Before you visit Hawaii, read this article. It talks about the true history of Hawaii and how to travel responsibly. At the least, it reminds us how to travel responsibly anywhere – to respect the land, culture, and people.

This post will give you the details to plan your trip!

Which Hawaiian Island to Visit?

If you’re beginning your Hawaii planning, you might be wondering if Hawai’i (Big Island) is the island you should visit. Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular islands, listed from most developed and touristy to least:

• Oahu: Gathering Place – big city attractions, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, North Shore surfing heaven
• Maui: Valley Isle – landscape variety, beautiful scenery
• Hawai’i: Big Island – astronomy, active volcanoes, diving
• Kaua’i: Garden Isle – lush greenery, quiet

With a week to visit, we decided to maximize our time on one island and skip the travel between islands. We picked Hawai’i because it is known for its diving and the year-round manta dive. The Big Island also has the most biodiversity on its reefs.

Quick Tips for Big Island Hawaii

• Language: English and Hawaiian are spoken here.
• Currency: U.S. Dollar
• You’ll need to rent a car to get around. For a week’s rental, it was about $1,150.
• Bring reef-safe sunscreen and put sunscreen on daily.
• Bring a reusable water bottle.
• Bring a raincoat or light jacket if you’re planning to travel around the island. Hilo (east side) gets rain often.
• For Mauna Kea, you’ll need to bring winter clothes, especially if you don’t join a tour, which will have a parka for you.

When to Visit Big Island Hawaii

The weather and temperature are great year-round in Hawaii. The dry season is from April to October and the wet season is from November to March. The most expensive time to travel is when kids don’t have school, especially June through August and December. We went in September, which was perfect for the weather and fewer crowds.

How to Get to Hawaii Island

You’ll fly into Kona International Airport (KOA). Kona is the most developed and busiest part of the island. A roundtrip ticket from Austin to Kona is about $400-600 and the trip is about 10 hours at the shortest. The travel time can be brutal!

How to Get Around Hawaii Big Island

You’ll need to rent a car. Most hotels and vacation rentals will include parking in the reservation and all roads are paved. From the airport, there are shuttles to rental lots nearby. You’ll save a bit of money if you reserve your rental ahead of time. We used Discount Hawaii Car Rental and the rental came from Dollar Rent a Car. For a week’s rental, it was about $1,150.

Here are some time/distances you might need to plan travel around the island:

• Kona to Hilo: 1.5 hrs
• Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: 2 hrs
• Kona to Waimea: 1 hr
• Hilo to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: 45 mins
• Hilo to Waimea: 1 hr and 15 mins

Where to Stay on Big Island

Where should you stay when you visit the Big Island? We split our time between Kona and Hilo. No matter where you stay, you’ll likely travel to different parts of the island. If you drove around the island at one time, it would take about eight hours.

Here’s a little more about each city and some recommended places to stay:

Kona

Westside of the island. This is where you’ll fly in and where the biggest concentration of rentals and restaurants are located. Most of the beaches are on this side of the island also. We stayed at the Royal Kona for a night and this rental studio for a few nights.

• Royal Kona
• Hawaiian Oasis
• My Hawaii Hostel
• Honu Kai
• Kona Islander Inn Studio
• Tiny House

Captain Cook

This area is south of Kona, about 30 minutes away. It’s a good area to be near Kona but not in Kona.

• Cozy Farm House for 2

Hilo

Eastside of the island. The largest city yet more spread out than Kona, Hilo is the capital of the Big Island. This is also the wettest part of the island, so you’ll see more abundant vegetation.

• The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls
• House for 2 in town

Volcano

South part of the island. If you want to spend extended time at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, you’ll likely stay in Volcano, Mountain View (20 minutes away), Keaau (35 minutes away), or Hilo (one hour away). We stayed in this wonderful rental in Keaau. It was a tinier living space but had a huge outdoor space with lots of interesting plants.

• 2-bedroom rental for 6
• Off-Grid Tiny House
• Treehouse
• Lava Field Tiny Home
• Adventure Treehouse
• Tiny Tropical Treehouse
• Dreamy Tropical Treehouse

Waimea

North part of the island. This beautiful area is at an elevation near 3,000 feet.

