Family Friendly 7 Day Big Island Itinerary Kona

Big Island, Hawaii, a Family Friendly Itinerary

Planning a family vacation to Kona, Hawaii? The Big Island has a lot of fun to offer.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure filled with sun, sand, and plenty of family-friendly activities! From exploring stunning beaches with different colored sands, to discovering the rich cultural heritage of the island, Kona offers a little something for everyone.  It is the perfect place to take a family with a variety of ages, and keep everyone happy and having fun.

In this blog post, I will share a comprehensive week long itinerary that will help you make the most of your time in this tropical paradise. So grab your sunscreen and sense of adventure, and let’s dive into the ultimate family-friendly itinerary for Kona, Hawaii!

Check out this map for all the fun!

We love adventure, we often find ourselves seeking out extreme travel, or off grid fun, like this Horseshoe Bend Paddleboarding trip, or this adventure in Casper Wyoming. But sometimes, you need a vacation that works for all ages, stages, and interests. And this is where Hawaii really shines.

My family has a variety of ages, so keeping everyone happy when you have an 11 year old and a 19 year old can be a challenge. Our trip to Kona was magical and nothing short of a great time, so today I am sharing where we went, what we did, what we ate, and how we spent a week in Kona. We stayed at The Bay Club, A Hilton Grand Vacation Property, in Waikoloa, and made that our base. We explored the whole island of Kona, so we did a lot of driving. And we enjoyed both water and land activities.

Day 1: Acclimate and Prepare

The first day of vacation is always a little challenging, especially if you arrive at weird times. Hawaii seems to have a lot of red eye type flights to and from, and figuring out how to spend the first day is always a little difficult. But I have found if we spend day one on acclimating to the time change, and preparing ourselves for a great week, the rest of the week goes well. So here are my suggestions:

• Resort Fun: After you get to the island, pick up your rental car, check into your condo or resort, and unpack, chances are you will need to relax some. This is the perfect day to take advantage of what your resort or condo has to offer. You have been traveling, so no one wants to be in a car etc. Instead, check out the pool, the tennis courts, the beach access, the golf course, or whatever there is to do at your resort. My family and I loved walking around and getting familiar with the resort. What does the gym have to offer? How close are we to the beach? Is there a restaurant or bar on property? Now is the time to figure this all out. Plus, kids love to swim, or soak in the hot tub.
• Costco Run: Day one is also the best day to run to the store for the things you may have forgotten like sunscreen, or to get beach chairs, microfiber beach towels,  snorkel equipment, like a full face snorkel, which is great for kids etc. We love going to Costco because let’s face it, food on Hawaii is mega expensive, and being able to cook a few meals at the condo, or on the grill by the pool can save hundreds of dollars. And Costco is the way to do it. Whenever we go to Costco in Hawaii here is what we get:
  • Alcohol: I love getting a fun cocktail out or a pina colada in a pineapple, but when you are paying $20 a drink, it can be really expensive. But Costco alcohol is incredibly affordable, you can even get a great bottle of Sauv Blanc for about $7. So much cheaper. So pre-game at the resort before you go out to dinner, and you won’t spend nearly as much out.
  • Breakfast foods: We love a lazy morning for vacation, or a chance to go to the gym before taking off for the day, so having eggs, toast, bagels, fruit, etc. to eat breakfast in not only saves $100s, it also makes things wildly convenient.
  • Snacks for days out adventuring: fruit snacks, fruit, cheese sticks, granola bars, hummus and veggies. It makes it so much easier than trying to find somewhere to grab a snack, and WAY cheaper. Plus it allows for longer beach days, beautiful hikes, or driving around the big island. I have this awesome Cooler Backpack I take on vacation with us so we can pack snacks and lunches for days of adventure and exploring. I highly recommend it.
  • A couple dinner items: We love eating out on vacation, but sometimes it is nice to just grill fish or a steak by the pool at the resort, and relax at night, especially after a long day in the sun. So we always grab a couple days worth of dinner items to lessen cost and add convenience. The chickens are just as inexpensive in Hawaii Costco, so grab a rotisserie chicken for lunch that day too!
• Beach Day: Last, but not least, if you are wanting to get out of the resort and see some of the island on the first day, a beach day is in order. We went to Anaehoʻomalu Beach which offers free parking, and is close to Waikolo and The Bay Club. There is both shade and sun, and while a little rocky, it is a close by, fun beach for some body surfing and catching some rays.
  Another option is the 49 Black Sand Beach. It has $20 Parking, and opens at 7 am. You will want to wear water shoes as there is a lot of lava. And be sure to bring snorkeling stuff and food to enjoy while there.

