All the Best Places on the Big Island of Hawaii and a few in Oahu, too

All the Best Places on the Big Island of Hawaii and a few in Oahu, too

The Points Plan
We've spent close to 2 months on the Big Island of Hawaii and loved every minute! All of our favorite restaurants, beaches, tours, and places to stay that we've discovered through local tips and tested ourselves. Even the best place we found to rent a Jeep and buy gas! *Also included are a few tips on visiting Pearl Harbor located on Oahu. Our recommendation is to visit Pearl Harbor, maybe stay a couple of nights on Oahu, then skip to a different island. Oahu is beautiful but very crowded, and Hawaii has so much more to offer!
Updated ago
Save
Share

Waikiki, Oahu

Places to stay

As a certified travel agent, I can provide expert guidance and sometimes cheaper rates and perks for hotels. Please reach out if you're considering accommodations in Hawaii!

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
@thepointsplan
Kids amenities Right on the beach
Add to
Details
The Laylow, Autograph Collection
@thepointsplan
Great rates on rooms and close to the beach.
Add to
Details

Things to Do

Pearl Harbor

Cost: You can visit the USS Arizona Memorial for as little as $1 donation. Getting There: If you're not renting a car, I recommend you take a taxi or Uber from your hotel to Pearl Harbor because the bus makes plenty of stops along the way and driving. Traffic in Honolulu is the 3rd worse in the United States (seriously) so leave with plenty of time!Tour: The tour linked below includes pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Honolulu or somewhere very close and entry into the USS Arizona AND Battleship Missouri Memorials. The tour guide is fantastic and will walk you through Hawaiian history, and insider tips on the best way to navigate Pearl Harbor Memorial. 

Ala Moana Center
@thepointsplan
Daily hula show at 1pm at Centerstage, and International Market Place has everything from Hawaiian music to storytelling and lei making.
Add to
Details
Royal Hawaiian Center
@thepointsplan
Learn hula or ukelele? Weave a traditional floral lei or learn Hawaiian quilting? The Royal Hawaiian Center offers free lessons throughout the week, and also has free live entertainment and hula shows most evenings.
Add to
Details

Beaches

Waimea Bay Beach
@thepointsplan
Picnic on the beach here.
Add to
Details
Haleʻiwa Beach Park
@thepointsplan
Add to
Details
Sunset Beach Park
@thepointsplan
Add to
Details
Waikīkī Beach
@thepointsplan
This beach is crowded! Aim for the South side behind the wave breaks if you're looking for calmer waters.
Add to
Details
North Shore
@thepointsplan
Watch the professional surfers hit the big waves!
Add to
Details
Turtle Bay
@thepointsplan
Baby Waves, maybe even a green turtle!
Add to
Details
Kaimana Beach
@thepointsplan
Easy going beach good for families
Add to
Details
Magic Island Lagoon
@thepointsplan
Add to
Details

Kona

Safeway Fuel Station
@thepointsplan
As you might have guessed, gas is expensive on the Island. This is where we found the cheapest gas/ gallon and really clean bathrooms! *Public restrooms are difficult to find in gas stations and shops, if you gotta go, this one was free with a purchase, spotless, and air conditioned!
Add to
Details
Big Island Jeep Rental
@thepointsplan
If you want to see all of what the Big Island has to offer, then you're going to need a Jeep or something with 4-wheel drive. This place was fantastic! The jeep came with beach chairs, umbrellas, boogie boards, and a little cooler!
Add to
Details

Restaurants

Da Poke Shack
@thepointsplan
If I could have eaten here everyday, I would have. Some of the best poke you’re going to find! Grab your poke here and take it to magic sands to eat with a view
Add to
Details
Kaaloa's Super J's
@thepointsplan
4.9, 1,200 reviews Do yourself a favor and eat lunch here. It was amazing and very reasonably priced.
Add to
Details
Anuenue Ice Cream & Shave Ice
@thepointsplan
Small, unassuming window that serves up the best shave ice we’ve found. They were super nice to us too! Make sure you order your shave ice with ice cream and snow capped. Thank me later!
Add to
Details
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
@thepointsplan
Great spot to grab lunch or dinner! A bit on the pricier side, but a great menu with high quality options.
Add to
Details
Kona Brewing Co.
@thepointsplan
Beautiful garden to grab a bite to eat! Definitely on the pricier side, but lots of options and everything was great, including a wonderful, frosty brew.
Add to
Details
Ma'ona Lunch Counter
@thepointsplan
If you find yourself on the Hilo side, this is a great little spot to grab a decent priced lunch and head next door to eat and grab a beer to go with it!
Add to
Details
Gypsea Gelato
@thepointsplan
A few different locations. Absolutely amazing gelato!
Add to
Details
Kiri Thai
@thepointsplan
The best Thai food we’ve had in a long time! Wonderful food, great service, and very reasonably priced. Don’t leave without an order of mango sticky rice.
Add to
Details
Ola Brew Co
@thepointsplan
Great local brewery with really good pizza and bites. Enjoy some live music too if you get the chance.
Add to
Details
Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store
@thepointsplan
Make this your fancy / expensive night out. Everything on the menu is delicious. Make sure you fill out your free post card after dinner, and the staff will mail it for you!
Add to
Details
Shaka Tacoz
@thepointsplan
Tacos, burritos, and quesadillas with a spectacular view! BYOB and get there in time to watch the sunset.
Add to
Details
Queens' Marketplace
@thepointsplan
Stop in here to pick up some pre made sandwiches, fruit, and pastries before heading to the beach! They also have sushi to-go or made to order. You can also find Hawaii souvenirs here too.
Add to
Details
Lava Lava Beach Club
@thepointsplan
Fun spot tucked into the resort neighborhood with a lawn to throw some bags and a patio to enjoy the water. Pricey here, but portions were big enough to share on some items; aim for happy hour for cheaper drinks! Head over to the beach nearby after for calm waters perfect for swimming or snorkeling.
Add to
Details
Honaunau Poke Shop
@thepointsplan
Love this place! Great poke, and very reasonably priced.
Add to
Details
Black Rock Pizza - Captain Cook
@thepointsplan
Local chain in Hawaii with great pizza! Grab one to share or get the small one for a personal pan.
Add to
Details
On the Rocks
@thepointsplan
If you’re on Ali’i drive and looking for lunch, this is a great option right on the water!
Add to
Details

