Our Must-Do's on Hawai'i Island

Post date: August 31, 2026

Hale Hubner Must-Do’s on Hawai'i Island

One of our favorite things about staying in Volcano is that it gives you a great home base for exploring so many different parts of the Hawai'i Island. The key is to remember that this really is a big island, so it helps to think in terms of routes or regions rather than trying to do everything at once.

If you’re staying with us for several days, here are some of our favorite tips, places, and day-trip ideas.

Start smart on arrival day

If you’re flying into Kona, our best advice is usually to get on the road fairly quickly and head toward your home base rather than spending too much time in Kona right after landing. The drive to Volcano is long, and most guests are tired after travel.

A few arrival tips:

• If you’re renting a car at Kona, it can be helpful for one person to go directly to the rental car shuttle while the rest of the group gathers luggage.

• If you plan to cook a few meals, consider doing a starter grocery stop in Hilo on your way to the house.

• Walmart, Target, and Safeway in Hilo make it easy to stock up before settling in.

• If you’re Costco shoppers and want just a few things after landing, Kona Costco can be a worthwhile quick stop.

We also recommend packing light when possible. Our homes include beach towels, washer/dryer access, coolers, and a full kitchen, which makes it easy to keep things simple.

Explore the island in sections

Hawai'i Island is easiest and most enjoyable when you explore it one area at a time. Here are some of our favorite ways to break up your trip:

1. Volcano + Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

This is the easiest and most obvious must-do while staying here. Even if you visit the park more than once, each visit can feel different depending on weather, visibility, and volcanic conditions.

Some favorite Volcano-area stops include:

• Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

• Volcano Farmers Market

• Volcano Winery

• The Rim at Volcano House

• Thai Thai Bistro

• Lanikai Brewing Company

This is also the perfect type of day to keep relaxed, explore the park, stop for a meal, and enjoy a quiet evening back at the house.

2. Hilo Day

Hilo makes a great day trip and is one of our favorite places to spend a slower, fun day. It has a totally different vibe from Kona and offers a nice mix of food, shopping, scenery, and beach time.

Some of our Hilo favorites:

• Hilo Farmers Market

• Rainbow Falls

• Richardson Ocean Park

• Kula Shave Ice

• Hilo Bay Cafe

• Cafe Pesto

• Ken’s House of Pancakes

• Liko Lehua

• Ola Brew

A nice Hilo day can include wandering the bayfront shops, grabbing shave ice, seeing the falls, and finishing with dinner before heading back to Volcano.

3. Hamakua Coast Day

If you enjoy scenic drives, gardens, waterfalls, and small towns, the Hamakua Coast is a great choice.

Stops to consider:

• Hawaiʻi Tropical Bioreserve & Garden

• Akaka Falls

• What’s Shakin’

• Mr. Ed’s Bakery / jam and jelly stop

• Waipiʻo Valley Lookout

• Tex Drive In

• Honokaʻa town

This is one of the most beautiful driving routes on the island and works especially well if you want a day that feels a little more leisurely and scenic.

4. Kona and the West Side

Kona and the west side make a great full-day trip when you want warmer, sunnier weather and a completely different feel from Volcano.

Because it’s a long drive, we recommend getting an early start and treating the day as its own adventure rather than trying to combine it with too much else.

Depending on your interests, you might spend the day:

• visiting a coffee farm

• snorkeling or relaxing at a leeward-side beach

• exploring historic sites 

• shopping around Kona

• having dinner before heading back to Volcano

Some of our favorite stops include:

• Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park

• Greenwell Farms

• The Coffee Shack

• Umekes

• HiCO Hawaiian Coffee

• Kona Brewing

• Huggo’s On the Rocks

• Hapuna Beach

• Spencer Beach Park

If you’re driving from Volcano, consider taking the southern route through Kaʻū on the way over and the northern route through Waimea on the way back. That turns the drive itself into part of the experience and lets you see much more of the island.

Always keep beach gear ready

One of the best tips for the Big Island is to keep your beach gear together and ready in the car. That makes it easy to stop at a beach or snorkeling spot whenever the opportunity comes up.

We recommend keeping these handy:

• swimsuits

• beach towels

• snorkeling gear

• boogie boards

• sunscreen

• a brush and basic toiletries

• a cooler for drinks and picnic foods

Many beach parks have restrooms and outdoor rinse areas, so it’s easy to fit a beach stop into a bigger day of exploring.

A few favorite beach ideas

Depending on which side of the island you’re exploring, a few beaches guests often enjoy include:

• Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach

• Richardson Ocean Park

• Hapuna Beach

• Spencer Beach Park

These all offer different experiences, from black sand and sea turtles to classic white sand beach time.

Food favorites around the island

Guests often ask us where we like to eat, so here are some of our favorites by area.

Volcano

• Lanikai Brewing Company

• The Rim at Volcano House

• Thai Thai Bistro

• Volcano Winery 

Hilo

• Hilo Bay Cafe

• Cafe Pesto

• Ken’s House of Pancakes

• Liko Lehua

• Ola Brew

Waimea / Kawaihae

• The Fish and the Hog

• Seafood Bar and Grill

Kona

• Umekes

• HiCO Hawaiian Coffee

• Kona Brewing

• Huggo’s On the Rocks

As always, restaurant hours and offerings can change, so it’s a good idea to double-check before heading out.

Final tip: don’t try to do everything

The Big Island rewards travelers who slow down a little. Rather than trying to squeeze everything into one trip, we suggest choosing a few areas to focus on and leaving room for unplanned stops, scenic overlooks, and beach breaks.

That’s often when the best memories happen.

We hope this guide helps you make the most of your stay with us!