SuperCharge your Big Island of Hawaii Vacation Planning; Hawaii Big Island Revealed Review
Filed under: Big Island, Big Island Activities, Big Island Areas, Big Island Beaches, Big Island Hotels, Big Island Rentals, Hawaii - general, Hawaii Revealed Guides, Hawaii Volcanoes, Prices, Vacation Planning
If you are planning a trip to the Big Island I highly recommend you get the book Hawaii the Big Island Revealed
I have lived in Hawaii for well over a decade, I’ve done just about every activity and hike I care to do, and I still refer to this book when someone asks me something I’m not sure about or just don’t know. I have each one they wrote. I don’t know who the authors are personally, but I have talked with many businesses and hear how they have been ’shopped’ by the authors.
The authors don’t put their pictures on the book and they don’t talk about who they are. When they go to research an activity or hotel they don’t try to get a free room or good service, they try to be treated like anybody else so they can give honest, accurate reports on just about everything there is to do on every island. They are even funny. And they are, really, brutally honest. If something is a dump they call it a dump. If something really rung their bells, you can tell.
The book is broken down well in categories like Activities and Adventures and Beaches and also by location. The index is very thorough. There are lots of spectacular pictures and area maps and complete driving directions. AND, maybe best of all, they provide aerial pictures of the hotels showing how close (or not) the hotel is to the ocean and which building is which (so you can request what building you want to have a room in).
Get the book, you will not regret it. Hawaii the Big Island Revealed
Big Island Secrets and Remote Nature Activities
Filed under: Big Island, Big Island Activities, Hawaii - general, Vacation Planning
I’m travelling to the Big Island in a week, staying in Koana. On your advise, I’m sticking to one island for my first visit. I’m not the late night party type, and enjoy the nature side of the land. The Big Island sounded more like me. I want to see the volcano, attend a Luau, go to the green, and black beach (Jeep already reserved), and I’m looking at the ATV (Riding the Rim) ride. I like the remote, out of the norm for tourist places. I was reading about the lava tubes that are filled with fresh water. Sounded incredible. With what I have described, please offer some advise, and maybe a few secrets about the Big Island.
well, your trip sounds like one I would love. 
the green sand beach is awesome - if you keep driving past the beach you’ll find all sorts of neat nooks and crannies and coves. We used to go camping down there a lot.
I haven’t done the riding the rim tour but it looks like fun - if you wanted to drop me a line and let me know how you liked it I would love that.
How about a manta ray night dive or snorkel? I haven’t done this but people rave about it.
Or renting a boat: we just did this and really had a good time. If you don’t rent a boat you should consider a boat tour to Kealakekua Bay or renting a kayak and going out in the bay. The snorkeling is amazing and frequently you see large dolphin pods.
You know, I don’t know what’s a secret and what’s not anymore so I found a page that professes to tell secrets it all looks good to me.
If you really like nature you should head up to saddle road or even the mauna kea visitor center on a clear night: - the expanse of stars practically on top of you is amazing. Like nothing I’ve ever seen anywhere else. When I drive over the saddle at night I always have to stop and take it in for a bit.
As for the lava tubes filled with fresh water - I’ve never heard of that. Where are they? - this vacationer wrote back and sent me a link - it’s Queens Bath at Kiholo Bay. According to Hawaii the Big Island Revealed there are several of these around the island (anyplace that is a good place to bathe ends up being called Queens’ Bath).
I know you are going to have an AWESOME time!
Kailua-Kona Airport Taxis and Shuttles - Cost and Availability
Our flight arrives in Kona after all the car rental companies are closed (I was told they all close at 10:00 p.m.)
My questions is - would it be best to take a cab from the airport to Keauhou - if so, roughly what wouild be the cost? Should it be reserved in advance? I’m concerned because 300+ people may be looking for transportation to their hotels as they cannot pick up ther rental cars that evening.
Any information on the best way to get to our condo would be appreciated.
I called a couple of taxi companies, and the airport to Keauhou will cost $36 to $39. It doesn’t seem like they take advanced reservations but one company gave me a number of the closest company to the airport if you find yourself unable to get a cab - she said call 329-1977 Mel’s Taxi and they’ll come right down. I can understand your concern, but if the taxi companies know the flight is coming in and they know the car rental companies are closed I am sure they’ll all be ready and waiting.
You also could reserve with speedishuttle- their phone message says they operate every day of the year, from the first flight in the morning to the last flight in the evening.
Have a wonderful vacation! Lisa