BIG ISLAND
WELCOME TO THE BIG ISLAND!
Also known as the Island of Hawaii, the big island is full of diverse climates and opportunities to really discover what Hawaii is all about. This island has two international airports located in Hilo and Kona. There are two active volcanos on the island, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. With summits extending to almost 14,000 feet above sea level, accessible roads to travel across the island are limited. It is important to plan routes and accommodations ahead to avoid backtracking.
SOUTH POINT PARK
The Most Southern Point in the US
Yes, this is technically the most southern point in the United States. Many people are familiar with the most southern point in Continental US, which is located in the Florida Keys, but the farthest you can go south in all of the US is in Naaleahu, Hawaii.
You will exit the island’s main road (Highway 11) and follow South Point Road for approximately 11 miles until you reach a parking area. Upon arrival, you will likely see a lot of commotion around at the edge of the cliff. You may even see people jumping from the cliff! You have arrived to what is known as “The End of the World.” People travel from all over the world to cliff jump into the Pacific, but this is not quite the southern most point.
You need to continue on down the dirt road, further south to truly reach the most southern point. It is only a short walk from the parking area, but we did see some people drive to the point. We recommend making a stop if you are traveling along the southern portion of the island!
MAUNA KEA
Mauna Kea Summit
Starting at sea level, traveling to the top of Mauna Kea will take approximately two hours and end at 14,000 feet. It is recommended that anyone visiting the summit stop at the Visitor Information Center located at 9,200 feet and rest for 30 minutes to reduce the risk of altitude sickness. Additionally, it is required that you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle to go beyond the visitor center.
The weather conditions at the summit are vastly different than along the coast. During our visit, the road to the summit was closed 2 of 3 days we were on the island. You must check the current road conditions before heading to the summit!
Being able to venture to the top of the tallest mountain in the world, by car, is definitely something worth discovering! The summit is home to some of the worlds largest telescopes, which results in on-going protesting at the bottom of the mountain.
HAWAII VOLCANOES
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
All of the Hawaiian islands were formed from volcanic activity. The big island, is the newest of all the islands and is comprised of five volcanoes, three of which are dormant.
Let’s be honest, we thought we would see active lava during our trip (February 2020), and we did not. From 1983 to 2018, Kilauea, had almost continuous lava flow until the volcano’s most recent eruption. After the activity from this eruption ceased, there is no molten lava anywhere in or out of the park.
Lack of lava does not mean you should not visit the park! Take the crater rim drivel the way to discover lava flow and results of volcanic activity over many decades. Recent lava is black and turns red over time.
There are accommodations within the park at The Volcano House which includes two restaurants. You can stay at the hotel or opt for a cabin as a cheaper option!
DRIVE THE COASTLINE
Live in the sunshine
Sometimes exploring a new place means driving with no expectation. Upon arriving into Kona, we rented a car and headed south along the coast. Our first stop was Splashers Grill for lunch, which offered beautiful views of the ocean. Then, we took Highway 11 south to see what we could find along the way! If you truly want to discover a new place, you have to get out and explore. We drove from Kona to Hilo, via Highway 11, and it was incredible what beauty we were able to see.
One of our favorite stops along the way was Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park which offered secluded views of the ocean and sacred Hawaiian ruins.
If you are planning to hit the southern coast, we recommend spending your first night at Hawaii Volcanos National Park, then making your way to Hilo once you are done exploring the volcanos!
What we took away:
The island is full of beautiful untouched, natural landscapes. This was the least populated island compared to Oahu and Maui, and the most relaxed. This allowed us the opportunity to explore the entire island over a short amount of time. Food and hotels were also more reasonable on this island, in comparison. Lastly, it is important to be prepared for rain. We experienced periods of rain (and beautiful rainbows) every day of our trip!