Gretchen Stuppy Carlson
The land of turquoise water set against the rugged cliffs of lava and vibrant foliage makes Hawaii and incredible destination. If visiting Hawaii is on your bucket list, you might be wondering how to plan your visit and make the most of your time and this Hawaiian Big Island 2 Day Itinerary is the perfect place to start.
While 2 days isn’t enough to fully visit the Big Island of Hawaii, to see several islands in one trip, you may find yourself limited on time. This itinerary is designed to make the most of your time on the big island and see the best of the island in just 48 hours!
We visited Hawaii in the spring of 2023 and researched extensively to make the most of our time. This Big Island 2 Day Itinerary was thoroughly planned and we loved our time here. This itinerary is for you if you want an adventure itinerary and want to see as much as possible on the island.
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Quick Look at our Hawaiian Big Island 2 Day Itinerary
The two days of this itinerary are interchangeable. We chose to enjoy the beaches on the first day and Volcano National Park on day 2 but you can change it up depending on the weather. This itinerary assumes that you will spend 2 full days and 3 nights on the island.
In this section you can see a snapshot of the itinerary. Scroll down for complete details for this Hawaii Big Island 2 day itinerary.
Day 1 Beaches and Surfing
On the first day, explore some of the beautiful beaches on the west coast of Hawaii. There are many beaches to choose from and you could simply spend all day hopping from beach to beach. Spend the morning at the beach and the afternoon surfing.
See some of the top beaches on the big island of Hawaii.
We spent the morning exploring Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach. These beaches are just north of the airport and are truly stunning. To get to these beaches you will need need to take a short hike. Spend the morning swimming, snorkeling and soaking up the sun.
Head south along the coast for lunch.
In the afternoon, rent surfboards and spend the afternoon catching some waves. If surfing isn’t your thing, continue along the coast and visit some of the other beaches on the island.
Day 2 Volcano National Park
On the second day in Hawaii, head up to Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park. Spend the entire day hiking along the crater and drive down Chain of Crater Road. This gives you an entirely different perspective on the island and you can easily see most of the park in a day.
See our guide to 1 Day in Volcano National Park or scroll down for more details.
Don't want the trouble of planning your own itinerary? We love to plan our own travel, but sometimes you don't have time or the details feel overwhelming. Another option is to book a tour that will take care of the logistics. We've had success searching for tours through Travel Stride where you can compare tour operators.
What to Know About the Big Island of Hawaii
A Quick Overview
When planning a 2 day itinerary to the Big Island of Hawaii, there are several key things you need to know to make the most of your trip.
Firstly, the Big Island, also known as Hawai’i Island, is the largest and most diverse of all the Hawaiian islands. Its stunning landscapes range from lush rainforests to rugged volcanic terrain, offering a plethora of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts.
Secondly, the island is home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea, which has been continuously erupting since 1983 – it’s important to check the current volcanic activity before you visit. Witnessing the fiery lava flows and exploring the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a must-see experience.
Thirdly, don’t miss out on the island’s unique cultural heritage. The Big Island is deeply rooted in Hawaiian traditions, and you can immerse yourself in the local culture by attending a traditional hula performance, exploring ancient petroglyphs, or participating in a traditional Hawaiian ceremony.
Where to Stay on the Island
There are so many places to stay on the island. Since you only have 2 days, we recommend staying on the west side of the island near the airport. This limits driving times for your visit.
We booked our lodging at the last minute and wanted something a bit more budget friendly and chose to stay at Paniolo Greens Resort which was a great location and provided exactly what we needed for our stay.
We found a few other good options at booking.com.
How to Get Around the Island
You have 2 choices to make the most of your time on the island in 2 days. The easiest way to see the island is to rent your own car. Driving is easy on the island with well maintained roads. You can search for good rental car prices and compare companies at Discover Cars.
If you don’t want to rent a car, your other option is to book a tour to see Volcano National Park and spend the other day of your itinerary visiting the local beaches near your hotel. Check out this tour of the National Park.
Details of Hawaiian Big Island 2 Day Itinerary
Below you can see complete details of our Hawaiian Big Island 2 Day Itinerary.
Day 1 – Beaches and Surfing
While you can easily visit any beaches on the island, we highly recommend starting your day early and visiting Mahaiula and Makalawena Beach. These beaches are best to visit early in the day as there is little shade and even by 9 am it was hot.
To drive to Mahailula Beach, you need to a 4 x 4 vehicle with high clearance. We watched several cars bottom out and one car get stuck on the drive to the beach. If you do drive, there is a large parking lot right before the beach. If you don’t have a vehicle that can make this drive, you will need to park right at the top of the road where it turns off from route 19.
From here you will need to walk about 1.5 miles to the beach down the road. This was pleasant on the walk in when it was cool in the morning and downhill and downright hot on the walk back just before lunch!
