Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Big Island of Hawaii?

Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Big Island of Hawaii?

Many visitors spend at least 5 or as many as 14 days in Big Island of Hawaii during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The island offers the chance to explore the underwater world, lounge on the beach, get out into nature, and take in the beautiful scenery.

The Big Island of Hawaii is an impressive and spectacularly stunning destination with iconic viewpoints and scenic overlooks. There are many hiking trails on the island, many of which are concentrated in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The island also has both luxury resorts and accommodations that appeal to a younger, more budget conscious crowd.

Do you have one or two weeks to visit Big Island of Hawaii? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one week enough time in Big Island of Hawaii?

The very popular island of Big Island of Hawaii has many activities and attractions for visitors. One week is probably not enough time on the laid back island. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Big Island of Hawaii such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the hiking, and the gorgeous scenery. To thoroughly enjoy the whole island, you'll probably want more time, as most travelers schedule at least 5 or as many as 14 days here. Nevertheless, we have some nice suggestions for your visit below.

How to spend a week in Big Island of Hawaii

When visiting Big Island of Hawaii, you absolutely can't miss the Waipio Valley Overlook as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

Big Island of Hawaii is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. Kilauea is the dramatic volcano that often offers a show to visitors. The island also has spectacular viewpoints like Waipi'o Valley Lookout, dramatic waterfalls, and picturesque bays.

Scuba diving and snorkeling around Big Island of Hawaii is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There are a number of beautiful snorkeling spots where you'll see beautiful fish and sometimes even sea turtles. A bucket list experience is also diving or snorkeling with the manta rays, which will take your breath away.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. It can be challenging to find local restaurants that aren't catering to the tourist crowd, but when you do you'll be rewarded with great local dishes. Seafood, poke bowls, and shave ice are all popular.

The beautiful beaches await you in Big Island of Hawaii, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. This is a younger island than most in Hawaii, so the beaches are varied and diverse. You'll find white sand beaches, black volcanic sand beaches, and even green sand. There are also areas where the lava rock reaches the ocean. Hapuna Beach is a favorite as is Honl's Beach.

Known for it's hiking, Big Island of Hawaii sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The island is filled with miles of spectacular hiking trails. They'll take you to iconic waterfalls, world-renowned viewpoints, and through fields of lava rocks. Many people spend days hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there are also impressive hikes along the Kona Coast.

Shopping in Big Island of Hawaii is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are many local artisan shops on the island, particular in Hilo, Historic Kailua Village and along the Kohala Coast. You'll find handmade quilts, wooden carved products, and handcrafted jewelry.

You'll find a few good museums and historic landmarks here, so it's worth your time to spend a day exploring a few of them. There are several local museums around the island such as the Hulihe'e Palace and 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. There's also the Hawaii Plantation Museum and the Lyman House Museum.

After you've explored most of Big Island of Hawaii, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.

Is 2 weeks enough time in Big Island of Hawaii?

Two weeks provides more than enough time to explore the entirety of Big Island of Hawaii at your own pace to explore the underwater world, lounge on the beach, get out into nature, and take in the beautiful scenery. Then, use your hotel as a base to take some day trips or get out on the water, as this island offers plenty of options

Waipi'o Valley, Hawai'i

How to spend 2 weeks in Big Island of Hawaii

If you have more than 2 weeks in Big Island of Hawaii, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the island has to offer.

With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Big Island of Hawaii. Plenty of amazing options are available.

Another day scuba diving or snorkeling is entirely warranted here due to the amazing under-sea life, clear waters, and amazing atmosphere. Visiting different areas of the surrounding waters can provide for unique dive experiences not found elsewhere.

Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.

With plenty of hiking trails and viewpoints around Big Island of Hawaii, you'll need another day to experience the gorgeous hiking trails that you haven't seen yet. Either head out in a different direction, or pick up where you left off before.