The Big Island is our favourite Hawaiian island for adventurous families, and this 5-Day Big Island itinerary makes every one of your days count. We’ve focused on the west side of the island — Kona and the Kohala Coast — with a full-day adventure to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park included.
This remote island has active volcanoes, black sand beaches, manta ray snorkelling, lava tubes, tropical rainforests, and some of the best stargazing we’ve ever experienced. It also feels less built up and more rugged than Maui or Oahu, which gives it a completely different atmosphere.
Our 5-day Big Island itinerary is designed with families in mind, but is also a good base for anyone who enjoys getting out and exploring rather than spending every day at a resort. That said, not every day needs to be packed full. Some of our favourite Hawaii memories come from our “rest” days at the beach, walking around to find the best shaved ice, or watching the sunset after a full day outdoors.
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5-Day Big Island Itinerary: Quick Planning Guide
Best for
Adventurous families short on time.
Base
West (leeward) side near Kona or Waikoloa
Rental vehicle
Yes, absolutely essential. A 4×4 isn’t necessary unless planning to drive to the summit of Mauna Kea.
Best time to visit
🐋 Dec–Mar: whale season, rainier, cooler water
🌸 Apr–Jun: great weather, fewer crowds, cheaper
☀️ Jul–Aug: least rain, busy and expensive
🍂 Sep–Nov: good weather, fewer crowds, cheaper
Important: Book These Activities in Advance
Before diving into the itinerary, note that several activities can sell out weeks or even months ahead, especially during peak travel seasons. Plan ahead and book these now:
- Manta ray night snorkel tours (book 4-6 weeks ahead)
- Helicopter tours over volcanoes and waterfalls (book 3-4 weeks ahead)
- Popular family-friendly accommodations (book 2-3 months for peak seasons)
- Captain Cook snorkel excursions to Kealakekua Bay (book 2-3 weeks ahead)
What to Pack: Big Island Climate & Conditions
The Big Island has several completely different climate zones and it’s possible to experience them all in a single day. You may go from hot sunny beaches to cool mountain temperatures and wet rainforest conditions all within a few hours. Here are a few things we strongly recommend packing:
- Reef-safe sunscreen: Essential for protecting both your family and Hawaii’s coral reefs
- Lightweight rain jackets: Weather changes quickly, especially at higher elevations
- Good walking shoes: For exploring lava fields, rainforests, and volcanic terrain
- Warmer layers for Mauna Kea evenings: Evening temperatures at elevation drop significantly (bring fleece or sweaters)
- Snorkel gear if your family enjoys frequent beach stops: Bring your own to save on rental costs
- Motion sickness medication: Recommended mainly for boat tours (especially manta ray night snorkels) and the Saddle Road or Hawaii Belt routes, which can be windy and winding
Where to Stay on the Big Island
For a 5-day itinerary focused on the west side, we recommend basing yourself in Kona or Waikoloa. These locations give you easy access to beaches, snorkelling, and day trips up the Kohala Coast or down toward Captain Cook.
Pro Tip
If travelling with kids, book accommodation with a pool. Whether it’s a mid-trip rest day or just an hour to decompress between activities, having a pool on-site is worth every penny.
Kona
Kona is ideal for restaurants, snorkelling tours, manta ray excursions, and easier access to the island’s west coast beaches.
Suggested family-friendly accommodations:
- Royal Kona Resort
- Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel
- Vacation Rental for self-catering
Waikoloa and Kohala Coast
The Kohala Coast is where you’ll find many of the island’s larger family resorts, calmer beaches, and luxury stays.
Suggested accommodations:
- Hilton Waikoloa Village
- Hilton Grand Vacations Kings Land (resort option with full condos)
- Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
- Fairmont Orchid
- Vacation rental for self-catering
The 5-Day Big Island Itinerary
If you only have 5 days on the Big Island, this itinerary focuses on the west side (Kona and Kohala Coast) with a day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Day 1: Arrival in Kona & Easy First Beach Day
Arrive into Kona International Airport (KOA), pick up your rental vehicle, and head straight into island mode on the west side of the Big Island.
Kailua-Kona town or Waikoloa are the most convenient bases on the Kona side as they provide easy access to beaches, snorkelling, and day trips up the Kohala Coast or down towards Captain Cook.
If you’re arriving earlier in the day, it’s worth stopping lunch before checking into your accommodation. Then just settle in to your accommodations or play in the pool to recoup after the trip to the island.