Once you arrive at the parking lot, take the trail on the right to get to the beach or walk straight ahead to see some of the rocky tidepools. We saw our first monk seal playing in the waves here.
The beach is a medium sized white sand beach. When we visited there were decent sized waves and good snorkeling, especially down at the far end of the beach. There are some basic facilities at the beach, but no food.
Spend some time relaxing here and if you are up for more walking, take the short hikes over to Makalawena Beach. To reach this truly stunning beach, follow the path that leads just behind Mahailula past the buildings and across the lava field. Make sure you have closed toed shoes for this hike. The trail takes you right along some beach bluffs (we saw our second monk seal here) to a truly amazing beach with white sand and gorgeous lava rocks that contrast the color of the water.
At Makalawena you can snorkel swim and relax before turning around and retracing your steps. After hiking back to your car at the end of the morning, head south and grab some lunch.
There are many lunch spots on or near the water. We ended up eating at Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar and had a good meal.
After lunch, you have 2 options, rent surfboards and get out on the water, or hit up another beach. We decided to spend some time surfing and drove down to Kahalu’u Beach Park and rented surfboards from Kahalu’u Bay Surf and Sea. You can also book lessons here and at the beach there is a popular snorkeling area and picnic tables.
After an afternoon of surfing head back to your hotel and grab some dinner.
Day 2 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Get an early start and drive to the National Park. Depending on where you are staying this will be a 1-3 hour drive. Arriving at the park early gives you a chance to beat the crowds and enough time to explore. Make sure to pack layers, water, a lunch, and plenty of snacks for the day. You can see complete details on this part of the big island 2 day itinerary on our Volcanoes Itinerary page.
If the visitor center is open when you arrive stop here and grab a map, get updated information and use the bathroom.
Start your day by hiking the Kīlauea Iki Trail. This trail passes volcanic vents, the edge of the crater rim before descending into the crater itself and eventually walking through a Lava Tube. The entire trail is 3.8 mile with just under 800 feet of elevation and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. Just hiking this trail will hit all the best things to see in this part of the park.
Drive to the Devastation Trail and enjoy a picnic lunch before continuing down the Chain of Craters Road. This road runs from the volcano down to the coast and offers sweeping views of the lava flows and side of the volcano.
Once you reach the coast, check out the sea arch and take the short walk to see the petroglyphs on the Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Trail. If you are too tired for this hike – check out the trail directly across the road where you can walk for just a few minutes to see some other petroglyphs.
Finish your day by driving back up Chain of Craters Road to the park entrance and returning to your hotel for dinner.
Another option for this day is to do this as a guided tour – explore more tours in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Things to Know for Planning Your Itinerary
Are 2 Days Enough on the Big Island of Hawaii?
The quick answer is no. If you have more time, we recommend spend at least 4 days on the big island. That said, if you only have 2 days you can still see some of the highlights of the island.
When is the Best Time to Visit the Big Island of Hawaii?
You can visit Hawaii at any time throughout the year as the weather is generally pleasant and consistent.
How to Get to Hawaii?
The easiest way to get to Hawaii is to book a long distance flight into Honolulu and then take a short flight to Kona. Double check with your airlines and consider booking these flights separately or at least comparing prices. Try looking at google flights or look directly at Hawaiian Airlines.
What to Pack for Your Visit to Hawaii?
For this itinerary you should plan to pack hiking gear, beach gear, and comfortable travel clothes. Below is a general Hawaii packing list that you can use as a starting place for planning:
- Shirts
- t-shirts
- Lightweight pants
- Dressy top
- Dress
- Hiking shoes/boots
- Sandals
- Raincoat
- long sleeved hiking layer
- Bathing Suit
- Snorkel Gear
- Backpack
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen (reef Safe) and sun glasses
- Hat
Common Questions about Visiting Hawaii
Are there any cultural customs or etiquette to be aware of when visiting Hawaii?
Yes, Hawaii has its unique cultural customs. It is customary to remove your shoes before entering someone’s home, and it’s respectful to leave a small gift or “aloha” when invited to a gathering. Additionally, it is important to respect sacred sites, such as heiau (ancient Hawaiian temples), and to ask permission before taking photos of people or cultural ceremonies. Embracing the spirit of aloha and showing respect for the local culture will enrich your experience in Hawaii.
Is it necessary to rent a car when visiting Hawaii?
Renting a car is highly recommended when visiting Hawaii, especially if you plan to explore beyond the immediate vicinity of your accommodation. While public transportation options exist in major cities, having a car gives you the flexibility to visit remote beaches, national parks, and attractions at your own pace. It allows you to discover hidden gems and make the most of your time on the islands. However, in urban areas like Waikiki in Oahu, public transportation and ridesharing services can be convenient alternatives for short distances.
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