Looking for Hawaii (Big Island) tips!
Now that I have your attention, we’re a family of 3 (mid-late 30s parents travelling with a just turned 5-year-old daughter) heading to Hawaii in March/April of 2022 for ~10 days. We’ll also be travelling with our parents (mid 60s). We’re looking for a 3 bed condo/house, not looking for a hotel/resort, we like to do our own thing. No need for specifics, but what areas should we be looking in? I’m happy to research once I have some recommended areas to look into.
(if you have any more tips about what to see/do, where to eat, best beaches for kids, happy to hear those as well)

We are booked for Kona in November. I hope we will be able to go

Lorraine We are end November/early December - please please please let everything be okay enough for us to go!!!!

Jennifer fingers crossed

You will LOVE the Big Island! I think it's underrated, personally. Kailua-Kona and North is the dryer.hotter side with lots of lava rock and resorts. Hilo is more of the rainforest type of climate. Lots of interesting things on that Island and driving around is easy and fun. Black sand beaches, the volcano and more!

Check out The Villages at Mauna Lani. We've stayed there many times and loved it. Aloha!

Agreed!

Try to find something in or near Kailuna-Kona. It’s a neat little village and you have restaurants, shops and a little Market. There are also small little beaches in case you don’t want to drive somewhere.
From there you can explore the entire island, go to the lava fields or to Hilo. Also the weather is better then on the other side of the island.
And: all Hotel beaches are for public use as well. We loved the one at the 4seasons.
Have a lovely time, you will love it there!

Definitely rent a car, it is a BIG island, with many places to see and a car is a must. We stayed at Waikaloa Village and it was great. 2 Step Beach is amazing! Also, as always, hit the Costco. They have great poke too.

We rented a condo near Kahaluu Beach and it was perfect. Just a quick walk to the beach for great beginner snorkelling, and close to town, and Captain Cook, close to coffee plantations etc. You'll need to rent a car on the Big Island. When we go, we like to spend 2-3 days on the Hilo side too - go to the volcano, the Botanic Garden, the zoo, the waterfalls.

I’d skip big island

Fay I skipped past this comment.

Why?

Love waikola beach condos

We rented a 3 bedroom 3 bath condo just past Kona literally right on the beach. Very reasonable and the kitchen in the condo was enormous. The complex had bbq areas in 4 different spots and it was a daily ritual for everyone to get together and cook their meals and visit. Lots of swimming and snorkeling (great beach 2 minutes away for beginners) and a pool in the complex. We were there for 12 days, rented a car and traveled all over the island. Went to the Volcano National Park, green sand beach, Hilo. Also consider spending a day at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Hotel with their 5 pools and lagoon. Waikoloa village also has great restaurants and a farmer’s market.

Jennifer have an link to where you stayed?

Ryan the name of the complex was the Keauhou-kona Surf/Racket. 6800 Alii Dr, Kailua Kona. And we rented from alohacondos.com

I second waikoloa area condo. We love staying at kingsland, they have 3 bedroom condo and it’s part of Hilton Waikoloa Village so you can access all of the Hilton facilities for free. Also have a great pool with water slide that our kids loved.

Also very reasonably price compared to hotel rooms at hilton.

My recommendation is to look for a condo in Kona (Alii Drive or close to) then stay in Hilo for at least 2 nights. I’ve been to 4 diff islands in Hawaii and I must say that BI has the nicest beaches (white sand, green sand, black sand). Maniniowali beach is really white... like Caribbean white. Makalawena Beach is also really nice, you have to walk a bit thorough lava fields but once you get there, you’ll love it as it’s always empty. Mauna Kea Beach is good for snorkelling. Visit the Volcano National Park and go star gazing at Mauna Kea Summit. Expect to drive a lot since the island is huge.

Rea makalawena beach is super nice!! So many turtles

Waikoloa beach villas

Big Island is fantastic. We spent time in Hilo and Kailua-Kona. Lots of families all over. We also went to Kehena black sand beach although I'm sure there are others. Mona Kea was very cool. If you want to drive yourself to the very top you have to rent a Jeep 4x4 which is pretty pricy (other rentals insurance doesn't cover the last Summit). Otherwise you can take a guided tour up. We just drove to the lower Summit and it was still really nice.