If you have the daylight, and the energy, Kahaluʻu Beach Park located along Ali’i Drive is one of the best beginner snorkelling spots on the island. The water is typically calm, and you’ll often see colourful reef fish just a few metres from shore, making it especially good for families introducing kids to snorkelling.
Then for your first evening, enjoy a relaxed sunset dinner near your accommodations. If arriving too late to go out, many restaurants offer take-away.
Pro Tip
When you first arrive, stop at Costco, Walmart, or Target to stock up on groceries and beach supplies before heading to your accommodation. Eating out in Hawaii adds up fast.
At minimum, having breakfast items, snacks, and drinks on hand makes a big difference. If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, cooking most dinners in will save you a significant amount. It’s our preferred way to do it.
Day 2: Kona Coast Snorkelling & Coffee Country
Start the morning off by heading down to Two Step (Hōnaunau Bay). This is one of the most famous snorkelling locations on the Big Island. Entry is from lava rock rather than a beach, but once you’re in the water, the visibility and marine life are exceptional. It’s very common to see tropical fish, coral gardens, and sometimes even spinner dolphins offshore.
Older kids who are confident swimmers will especially enjoy this spot, but it may not be suitable for younger children. If you decide this isn’t for your little ones, then we’d recommend Kahaluʻu Beach Park for some easy snorkelling and fish spotting time.
If you prefer guided tours, a snorkel tour to Captain Cook Monument is another excellent option and is one of the best snorkelling areas in all of Hawaii.
In the afternoon, head inland to explore Kona coffee country. The slopes above Kona are home to dozens of small farms where you can learn how coffee is grown and processed. Many tours are short and family-friendly, making them an easy addition between beach time and dinner.
Day 3: North Kohala Scenic Drive + Mauna Kea Beach Afternoon
Today explore the more remote and scenic northern tip of the island in the morning, then finish with a relaxed beach afternoon on the Kohala Coast.
From Kailua-Kona, the drive up to North Kohala takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours one way. If you’re staying along the Kohala Coast then the driving time will be less.
In the morning, take the coastal drive up through North Kohala, where winding roads, open farmland, and dramatic ocean views meet. Your main highlight is Pololū Valley Lookout, one of the most iconic viewpoints on the Big Island and a great stop for families to take in the scenery and stretch their legs.
Continue on to the charming small towns of Hawi and Kapaʻau, where you’ll find local cafés, art galleries, and a much slower pace than Kona. This area feels like a different island entirely.
Make your main afternoon stop at Kaunaʻoa Beach (Mauna Kea Beach) beside the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. This is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches on the island, with often calm, clear water that is ideal for swimming and family beach time. The crescent-shaped bay is naturally protected, making it one of the more reliable and family-friendly swimming beaches on the Kohala Coast.
This was one of our favourite spots for letting our little ones swim and play with minimal wave action or undertow to worry about. We also saw sea turtles here and enjoyed some snorkelling along the far rocky edge opposite the hotel (best when water is calm).
Parking is limited here as it is tied to the Mauna Kea Resort. You will want to arrive earlier in the afternoon if possible or be prepared for public access restrictions depending on availability.
From Mauna Kea Beach, it’s approximately 45 to 60 minutes back to Kailua-Kona, depending on traffic and time of day. It’s only 20 minutes from Waikoloa if staying in that area.
Pro Tip
We’ve noticed that most beaches seem to have a morning crowd and an afternoon crowd. Arriving around lunchtime can be a sweet spot where tend to find more space on the sand and easier parking without having to drag everyone out the door at the crack of dawn.
Day 4: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Day Trip
Today is your big adventure day, and one of the most memorable experiences on the island for both adults and kids.
Start early and drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which takes approximately 2 to 3 hours each way when taking the southern coastal route from Kailua-Kona (traffic dependent). The drive itself is part of the experience as the landscape shifts from dry coastal terrain to rugged lava fields, then into lush rainforest and volcanic highlands.
We recommend stopping in Volcano Village for a quick lunch before entering the park. This is a good chance for families to reset, stretch, and refuel before exploring.
Once inside the park, spend the day exploring:
- The Kīlauea Visitor Center: A great first stop for all ages to learn about the park’s geology and current conditions .
- The famous Thurston Lava Tube: A big hit with kids thanks to its short, easy walk through a real lava cave).