Day 2: Explore the North End

After a prep day, we were all excited to get out and see some things this day, so I figured it would be a good day for a little more driving, and a packed itinerary. After a slightly lazy morning at the resort, complete with a workout at the gym, we packed for the day (water bottles, towels, beach chairs, sunscreen, beach toys, and snacks) and started the  drive from Waikoloa to Waipi’o Valley with planned stops along the way to keep it fun!

• Stop for Malasadas in Puako: This is a fun first stop. Malasadas are like donuts, they are fried and usually stuffed with some kind of delicious filling. This little food truck makes great malasadas, so take a moment to stretch your legs, take in some views, and enjoy a Hawaiian treat.
• Kuhio Hale Farmer’s Market: After a stop for malasadas we drove through the rocky, brown, lava areas of Kona to cross the island to the more lush, tropical side. It is an interesting drive, where you get to see a lot of local Hawaiian life. Watch the roads for wild goats and pigs, and make your way to the Kuhio Hale Farmer’s Market. This market is full of fun local artisans pedaling everything from art work and handmade jewelry to flavored honey and fresh fruit cups. If you are lucky there will likely be some live music, and lots of locals to chat with. If you did not pack a lunch, this would be a great place to grab food and enjoy some local flavors.
• Stop at Fruit Stand in Honokaa: After the farmer’s market, get back in the car and start driving to the Waipi’o Valley and Overlook. Along the way you will pass through the town of Honokaa, and you will then pass some fruit stands. The fruit stands in Hawaii are awesome, and it is well worth a stop to grab a freshly cut up pineapple, or some coconut water, to add to your lunch. We loved this stop to break up driving, but there were also fun colorful lizards, and the fruit was phenomenal.
• Waipi’o Valley and Overlook: After your fruit stand stop, you will make it to the Waipi’o Valley and Overlook. This is a beautiful spot. There is a lot of history here and it is worthwhile to read the signage and learn about Kamehameha The Great, and his impact on this valley. Plan to spend a little time there, and enjoy the pavilion and picnic tables, along with the gorgeous views. This is a great spot for picture taking and to understand the true natural beauty that is Hawaii. You will see gorgeous black sand beaches, a fantastic coastline, and the beautiful turquoise waters.
• Stop at Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site: After visiting Waipi’o Valley, you will start to make your way back to Waikoloa area, and be sure to stop at the Pu-ukohola Heiau National Historic Site on the way. Not only will this site help widen your understanding of Kamehameha The Great, which you just learned about, but it is a fascinating look into Hawaiian history and culture. There is ruins of an old castle, artifacts, and more. You could spend several hours there, or just a short time, but it is worth the visit.
• Hapuna Beach: After brushing up on history and learning about Hawaii’s past, go take advantage of the beach. Hapuna Beach was our favorite beach on the island. With big waves, beautiful sand, and plenty to keep you occupied, this is well worth the visit. The parking is free, there are showers, and bathroom facilities. You can play sand volleyball, or find a nice stretch of sand to sit on and play. The waves are big, and it is great for surfing, body surfing, and boogie boarding. If traveling with littles, keep to the areas with smaller waves, as they are powerful here.
• Sunset Sail or Whale Watching Tour: Depending on how long you spent at each stop, and how your beach day is going, you may have time for a lovely sunset cruise and whale watching tour.  It is a fun way to see some of the coast line, enjoy a sunset, and if you are lucky and visiting during the right time of year, you may even get to spot some Humpback whales. This is such a fun experience. I personally loved it, but left the kids at the resort and enjoyed it with just adults. There are several options, some in Kailua Kona Area and some more North, I booked with Ocean Sports on the Kawaihae Harbor on Alala. Wear layers as it can get a little chilly on the water. And those 21+ must bring Photo ID’s for the bar.
• Obisic Shave Ice Co.  in the Waikolo Beach King Shops: After getting back from the beach or the sunset sail, chances are you will want an early night, or at least a chill night, but it is the perfect time to visit Obisic Shave Ice Co. in the Waikolo Beach King Shops. The shave ice is huge, and so much fun, as well as delicious. With fresh fruit, and fun flavors, it is definitely worth a visit, and this might be the perfect day to fit that visit in.
• Dinner Idea: If you want something close by, eat at the Waikolo Beach & King’s Golf Course restaurant. The fresh catch and Poke stack are both fantastic, and the atmosphere is gorgeous.

