How many days do you need on the Big Island?

Five to seven days is ideal for the Big Island — the island is twice the size of all other Hawaiian islands combined, and driving from Kona to Hilo takes 2.5 hours. Three days is the absolute minimum to see the highlights without feeling rushed: one day for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, one for a manta ray or snorkel cruise off Kona, and one for a helicopter tour or beach day. Five days allows you to explore both the dry, sunny Kona-Kohala coast and the lush Hilo side, visit Waipio Valley, drive Saddle Road past the Mauna Kea observatories, and catch a sunset over the volcano. Seven days lets you relax and still hit all the major sites. Base yourself in Kona for west coast access and day-trip to Hilo.