Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary

$37.00

Is This Big Island Itinerary Right for You?

✔ Perfect for: First-time visitors who don’t realize how big the Big Island really is
✔ Trip Length: 7–10 days (flexible if you have less time)
✔ Travel Style: Self-guided road trip with scenic drives, volcanoes, beaches, and light adventure
✔ Budget Range: Mid-range to splurge-friendly. 90%+ are free and low-cost activities. We provide tour recommendations as an add-on, not part of the excursion days.

Designed for travelers who want to experience multiple sides of the island — without wasting hours driving back and forth.

Your Big Island Trip — Planned the Smart Way

The Big Island isn’t just about beaches and volcanoes.

It’s active volcanoes.
Black sand shores.
Coffee farms.
Waterfalls.
High-elevation stargazing.
And landscapes that feel like different planets — all on one island.

But here’s the mistake most visitors make:

They underestimate drive times.
They stay on the wrong side of the island.
They zigzag back and forth, losing half a day in the car.

This isn’t a list of “things to do.”
It’s a strategically organized, day-by-day Big Island itinerary designed around geography — so every excursion flows logically.

We’ve mapped out six unforgettable excursion days that take you through the island’s dramatically different regions — without backtracking or guesswork.

You can follow all six days for a full trip, or pick the ones that match your interests and schedule.

Just open it up on your mobile device (you can print it!), get in the car, and go.

On the Fence?

Don’t guess.

Download the free sample – Lanai Wayfinder Itinerary – to see the exact layout, organization, and detail you’ll get in the full Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary.

If it saves you time and makes planning easier, the full itinerary will do that five times over. Is a Hawaii Itinerary Worth the Money? 

Do you have questions about the Big Island Wayfinder Itinerary? Email Erica and Jordan at aloha@thehawaiivacationguide.com. We will get back to you ASAP. Mahalo!

What’s Included

Everything you need to confidently explore Hawaii’s most diverse island. Customize your itinerary with day-by-day alternatives and our Quick Hits for the best beaches and restaurants.

6 Done-For-You Excursion Days

Six organized daily routes covering volcanoes, waterfalls, beaches, scenic drives, coffee country, and more — mapped in order to minimize drive time and maximize experiences.

Big Island Video Guide

A companion walkthrough to help you understand the island’s layout and a tour of each excursion day, so you know what to expect.

Where to Stay

Hotel and vacation rental recommendations — plus guidance on how to split your stay between Kona and Hilo.

Where to Eat (Organized by Region)

Our favorite casual stops and memorable dinners — sorted by area so you’re never scrambling for options.

Best Beaches & Snorkel Spots

White sand, black sand, and hidden gems — plus tips on where conditions are best.

Our Favorite Tours

Curated recommendations for volcano experiences, manta ray snorkels, and other must-do adventures — with guidance on what’s truly worth booking.

Constantly Updated

The guide is updated as we learn of changes. Plus, twice a year, we complete a thorough check to update restaurants, things to do, etc. We will email you updates, and your download link always reflects the latest-and-greatest version.

The result?

You experience the Big Island intentionally — not accidentally.

Big Island Wayfinder Included

How It Works

Download

After you complete your purchase, the itinerary will be sent via email. You can download it on any device!

Plan

Watch our overview video, decide on your excursion days, and make your reservations. (We point these out!)

Go!

Save the itinerary to your phone. You can take it with you on the go to reference any time during your trip!

Your adventures On The Big Island await!

Frequently Asked Questions

A guidebook goes in-depth on a certain destination — you read it, research it, and then formulate your vacation plan. Our itinerary is different.

It starts with a 7 (ish) minute video to help you understand your way around the island, where things are located, and what experiences are available. Then we map our excursion days.

These days take you on a carefully planned route to one part of the island, making stops for meals, beaches, and places of interest. Each excursion day has an overview page with links to Google Maps directions, what to pack for the day, and any reservations to make in advance.

This itinerary is meant to save you time while trip planning and help you make the most of your limited vacation.

Honestly, now. Unlike a guidebook, we publish regular updates. With so many things changing, we want to give you the most up-to-date information to have a great trip. These itineraries are reviewed and updated two times per year, plus we make updates as we learn of changes. Once you purchase an itinerary, you’ll have access to the itinerary and all updates for the next 11 months.

This is a digital product. Minutes after purchasing, a link to download the itinerary will be sent to your email. You can print it, but we suggest downloading it to your computer and your phone. There are a number of hyperlinks in the itinerary to link you to directions, restaurant websites, and activity operators. So it’s much easier to use it digitally!

Erica and I do not offer custom trip planning but we welcome emails from customers who have questions or want more suggestions!

We are proud of our itineraries, and thousands of happy customers will agree! The Wayfinder Itineraries are better than a custom itinerary because we provide alternative options on excursion days. You can pick family-friendly or adventure activities. You can also refer to the Quick Hits section to customize where to eat, find a different beach, or go to a snorkel spot.

You can always email us with questions and for suggestions, too!

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Your use of the information provided in our Content, Itineraries, Site, and Services is for your informational purposes only and is subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Your use of the information described in, your participation in activities presented in, and/or your engagement of any Travel Service Providers presented in our Content, Itineraries, Site, and/or Services may carry the risk of illness, bodily injury, disability, death, or property damage. You voluntarily and freely assume all risks and dangers that may occur pursuant to your access, use, purchase, or participation in any information, activity, good, or service described in our Content, Itineraries, Site, and Services or provided by any Travel Service Providers.

Don’t start planning without our cheat sheets

You’ll get:

  • 4 can’t-miss activities on each island,
  • a map with the main sights in town,
  • and famous local grindz (eats)!