Day 3: Petroglyphs, Waterfalls, and State Parks

This day is all about the land, with waterfalls, petroglyphs, and gorgeous state parks. There is a lot of driving involved, but the eye candy is definitely worth it. And there are plenty of stops to keep kids occupied and having fun. Pack snacks and water.

• Puako Petroglyphs: The Puako Petroglyphs are found in an Archaelogical Preserve that boasts more than 3,000 ancient petroglyphs. Not only are the petroglyphs fun to see, but the way they are presented makes for a great stop. You park and walk over to the petroglyph park, the parking is free. In the first section you will see several petroglyphs, that have been moved and arranged there to make for easy viewing. After that section, there is a short hike/walk (1.1 miles out and back) that you can do to see tons and tons more. The hike has signage, is easy to follow, with various petroglyphs along the way. It is lovely, and can be really fun, as you want to keep your eyes open to spot the various glyphs. Eventually you will come to a field full of ancient petroglyphs. Very worthwhile. Give yourself at least half an hour at this stop, and bring water as parts of the trail are not shaded and it can be hot.
• Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park: After leaving the petroglyph park, you are going to make your way over to the other side of the island to visit some state parks and waterfalls. But break up the drive with a stop at the Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park. It boasts gorgeous black lava rocks, crashing waves, and a beautiful coast line, as well as plenty of grass and areas to stretch your legs, throw a frisbee, and have some fun.
• ‘Akaka Falls State Park: There is an entrance fee of $5 per person and a $10 parking fee, but it gives you access to a footpath that will take you through lush tropical vegetation to scenic vista points overlooking the cascading Kahuna Falls and the free-falling ‘Akaka Falls, which plunges 442 feet. It is truly eye candy, and absolutely worth it. It is a one-way path, that is about 0.4 miles in total for the loop. The path is paved, but there are a lot of stairs and it is not wheelchair friendly. You can do a shorter loop and simply take in one of the falls, which requires only a few feet of walking, or do the whole loop to see both falls.
• Eat at Pineapples in Hilo: At this point you are near Hilo, and have probably worked up an appetite, so might I suggest stopping in Hilo for lunch? There are food trucks, and plenty of little restaurants to choose from. We enjoyed eating at Pineapples, the poke stack is awesome, and the kids meals were great. And then walked a short distance to a farmer’s market and food truck area to get shave ice!
• Rainbow Falls Lookout and Pe’epe’e Falls: After lunch, we piled back in the car and took a short drive over to Rainbow Falls. It is located right in Hilo town, and you can basically drive right up to the falls. You park and walk a short distance and you will see the falls. The Rainbow Falls cascade 80 ft over a lava cave and you can view it from the parking lot, or walk up a little ways and view it from the top of the falls. The area is lovely, with tons of awesome trees, and the kids loved roaming around here. Plan at least 30 minutes for this visit. A short distance upstream from Rainbow Falls is Pe’epe’e Falls, which you should definitely stop and take a look at as well.
• Wailuku River State Park: To be clear Rainbow Falls is in the Wailuku River State Park, but there are different entrances and places to get into it, and they are all close to each other. While there, be sure to also visit the Boiling Pots. They are a succession of big pools connected by underground flow or cascades and whose waters roll and bubble as if boiling. They are not actually hot, but the pools were formed by slow cooling basalt lava.
• Fancy Dinner Idea: If you aren’t too worn out after a day of beautiful scenery and short hikes, and want to eat somewhere fun and fancy, try the ‘Ulu ocean grill and Sushi Lounge located in the Four Seasons.

