier while winter (December to March) is a bit cooler. • Whale-watching season is from late December to early May, with p

Loading forecast...

Loading Weatherforecast...