• Puakea Ranch

What to Eat on Big Island

Be sure to try traditional Hawaiian food! Dishes like slow-cooked pork and desserts like haupia pie were some of my favorites. My top three favorite restaurants we tried were: Kaaloa Super J’s, Umekes Fish Market, and Foster’s Kitchen. Check out this post to learn more about Hawaiian cuisine and to get restaurant recommendations.

What to Do on Big Island

My top three recommendations of things to do are scuba diving, the Mauna Kea summit, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There are also beaches, waterfalls, coffee tours, and more! You could easily go to a different beach every day.

See these blog posts for details:

• 10 Best Things to Do in Big Island, Hawaii
• Stargazing on the Mauna Kea Summit on Hawaii Big Island is a Must-Do!
• Diving with Manta Rays in Hawaii + Big Island Dive Guide

Big Island Hawaii Itinerary

Here’s an action-packed itinerary for you! It’ll have you staying in Kona and Hilo and you’ll drive around the whole island during your trip.

• Day 1: Arrive in Kona
• Day 2: Explore Kona and West Coast (Recommendation: scuba dive day)
• Day 3: Explore Kona and West Coast (Recommendation: Greenwell Coffee Tour, Pu’uhonua National Historical Park, beaches)
• Day 4: Drive towards Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, stay night in Hilo
• Day 5: Spend more time at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or explore the Hilo area
• Day 6: Drive towards the north part of the island, stop at lookout points like Laupahoehoe Beach Park or Waipi’o Valley, stay night in Kona
• Day 7: Spend morning at beaches, Mauna Kea Summit Tour starts around 2-3 p.m.
• Day 8: Last few hours of activities, departure in the afternoon

Conclusion

What a beautiful trip to a magical place! It’s easy to see how people are drawn to live in Hawaii. I hope you get the chance to experience it!

P.S. Want more travel recommendations? See all my travel guides here!

The post Big Island Hawaii Travel Guide + Trip Itinerary appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Here are my top 10 recommended things to do on the Big Island.

1. Swim at a Beach

Of course, you have to visit a beach! And there are plenty on the Big Island, including ones with black and green sand. Here are some of the most popular beaches:

• Kua Bay
• Black Sand Beaches – Kahalu’u, Punalu’u or Kiholo
• Hapuna State Park
• Kona Beaches: Magic Sands, Kua Bay, and Kekaha Kai
• ‘Anaeho’omalu Beach
• Papakōlea Beach – green sand beach
• Honoli’i Beach – for surfers

2. Summit Mauna Kea

This was my favorite experience on the trip! Seeing the starry night sky on top of Mauna Kea, the highest point in Hawaii, was an unforgettable tour. You’ll drive to the 14,000 ft peak, watch the sunset, and then see some incredible things through a telescope. Read more in this post.

3. Take a Hike

With mild temperatures, you’ll be able to enjoy hiking on the Big Island. Here are some recommended hikes:

• Makalawena Beach – beach hike
• Akka Falls State Park – waterfall hike
• Kalopa State Park – rainforest hike
• Waipi’o Valley Trail
• Papakolea Green Sand Beach
• Hawaii Volcano National Park
• Laupahoehoe Beach Park (pictured below)

4. Learn About Hawaii History and Culture

Hawaii is like no other state in the U.S. There is a rich culture that should be recognized and celebrated by visitors. Here are three ways to do that:

• Eat local food. Lau lau, haupia pie, poke…these are just a few of the things to enjoy! Take a look at this post about eating and drinking in Hawaii for all the info.
• Go to a luau. These can be pricey ($120-160 per person) but it is a celebration featuring traditional food and dance. Most hotels host these weekly.
• Visit Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. You’ll learn about history and traditions here. (pictured below)

5. See a Volcano at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Another big draw to the Big Island is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. While we were very sad to miss the eruption (it happened two months after we left), there’s a chance you’ll see lava flowing when you visit. Go see Kilauea, the most active volcano in the U.S and one of the most active in the world. 

