My Big Island Itinerary for your suggestions/comments

[hsintang]

We are heading BI for the first time in two weeks, can wait

We are traveling with a 6 and 12 yr old and based on my "studies", I have put an itinerary together for our 5 whole day stay (very short, I know).

We will be staying in Waikoloa HGVC and would like to explore more water than land activities. Please let me know if I miss anything or have a "too busy" shedule. Any comments/suggestions are appreciated.



Kailua- North Kona area: UFO parasailing 10 AM, White Sand Beach Park for Boogie- boarding, Hulihei Palace and Shave Ice (across street), Kona farmer’s market (8- 3), Costco, Back to Hilton, play in the Lagoon


South Kona: Kailua- Candy factory, Kimura Lauhala shop, Kona Coast Shopping center (lunch), Keauhou Bay- Seq Quest snorkeling, Kanaka Kava Drink, Rancho& Lefly’s Cantina Maxican Dinner, Keauhou Bay Sheraton- Watch Mana Ray?

Waikoloa- Mauna Lani fish pond & (Beach??), Kohala Humpback Whale Center at Marriott Hotel, Kohala Mountain Road Drive, King’s shops Merriman’s café, Petroglyphs at Anaehoomalu, Hilton lagoon.


Hilo- Volcano national park, lots of drive

Mauna Kea star gazing (hasn’t fit in schedule yet).

 

[BocaBum99]

I just got back from the Big Island this weekend.

My 3 favorite Big Island activities are:

1) Star Gazing Mauna Kea. Book it early. Book it now in fact.

2) Helicopter or night viewing of volcano. There was not a lot of lava flowing on land this week, so helicopter wasn't as great as it normally is. But, there was a ton flowing into the ocean. So, night viewing was better.

There is a new vent spewing out sulpher. So, it could blow any day. I'd love to see a brand new eruption. I'd fly back out to see that since those level of eruptions only last about 24 hours.

3) Manta Ray night dive. If you are certified, don't miss it. If you can get certified in time, do it. Must not be missed.

 

[jlee2070]

I would recommend:

SeaQuest... Snorkling/Raft Ride... Had a GREAT TIME last year with them...

http://web.mac.com/sqhawaii/seaquesthawaii.net/Home.html

 

[CapriciousC]

About the Mauna Kea stargazing - they recommend that children under 13 should not go to the summit of Mauna Kea (oxygen too thin). Your 12-year-old might be okay, but I wouldn't risk it with the 6-year-old. The website for Mauna Kea stargazing has information on those people they recommend not take the trip.

When we were there a couple of years ago I asked the concierge at the Marriott about the trip and he said he had seen people make reservations in advance (before they got to the island) and then the tour company wouldn't take them on the van or shuttle bus because of the risk to kids. They won't take pregnant women, either.

Perhaps save it for another trip in the future? That's our plan with our kiddo.

 

[Luanne]

3) Manta Ray night dive. If you are certified, don't miss it. If you can get certified in time, do it. Must not be missed.

You can do the Manta Ray dive by snorkling. I haven't done it, but a friend did. She said it was incredible.

 

[BocaBum99]

You can do the Manta Ray dive by snorkling. I haven't done it, but a friend did. She said it was incredible.

Yeah, we saw the snorklers up top. The divers get to plant themselves into the rocks at about 30 feet deep and the Manta Rays swim right over your head. You can look right into their mouths as they feed. Best dive I've done anywhere in the world.

 

[Luanne]

Yeah, we saw the snorklers up top. The divers get to plant themselves into the rocks at about 30 feet deep and the Manta Rays swim right over your head. You can look right into their mouths as they feed. Best dive I've done anywhere in the world.

I'm sure it is. Just didn't want the poster to think the onlyway you could do this dive was if you were certified.

 

[hsintang]

Well, can you see the manta ray at night without being in the water?? I don't remember where I read the info, that you may be able to see it around Keauhou Bay Sheraton area at night at street level??
I don't think my 6 yr old will be able to do to much of the advanced water activities.... Well, we can always come back :rofl:

Thanks for all your replies!

 

[DeniseM]

Yes - you can see the Manta Rays at night from the observation deck of the Sheraton. Park in the Sheraton parking lot and the walk around the outside of the building on the right side - you will come to steps that take you directly to the deck without going through the hotel. I loved the Manta Ray trip, but I didn't see any children on any of the boats. It's at night, it's dark, it's cold, and a little eerie, and it gets really crowded in the water. I don't think its a good trip for kids.

 

[Luanne]

Yes - you can see the Manta Rays at night from the observation deck of the Sheraton.

We tried that one night and never did see any of them.

 

[ricoba]

We just came back from the Big Island & Waikoloa last week.

The Huliehi Palace had a sign on the front saying it was closed until further notice.

We did a Pinz tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail. There was a younger child on the trip with us who enjoyed it a great deal.

Mauna Kea Beach.....get there before 10 AM weekdays since it only has public parking for 30 cars. This beach is paradise.

Hapuna Beach State Park.....Almost as good as Mauna Kea, with lots of parking.

Keauhou Farmer's Market every Saturday at the Keauhou Shopping Plaza. Buy GREAT Kona King Coffee from Randy, the farmer for $20 per pound. Very nice guy and great coffee. They also have people selling fresh coconut for $3. The kids may get a kick out of drinking from the coconut.

