Big Island, Hawaii | Route Map + Ultra-Detailed Travelogue-Style Guide

After spending six days and five nights exploring the Big Island by car, I was so utterly amazed that I had to write this long, rambling, diary-like guide—both to document my own experience and to give future travelers a realistic, detailed reference for their trip! 🗺️ Route Map If you’re just starting your planning, don’t stress about where everything is—I’ve got you covered! 😂 We traveled counterclockwise, hitting: Kona (West) South Point & Volcano Hilo (East) North Shore Since my thoughts on each spot are way too long, I’ll just highlight my absolute favorites below. 🥰 Top Must-Do Experiences 1️⃣ Erupting Kīlauea Volcano 🌋 A once-in-a-lifetime moment—but highly luck-dependent. Shoutout to for their super-detailed volcano guide and the eruption update group! Thanks to real-time reports from fellow travelers, we rushed over just in time to witness the spectacle. 2️⃣ Manta Ray Night Snorkel Tour Magical doesn’t even cut it—when a manta ray flips belly-up right beneath you, it’s surreal. 3️⃣ Mauna Kea Sunset Above the Clouds + Pohoiki Hot Springs Both are rare, breathtaking experiences. (For more spots, check the route map!) ‼️ Key Tips Book tours EARLY in your trip—we had manta ray and horseback tours canceled due to weather. Luckily, we rescheduled the manta ray one for our last day! Volcano timing: Check official eruption predictions and try to stay in Volcano or Hilo during the 2-3 day eruption window for the best chance to see lava. Pack layers—Mauna Kea is freezing at sunset, and the hot springs are, well, hot. The Big Island’s diverse, wild landscapes are unforgettable. Hope you all get to witness lava flows, mantas galore, and epic sunsets! 🌅 #Hawaii #HawaiiTravel #BigIsland #VolcanoAdventures #MantaRays #TravelGuide #Wanderlust