Even when a volcano is not erupting, you’ll be able to see and hike lava rock and craters on the island. The park is expansive with lengthy drives, short hikes to see petroglyphs, and picturesque ocean cliff views. Stop by the visitor’s center at the beginning to get the lay of the land. You’ll easily spend at least half a day here.

Here are some spots in the park to visit:

• Kilauea Iki Crater Hike
• Thurston Lava Tube – walk through where lava once flowed!
• Pu’u Loa Petroglyphs
• Chain of Craters Road

6. Chase Waterfalls

Most of the waterfalls on the Big Island can be found near Hilo. Two of the best to see are Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls. 

Rainbow Falls, 80 feet tall, is within the town of Hilo and steps away from the parking lot, so it is very easy to see. It is free to visit.

Akaka Falls, 442 feet tall, is about 25 minutes north of Hilo and costs $10 per car and $5 per person to enter. It’s a leisurely, short (0.4 mile) loop hike.

7. Visit a Craft Brewery

There are several places on the island to enjoy a craft beer from the source, though local groceries and restaurants also stock many of the brands. Here are the breweries you’ll find on the Big Island:

• Ola Brew – brewpub locations in Kona and Hilo
• Kona Brewing Co – brewpub
• Big Island Brewhaus – brewpub
• Hilo Brewing Company – small brewery in an industrial setting

8. Visit a Farm

Hawaii is known for sugarcane, pineapples, coffee, and macadamia nuts, though they produce much more. There are a handful of farms you can visit to learn about the operation and get a tasting.

• Kuaiwi Farm – multiple crops, chocolate class available
• Honoka’a Chocolate Co – chocolate tour and tasting
• Starseed Ranch – farm tour
• Greenwell Farms – free coffee tour; This is where we went and it was fun! (photos below)

9. Dive with Manta Rays

Diving in Hawaii was the main reason we visited. It’s one of the best places to dive in the U.S. The Kona manta ray dive is one of the most famous. The campfire of lights has brought manta rays to feed for years and it’s beautiful to watch them dance. For other dive sites, you won’t be disappointed. The abundant number of wildlife varieties will ensure you have something new and exciting to put in your logbook. Read more about the diving in this post.

10. Admire the Flora and Fauna

I was in constant awe of what I was seeing. The overwhelming growth of tropical plants on the side of the road, colorful flowers, and little green lizards were just some of the many things I loved. Hawaii is very biodiverse and you can see evidence of it everywhere.

For activities, plant lovers will go crazy at the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden outside of Hilo and enjoy Japanese gardens at Lili’uokalani Park & Gardens in Hilo.

Does this post make you want to book a trip to the Big Island? If you want to enjoy the outdoors in a beautiful, tropical location, this is the place!

P.S. See all of my Hawaii posts here.

The post 10 Best Things to Do in Big Island, Hawaii appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

The biodiversity – above water and underwater – is incredible, so there was no shortage of life to marvel at during our dives. Spoiler alert – tiger sharks were the highlight of our trip, especially since we had already dove with manta rays in Indonesia. But manta rays are incredible creatures and I was also excited to spot some nudibranchs too!

Keep reading for more about our Big Island diving experience and all the tips to plan your trip!

Big Island Diving Quick Tips

• Visit the dive shop the day before your first dive to get your gear in order.
• Map out places to get a quick lunch if you are diving all day.
• Make time to get breakfast, find the marina, and do a final bathroom break to be on time.
• There are high elevation places around the island, so plan your vacation to avoid these the day after diving.
• Factor in the cost of renting a car. You’ll need it to get around the Big Island.
• Don’t forget reef safe sunscreen!

When to Dive in Hawaii

Diving is enjoyed year-round in Hawaii. The average water temperature is 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. We dove in September, one of the warmest months, and wore 5mm wetsuits. Humpback whales are likely from December to March.

Plan your diving around activities above water too. If you’re planning to summit Mauna Kea, keep in mind the moon cycle for the best views. Because of elevation, you should not visit Mauna Kea or the north part of the island near Waimea within 24 hours after diving.

Where to Stay on the Big Island to Dive

Most if not all boats leave from the Honokohau Marina, which is about 10 minutes from the center of Kailua-Kona on the West side of the island. Stay in this area for ease of access. We rented a condo on Ali’i Drive, one of the main streets, which was very convenient. There are a handful of hotels, but also plenty of cost-effective vacation/condo rentals that include a parking spot. There are no diving-focused resorts on the Big Island.