Day 4: Dolphins and Manta Rays

After a lot of driving the last couple days, this is a day where we took a slower pace and stayed close to our home base. And it was awesome.

• Anchialine Pond Preserve Walk over to Visit Dolphin Quest: Park at the Hilton Waikolo Village, if you have a reservation for a Dolphin Quest encounter the parking is included. Otherwise you self pay about $25. Once you have parked, make your way over to Dolphin Quest. I suggest taking the scenic route. From the parking lot, go to the Waikoloa Anchialine Pond Preserve. There is a path that will take you along the preserve, then out to the coastline, where you can walk along it on lava rock, and see just gorgeous views or beautiful water, and the contrast between white rock, black lava, and turquoise water, as well as green vegetation. It really is stunning. When you reach the Hilton property, make your way along until you get to the Dolphin Quest, which is right along the water.  You can also go through the hotel lobby and down to the Dolphin Quest.
• Dolphin Quest: Dolphin Quest is a research facility that focuses on bottlenose dolphins. And while you can pay to do any number of encounters there, it is also just a really neat place to go and watch the trainers interact with the dolphins. We spent several hours there, watching them feed them, play with them, train them, and also talking directly with the trainers about them. The trainers came up to the fences where we were and answered all the questions my daughter had. Told us about the various dolphins they have, how old they are, their personalities, how they interact with them, what they are trying to accomplish with their facility, and more. It was both educational and entertaining and my 19 year old and 11 year old both enjoyed it immensely. There is a snack shack and gift shop right next to the pools where they dolphins are, so grab a frozen treat, and sit back and watch them play. It is a super fun experience. The property also boasts a number of restaurants, so it would be a great place to grab lunch.
• Beach Day and Snorkel: This is a great day to take advantage of the gorgeous beaches Hawaii has to offer. So pack your beach bags, and make a day of it. Snorkel on your own, or book a fun snorkel tour to see some of the most amazing sea life!
• Manta Ray Night Snorkel: After a long day in the sun you may not be as excited as you think you should be for a night time snorkel with the Manta Rays, but this is hands down our favorite experience on the Big Island. I opted for a small group tour, one that maxed out at 6 people, and I booked all 6 spots for my group. I think this made a huge difference for us, and made the experience all the more magical. We met at a boat harbor, got on a boat, and took it 45 minutes out to the Manta Ray feeding area. Along the way we saw flying fish, and the boat captain gave us fun information about the island. They outfitted us with snorkels and wet suits. When we arrived, they have you hold on to basically a paddleboard that has lights attached to it, and handles, and you float, with snorkel gear. The light attracts the plankton, and the giant, beautiful, amazing Manta Rays will come up to the board to feed. They may brush up against you, or glide past you, but you get an up close and personal look at these beautiful creatures. It is unlike any experience I have had before.

Day 5: Volcanoes National Park

Time to head back to the other side of the island to visit the Volcanoes National Park. If you have a National Parks Pass, bring it to cover the entry fee. We have one, but forgot to bring it with us, so had to pay to enter the park. You can spend the entire day there visiting overlooks, hiking various hikes, checking out the volcanic activity and more. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park has a range of hiking options suitable for various ages and abilities. Here are some of the family-friendly hikes we enjoyed or consider visiting from the air with a helicopter tour:

• Devastation Trail: An easy, paved trail that offers a close-up view of the 1959 Kilauea Iki lava flow and its aftermath. It’s a short walk, perfect for families with young children or those looking for a quick hike.
• Kilauea Iki Trail: A bit more challenging but still manageable for most families, this 4-mile loop takes you across the floor of a solidified lava lake. The hike offers stunning views of the crater and surrounding landscape.
• Thurston Lava Tube: Not a hike per se, but a short, easy walk through a lava tube. Kids will love exploring this natural wonder and learning about volcanic activity.
• Sulphur Banks Trail: An easy walk that takes you past steam vents and colorful mineral deposits. It’s a great opportunity to learn about the geology of the area and see volcanic features up close.
• Pu’u Huluhulu Trail: A moderate hike that offers panoramic views of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes. The trail winds through a lush forest and a recent lava flow, providing a glimpse into the park’s dynamic landscape.
• Crater Rim Trail: This trail offers stunning panoramic views of the Kilauea Caldera, including the active Halema’uma’u Crater. You’ll witness firsthand the raw power of the Earth as steam rises from the crater and lava glows at night.
• Dinner: Queen’s Marketplace

