Kohala Coast Vacation Plan - Ideas for your Stay
Aloha Kohala Coast lovers. Today we are back with some great ideas for everybody's first visit on the Kohala Coast, after we had some detailed Kohala Coast golf information last time. we recommend at least a weekly stay using your Kohala Coast vacation rental or your Kohala Coast vacation home as your 'base camp'. The Kohala Coast is centrally located for exploring not only South and North Kohala Coast areas but the Hilo and Kona areas as well. Staying at one place eliminates having to pack and unpack plus saves you the hassle of several check-in and check-out procedures. After a day of Big Island adventures, you are always coming 'home' and can relax and feel comfortable in your familiar surroundings at your Kohala Coast vacation rental or even take the short drive to one of the white sand Kohala Coast beaches for a refreshing dip in the ocean at sunset.
When planning your vacation on the Hawaiian Islands rather focus on two islands and come back later for another visit. We feel especially sorry for those Big Island visitors who planned three nights for the entire Big Island 'chasing' over this beautiful island not taking the moment or having the time to relax and inhale its natural beauty.
Here are some basic ideas for a 7-day vacation plan for your stay at a vacation rental, vacation home or vacation condo on the Kohala Coast:
1st Vacation Day
After arrival, drive to Hapuna or Mauna Kea beach or A-Bay at Waokoloa Beach Resort or just access the ocean from your Puako vacation rental in order to take a first dip in the ocean. Shop at a local market in Waimea or Waikoloa Village (open till 10pm), have a casual dinner at one of our convenient affordable restaurants (see our Restaurant Guide). Sit on your lanai, take a couple of deep breaths, melt away your tension (may get a little help with a glass of wine) allowing you to enjoy our island atmosphere.
2nd Vacation Day
Take Hwy 270 to Hawi, 3000ft.elevation overlooking Kohala and Kona Coast. Drive through Hawi to the end of the highway to Pololu Valley Lookout. Hike 30 minutes down to the most beautiful & peaceful empty black sand beach and...exhale! Come back through Hawi, King Kamehameha's birthplace, have lunch at Bamboo restaurant, drive along the Kohala Coast Hwy and visit various Heiaus and National Recreation Parks. Finish the day at Hapuna or Spencer Beach or do something 'touristy' like stopping at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Inhale the Hawaiian flair while sitting at the Terrace listening to the island music, watching the Hula dancer (6 - 7p.m.), checking out the gorgeous sunset for a spectacular 'green flash' and taste the original Mai Tai.
3rd Day
Get up early for a day trip to Volcanoes National Park. Take Hwy 19 via Waimea and Hilo. For most guests of the Kohala Coast vacation rentals, it's advisable to return the same way as the hwy south of Kona is very windy and mostly has 25 mile speed limit. Don't stop at attractions on your way to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as you will need all your hours for exploring the park and making it to the lava flow. Best at night! Take lots of water, cooler with food and flash lights. Be prepared for all weather conditions. Could be cooler and rainy in Volcano. For spending a night in Volcano, check for accommodations close to Volcanoes National Park here.
4th Day
Snorkel day at Mauna Lani Beach Club. Drive to Mauna Lani Bay Hotel. If it's Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday, catch the 'fish tour' at 10:30a.m. It's fun for the whole family. After the fish tour, walk left, facing the ocean, passing Eva Parker cottage and ancient Hawaiian fish ponds till you arrive after about a 10min walk at the.most beautiful, protected white sand snorkel beach lagoon. After a couple of hours of snorkeling (coral reefs are close to shore and one will find an abundance of fish, turtles and even Eagle Rays, if lucky!) and sunbathing, have lunch right there at the ocean front restaurant or drive to the next resort, Waikoloa Beach Resort and have lunch at the Hang Ten Restaurant at the dolphin lagoon. Take a ride on the boat or train, look at artifacts, have dinner at home or at one of the restaurants in Kawaihae. After dinner drive to Mauna Kea Beach Hotel and visit their Manta Ray Lookout. Enjoy the graceful ballet of Manta Rays when eating their 'dinner' of plankton at dark.
5th Vacation Day
Start early for spectacular White Rd. Hike (8a.m.) into the hills overlooking the back of Waipio Valley with waterfalls and ocean views. Moderate hike, also for children, 2 hr round trip. After your hike, drive further east on Hwy 19 to Honokaa town on the Hamakua Coast and visit famous Waipio Lookout. Lots of adventure awaits you in the valley, only 4x4 access, though you can take guided valley tours. Since you already made your way to the Hamakua Coast, why not continue to Akaka Waterfalls, another 30min drive east and walk the scenic tropical rain forest enjoying the green 'jungly' side. If you still have enough energy, check our Hilo Botanical Gardens, just 10 minutes down the road.
6th Vacation Day
Majestic Mauna Kea mountain is still waiting for your visit. When you stay at a vacation rental home or condo close to Puako, Hapuna Beach or Mauna Kea Beach, you are at a convenient location for accessing Mauna Kea summit. Car rental companies now allow driving on Saddle Rd and access rd. to Mauna Kea Visitors Center, both paved. Harpers car rental is the only car rental company which allows 4x4 to legally ascend the summit from the Visitors Center (summit rd. is narrow and not paved!). When deciding for a visit to Mauna Kea, please, pay attention to weather conditions, esp. during the winter months..Blizzards are not uncommon and can endanger your life. No worries! The Hawaiian news channels 8 - 12 will always keep updated on Big Island weather and surf conditions so you can safely enjoy your vacations with us.
If you are elderly or your health does not allow you to visit Mauna Kea summit (14,000ft.), why not explore the tourist areas of Kona...Painted Church, visit a Kona coffee farm and Alii drive and do some Hawaiian gift shopping!
7th Vacation Day
Pack your luggage the night before. Leave bathing suits in the carry-on so you enjoy a few more hours on one of our best Kohala Coast beaches before heading to the airport. As you probably noticed, even a 7-night stay is too short of a period to cover the Kohala Coast, not to mention the entire island. South Point, Kealakekua Bay with Captain Cook Monument, City of Refuge south of Kona, Hilo town with farmers market, Kapoho tide pools etc. got skipped in our Big Island vacation 'itinerary'. Don't miss out on Kohala Coast ocean acitivities (sorry, also not included in the vacation plan), just a short minute drive from any of the Kohala Coast vacation rentals & Kohala Coast vacation homes. They offer an experience of a lifetime!
Of course, your personal Kohala Coast vacation plan will depend on your preferences for activities, Big Island places to see and to go and your overall target for your Hawaii vacation...relaxing beach vacation, exploring island attractions, spending healing vacations, experiencing the abundance of Pacific Ocean life in a scuba or snorkel vacation or spending your romantic Kohala Coast honeymoon or a Hawaii family reunion and more. In any case, we hope our Kohala Coast vacation guide and this Kohala Coast vacation plan will provide you with a good ideas for your stay on the Kohala Coast Of Hawaii Big Island.
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Aloha till next time, Pua.
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