The Big Island Adventure:
7 Days of Volcanoes & Summits

Your Big Island journey begins the moment you touch down from your flight to Kona (KOA) (opens in a new tab)Commission link. Collect your rental vehicle (opens in a new tab)Commission link at Keahole Airport and prepare for a high-altitude, high-adventure week across the island's diverse microclimates.

Where to Stay (Kona Basecamp)

Holualoa Inn (opens in a new tab)Commission link: A stunning, boutique bed and breakfast set on a coffee estate overlooking the Kona coast. Perfect for a secluded, premium feel.

Kona Coast Resort (opens in a new tab)Commission link: Offers spacious villa accommodations with full kitchens, ideal for prepping fresh local fruit breakfasts.

Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa (opens in a new tab)Commission link: A beautiful cliffside property situated right at Keauhou Bay, offering easy access to ocean activities.

Dinner & Spirits Strategy

For dinner and evening drinks, prioritize bold flavors and high-end mixology. Herbivores Vegan Cafe (opens in a new tab) is an absolute must for an incredibly flavorful, fully plant-based meal. Alternatively, check out Kamana Kitchen (opens in a new tab) for rich, authentic Indian vegetarian dishes. To cap off the night, head to Gertrude's Jazz Bar (opens in a new tab) overlooking the water. They specialize in spirit-forward craft cocktails; ask for their top-shelf agave or high-proof bourbon selections.

Start your morning early with a guided kayak tour to the Captain James Cook Memorial (opens in a new tab)Commission link in Kealakekua Bay. The snorkeling here is world-class with crystalline visibility. Afterward, relax on the white sands of La'aloa Beach Park (Magic Sands) (opens in a new tab).

In the evening, make your way to Honokohau Marina for a Night Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour from Kona Snorkel Trips (opens in a new tab). Floating suspended in the Pacific while massive, gentle manta rays somersault inches below your light board is truly unforgettable.

Dining Strategy

Between ocean sessions, Journey Cafe (opens in a new tab) in Kona offers stunning organic vegan pizzas and raw sourdough bowls. Cultivate Good Food (opens in a new tab) near Kealakekua is perfect for a post-kayak wrap. Stop by Shaka Tacoz (opens in a new tab) for flavorful tacos overlooking the coastline near Captain Cook. For evening craft sips and artisan sourdough flatbreads, head over to Ola Brew Co (opens in a new tab).

Spend the morning exploring independent, self-guided snorkeling at Two Step at Honaunau Bay (opens in a new tab). The flat lava ledge creates a natural two-step drop into pristine, coral-rich water teeming with tangs, triggerfish, and green sea turtles.

In the late afternoon, drive north along the Kohala Coast for the Legends of Hawaii Luau Dinner Show (opens in a new tab)Commission link at Hilton Waikoloa Village. Enjoy dramatic live Polynesian performances and fire knife dancing under the palms.

Dining Strategy

In the Kohala area, Under the Bodhi Tree (opens in a new tab) serves exceptional gourmet plant-based cuisine. Racha Thai (opens in a new tab) in Waikoloa accommodates delicious vegetarian curries and noodle dishes. Conclude the evening at the Copper Bar at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (opens in a new tab) for balanced, spirit-forward agave and Kentucky bourbon craft cocktails.

Start the day with raw adrenaline at Kona Point (End of the World) (opens in a new tab). These towering volcanic sea cliffs feature legendary cliff jumping into deep water. Always assess the ocean swell before leaping.

Continue south to the southern tip of the United States to hike to Papakolea Green Sand Beach (opens in a new tab), a rare geological bay formed from an eroded olivine cinder cone.

Dining Strategy

Fuel up on the southern loop. The Coffee Shack (opens in a new tab) in Captain Cook is unbeatable for a panoramic lunch on a cantilevered deck. Stop by Kaya's Kawanui (opens in a new tab) for artisanal espresso and fresh vegan bakery items.

Transit towards Volcano and Hilo. Your first stop is the volcanic shoreline of Punalu'u Beach (opens in a new tab), where Hawaiian green sea turtles rest against fine black basalt sand.

Ascend into Volcanoes National Park to walk through the illuminated Nahuku Lava Tube (Thurston Lava Tube) (opens in a new tab), a 500-year-old subterranean passage carved by an ancient river of molten rock.

Dining Strategy

Grab baked provisions at Punalu'u Bake Shop (opens in a new tab). In Volcano village, savor comforting vegetarian dishes at Tuk-Tuk Thai Food Truck (opens in a new tab) or enjoy a meal at Thai Thai Bistro and Bar (opens in a new tab). Before turning in, sit at The Rim at Volcano House (opens in a new tab) for a craft cocktail overlooking the steam and glow of Kilauea caldera.

Immerse yourself in the lush windward coast with a walk through the rainforest gorge at Akaka Falls State Park (opens in a new tab) to view the plunging 442-foot cascade.

Spend your afternoon swimming in the calm, breakwater-protected tidal lagoons at Onekahakaha Beach Park (opens in a new tab), an ideal natural tidepool with sandy shallows.

Dining Strategy

Sweet Cane Cafe (opens in a new tab) in Hilo delivers exceptional farm-to-table vegan bowls and sugarcane smoothies. Conscious Culture Cafe (opens in a new tab) features wholesome vegetarian entrees with house fermentations. End the night at Temple Bar (opens in a new tab) for high-end craft mixology spotlighting neat agave and aged rum pours.

Put your 4x4 manual vehicle to full use by taking Saddle Road to the Onizuka Center, then driving above the cloud layer to the 13,796-foot summit of Mauna Kea (opens in a new tab). Witnessing the sunset and world-class stargazing among the giant observatories is an ethereal finale before heading to Kona for departure.

Final Dining Strategy

Enjoy fresh, energizing fare before your flight. Pick up a customized acai bowl at Basik Acai (opens in a new tab) in Kona. Grab single-estate coffee and vegetarian snacks at Kona Coffee & Tea (opens in a new tab), or enjoy a hearty plate lunch near the runway at Pine Tree Cafe (opens in a new tab).