My Big Island Hawaii Getaway: Waterfalls, Manta Rays, Delicious Food—and a Volcano We Just Missed
The Big Island gave us waterfalls, lush rainforest, sea turtles, delicious food, and an unforgettable nighttime manta ray tour. It also gave me a few lessons about planning a trip here—starting with the fact that this island deserves its name.
We arrived on October 19, and while we narrowly missed a volcanic eruption, there was still so much to enjoy. Here’s what I loved, what surprised me, and what I’d do differently next time.
Our Home Base: Keauhou Bay
We stayed in a condo in the Keauhou Bay area in Hawaii, and I loved having our own space to settle into between adventures. For the way we traveled, a condo worked really well, and I would absolutely choose that setup again.
We were close to OUTRIGGER, which I thought was a great hotel in a great location. If you prefer a hotel over a condo, it’s one I’d consider.
My other must-have? A rental car. We wanted to get out and explore, and having our own car gave us the freedom to do that. Just give yourself realistic driving time—the places you want to see aren’t always close together.
Hawaii Waterfalls and Rainforest Were a Highlight
I loved the Hawaii waterfalls and the lush rainforest on the Hilo side. That green scenery was one of my favorite parts of the trip, and I could easily have spent more time enjoying it.
My biggest planning takeaway is to spend at least two or three nights on the Hilo side. You can visit from the west side in a day, but fitting everything in means a lot of driving and some tough choices about where to stop. We did this our first trip to the Big Island and would definitely do this again.
Waterfalls Worth Adding to Your Itinerary
If waterfalls are on your list, these are great places to start:
ʻAkaka Falls: A dramatic, 442-foot waterfall surrounded by tropical greenery. This is a strong choice for that classic Big Island waterfall view.
Kahuna Falls: Another waterfall viewpoint along the ʻAkaka Falls loop, when the full trail is accessible. Pair it with your visit to ʻAkaka Falls.
Rainbow Falls: An 80-foot waterfall in Hilo that makes a convenient sightseeing stop. On some mornings, rainbows appear in the mist.
Boiling Pots: A series of river pools and cascades in Wailuku River State Park. It’s a different experience from a towering waterfall, best enjoyed from the designated viewing areas.
One thing to budget for: entrance and parking fees add up. At ʻAkaka Falls and Wailuku River State Park, current nonresident fees are $5 per person plus $10 per vehicle. The Wailuku River payment covers both Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots.
Check current fees before your visit.
Sea Turtles and My Favorite Snorkeling
Seeing so many turtles at the beaches was another highlight. Those are the moments that make you stop and appreciate where you are. Give them plenty of space and enjoy watching them without disturbing them.
For snorkeling, Two Step in Captain Cook was my favorite spot of the trip. It’s somewhere I’d happily return to, and I would build more snorkeling time into another visit.
If you love spending time in the water, leave some flexibility in your schedule. You may find yourself wanting another visit to your favorite spot instead of moving on to the next activity.
The Nighttime Manta Ray Tour Was Amazing
The nighttime manta ray tour was one of the most memorable experiences of our Hawaii trip. It’s one thing to look forward to an excursion and another to finish it thinking, “Yes, that was absolutely worth it.” This was that experience for me.
If you’re choosing where to spend your excursion budget, this would be near the top of my list.
Kaumana Caves: Bring a Bright Flashlight
Kaumana Caves was a really cool stop and a completely different experience from the beaches and waterfalls.
My biggest tip is to bring a bright flashlight or headlamp if you plan to explore beyond the entrance. Proper lighting matters here, along with sturdy shoes and a realistic sense of your comfort level.
Follow posted access limits, watch your footing, and only explore as far as you’re prepared to go.
Hikes and Scenic Walks to Consider
The Big Island has some wonderful options for travelers who want to explore on foot. These are recommendations to consider when planning your itinerary, rather than a list of hikes we personally completed.
ʻAkaka Falls Loop — For Waterfalls and Tropical Scenery
The full loop is approximately 0.4 mile, with paved paths and stairs through lush vegetation. It’s a good option for a shorter scenic outing. Check for partial closures before visiting.
Kīlauea Iki Trail — For a Bigger Volcanic Adventure
This hike combines rainforest with a walk across a volcanic crater floor. From Kīlauea Iki Overlook, it’s approximately 3.3 miles, with a steep descent and climb back. Allow about two to three hours and come prepared for changing weather.
Nāhuku, or Thurston Lava Tube — For Rainforest and a Lava Tube
Inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, this walk pairs tropical forest with a lava tube. It’s another way to experience the island’s volcanic landscape, with route length depending on where you park.
Devastation Trail — For an Easier Volcanic Landscape Walk
This paved trail is approximately one mile round trip and offers a look at the landscape shaped by the 1959 eruption. It’s a shorter option to consider during a national park visit.
Check current trail conditions and park alerts before heading out, especially around volcanic areas.
We Missed Volcano Episode 55 by Two Days
Apparently, the volcano did not receive our travel itinerary.
Kīlauea’s episode 55 happened on October 17, 2026. We arrived on October 19. Two days. That close!
The lava-fountaining episode lasted approximately six hours, with fountains reaching roughly 720 feet. Seeing that would have been incredible.
Was I disappointed we missed it? Absolutely. But nature sets its own schedule, and an eruption is something you can hope to see without building your entire vacation around it.
It also gives us another reason to return.
We Ate Well, Too
Between the adventures, we had some delicious food. Teshima’s, Super J’s, and Shaka Tacos were three places we really enjoyed and would pass along to friends planning a trip.
The fresh fruit deserves its own mention, too. It was one of those simple pleasures that became a memorable part of the vacation.
My advice: leave room in your itinerary for good meals. Exploring is important, but so is stopping to enjoy where you are.
What Surprised Me—and What I’d Plan Around
As much as I enjoyed the trip, there are a few things I’d want other travelers to know.
No long beach walks. At the beaches we visited, I didn’t find the long stretches of sand I enjoy for walking. The island does have sandy beaches, but I’d research beach access more carefully if that were a priority for my stay.
Waikoloa was windy when we visited. Keep that in mind when picturing your beach and pool days in that area.
The Hilo side needs time. This is my biggest recommendation: give it two or three nights instead of trying to squeeze it all into a day trip.
Sightseeing fees belong in the budget. Paying per person plus parking at multiple stops can add up.
And one very positive takeaway: the locals we met were so friendly. Those interactions helped make the trip feel welcoming and were just as much a part of the experience as the scenery.
Would I Go Back?
Absolutely.
I’d happily stay in the Keauhou Bay area again, keep the condo and rental car, and add a few nights on the Hilo side. I’d leave more time for snorkeling at Two Step, enjoy more of that fresh fruit, and revisit some of our favorite food stops.
The waterfalls, rainforest, turtles, and manta rays made this a memorable trip—even without the volcano putting on a show for us.
Next time, maybe we can coordinate calendars with the volcano!!
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