Things to Do

Greenwell Farms
@thepointsplan
A free coffee tour with plenty of tasting, and a very detailed and rich tour of the plantation and how coffee is made.
Add to
Details
Painted Church
@thepointsplan
Beautiful church with an interesting story. Stop by and enjoy the artwork inside. Bonus, find the banana bread stand on the way, it's the best!
Add to
Details
Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station
@thepointsplan
You NEED 4-Wheel drive for this one! Drive to the top of Mauna Kea and pass through the clouds to watch the sunset. A truly magical experience. Make sure you stop for 30 minutes at the information station to adjust to the altitude before continuing up. This is a great spot to use the restroom, and add some warm layers. It's very windy and cool at the top. You'll also see Hawaii's one and only snow plow. The rangers will give you a brief tutorial on which gears to climb up and down the mountain, and will check your brake temperature on the way out.
Add to
Details
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
@thepointsplan
Learn about Big Island's explosive past, walk through a lava tube and enjoy the view over the volcanic craters. *Tip Download the National Parks app to get a Free, self-guided driving tour through the park.
Add to
Details
Rainbow Falls
@thepointsplan
Beautiful waterfall to see if you're in the area. The banyan tree in the park nearby is also worth a visit. Be warned! This tree is so tempting to climb, but the sap of the banyan tree can cause skin irritation and a rash. From first hand experience, it's itchy for a couple of days and then goes away with some hydrocortisone cream.
Add to
Details
Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary
@thepointsplan
Add to
Details
Ocean Rider Inc
@thepointsplan
This farm raises seahorses for commercial aquariums and to protect the species in the wild. During the 90 minute tour, participants will learn about seahorses, their environment, and their breeding. At the end of the tour, you’ll be given the opportunity to hold a seahorse and watch as it wraps around your finger. Even an over-tired, grumpy kid will be pretty amazed by these little sea creatures.
Add to
Details

Beaches

*Tip: Make sure you bring water shoes with you! The sand and trails to the beach are a bit rough, with occasional lava rocks thrown in, and can be very hot! 

Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
@thepointsplan
My personal favorite beach. An easy drive up to the beach with access to bathrooms and a drinking fountain. Parking is a bit rough along the side of the road in; if you don’t have a jeep or a larger car, make sure you arrive early enough to not need 4-wheel drive to park. The sand is soft and white, gentle on the feet with a few lava rocks outlining the beach and creating steps on your way in. The surf is clear of rocks and there’s always a life guard on duty.
Add to
Details
Ho‘okena Beach Park
@thepointsplan
If your staying closer to Captain Cook, south of Kona, then this is a great little beach. Not as crowded as the ones closer to Kona, which means a bit of extra space and some shade trees too. Parking is sparse and the sand is HOT! Be careful where you enter the water as there are a few rocky areas. We saw dolphins swimming and jumping out of the water about 100 yards out on every visit to this beach.
Add to
Details
Spencer Beach Park
@thepointsplan
Wonderful little beach on the north side of Kona. A little less crowded since the drive is a bit further. Plenty of shade, bathrooms huge, clean and have shower/ changing stalls. Take the path through the jungle on the left side of the Spencer beach and find another, beach that few venture to.
Add to
Details
Mahai'ula beach
@thepointsplan
You NEED 4-wheel drive for this one! The "road" to get here is an adventure itself. Consider it a tour of the lava fields on the way to the beautiful white sand beach. Make sure you bring your water shoes! Some of the lava rocks made their way onto the beach. If you want to spread out a bit, take the path that runs parallel to the beach, located off the parking lot. Keep an eye out for monk seals and sea turtles as this is one of their favorite beaches too!
Add to
Details

* * *
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Points Plan
We are an independent travel company that can help you fly to your dream destinations for practically free using points & miles AND I am also a certified travel advisor so that I can help you make the absolute most out of your next trip! Finding good places takes time and plenty of research, especially if you're trying to bring your family, friends and even your dog with you. We've done the research on where to stay, eat, and do with and sometimes without your dog so that you don't have to! We spent a year traveling all over Europe with our good boy, Copper, the dog (although he doesn't think he's *just* a dog). We've got places and activities that are dog-friendly as well as a few places where it's best to leave your furry friends at home. We have also planned romantic getaways, honeymoons, and friends trips all over the world. Oh hey, while you're here... We can also help get you to your dream destinations for (almost) free! We started The Points Plan to help other travelers book flights for (almost) free by developing custom travel rewards plans. We've traveled all over the world using our points and miles, and we want to fly you too! Did I mention I'm also a certified travel advisor? Once I fly you to your dream destination I want to help you find the perfect accommodations, restaurants, tours, and activities, all at no extra cost to you! (Seriously, the same price you would have found online). Let me put my Type A personality to work for you and help you on your next trip!
Send A Tip
Support The Points Plan’s work.
Select your tip amount
$5
$10
$20
$50
Or type in other amount
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© The Points Plan 2025 Help Privacy Terms Copyright Become a Seller Seller Academy About Careers Blog Explore Places