My Big Island Recommendations & Advice

People come from all over the world to swim with the Manta Rays here. There are many boats to choose from. I recommend booking this for the beginning of your trip in case your trip gets canceled due to weather of rough seas. In this case, you'll have time to reschedule.

-Atlantis Submarine -Glass bottom boat -Keiki Pond behind the Old Aʻs baseball field and tennis courts. You can park There is a public access between two large ocean front homes. - Mauna Lani Fishponds and coast and Napua -City of Refuge -Day trip to Hilo to see Waterfalls, Lilioikalani gardens and coconut island with a trip to the rainforest Zoo -Waimea Parker School has a nice farmers market on Saturday mornings and there is an epic playground across called Anueanue -Volcano National park lots has lots of little walks and hikes -The Lili House Farm (near volcano) -Higashihara Playground

Temperatures in Kona are in mid to low 80s here during the day and evening in low 70s. Bring casual summer clothes, sun protective shirts and swim clothes. If you plan to visit Volcano national park- bring rain jackets and a sweater for cooler temperatures. Comfortable shoes and flip flops are a must!

We kama'ainas (local people) take great pride in protecting and caring for our island home. We ask our guests to please consider two simple things that would help preserve the beauty and health of our islands. First, consider bringing your own reusable drinking water containers to avoid buying single use plastic water bottles. Everything is shipped into Hawaii and also must be shipped out including all the recycling. Kona tap water is safe to drink.

Secondly, only buy and use "reef friendly" suncreens during your Hawaiian vacation. Hawaii is the first state in the US to ban the sale of sunscreen containing the coral-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate. If you plan on bringing suncreen from home, we urge you to carefully read the ingredients of your suncreen to make sure they do not have the above mentioned chemicals which eventually kill our coral reefs and harm marine life.

In our tropical climate, cockroaches, ants, geckos, gnats and spiders and other pests are ubiquitous. While we have professional pest control come regularly, keeping the unit clean and free of food residue will greatly reduce this inconvenience.

Please consider when buying plastic water bottles, that Hawaii County does not recycle bottles larger than 68 oz, and only accepts glass, aluminum, and plastic containers with the “HI-5 ¢” mark

Be very cautious of driving at night on the highways especially on Saddle road. There are lots of wild goats and sheep crossing.