June 12-18 • One VRBO base • Shaka Guide ready

Big Island family itinerary

A realistic week of beaches, manta rays, volcanoes, waterfalls, coffee country, and enough breathing room to keep the trip fun.

Base Kona / Waikoloa side
Mode Adventure + beach reset
Anchor Manta ray night snorkel
Rule Download tours offline

Designed for real family energy

Long drives stay intentional. Slow mornings stay protected.

Assumption: the VRBO is on the Kona or Waikoloa side. If the stay ends up closer to Hilo or Volcano, flip the long-drive days and keep the beach and manta day as the recovery buffer.

12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Big Island coastline at sunset
June12

No tour today

Arrival, groceries, VRBO, easy sunset

Plan

  • Pick up the rental car.
  • Stop at Costco, Target, or a grocery store for breakfast, snacks, water, and sunscreen.
  • Check into the VRBO and unpack.
  • Easy pool or beach walk.
  • Sunset at Hapuna Beach or Magic Sands Beach.

Food

  • Broke Da Mouth Grindz
  • Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
  • Island Ono Loa Grill

Do not miss the first sunset. Keep it simple and get supplies now so mornings stay easy.

Kona coast with clear blue water
June13

Shaka Guide: Kona Big Kahuna Tour

Captain Cook, coffee country, Place of Refuge

Plan

  • Start the Kona Big Kahuna Tour.
  • Breakfast at The Coffee Shack in Captain Cook.
  • Explore Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook area.
  • Visit Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park.
  • Optional coffee farm stop.
  • Evening walk along the Kailua-Kona waterfront.

Food

  • The Coffee Shack
  • Da Poke Shack
  • Huggo's On The Rocks

Protect Puuhonua o Honaunau, Kealakekua Bay, and the Kona sunset waterfront.

Clear tropical beach water
June14

No driving tour

Hapuna or Mauna Kea beach day + manta night snorkel

Plan

  • Morning at Hapuna Beach or Mauna Kea Beach.
  • Lunch near Waikoloa or Kona.
  • Return to the VRBO for rest.
  • Evening manta ray night snorkel from Kona or Keauhou.

Food

  • Lava Lava Beach Club
  • Island Lava Java
  • Scandinavian Shave Ice

The manta ray night snorkel is the signature family experience. Keep the afternoon quiet.

Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach on the Big Island
June15

Shaka Guide: South Island Epic Coastal Journey

South Point, Green Sand Beach, Black Sand Beach

Plan

  • Leave around 7:00 AM.
  • Start the South Island Epic Coastal Journey.
  • Stop at South Point.
  • Visit Papakolea Green Sand Beach with a local truck shuttle if available.
  • Stop at Punaluu Black Sand Beach for turtle viewing.
  • Return to the VRBO for an easy night.

Food

  • Punaluu Bake Shop
  • Hana Hou Restaurant
  • Pack extra snacks

This is the most dramatic photo day. Food options are thin down south, so leave prepared.

Kilauea Crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
June16

Shaka Guide: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour

Kilauea, lava tube, steam vents, Chain of Craters

Plan

  • Leave around 6:00-6:30 AM.
  • Start the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour.
  • Kilauea Visitor Center first.
  • Nahuku / Thurston Lava Tube.
  • Steam vents and crater overlooks.
  • Drive Chain of Craters Road if energy allows.
  • Dinner near Volcano, then drive back.

Food

  • Kilauea Lodge Restaurant
  • Volcano House
  • Pack lunch and snacks

Check park alerts before going. Prioritize the lava tube and Chain of Craters Road.

Waterfall in a lush Hawaii landscape
June17

Shaka Guide: North Island Jungle Adventure Loop

Rainbow Falls, Akaka Falls, Hilo, rainforest coast

Plan

  • Start the North Island Jungle Adventure Loop.
  • Visit Rainbow Falls early if possible.
  • Continue to Akaka Falls State Park.
  • Explore Hilo town for lunch.
  • Optional Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden.
  • Return by scenic route depending on daylight.

Food

  • Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Hilo
  • Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine
  • Two Ladies Kitchen

Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls are the easy wins. Hilo gives the trip a different texture.

Mountain sunset above clouds
June18

Optional Kohala Coast Tour, or skip

Slow morning + Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing

Plan

  • Sleep in and keep the morning light.
  • Optional beach, souvenir, or resort area stop.
  • Drive to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station in the afternoon.
  • Sunset above the clouds.
  • Stargazing after dark.
  • Final dinner near Waikoloa or Kona.

Food

  • Emma's Kitchen
  • Merriman's Waimea
  • Lava Lava Beach Club

Bring jackets and do not rush the altitude. Mauna Kea is the finale.

Protect these

Non-negotiable experiences

Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Best family story of the trip.

Volcanoes National Park

Lava tube, crater overlooks, and Chain of Craters Road.

South Island

South Point, green sand, black sand, and turtle odds.

Mauna Kea

Sunset above the clouds and stargazing after dark.

Before wheels up

Ready checklist