10 Things to Know Before Your Romantic Big Island Trip (whether you’re eloping or vacationing)

Whether you’re getting married or you’re already married, these ten tips will help you to plan the most amazing, romantic trip to the Big Island of Hawaii

1. The Big Island is… Big!

…That’s what she said!

Okay, now that I got that out of my system, the Big Island really is a large island and I don’t want you to underestimate the size. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive from Kona to Volcanoes National Park, so you definitely want to be ready for long drive times. If you plan your trip strategically, you can spend the least amount of time in the car while still being able to see everything that you want to see. Part of your strategy may even include staying for part of your trip on the Kona side of the island and part of your trip in Hilo or Volcano Village.

One of the unique things about the Big Island is the microclimates all over the island. You can enjoy a coffee farm tour at Mountain Thunder Coffee, which is at about 3,200 feet elevation in the middle of the cool, Cloud Forest and drive 20 minutes down the mountain to a lava field desert. You might even be able to see snow on the summit of Mauna Kea in the winter time.

When you are packing for your romantic big island trip, you’ll want to think about layers. Yes, you want your bikinis, sundresses, and flip flops (or slippahs), but you’ll also want at least one pair of pants, a sweater, and a rain jacket to be prepared for any climate situation you enter on the Big Island.

2. Ease Into Your Trip

Travel time to the Hawaiian Islands is no joke. Flights from the west coast of the US to the Big Island are 5-6 hours. And that doesn’t include any layovers or coming from other parts of the US. Not to mention the time difference. Maybe I’m just an elder millennial, but traveling to the Big Island takes it out of me. So be prepared to feel a little tired on your first day or two on the island.

My favorite flights arrive to the Big Island between 2 and 5 pm. This gives you time to get your rental car, check into your lodging and be able to go out for dinner and possibly watch sunset, too! But even if you arrive earlier in the day, I suggest not making any big plans for your first day or two on the island. Plan your more relaxing experiences at the beginning of your trip. And if you are getting married while you’re on the Big Island, definitely wait until at least day 3 of your trip for your wedding.

3. Renting a Car (Preferably a 4WD) is a Must

Listen, I know coming to Hawaii is an expensive endeavor, but honestly you need to have a rental car on the Big Island. Nothing drives me more crazy than meeting people who are here visiting the island and they haven’t left their resort. The Big Island has so much beauty, history and culture to offer. And it’s quite safe, so there’s no need to feel confined to the resort areas.

Like I said before, the Big Island is actually quite large and there are many miles between some of the most iconic places on the island. On Oahu, you can totally get away with using public transportation and ride share, but on the Big Island, taxis and Ubers just aren’t abundant and they are more expensive than the cost of a rental car.

And since you’re already renting a car, may I suggest a 4WD vehicle? There are plenty of rugged roads where you’ll want the security of having 4WD as well as ground clearance. But if you want to go to the summit of Mauna Kea (more on that in a bit), or to some of the more remote, beautiful beaches, then having a 4WD vehicle like a Jeep is just a must have.

4. Driving to Volcanoes National Park is 100% Worth the Drive

I know I already said that it’s a 2.5 hour drive from Kona to Volcanoes National Park, but I promise that area of the island will absolutely be a highlight for you on your romantic Big Island Trip. Not only is the park itself stunning, but there is always the chance of seeing the most active volcano in the world, Kilauea, erupting AND there are waterfalls, a black sand beach, and a green sand beach all nearby.

One of the things I love most about Volcanoes National Park is how lush some parts of the park are. You truly feel like you’ve entered Jurassic Park or Pandora as you drive through the main areas of the park near Kilauea. There’s also some pretty incredible views of the Pacific Ocean (and the cutest place to stop for a picinc) as you drive towards the Holei Sea Arch on Chain of Craters Road.

I highly recommend staying in either Hilo or Volcano Village for 2-3 nights during your stay on the Big Island. That way you can spend a day exploring within Volcanoes National Park as well as the other beautiful areas on the east side of the island. Plus, some of the vacation rentals in Volcano Village are so dreamy and romantic.

5. Mauna Kea is Also Worth the Drive

Here I am with the theme of long drives being worth it. I know I’m kind of hyping up the amount of driving you’ll likely do while you’re on the Big Island, but I just don’t want you to be surprised. Plus, knowing that you’re in for a fair amount of driving makes it easier to plan your trip so you are spending more time enjoying the island than driving inefficiently around the island.

Anyway! Mauna Kea is a deeply spiritual place and holds incredible significance to the Hawaiian people. It is accessible to visitors with some restrictions. It’s so beautiful and romantic at sunset, and has the most incredibly clear skies for stargazing. When you plan your trip to Mauna Kea, you have two options. The first is to book a tour with a tour company and the second is to drive yourself in your 4WD rental vehicle. Both options have pros and cons.

