Upon arrival in Kailua, you will be met and transferred to the seaside Royal Kona Resort. The hotel is located on Alii Drive in downtown Kailua overlooking Kailua bay. Spend the afternoon walking the streets of downtown or relaxing on the beach.

We will meet for a welcome cocktail that evening before enjoying our first taste of Hawaii at our welcome dinner overlooking the Kailua bay. Enjoy the ocean breeze as we dine out for the first time amongst the surf and rocks on the coastline. Dessert is enjoyed over a Hawaiian sunset. Following dinner, we will stroll along the sea wall back to our hotel for a restful sleep. Welcome to Kona!
Accommodations: Royal Kona Resort

DAY TWO.   MARINE WONDERS, HIDDEN COVES, & COFFEE PLANTATIONS.  A typical morning in Hawaii begins with local Kona coffee and fresh island fruits. Breakfast will be served seaside before we set out to visit a working coffee plantation. We will take a zodiac boat ride along the coastline to explore hidden coves, and snorkel with colorful marine life. That evening, you will be entertained at a traditional Hawaiian Luau where you will get to dine on the delicious flavors of the islands.
Accommodations: Royal Kona Resort

DAY THREE.   HISTORY IN KOHALA & MUDDY ATV FUN.  We depart Kona and drive north through the lava fields of North Kona and into the Paniolo (cowboy) country of Kamuela. We will stop for lunch in Waimea, home of the Parker Ranch, the largest privately-owned cattle ranch in the United States. The scenery changes very quickly once we leave the coast and wander through these rolling grasslands to the North shore of the island. Black lava fields are quickly replaced by sugar cane plantations, large Koa and O’hia trees, and cattle ranches.

That afternoon, we will visit Waipio Valley. One of the most sacred places on the island, we will explore this breathtaking spot on a guided ATV ride and experience a hidden paradise of waterfalls, beaches, and farmlands. After our riding tour, we will drive back to Kona via the upper highway, giving you beautiful views of the north Kona coastline. Relax at the hotel that evening and enjoy an evening on your own to explore the culinary diversity of Kailua’s restaurants.
Accommodations: Royal Kona Resort

DAY FOUR.   GREEN SAND, BLACK SAND, AND MAC NUTS.  We say goodbye to Kailua town and make our way south through Holualoa, Captain Cook, and wind our way around the southern tip of the Big Island. We will make a stop for a four-hour hike to South Point and the home of the green sands beach. At the southern most point in the Hawaiian Islands, we experience this unique sand and the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean. We will pack our lunch in with us, and relax in the sun and breeze of the sea before making our way to Volcano Village that evening for dinner.
Accommodations: Volcano Village Lodge

DAY FIVE.   DOWNHILL BIKING, KILAUEA CRATER, LAVA TUBES, & WINE.  After breakfast, we set out to explore Volcanoes National Park on a guided bicycle tour. With the expertise of our guides, we will visit some of the hottest spots in the park via the famous downhill biking route. Along the route, we learn of lava flows and Hawaiian history. On foot, we will enter Thurston Lava Tube, then bike south and witness actively flowing lava, followed by wine tasting at the Volcano Winery. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Hawaiian meal prepared by local friends. That’s an incredible day of discovery!
Accommodations: Volcano Village Lodge

DAY SIX.   FLOWERS, FALLS, & FAREWELLS.  From Volcano Village, our exploration of the Big Island takes us north along the eastern coast through the Puna district. We will visit one of the most amazing botanical gardens in the United States before having lunch in the historic town of Hilo. Following a local-style meal, the falls are just 15 minutes drive from town. Akaka Falls plunges 463’ to a foam-white pool below, making the jungle around it thrive with birdlife and rainforest plants. A short walks takes us to the overlook to experience this special place.

That afternoon is capped off with a visit to the Japanese Gardens in Hilo on Banyan Drive. Underneath the canopy of these beautiful trees is one of Hilo’s most beautiful features, a traditional garden in Japanese style with ponds, arched bridges, and sculpted plants and trees.

From here, we will say our farewells and depart for the Hilo airport where you can journey home, or continue with OutWest Global Adventures to Kauai for our next leg of adventure and discovery. If you have booked Kauai: The Garden Isle, your inter-island airfare is included in your package. Or, choose to add a couple nights in Honolulu and visit Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, and Diamond Head.