Note: You can explore Volcanoes National Park on your own, or take a tour like this one: Small Group Tour

Day 6: Coffee Farms and Fun Colored Sand Beaches

Today is the day of green and black sand beaches, and stops for Kona Coffee, something the island is renowned for.

• Captain Cook Monument and Captain Cook Monument Trail: Take a drive down to the Papakolea Green Sands Beach, and on the way, you can stop at the Captain Cook Monument. And if you want, even take a little hike on the Captain Cook Monument Trail. This is more of a steep hike down to the bay, but it’s incredibly rewarding. The snorkeling at the bay is fantastic, so be sure to bring your snorkel gear and plan to spend a little time.
• Coffee and Farm Stops: After you stop for a quick snorkel and to enjoy the Captain Cook Monument, get back on the road toward the green sands beach, but be sure to stop off at some of the local coffee shops along the way, and do not miss a stop at Paradise Meadows. This is a working farm, with fun live animals, a self-guided tour, tastings of honey, macadamia nuts, and coffees, an art exhibit and more. It is free to visit. The tastings are free. And it is a great place to stretch your legs and get some caffeine. My only warning is if you do the tastings, plan to purchase because everything is so yummy you won’t want to miss out! We stocked up on some of the various flavors of nuts and chocolates for our beach day snacks.
• Papakolea Green Sands Beach: For this beach, you are going to drive as far as you can, and you will get to a little parking lot with a bunch of locals in trucks. For $20 a person they will take you from that parking lot out to the cover where the green sand beach is. You could walk it, but trust me, it is worth the admission. It is probably about 4 miles, and no shade. You want the ride. So bring some cash, bring your beach stuff, and hop in the back of the local’s truck. They will take you out and let you stay for probably 90 minutes to 2 hours, then they will take you back. We saw turtles here. We loved playing in the surf. We brought a picnic and enjoyed lunch. It was a fun visit to a unique beach.
• Punalu’u Black Sands Beach: After you get back to your vehicle, hop on the road and head to the Punalu’u Black Sands Beach. This is a great beach park, and you are sure to see protected turtles here. They will have an area roped off where they are resting, but you can also often see them in the surf. Such a fun stop, with dark black sand. There is a nice cove that you can body surf and play in for another fun beach day. And what is awesome is that in one day you can see white sand, green sand, and black sand beaches.
• Naalehu Hilo Snow Cones: You are pretty close to Hilo again at this point, so be sure to stop for another Acai bowl or shave ice, and make your way back over to Waikaloa.

Day 7:  Sea Caves and Snorkel

The Kona coast is a popular destination for snorkeling, with magnificent reefs, and abundance of sea life, and even some fun cliffs to jump off of or sea caves to explore. You can snorkel on your own, or book a tour to take you out in kayaks or boats to explore.

• Snorkel Tour: We booked a morning excursion for a 4 hours of kayaking and snorkeling. Unfortunately it got rained out, and we had to pivot. The weather was bad and we spent the day seeing movies and doing some souvenir shopping instead before our red eye flight home. But if you have the chance to enjoy the sea caves, cliff jumping, and snorkeling, don’t miss it!
• Coffee Farms: This is another great day to visit a coffee farm and try even more of the amazing coffee Kona has to offer.

The Big Island has so much to offer, and if you want to spend more money there are a number of other excursions and activities that could be a lot of fun, from ATV rides to ziplining, helicopter tours and more. This was the itinerary we enjoyed as a group of 6 with age ranges from 11-41. And everyone had an excellent time.

For more fun ideas of what to do on the Big Island, check out this article from my friend Meagan at Mommy Travels: https://www.mommytravels.net/best-things-to-do-in-kona-big-island/

Be sure to check out this post for what to pack for a Beach Vacation!