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Kua Bay Beach, Kohala Coast
Day 1 takes you north to Kua Bay Beach Park, one of the prettiest on the island, and Hapuna Beach State Park, known as one of the best beaches in Hawaii. Then your drive takes you through the town of Waimea and to the Hilo area attractions. Day 2 takes you north of Hilo to all the attractions of the scenic Hamakua Coast and then eventually back to Kona.
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Kona / Kohala Coast (day 1) |
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| Event Time |
Elapsed Time |
Activity Description |
| START | 0:00 | Depart area hotel |
| 0:30 | 0:30 | Pick up plate lunch or sandwich to-go |
| 0:45 | 1:15 | Drive north to Kua Bay Beach Park |
| 2:00 | 3:15 |  Spend time swimming, sunbathing, relaxing at Kua Bay |
| 0:15 | 3:30 | Continue north to Hapuna Beach State Park. |
| 2:00 | 5:30 |  Spend time swimming, sunbathing, relaxing at the famous Hapuna Beach |
| 0:30 | 6:00 | Drive east up the mountain to Waimea town |
| 1:30 | 7:30 | Continue east to Hilo town |
| 0:30 | 8:00 |  Drive to Rainbow Falls State Parkat the edge of Hilo town and view the falls |
| 0:30 | 9:00 |  Drive down scenic Banyan Drive and see Queen Liliuokalani Gardens |
| Check into Hilo area hotel | ||
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Hilo / Hamakua Coast to Kona (day 2) |
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| Event Time |
Elapsed Time |
Activity Description |
| START | 0:00 | Depart Hilo area hotel |
| 0:30 | 0:30 | Pick up plate lunch or sandwich to-go |
| 0:30 | 1:00 | Drive north to scenic drive detour at Onomea Bay along the Hamakua Coast |
| 2:45 | 3:45 |  Visit Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens and Onomea Bay Trail |
| 0:30 | 4:15 | Stop at “What’s Shakin” Smoothee stand near the Botanical Gardens for refreshments |
| 0:30 | 4:45 | Continue north to Akaka Falls State Park |
| 0:45 | 5:30 |  Hike short trail-loop and view Kahuna Falls and Akaka Falls |
| 0:30 | 6:00 |  Continue driving north to the Waipio Valley Overlook |
| 0:30 | 6:30 | Enjoy the view from the overlook |
| 0:30 | 7:00 | Continue up the mountain to Waimea |
| 1:00 | 8:00 | Drive from Waimea, descending down to Kona |
For more help in planning your trip, check out our articles below:
| Travel Planning Articles | |
| Planning your Trip When to come, how long to stay, books |
Regions of the Big Island Geography and climate descriptions |
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Vacations for Families |
Big Island Transportation How to get there, plan your driving |
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Hawaiian Cruise Passengers |
Rent a 4-Wheel Drive SUV Off-roading on the Big Island |
| Sample Travel Itineraries Suggested itineraries, 1-2 day, 1 week |
Top 5 Attractions (You Might Miss) You’ll never hear about these… |
| Island Activities Guide Guide to the activities & tours |
Packing for your Trip Big Island scenery & weather is diverse |
| Tips for Traveling with Kids Packing and flying with kids |
Big Island Wedding Planner How to plan your wedding in Hawaii |
| Island Hopping Visit more than one Hawaiian island |
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| Accommodations Articles | |
| Where to Stay Three different parts of the island to stay - which is best? |
Bargain or 5 Star Hotel Stay at a resort or a bargain hotel |
| Vacation Rentals Big Island Vacation rentals are a deal |
Discount Big Island Hotels Check out the latest rates |
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| Shopping in Hawaii | |
| Big Island Shopping Guide Guide to the shopping destinations |
Hawaii Souvenirs The best souvenirs to buy in Hawaii |
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| Gear & Equipment Articles | |
| Gear for your Trip Get outfitted with the right gear |
GPS Points of Interest (POI) GPS Coordinates for Points of Interest |
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