- Sections of the Crater Rim Drive offer multiple viewpoints suitable for all ages with minimal walking, steam vents, and volcanic landscapes. If volcanic activity is occurring during your visit, try to stay after dark. Even without an active eruption, the glowing hot gas and flames visible from the caldera at night are something else entirely.
- The Kīlauea Iki Trail, either stopping at the viewpoint overlooking the massive crater floor (ideal for families with younger children or those wanting a shorter experience) or hiking down to walk across a once-molten lava lake (best suited for families with older kids or confident hikers due to the longer, steeper return climb).
Pack layers, as temperatures can be cooler and wetter here than on the coast.
After a full day of exploring, drive back to the Kona side in the evening.
Day 5: Departure Day or Relaxed Kohala Coast Morning
After a busy few days exploring the island, today is all about slowing down and enjoying the Kohala Coast at an easy pace before heading home if there’s time before your flight.
If you have a later flight, start your morning at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, one of the best white sand beaches in Hawaii. This is a beautiful beach that is ideal for a final swim, boogie board session, or relaxed family beach time. The wave action varies by season so check conditions to ensure it works for your family.
Depending on your schedule, you can also visit nearby beaches such as Waialea Bay (Beach 69). This area is perfect for squeezing in one last ocean swim or simply letting the kids play in the sand before you head to the airport.
In the afternoon, make your way back toward Kona International Airport (KOA) with plenty of time for your departure. If your flight is later in the day, you may still have time for a final lunch or dinner in Kona or one last scenic stop along the coast before saying goodbye to the Big Island.
For more ideas on how to structure your departure day, see our Departure Day Tips.
Departure Day Tips
Departure days from the Big Island of Hawaii can feel bittersweet, but a little planning makes them much smoother, especially with kids in tow.
If your flight departs in the morning or early-to-mid afternoon: Stay at your accommodation until checkout, then head to the airport with time to spare. If you have an hour or two before you need to leave, a final coffee at a local cafe or a quick browse of a nearby market is a lovely way to spend your last Hawaiian morning.
If your flight departs in the early evening: Ask your accommodation about a late checkout. Most vacation rentals and hotels will accommodate a later checkout for a small fee or sometimes at no charge if it’s not busy. This gives you time for one last beach visit or pool morning before cleaning up and heading to the airport.
If your flight departs late evening (between 9 and 11 PM is our usual departuretime): We have two suggestions that work well for families.
- Arrange a late checkout from your accommodation. Then spend the day at a nearby beach, come back to shower and do final packing, grab an early dinner, and head to the airport relaxed and ready.
- Skip the late checkout entirely. Instead book a day pass at a resort within 45 minutes or so from the airport. This way you can spend the day enjoying the facilities in a little comfort, get showered and changed there, eat dinner, and head to the airport without the scramble.
A day pass at the Hilton Waikoloa Village is a fantastic option and a brilliant way to end a Big Island trip in style.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Hawaiian Trip
- Rent a car: You need one on every island. Public transport is limited. Book early, as rental cars in Hawaii can get very expensive if you leave it until the last minute (unless it’s off-season).
- Best time to visit: April to June and September to November are the sweet spots. This time period usually means lower prices, fewer crowds, and good weather. Summer is busy and expensive. Winter brings whale season, but also more rain on some islands and cooler ocean temperatures. We found May to be a great overall time.
- Respect the land: Hawaii has strong cultural values around respecting nature. Don’t remove lava rocks or sand, stay on marked trails, and be mindful of local customs.
- Sunscreen: Hawaii has banned many chemical sunscreens to protect coral reefs. Use reef-safe mineral sunscreen, and don’t underestimate the sun, especially on hikes like Captain Cook.
Is 5 Days Enough on the Big Island?
Five days gives you a solid taste of the Big Island’s best highlights — the Kona coast, the Kohala Coast beaches, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You won’t have time for everything, but you’ll come away having seen the island’s most memorable spots.
Honestly, we’d only do 5 days if it was all we could spare or if we were combining the Big Island with another island on the same trip. The island deserves more time, and if you can give it more, you really should. There is so much to see and do that even a week feels like you’re just scratching the surface.
If you can manage more time, a 7-day Big Island itinerary adds Hilo, waterfalls, and a much more relaxed pace. And if you really want to explore the full island, our 10–14 day itinerary gives you the complete Big Island experience (but you could still see and do more with even more days).
This island has a way of getting under your skin. We hope it becomes a favourite for your family too.
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You don’t have to live in Hawaii – or even be Hawaiian – to embrace the Aloha Spirit.
Mark Ellman
