11 days in Island of Hawaii Itinerary

One of the island of Hawaii's major towns, Hilo contains a mix of Asian and Polynesian cultures and is known for its proximity to a national park encompassing two active volcanoes.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Wed): admire the natural beauty at Liliuokalani Gardens, look for gifts at Hilo Coffee Mill, then get impressive views of Kīlauea, and finally take a memorable tour with Tours. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: view the masterpieces at Volcano Art Center Gallery, then trek along Sulphur Banks, and then Head underground at Kazumura Cave Tours.

To see photos, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Hilo trip itinerary builder tool.

New York City to Hilo is an approximately 15-hour flight. The time zone difference when traveling from New York City to Hilo is minus 5 hours. Expect much warmer temperatures when traveling from New York City in November; daily highs in Hilo reach 82°F and lows reach 68°F. Cap off your sightseeing on the 7th (Thu) early enough to go by car to Waikoloa.

Waikoloa Village is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaii County, Hawaii, United States. On the 8th (Fri), see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour, then stroll through Waialea Beach, then stroll through Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve, and finally contemplate the long history of Puako Petroglyph Archaeological Preserve. On the next day, see the sky in a new way at Mauna Kea Observatories, look for gifts at Waikoloa Beach Resort, and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Puukohola National Historic Park.

To see photos, maps, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Waikoloa vacation planning tool.

Traveling by car from Hilo to Waikoloa takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In November, daytime highs in Waikoloa are 84°F, while nighttime lows are 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Sat) early enough to drive to Kailua-Kona.

Thanks to its favorable location near a mountain range blocking the northeasterly trade winds, Kailua-Kona gets little rainfall, allowing adventure seekers and nature lovers a chance to enjoy over 300 days of sunshine each year.

You'll explore and learn at Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center and H.N. Greenwell Store Museum. Get in touch with nature at Kona Cloud Forest and Kula Kai Caverns. Get out of town with these interesting Kailua-Kona side-trips: Two Step (in Captain Cook) and Naalehu (Paradise Meadows Orchard & Bee Farm Home of Hawaii's Local Buzz & South Point Complex). And it doesn't end there: admire the majestic nature at Kekaha Kai State Park, view the masterpieces at Lava Light Galleries, examine the collection at Kona Historical Society, and identify plant and animal life at Living Ocean Adventures.

To find where to stay, photos, traveler tips, and tourist information, use the Kailua-Kona trip itinerary planner.

Traveling by car from Waikoloa to Kailua-Kona takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In November, plan for daily highs up to 84°F, and evening lows to 73°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 15th (Fri) early enough to travel back home.