Nurul’s Big Island Guidebook
Food
Delicious breakfast with a breathtaking view. Be prepared to wait but it is worth it for the view and our favorites: iced honey latte, eggs benedict, and lilikoi cheesecake.
137 residents recomanen
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyDelicious breakfast with a breathtaking view. Be prepared to wait but it is worth it for the view and our favorites: iced honey latte, eggs benedict, and lilikoi cheesecake.
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlDelicious fresh fish, poke, and Hawaiian food.
Hearty casual local food. Great to get you started for a big day! You must try the Garlic Furikake Chicken.
53 residents recomanen
Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering
74-5565 Luhia StHearty casual local food. Great to get you started for a big day! You must try the Garlic Furikake Chicken.
You must try poke while in Hawaii. Always a long line but worth the wait for fresh fish and variety of options.
132 residents recomanen
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveYou must try poke while in Hawaii. Always a long line but worth the wait for fresh fish and variety of options.
A local hotspot that is great to pick up for a picnic on the beach or a last meal on the way back to the airport. Try our favorites: spicy garlic chicken and spicy ahi poke bowl. And grab a delicious coffee next door at Kona Mountain Coffee.
45 residents recomanen
Pine Tree Cafe
73-4040 Hulikoa DrA local hotspot that is great to pick up for a picnic on the beach or a last meal on the way back to the airport. Try our favorites: spicy garlic chicken and spicy ahi poke bowl. And grab a delicious coffee next door at Kona Mountain Coffee.
Of course you must have shave ice. Scandinavian is refreshing and bursting with flavors! For the best experience get ice-cream in the middle, a snow cap of condensed milk, and walk across the street to enjoy your shave ice while sitting on the sea wall to enjoy the view.
22 residents recomanen
Scandinavian Shave Ice
75-5699 Ali‘i DrOf course you must have shave ice. Scandinavian is refreshing and bursting with flavors! For the best experience get ice-cream in the middle, a snow cap of condensed milk, and walk across the street to enjoy your shave ice while sitting on the sea wall to enjoy the view.
Delicious, high quality traditional American food with a Hawaiian Twist. You need to make a reservation.
127 residents recomanen
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyDelicious, high quality traditional American food with a Hawaiian Twist. You need to make a reservation.
Quality food and service. Reservation is required and is located in Waimea. Great place to eat when traveling to the North side of the island for a special meal.
102 residents recomanen
Merriman's Big Island
65-1227 Opelo RdQuality food and service. Reservation is required and is located in Waimea. Great place to eat when traveling to the North side of the island for a special meal.
Delicious upscale Japanese inspired food with a beautiful view. Located in Waimea. Reservation in needed.
24 residents recomanen
CanoeHouse
68-1400 Mauna Lani DrDelicious upscale Japanese inspired food with a beautiful view. Located in Waimea. Reservation in needed.
My favorite ocean front view and my favorite tap list in town. Delicious pizza, burgers, and tacos.
21 residents recomanen
Kai Eats and Drinks
75-5776 Ali‘i DriveMy favorite ocean front view and my favorite tap list in town. Delicious pizza, burgers, and tacos.
Local Beaches
Best Beach to Snorkel.
This is my favorite snorkeling spot on the island. As soon as you step into the water you are surrounded by coral and amazing fish. Not a great beach for little kids or sunbathing but snorkeling is fantastic! There is a parking lot, volunteers to educate you about the coral and sea life, and picnic tables.
239 residents recomanen
Badia de Kahaluu
Ali‘i DriveBest Beach to Snorkel.
This is my favorite snorkeling spot on the island. As soon as you step into the water you are surrounded by coral and amazing fish. Not a great beach for little kids or sunbathing but snorkeling is fantastic! There is a parking lot, volunteers to educate you about the coral and sea life, and picnic tables.
Best Beach to watch the sunset and picnic. My favorite place to picnic and watch the sunset. Easy to get to and lots of parking on the old airport runway. Breathtaking views and tidepools to search for sea creatures.
40 residents recomanen
Vell Aeroport Estatal de Kona, Hawaii
75-5560 Kuakini HwyBest Beach to watch the sunset and picnic. My favorite place to picnic and watch the sunset. Easy to get to and lots of parking on the old airport runway. Breathtaking views and tidepools to search for sea creatures.
Tiny white sand beach in the middle of town. Great beach for a lazy day with small kids and enjoy dinner afterwards along Ali'i Drive.
20 residents recomanen
Kamakahonu Beach
Tiny white sand beach in the middle of town. Great beach for a lazy day with small kids and enjoy dinner afterwards along Ali'i Drive.
Beautiful white sand beach with crystal blue water. It can be busy during mid day but it is a beautiful beach with full facilities.
159 residents recomanen
Kua Bay
Beautiful white sand beach with crystal blue water. It can be busy during mid day but it is a beautiful beach with full facilities.
Activities
Free Coffee Tour. Coffee tour every hour with free Kona coffee to sample. This farm is beautiful and it is so interesting how much work goes into making each bag of coffee. Please leave your guide a nice tip.
43 residents recomanen
Greenwell Farms Inc
81-6581 Mamalahoa HwyFree Coffee Tour. Coffee tour every hour with free Kona coffee to sample. This farm is beautiful and it is so interesting how much work goes into making each bag of coffee. Please leave your guide a nice tip.