Best Hawaii Big Island Dive Shops

We dove with Big Island Divers for three days and had a great time. They use multiple boats and usually have enough divers for two groups of six. The groups will be divided by your experience. The guides are knowledgeable and eager to find sea life to share. The equipment was fairly new when we were there. I had a brand new wetsuit and BCD one day.

Other dive shops I considered were:

• Kona Honu Divers
• Jack’s Diving Locker
• Kona Ocean Adventures

How Much is Diving in Hawaii

Diving, like most things in Hawaii, is not cheap. A two-tank dive will cost about $179 – 300, depending on if they are local, advanced, or long-range dives. The manta night dive is $149 – 200 and you can book one or two dives. Gear rental will be $40-50 per day.

If you go on the manta night dive and no manta rays show up, the dive company will likely invite you back for free (based on availability).

(If you’re looking for a more cost-effective dive trip, consider Thailand, Egypt, or Bonaire.)

Best Dive Sites on the Big Island

If you’re diving with a company, they know which sites to visit based on the audience and conditions, but they’ll take recommendations.

Manta Night Dive – Of course, I have to mention this one. This is THE dive people come for and it makes many “best dives in the world” lists. Dive companies bring huge lights to place on the seafloor while divers sit in a big circle, like a campfire. You sit for about 45 minutes while manta rays swoop above the lights to feed. Don’t miss Frank, the eel that stays in the middle light. This dive happens at dusk, so it is a night dive. Dive instructors are experts at this dive and make sure you don’t get lost back to the boat.

Crescendo – This was one of our favorite dives in Hawaii because we saw three huge tiger sharks!

Pipe Dreams – I loved this dive because we saw so much life. There is a huge broken pipe here and coral has built upon it.

Blackwater Dive – One dive we didn’t do is the blackwater dive. This is a night dive tethered to a line connected to the dive boat. You can expect to see wildlife you typically don’t see in the daytime, like jellyfish and other translucent creatures.

What You’ll See Diving in Hawaii

If you want a small glimpse of what it’s like diving Big Island, check out this livestream! Sealife enthusiasts will keep you informed in the comments.

Here are some of the noteworthy things I saw diving in Hawaii: manta ray, tiger shark, frogfish, leaf/paper fish, harlequin shrimp, scrambled egg nudibranch, milkfish, eel, urchin, octopus, and dartfish. 

Those may be my highlights, but you’ll also see an abundance of fish!

Conclusion

I’m so glad we were able to experience diving in Hawaii! This was my first time diving in the U.S. after getting certified in Austin. I can see why it’s one of the best places in the U.S., though traveling there is a long journey. If you have the chance to dive in Hawaii, take it!

P.S. See more diving adventures here.

The post Diving with Manta Rays in Hawaii + Big Island Dive Guide appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

Like every place you travel to, you’ll find specific dishes for the region and culture. Hawaiian food is a mixture of food from Native Hawaiians and immigrants from Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Portugal, and Puerto Rican. You can find a lot of traditional Hawaiian food but you’ll also notice the influence in the fusion dishes.

I hope this post is a celebration of Hawaiian food and shares what you have to look forward to when you visit!

Local Foods to Try in Hawaii

There are plenty of local dishes to try while you’re in Hawaii. You know what I say when I travel – let’s eat like the locals! Here are a few of the dishes to try.

Poke – One of my favorite things, this diced raw fish bowl usually also includes sides like seaweed salad.

Kona Coffee – This coffee comes from coffee beans grown in the Kona region of the Big Island. You can also find fun coffee flavors like an ube latte.

Spam musubi – This snack is made of a slice of grilled Spam, rice, and nori.

Loco Moco – This traditional dish features rice topped with egg, meat (usually spam or a beef patty), and brown gravy.

Kalua Pork – This slow-cooked, shredded pork is usually served at luaus.

Lau Lau – Another one of my favorite dishes is pork and fish wrapped and steamed in a taro leaf pouch. 

