Hilo Bay, Big Island Hawaii

Travel Planning

Plan your Trip
Accommodations
Beach Guide
Snorkeling Guide
Shopping Guide

Virtual Tours

Hapuna Beach
Kahaluu Beach
Kikaua Point Beach
Kua Bay Beach
Kukio Beach
Mauna Kea Beach
Kailua Bay Panorama
Kailua Pier Panorama
Coral Reef Panorama
Halema'uma'u Crater
Kilauea Crater

Kona Hawaii

KONA
Kailua-Kona
Kohala Coast

OCEAN
Snorkeling
SCUBA Diving
Hapuna Beach
Kealakekua Bay

Captain Cook
Honaunau

SIGHTSEEING
Pololu Valley

Petroglyphs
Waipio Valley
Waimea

NATIONAL PARKS
Hawaii Volcano
Place of Refuge

Hawaii Souvenirs

Hawaiian Shirts
Macadamia Nuts
Hawaiian Flowers
Kona Coffee
Hilo Hattie Store
Hawaiian Surfwear


Cruise
Discounts

You are here: Big Island > Travel Planner > Itineraries > Hamakua Coast

Travel Itinerary:
Hamakua Coast in 8 Hours

 

View of Onomea Bay

Hilo Bay with Mauna Kea in background

Hamakua Coast scenic drive

Waipio Valley

Plan your Day North of Hilo
There is a lot to see in and around Hilo town, including the impressive Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens.  Whether you are a cruise-ship passenger or just short on time, you may only have one day to see everything,  If you only have one day to see the main attractions, a must-see is the Volcanoes National Park.  We recommend you take at least two days to visit all the attractions on the Hilo (eastern) side of the island. 

If you are looking for a beautiful drive, spectacular views of the mountainside cliffs and waterfalls, make sure you visit the Hamakua Coast north of Hilo town.  If you have but one day, here is a suggested itinerary.  Remember to consult Big Island maps and guide books for more details prior to starting your trip.

Tour of Hamakua Coast in 8 Hours or less

Event
Time
Elapsed
Time
Activity
Description
START 0:00 Arrive Hilo International Airport or
Depart area hotel
0:30 0:30 Pick up plate lunch or sandwich to-go
0:30 1:00 View of Onomea BayDrive north to scenic drive detour at Onomea Bay along the Hamakua Coast View road map
2:45 3:45 Onomea FallsVisit Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens and Onomea Bay Trail
0:30 4:15 Stop at "What's Shakin" Smoothee stand near the Botanical Gardens for refreshments
0:30 4:45 Continue north to Akaka Falls State Park
0:45 5:30 Akaka Falls, Big IslandHike short trail-loop and view Kahuna Falls and Akaka Falls
0:30 6:00 Rocky beach at the Waipio ValleyContinue driving north to the Waipio Valley Overlook
0:30 6:30 Enjoy the view from the overlook
1:30 8:00 Drive back to Hilo

For more help in planning your vacation, check out our articles:


Travel Planning Articles

Planning your Trip
When to come, how long to stay, books

Big Island Transportation
How to get there, plan your driving

Vacations for Families
Best family beaches, activities for youngsters, infants, teens

Packing for your Trip
Big Island scenery & weather is diverse

Hawaiian Cruise Passengers
Information about port calls in Hawaii

Accommodations Articles

Where to Stay
Three different parts of the island to stay - which is best?

Bargain or 5 Star Hotel
Stay at a resort or a bargain hotel

Vacation Rentals
Big Island Vacation rentals are a deal

Big Island Overview

Regions of the Big Island
Geography and climate descriptions

Sample Travel Itineraries
Suggested itineraries, 1-2 day, 1 week

Island Activities Guide
Guide to the activities & tours

Shopping in Hawaii

Big Island Shopping Guide
Guide to the shopping destinations

Hawaii Souvenirs
The best souvenirs to buy in Hawaii

Gear & Equipment Articles

Gear for your Trip
Get outfitted with the right gear

GPS Points of Interest (POI)
GPS Coordinates for Points of Interest

 

 
©2008 Let's Go Hawaii.  All Rights Reserved.
Home | About |
Contact | Links | Blog | Search

Big Island Hawaii

Big Island Hawaii Kona

BEACHES
Hawaii Beach Guide

OCEAN
Snorkeling
SCUBA Diving
Kayak Hawaii

SIGHTSEEING
Big Island Sights
Hawaii Hiking

HAWAII VOLCANO
Active Lava Flow
Volcano Hiking

KONA
Kailua-Kona
Kohala Coast

HILO
Liliuokalani Gardens
Farmer's Market

Travel Resources

Discount Hawaii Airfare
Big Island Hawaii Hotel
Hilo Hawaii Hotels
Kona Hawaii Hotels
Kona Vacation Rentals
Kona Rental Cars

Tours and Activities
Hawaii Vacation Deals
Big Island Weather

Hawaii Books

Maps of Big Island
Travel Guides
Hawaiian Islands
Diving and Snorkeling

Photo Galleries

Hawaii Photos
Hawaiian Sea Turtle
Volcano Photos

Sunset Photos
Diving Photos
Send an e-Postcard


Kona Hotels
From $78