Big Island
Travelers come for active volcanoes, stargazing on Mauna Kea, and farm country where Kona coffee grows, with a different feel on each coast.
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The Big Island is the largest of the Hawaiian Islands and the youngest in the chain. Five volcanoes built it, and Kīlauea and Mauna Loa are still active. Most trips split between Kona, on the dry west coast, with its beaches and coffee farms, and Hilo, on the wet east side, close to rain forest, waterfalls and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
A week to ten days gives you time for both coasts and the volcanoes without rushing. Distances are long, so plan on a rental car. Mauna Kea's summit is high and cold, so bring warm layers for sunset and stargazing. Kona is usually driest from about April through October, while Hilo gets rain year-round. Volcanic activity changes, so check the national park's current status before you plan around the crater.
Big Island in five
- Rent a car before you landBeaches, trailheads and towns are long drives apart, and the Hele-On bus does not reach every route. Book the car early for high season.Getting around
- Check your rental contract for Mauna KeaThe upper summit road needs four-wheel drive, and many rental agreements forbid driving it. Read that clause before you leave the lot.
- Get a pass for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National ParkThe park charges a fee per vehicle, so one paid car covers everyone in it. Check nps.gov/havo for current fees and reservation rules before you drive up.
- Pack sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxateHawaii law bans the sale of sunscreens with these two ingredients, but it does not stop you from bringing your own. Read the label before you swim.
- Set up a rain plan for HiloHilo and the east side get far more rain than Kona. Save the rain forest and waterfalls for wet days and the beaches for dry ones.
Things to do in Big Island
See all attractions in Big Island
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- ESTA for Visa Waiver passports; other passports need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Common at restaurants: 18 to 20%; round up for taxis and rideshare
- Time
- UTC-10, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Whale season, wetJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 141 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whale season, wet
- FebruaryRain20 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Whale watchingFebruaryRain
Good
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 225 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whale watching
- MarchRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low18°Whales, showersMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 233 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales, showers
- AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Dry, mildAprilRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 202 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, mild
- MayRain27 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Dry, quietMayRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 173 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, quiet
- JuneRain24 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Dry, busierJuneRain
Good
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busier
- JulyRain26 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Dry, busyJulyRain
Good
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 138 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Hot, busyAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 209 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Dry, quieterSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 128 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, quieter
- OctoberRain23 rainy daysHigh25°Low21°Dry, quietOctoberRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 221 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, quiet
- NovemberRain23 rainy daysHigh24°Low20°Showers beginNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers begin
- DecemberRain22 rainy daysHigh23°Low19°Holiday crowdsDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 200 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Holiday crowds
Average daily high and low in Kailua-Kona, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Big Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
13
- Feels like
- 12°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 18 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 20%
Big Island
01:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°10°20%Monday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 20%.
- Tue14°10°94%Tuesday: Fog. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Wed13°8°10%Wednesday: Fog. High 13°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu14°9°16%Thursday: Fog. High 14°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 16%.
- Fri15°9°49%Friday: Drizzle. High 15°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sat13°10°61%Saturday: Drizzle. High 13°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 61%.
Updated 10:26 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Mar–AprMerrie Monarch FestivalHilo, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Hiloabout 1.5 to 2 hours by carRain-forest waterfalls and the island's main town on the wet side.
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Parkabout 2 hours by carKīlauea craters and lava fields; check current activity first.
- Waimea (Kamuela)about 1 hour by carUpcountry ranch town with cooler air, a short drive inland from Kona.
Before you go to Big Island
Rules for Big Island, checked
- Passports from Visa Waiver countries need an approved ESTA before boarding; check esta.cbp.dhs.gov before you book.Source
- Federal law protects Hawaiian monk seals and sea turtles. Keep your distance and do not touch, feed or chase them.
- Leave lava rock, sand and coral where they are. Taking lava rock from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is prohibited.
- Park rangers can close areas near active lava; check nps.gov/havo before you hike toward the lava.
Plan around Big Island
Islands, entry rules, transport and money for a Hawaii trip
Read the guideGetting around the islandRental cars, the Hele-On bus and the drives between towns
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs ESTA or a visa, and how to apply
Read the guideMoney and costsTypical prices for beds, meals, transport and sights
Read the guideWhere to stayKona, Hilo and the volcano village compared by base
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data plans for the trip, set up before you land
Read the guideBig Island FAQ
How many days do you need on the Big Island?
Four to five days covers Kona, the volcano park and one day on the Hilo side. Add days if you want the Kohala Coast or Waipio Valley, since the drives are long.
Do you need a rental car on the Big Island?
Yes for most trips. Distances are long, and the Hele-On bus does not reach every beach, trailhead or viewpoint, so book a car for the whole stay.
Is Kilauea still erupting?
Activity at Kīlauea changes. Check the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and nps.gov/havo for the current status before you plan the day.
Is Mauna Kea worth driving to?
Yes for sunset and stargazing, if you can handle the altitude. The summit is about 13,800 ft, and the upper road needs four-wheel drive, so a guided tour takes care of the road.
Should I stay in Kona or Hilo?
Kona for dry weather, beaches and restaurants. Hilo for rain forest, waterfalls and a quieter town. Volcano village suits early starts to the park.
How do you get from Kona to Hilo?
By car over Saddle Road (Highway 200), about 1.5 to 2 hours. Check the road conditions before you go, since the road is narrow and winding in places.