If you decide to book with a tour company, you don’t have to think about anything except for showing up to the meeting place on time. Most tour companies provide a light meal, a heavy jacket, and so much knowledge during your tour. It’s also nice to not have to worry about driving the nearly 14,000 feet in elevation with part of that being on dirt roads. But you are on someone else’s timeline, which isn’t for everyone.

If you choose to drive yourself to the summit of Mauna Kea, you have a lot more planning to do. This includes making sure your rental company allows your vehicle to go to the summit of Mauna Kea. You’ll want to plan for more time than you think you need before sunset. You’ll have to spend 30-60 minutes at the Visitor’s Center to acclimate to the altitude of 9,200 feet. From there, it’s about 30-45 minutes to the summit to watch sunset. And just after the sunsets, you’ll be required to leave the summit, but you can go down to one of the lower parking lots to do some stargazing.

7. Learn About the Hawaiian People & Culture

The Hawaiian people and culture are so special and truly what make Hawaii the place that it is. When you are planning to visit the Big Island, I think it’s really important to educate yourself on the history of Hawaii so you can understand what the people of Hawaii have been through and continue to go through to protect their language and culture.

A great way to learn about Hawaii is to visit the Historic Sites here on the Big Island. My three favorites are: Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park, Pu’uhonua O’ Honaunau National Historic Park, and Pu’ukohala Heiau.

You can also download the Shaka Guide app for free. This app has access to driving tours of the Hawaiian Islands as well as many national parks. What I love about the driving tours is that they include really beautiful and incredible places to visit and connect to your GPS while you drive as well as teaches you about the history of Hawaii during the drive.

One last thing to mention about learning about Hawaii and its people & culture is to pay attention when signs say “Kapu” or “No Trespassing”. These signs protect places that have cultural significance to the Hawaiian people. If you see one, just stay out.

7. Reef Safe Sunscreen

Did you know the sale of sunscreens with ingredients that are known to be toxic to coral reefs is banned in Hawaii? This is something that people often overlook when packing for Hawaii. You run to the store and pick up some Banana Boat sunscreen, not realizing that it’s so harmful to coral reef environments. So, you can make sure you purchase reef safe, mineral-based sunscreen that does not have oxybenzone and octinoxate listed in the ingredients before your trip. Or, you can wait until you get to Hawaii to buy your sunscreen and then you’ll know for certain you won’t be using any harmful chemicals.

Pro tip about sunscreen, don’t buy any of the aerosol sunscreens if you are planning on going on a boat at any point. Most boats don’t allow their guests to spray sunscreen while on their boats because the sunscreen inevitably gets everywhere. This is problematic because it can create very slippery conditions as well as corrode equipment on the boat you are on. And then you’re stuck on a boat all day with no sunscreen.

8. Permits Are Required for Commercial Beach Activities

This is something you really only have to worry about if you are paying for a service on the beach. All beaches in Hawaii are public lands and so permits must be obtained for commercial activities such as photography. But don’t worry, this is handled by your photographer. All you need to do is ask them if they’ve obtained the necessary permits.

And speaking of permits, if you are getting legally married in Hawaii, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license once you are on any one of the Hawaiian islands. Want to learn more about how to obtain your marriage license? Check out this blog post for a detailed look at how to get married legally in Hawaii.

9. Support Local as Much as Possible

Listen, I get it. Everything here is a bit more expensive than you anticipated and Target is pretty consistent and reliable. BUT local people here rely on tourists to support their businesses and ultimately their livelihoods and families. One of my favorite thing about the Big Island is the creativity that entrepreneurs bring to their businesses. Whether you’re looking for fresh, local produce, handmade souvenirs, or an incredible meal, you can find some incredible locally-owned businesses to fulfill your needs.

Some of my favorite markets in Kona include:

Sundays – Pure Kona Green Market

Wednesdays & Fridays – Ho’oulu Community Farmers & Artisans Market

Fridays – Food Truck Fridays

Saturdays – Keauhou Farmer’s Market

10. Hire a Local Photographer

Hey, you knew it was coming if you read through an entire blog post written by a Kona photographer, am I right? Having professional photos taken with the stunning backdrop that is Hawaii means you get to keep a little piece of your romantic Big Island trip forever. Whether you’re getting married, on your honeymoon, or just enjoying a vacation with your favorite person, hiring a local photographer to take photos of you is always a good idea. Plus you can feel good about supporting local people.

If you are totally ready to book your sunset photo session, click this link: https://lunasoulphotoco.shootproof.com/booking/sunset-couple-family-sessions

If you want to chat before you book or you don’t see a date on the above link that works for you and your family, click here: http://lunasoulphoto.com/contact-for-families