Amazing once in a life experience to swim with giant Manta Rays.
28 residents recomanen
Manta Ray Night Dive
78-127 Ehukai StAmazing once in a life experience to swim with giant Manta Rays.
Island Breeze Luau
75-5660 Palani RdShort Trips
Be sure to check out the Thurston Lava Tube and Crater Rim Trail. Always check for current lava flow and conditions before you go.
880 residents recomanen
Parc Nacional dels Volcans d'Hawaii
Be sure to check out the Thurston Lava Tube and Crater Rim Trail. Always check for current lava flow and conditions before you go.
Beautiful Black Sand Beach. Great place to see sea turtles on the beach and swimming in the water. Stop by Punalu'u Bake Shop on your way to taste delicious Malasadas.
77 residents recomanen
Platja de sorra negra de Punalu'u
Ninole Loop RoadBeautiful Black Sand Beach. Great place to see sea turtles on the beach and swimming in the water. Stop by Punalu'u Bake Shop on your way to taste delicious Malasadas.
Breathtaking valley and my favorite hike on the island. It is a short but steep hike down to a beautiful black sand beach with breathtaking views of the valley. Be prepared with sunscreen and lots of water for the hike but if you are able it is well worth it! After your hike enjoy refreshing snack at Fresh off the Grid down the street.
140 residents recomanen
Pololu Valley
Breathtaking valley and my favorite hike on the island. It is a short but steep hike down to a beautiful black sand beach with breathtaking views of the valley. Be prepared with sunscreen and lots of water for the hike but if you are able it is well worth it! After your hike enjoy refreshing snack at Fresh off the Grid down the street.
Amazing snorkeling at Two Step and next-door is Hawaiian History at Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park.
114 residents recomanen
Two Step
Amazing snorkeling at Two Step and next-door is Hawaiian History at Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park.
This is a great place to grab a drink right on the beach. Great place to swim and enjoy the white sands of Anaeho'omalu Bay.
171 residents recomanen
Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlThis is a great place to grab a drink right on the beach. Great place to swim and enjoy the white sands of Anaeho'omalu Bay.
Hapuna Beach
Beautiful white sand beach.
Hilo
Rainbow Falls
Breathtaking waterfall right in Hilo town.
My favorite waterfall on the island. Enjoy a short, fully paved, hike through luscious foliage to view other smaller waterfalls and the stunning Akaka Falls.
341 residents recomanen
Parc Estatal de les Cataractes d'Akaka
875 Akaka Falls RdMy favorite waterfall on the island. Enjoy a short, fully paved, hike through luscious foliage to view other smaller waterfalls and the stunning Akaka Falls.
Beautiful little Zoo that is also a botanical garden.
110 residents recomanen
Zoo de la selva pluvial de Panaewa
800 Stainback HwyBeautiful little Zoo that is also a botanical garden.
There are extra vendors on Wednesdays and Saturdays, But any day of the week you can find beautiful local goods and delicious local produce.
246 residents recomanen
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetThere are extra vendors on Wednesdays and Saturdays, But any day of the week you can find beautiful local goods and delicious local produce.
Parc i Jardins Liliuokalani
189 Lihiwai StBeautiful Japanese Gardens that overlook Hilo Bay
Hawaiian History
Beautiful beach front national park that was once an ancient Hawaiian settlement. There is a Heiau(temple), a reconstructed thatch roofed, and several historic fishponds. This is also a beautiful beach and my favorite place to look for sea turtles, just keep your distance. You can enter at the visitor center with a short hike through lava fields or enter at Honokōhau harbor much closer to the park.
45 residents recomanen
Parc Històric Nacional Kaloko-Honokohau
Beautiful beach front national park that was once an ancient Hawaiian settlement. There is a Heiau(temple), a reconstructed thatch roofed, and several historic fishponds. This is also a beautiful beach and my favorite place to look for sea turtles, just keep your distance. You can enter at the visitor center with a short hike through lava fields or enter at Honokōhau harbor much closer to the park.
The Pu'ukohola Heiau is one of the last Hawaiian temples to be built. It was built under KIng Kamehameha and led to hime ruling all of the Hawaiian Islands. There is a self guided audio tour that ends in at Spencer Beach. The views are stunning and you can look for black-tip reef sharks swimming in the bay.
27 residents recomanen
Pu'ukohola Heiau Situ Històric Nacional
62-3601 Kawaihae RdThe Pu'ukohola Heiau is one of the last Hawaiian temples to be built. It was built under KIng Kamehameha and led to hime ruling all of the Hawaiian Islands. There is a self guided audio tour that ends in at Spencer Beach. The views are stunning and you can look for black-tip reef sharks swimming in the bay.
This is right next door to 2-step which has amazing snorkeling. This is a city of refuge is where those who broke the law could have a second chance at life. There is also royal grounds with a temple that once houses the bones of chiefs.
270 residents recomanen
Parc Històric Nacional Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau
State Highway 160This is right next door to 2-step which has amazing snorkeling. This is a city of refuge is where those who broke the law could have a second chance at life. There is also royal grounds with a temple that once houses the bones of chiefs.