Every Island has it's own charm. Oahu - Wakiki is really llike a very warm version of Vancouver, but I think it shouldn't be missed and we always fit it into every trip we do to Hawaii. I've been to Maui, Kauai, Oahu and Big Island and would say the Big Island has the most to see.

We did a island circle tour. That way we could pick and choose later on as to where we wanted to back to

Been quite a few times. Stay half on Kona side, overnight in cabins at Kiluea and then stay in Kalapana area in lava fields. Rent private homes through VRBO. Hate crowded condos. Fav place in Kona up hill from airport, 3 bed with a pool. Then off grid 3 bed house in Kalapana. Have to drive to beaches. Do that in mornings, then tour around in afternoons then chill in our own pool in evenings.

Check out Mauna Kea at night, Green Sand beach at south point (local kids will drive you out for cheap cause hike is brutal in heat), Punaluu for turtles (make sure to stop at Punaluu bakery to grab lunch to take. By airport is octopus and seahorse farms you can tour and touch. All the beaches on Kona side best for swimming/snorkeling. Hilo side best for touring. Akaka Falls is gorgeous.

Jeanne Punalu’u Bakery is the best! Love their malasadas.

We stayed in Airbnbs and split our time between Kona, the Volcano area and Hilo. Each part of the island is so different and so wonderful.

Beach 69 is the best beach for the kids imo. We ended up there three out of our 7 days.

We did a full circle over 10 days. We were actually surprised at how much we enjoyed volcano national park. We wished we had planned for another day there. Lots of hiking trails, lava tubes, etc. We were luck enough to be there when the crater was spittimg which was so cool to see at night

My local contact on the big island is a realtor that specializes in vacation rentals. She could help in your search for accommodations and has tons of local knowledge. https://www.hawaiisunsetrealestate.com

Does she rent out condo ‘s too

Debbie I believe so,

Sandra Starling

If luxury's not your thing, the best family budget place I stayed at was Uncle Billy's Kona Bay Hotel, and I'd go there again! They're across the street from shopping outlets, the beach and nearby ocean boardwalk. They've got a pool, whirlpool, daily all-you-eat brunch and dinner buffets. Plus, Kona Farmers Market's a 3 minute walk away (amazing craftsman & fresh tropical fruits). Also lots of nearby dining options, things to see & do. Tour buses do pick ups there too.

last time i went, i spent 2 weeks there. we rented a house for a week in kona, and then a house for a week in hilo. i think this gives you the best of both worlds. kona gives you the touristy experience while still being close to beaches and sites to see. traveling to hilo is like going into Jurassic park. you can go see the volcano park while traveling to hilo. volcano tree park is a pretty neat place to see, as well as their giant botanical garden. also, there is the opportunity to swim with giant manta rays. i highly recommend it. it wasnt on my bucket list til after i did it, experience of a life time, for sure. there is also many black sand beaches, and one of them is pretty famous for being a rest stop for sea turtles (please dont get close to them). there is also a green sand beach, which there are only 4 of in the world.

Waimea is also nice - northern’ish part of the island. A little cooler and is a country town. They used to have a western buffet at the ranch and the food and entertainment was amazing. Kahua ranch. Enjoy!

March is also raining season in big island . I would suggest you plan a whole week in Kona side , where you can drive to Waimea about half an hr . Kingsland , part of vacation rental house from Hilton group , sharing the same facilities like pools , swim with dolphins etc , good for your daughter and within the condo , they also provide bbq onsite and mini kids pool with slides . Easy for young kid and seniors , and close enough to waikea village to do all grocery shopping . In Hilo , you can try 4 days staying in one of those cabins located in the Kilauea volcano. You won’t be able to do those 5-6 hrs hiking trails with seniors n kid , but an easy one would be okie for a day trip . And you can check out local beach in Hilo where locals go such as Richardson , 5 miles and Onekahakaha beach . Black sand beach is famous for sea turtle but you can spot sea turtle pretty much in the late afternoon in most beaches , green sand beach requires 4x4 and very bumpy . Unless it’s on your bucket list and seniors/ kid are ok with the ride …..both beaches and Mauna Kea mountain are in the middle between Kona and Hilo . Kona is dry side thus if you plan to get maximum sun time , spend more time there !