Macadamia Nuts – While these nuts are not native to Hawaii, macadamia nut farms are now abundant in the state and a great snack.

Lomi Lomi Salmon – This cold side dish, usually available when you get poke, is made with salted salmon, tomatoes, green onions, and onions.

Fruit – Try all the fresh tropical fruit. Some of my favorites are pineapple (especially the white pineapple), passion fruit, mango, and starfruit.

Butter Mochi – A popular Hawaiian dessert, butter mochi is a dense and chewy rice cake.

Acai Bowls – These smoothie bowls are a popular breakfast or snack item.

Haupia Pie – A traditional Hawaiian dessert, haupia pie is layers of haupia (a coconut-milk dessert that is gelatin) and chocolate in a pie crust and topped with whipped cream.

Malasada – These fried donuts come from Portugal and are usually filled with cream and rolled in sugar.

Shave Ice – Another popular dessert in Hawaii, the shaved ice is drenched in syrup.

Lilikoi Cheesecake – Lilikoi means passion fruit and this cheesecake flavor is delicious!

Avocado – With lots of avocados comes lots of avocado toast.

Banana Bread – Like many places that produce bananas, banana bread is a typical item to use up the excess.

Kava – Kava is a root that is made into a drink. It makes you relaxed and tastes terrible (like dirt water). I had to try it for the first time but do not recommend it.

Quick Food Notes

• Don’t forget snacks! Pick up some unique food like tuna jerky and macadamia nuts for the road trip around the island.
• There are farmers markets all over the island. This is where you can find fresh fruit and sometimes prepared foods like grilled chicken or goat cheese.
• When in doubt, you’ll be able to find fried fish, a burger, and fries in Kona. All along the main street in Kona – Ali’i Drive – are plenty of oceanview restaurants offering casual bar food and tropical drinks. 
• Look out for local bean-to-bar chocolate. We stopped by the Puna Chocolate Company shop in Kona.

Restaurants on Big Island

Since Kailua-Kona and Hilo are the biggest cities on the Big Island, they have the largest number of restaurant options. Some restaurants have locations in both cities. If you’ll be driving around the island, be sure to mark some restaurant stops along the route. I’ve listed a few of the well-known options below also.

My top three favorite restaurants we tried were: Kaaloa Super J’s, Umekes Fish Market, and Foster’s Kitchen.

Kailua-Kona Restaurants

• Scandinavian Shave Ice
• Papa Kona Restaurant and Bar – breakfast was good
• Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill – fantastic poke
• Foster’s Kitchen – delicious food and drinks, sunset views
• HiCO Hawaiian Coffee – coffee shop
• Kona Heaven Coffee – coffee shop
• Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse – casual spot for bar food and drinks
• Gypsea Gelato – try some interesting flavors
• Kalikala Cuisine – good breakfast spot
• Oceanfront Coffee & Ice Cream – serves Tropical Dreams ice cream
• Broke Da Mouth Grindz – known for their furikake chicken
• 808 Grindz Cafe – traditional food
• Huggo’s on the Rocks – drinks and sunset views are worth it
• Daiichi Ramen – a ramen chain in Hawaii
• Kanaka Kava – small, casual spot for kava

Captain Cook

• The Coffee Shack – good food and great views, likely dine with geckos
• Kaaloa’s Super J’s – authentic Hawaiian food

Naalehu

• Punalu’u Bake Shop – get filled malasadas
• Hana Hou Restaurant – traditional food

Hilo

• Two Ladies Kitchen – known for their mochi
• Makani’s Magic Pineapple Shop – known for acai bowls
• Suisan Fish Market
• Cafe 100 – known for their loco moco
• Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill – fancier dinner, there’s also a location in Kona
• Maku’u Farmers Market – Sunday morning

Honokaa

• Tex Drive-In – stop for malasadas and lunch

Waimea

• Hawaiian Style Cafe – huge plates, traditional Hawaiian food (also a location in Hilo)

Craft Brewery on Big Island

While you can find local craft beer cans in most grocery stores on the island, why not visit the source? Here are some breweries to try:

• Ola Brew – brewpub locations in Kona and Hilo
• Kona Brewing Co – brewpub in Kona
• Big Island Brewhaus – brewpub in Waimea
• Hilo Brewing Co – small brewery in an industrial setting in Hilo

I loved looking back on the delicious things we enjoyed in Hawaii! I hope this inspires you to try Hawaii’s traditional foods and helps you find a great place to eat.