Have fun.

 

[charford]

Your schedule looks a little busy to me, but I have 3 kids. Be aware that sunset is about 7 p.m., so playing at the Hilton lagoon at the end of the day might not be doable.

I second the recommendations about leaving Mauna Kea stargazing for another trip. It was fabulous, but I felt quite lightheaded as soon as I stepped off the bus.

With kids that age, I would highly recommend the Hilton's dolphin program. You can get more info at Dolphin Quest Look for the Hawaii info.

Many of the activities that you have planned are in Kona. There are similar activities closer to Waikoloa, such as Hapuna Beach and Mauna Kea beach which others have mentioned.

I recommend Roy's for dinner. A' Bay is supposed to have fabulous sunsets.

The best part of the Big Island is the volcano, IMO. If you drive, check out the Macadamia Nut factory a few miles down the road. If you take a helicopter tour, taking one from Blue Hawaiian from Waikoloa will cut out a lot of driving since their heliport is 5 minutes away.

I also second Hawaii Forest and Trail's tours. I've only taken their stargazing tours since my kids were too young for the other tours at the time (I went alone for the stargazing), but I plans to take another tour with them next time.

 

[ricoba]

Many of the activities that you have planned are in Kona. There are similar activities closer to Waikoloa, such as Hapuna Beach and Mauna Kea beach which others have mentioned.

I hadn't paid attention that the OP had lots of Kailua-Kona activities listed.

We found that driving from Waikoloa to Kailua Town was a major pain. There is ongoing construction and the traffic much of the time was as slow or slower than an LA freeway!!!

We went into town one day and it took us over an hour!

 

[CapriciousC]

Forgot to mention, if you're looking for cheap, quick, yummy food, try Killer Tacos in Kona. Doesn't look like much from the outside, it's in an industrial park/shopping center, but it's really good food.

 

[Luanne]

I hadn't paid attention that the OP had lots of Kailua-Kona activities listed.

We found that driving from Waikoloa to Kailua Town was a major pain. There is ongoing construction and the traffic much of the time was as slow or slower than an LA freeway!!!

We went into town one day and it took us over an hour!

My mom and I were on the Big Island staying in Kona with friend in February. The traffic was the worst I have ever seen it! Usually we'd hit traffic late afternoon between Kona and the airport on up to Waikaloa. This trip the traffic was pretty much all day long. The day we flew home, which was a Monday, the trip to the airport was a nightmare.

 

[hibbeln]

We've done many trips to Hawaii with our kids, starting when the youngest was 3. Now they're 12 & 10.

When over on the Hilo side, or when driving back (and you will drive back in the dark!) stop on a desolate, dark area......get the whole family out of the car......turn off the car and look UP! Wow! More stars than you could believe. For a 6 year old, this will be as good as hauling on a long bus ride up Mauna Kea (I promise).

Also, get the driver a good strong coffee before driving back from Hilo/Volcano. It will be a long drive and you will be TIRED!

What we've found to work well with kids is to plan the beach at the end of the day's activity list. That way you can relax and stay as long as you like and not have mom constantly checking the watch to see "is it time to go?!"

We use as a template for each day:
1. A site-seeing type thing
2. A hike or activity
3. A beach

And then that's it for the day!

It's good to have those things in your backpocket to pull out for the evening like going for ice cream or hula pie or looking for manta rays if you're still in the mood for a little more. But often the kids are so whipped by the end of a full day that when the sun goes down they do too! (or at least the 6 year old). Our 12 year old thinks the greatest possible vacation is being able to watch a movie every night at the resort once it's dark. Kids!

 

[hsintang]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. Tuggers are the greatest!!

I did put two days in south Kona, one day Hilo, one day Waikoloa, and our last day is 10 PM red-eye flight back to Oakland. I will probably save some "shopping" at the last day

Any suggestion for the ONE DAY KONA to HILO trip? We probably won't leave the resort until 8 AM and plan to have a 12 hr "agenda"...

Yvette

 

[jlr10]

Any suggestion for the ONE DAY KONA to HILO trip? We probably won't leave the resort until 8 AM and plan to have a 12 hr "agenda"...

Yvette

It depends on what you kids will like but we liked:

The overlook at Waipio Valley. It is a short diversion of a beautiful overlook

The Pololu Valley, north of Hilowhere the Tsunami Struck in 1946. It is a pretty place and has some history involved


The Hawaiian Tropical Botanical Gardens, north of Hilo. The Gardens are beautiful. But there is a long hilled boardwalkd. Not to strenous but it might make tired kids whinny. Even if you don't stop at the Gardens take the 3 mile scenic drive. It is worth the diversion:

Akaka Falls is a very short hike which brings you to see 2 waterfalls. Just north of Hilo. If you go to Akaka Falls keep an eye out for Mr. Ed's Bakery on the right side of the street, on a small boardwalk, on the way to the falls. The cinnamon rolls there are delicious and hugh. (our single roll lasted 2 days for 2 people.)


My son, who was 9 at the time, also liked the Lava Tree State Park, south of Hilo. A park showing tree molds caused by lava surrounding a tree and cooling before the tree was burned: