Big Island is amazing - below is a cut up list of things I'd recommend. I researched a lot before our trip.
Google these places to find out where they are and what's nearby.. let me know if you have questions if you have 2, 4, 8 days, etc and I'd be happy to give suggestions from this short list of my favorite places
Great Restaurantso Dinner at Sam Choy's
o Dinner at
Rays on the Bay restaurant at the Sheraton gorgeous sunset/manta-ray views!
o Dinner at
CanoeHouse was amazing!
Gertrude's Jazz Bar o Lunch at
Merriman's was great! Or HVC lunch at 12:30 but need reservations 2 days early
o Dinner at Hualalai Resort
Residents Beach House reservation for sunset! 808- 325-4712
Great beacheso
Kahaluu Beach Park Black Sand best snorkel beach in Hawaii.
o South Point Park tip of the island. Then drive to
Papakolea or Mahana Green Sand Beach . Drive was VERY hard - major sand dunes and rocky road be careful!
o
Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.
o Waikoloa Beach area-
Mauna Lani Hotel -
o
Anaeho'omalu Beach near Waikoloa Beach Resort
o Waipio Valley -
Pololu Overlook hike down to the black sand beach
o Drive 1 hour to
Hapuna Beach - $5.00 fee but worth it! They have lunch shack and snow cones.
Great hikes/adventureso
Mantra Ray night dive BOOKED! Fairwinds near Condo! Hula Kai 6:45-8:15.
o White Road Hike in Waimea. The hike is about 2 hours round trip.
o
Volcanoes National Park - Info Center, Volcano Observatory, Steam Vents, Thurston Lava Tube, Halema'uma'u Overlook, Jaggar Museum. Then drive 30 mins to Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs (and .7 mile hike)