P.S. See more Hawaii posts here!

The post Eating and Drinking on Big Island of Hawaii appeared first on Fearless Captivations.

This post will go into more detail to prepare you for the trip.

Why Visit Mauna Kea?

Hawaii’s Big Island is geographically one of the best places to stargaze. The weather is dry and moderate, the elevation is high above the clouds, and the volcano is less likely to erupt than other places on the island. Because of these reasons, organizations have established telescopes at the summit and Mauna Kea has some of the world’s best observatories. It currently has 13 observatories.

It’s hard to find anywhere else in the world where you can experience this incredible stargazing and sunset. Below I share information about a proposed telescope that might stop you from visiting. Visiting Mauna Kea would not mean you’re supporting the telescope and I think your experience will give you a deeper understanding of why the mountain is so sacred. 

As always (and especially here), be respectful during your visit. Follow the rules and guidelines. Don’t litter.

What and Where is Mauna Kea?

Mauna Kea is a dormant volcano (the last eruption was 4,600 years ago), the highest island peak in the U.S., and the second-highest island peak in the world. The peak is 4,207.3 m / 13,803 ft above sea level. It is also one of the five volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Mauna Kea is located in the central part of the Big Island. You’ll likely stay in Kona, Hilo, or Waimea while visiting Hawaii, so here’s how long the drive to Mauna Kea would take for you:

• Kona: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Hilo: 45 minutes
• Waimea: 1 hour and 25 minutes

You’ll be able to go from sea level to 14,000 feet in about two hours! Because of the altitude, it is advised that pregnant women, people in poor health, and children under 13 years old not make the trip to the summit.

Why Is Mauna Kea Sacred?

Understanding the history and significance of Mauna Kea is an important part of your visit. The mountain is sacred to Hawaiians because it is regarded as a home to gods and a place of cultural and religious traditions, such as burials. This article by Honolulu Magazine gives more details.

Locals say the state has failed to protect this sacred mountain by allowing an excess number of telescopes to be built. Look further back and you’ll see that the U.S. government seized native lands when Hawaii became a state.

On the other side is science. In July 2019, protesters stopped the beginning of construction of a 14th telescope, the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), which would take up five acres. Protesters gathered and lived in a tent city for months and elders chained themselves to the cattle guard on the road up the summit. They dispersed in 2020 as the pandemic began.

Some partner organizations have pulled out of the TMT Hawaii project. If locals don’t want them there, it could be a long and perhaps unethical battle. For now, the project is on hold in Hawaii, though they still plan to move forward. TMT’s alternative site, the Canary Islands in Spain, is no longer an option as the land agreement was revoked in 2021. Meanwhile, two telescopes currently on Mauna Kea have been decommissioned and will be taken down. (Perhaps those organizations want to make nice as the TMT conversation continues?) The hope is the land will return to its natural state.

This telescope would make big discoveries about space and would be a giant step for science. (You can read about the telescope here.) But those discoveries would be at the expense of destroying more of Hawaiian land and culture.

(Pictured below is a trail at the summit. It is advised that tourists do not hike this trail because it is a special place for Hawaiians.)

When to Visit Mauna Kea

On the calendar, the best time to visit Mauna Kea is when there is a new moon (no moon). The darkness will help you see more stars. You could also plan around celestial events such as eclipses, meteor showers, etc.

Also, consider the weather. In the winter months, the temperature will be much colder at the summit, so you’ll want to bring more warm layers. When we visited in September, the summit temperature was about 37 degrees Fahrenheit and windy. Brrr!

For the time, people typically visit for sunset so that you can also do some stargazing. You’ll need two hours after you arrive to make the summit and you’ll want to plan around the time of sunset. If you’re driving, it’s recommended that you descend shortly after sunset.

If you’re scuba diving during your trip, you should not summit within 24 hours after your dive.

Getting to the Mauna Kea Summit

To visit the Mauna Kea Summit, you can drive your own car or join a tour. The drive from Kona takes about an hour and 15 minutes. The drive from Hilo takes about 45 minutes.

Be warned that the summit road is unpaved, steep, and very rocky, so you’ll need a 4-wheel drive vehicle and the knowledge of how to drive the vehicle to drive up and down safely. (They will stop and confirm with you at the visitors center.) You’ll be driving down in darkness (only your headlights), so be confident in your ability to make the trip. Rental car companies may have specific policies about driving the summit, so you’ll need to check when renting your car.

Reserve about two hours to get to the summit once you arrive at the entrance.

1. From the entrance of the park off Saddle Road / State Route 200, it’ll take about 15 minutes to drive to the visitors center.
2. It is recommended that you stay at the visitors center for about an hour to acclimate to the elevation.
3. Getting to the summit from the visitors center will take about 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. Many vehicles are driving slowly up around the same time.
4. Get to the summit about 15-30 minutes before sunset to make sure you’re in place.

What to Know About the Mauna Kea Visitors Center

You should stop at the Mauna Kea Visitors Center before you ascend, ideally for about an hour.  It is located at 9,200 ft / 2,800 m. The building has a small (underwhelming) gift shop and restrooms. There are also picnic tables outside the building, so you can bring dinner to eat.

Behind the building is also a gated area where you can see endemic (only found here) plants like the Mauna Kea silversword.

What to Wear and Bring

It’s cold at the summit! In the winter, it can get down to zero degrees Fahrenheit. The warmest recorded temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In September, it was about 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Dress accordingly! I recommend long pants and a few layers. A big jacket and gloves are recommended. Hiking boots are not necessary but you want comfortable walking shoes. The alternative to all the warm layers is doing a quick walk around and then watching the sunset from your car.

Also, bring a water bottle as being hydrated will help with altitude sickness. There is a refill fountain at the visitors center.

Our Tour Experience

We took a tour with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures. It seems pricey – $238.75 (plus about $25 in tax and fees) per person plus $5-10 for a tip – but I thought it was worth it. Our van had eight guests, and it typically holds up to 14 people. They picked us up in Kona at 3 p.m. and dropped us off around 10:15 p.m.

Here’s what I liked about our tour.

• Tour Guide – Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the island, astronomy, and geology. His passion for all of these subjects was very obvious and he shared plenty of commentary during our drive.
• Altitude – In case you do have issues with the altitude and oxygen deprivation, you have someone who can help and you are not driving yourself unless something happens.
• Safe Drive – Our guide has done this drive hundreds of times and he’s done it in a van. It’s a nerve-wracking drive but I felt safer with him driving.
• Parka and Gloves – We didn’t have to pack a big jacket (knowing they would provide) and we definitely needed it!
• Dinner – They provided a hot meal (a hearty lasagna) while we were acclimating at the visitors center.
• Snacks – As we were stargazing, we sipped hot cocoa, which was excellent since it was so cold!
• Telescope – This was the best part! Read the next section for details.

Another popular tour company is Hawaii Forest & Trail. They are similar in cost and schedule, and they also employ expert guides.

Stargazing at Mauna Kea

After the sunset, we went to another spot (lower in elevation) for about an hour to admire the stars and look through the telescope. This fancy telescope costs thousands of dollars, calibrates through GPS, and finds sights through coordinates.

Being in complete darkness and surrounded by a sky full of stars was otherworldly! We could clearly see the Milky Way, and with our tour guide calibrating the telescope, we were able to see planets and stars. My favorite sights were Saturn with its rings and Jupiter and four of its moons! It was unbelievable!

I highly recommend you remember to pack your tripod (unlike me) so that your night sky photos are better. But you can see how visible the Milky Way is in the picture!

Conclusion

The Mauna Kea summit is something you have to experience for yourself. I thought seeing the starry sky in West Texas was an incredible experience but Mauna Kea was next level and felt more sacred to me. It was a highlight of our Hawaii trip!

Where’s the coolest place you’ve seen the stars?

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The post Stargazing on the Mauna Kea Summit on Hawaii Big Island is a Must-Do! appeared first on Fearless Captivations.