Comments on: Best (Hawaii) Big Island Free and Budget Friendly Activities http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/ Hawaii Travel Guide & Vacation Advice Sun, 12 Feb 2012 17:21:36 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-590149 sheila Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:28:05 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-590149 Jos -- based on your criteria, I'd suggest you look in the Puako area -- beautiful clear water and non touristy. Though, finding something for under 200 per night could prove to be a challenge. Jos — based on your criteria, I’d suggest you look in the Puako area — beautiful clear water and non touristy. Though, finding something for under 200 per night could prove to be a challenge.

]]> By: jos http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-589336 jos Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:47:44 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-589336 Hi Sheila. Thanks for the great info!! My wife, 6 month old baby boy and I will be heading to the big island next month and curious about lodging... We really would like something VERY close to the water. We LOVE good clear water and relaxing. We use VRBO for finding places usually and have had a good experience but not really finding something we love. Do you recommend any places to stay? we avoid touristy/resort type places and would love a cottage/bungalow/small house... Doesn't need to be fancy but location is the thing I think we find most important. Can you recommend something ON or very close to the beach under 2oo dollars per night? Thanks so much!! Hi Sheila. Thanks for the great info!!

My wife, 6 month old baby boy and I will be heading to the big island next month and curious about lodging…

We really would like something VERY close to the water. We LOVE good clear water and relaxing. We use VRBO for finding places usually and have had a good experience but not really finding something we love. Do you recommend any places to stay? we avoid touristy/resort type places and would love a cottage/bungalow/small house… Doesn’t need to be fancy but location is the thing I think we find most important. Can you recommend something ON or very close to the beach under 2oo dollars per night?

Thanks so much!!

]]> By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44181 sheila Fri, 16 Apr 2010 20:13:06 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44181 Gary - I haven't personally been to the Ahalanui pools, so I can't speak from experience. Here's a link to get directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ahalanui+pools&sll=18.523562,73.834476&sspn=0.109543,0.222988&ie=UTF8&hq=ahalanui+pools&hnear=&radius=15000&ll=19.460442,-154.847832&spn=0.217856,0.445976&z=12&iwloc=A Swimming with dolphins is pricey! We did Dolphin Quest on Oahu. They have a location on the Big Island at Waikoloa Hilton. Gary – I haven’t personally been to the Ahalanui pools, so I can’t speak from experience. Here’s a link to get directions: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ahalanui+pools&sll=18.523562,73.834476&sspn=0.109543,0.222988&ie=UTF8&hq=ahalanui+pools&hnear=&radius=15000&ll=19.460442,-154.847832&spn=0.217856,0.445976&z=12&iwloc=A

Swimming with dolphins is pricey! We did Dolphin Quest on Oahu. They have a location on the Big Island at Waikoloa Hilton.

]]> By: Gary http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44175 Gary Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:21:14 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44175 Thanks again Sheila. We will go circle island this year. Taking the daughter with us for the first time. We have been to one of the botaniclals and I'm sure we will again this year. Are the hot pools hard to find? That is one thing we havent done. Hapuna is nice, but windy every time it seems. My daughters biggest wish is to swim with the dolphins. Still looking for an affordable way to pull that off. Thanks again Sheila. We will go circle island this year. Taking the daughter with us for the first time. We have been to one of the botaniclals and I’m sure we will again this year. Are the hot pools hard to find? That is one thing we havent done. Hapuna is nice, but windy every time it seems. My daughters biggest wish is to swim with the dolphins. Still looking for an affordable way to pull that off.

]]> By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44169 sheila Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:36:56 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44169 Gary - If the lava is flowing where you can see it at night, I'd really encourage you to see it at night. The difference between seeing in the day and at night is amazing and really worth the effort. We have driven back to the Kona side after seeing the lava at night and though it was long, it's doable. If you have any flexibility in your vacation plans, maybe you could plan to spend a night in the village of Volcano. That way, you'd get more time to spend at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and see the lava at night (if it's flowing) without having to drive as far in the dark. Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens is well worth a visit. I aim to stop there every time I visit. If you liked the Waipio Valley down at valley level, maybe you'd like to hike the Waipio Valley Rim for a different view: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/11/waipio-valley-rim-hike-with-hawaiian-walkways/ Gary –

If the lava is flowing where you can see it at night, I’d really encourage you to see it at night. The difference between seeing in the day and at night is amazing and really worth the effort. We have driven back to the Kona side after seeing the lava at night and though it was long, it’s doable.

If you have any flexibility in your vacation plans, maybe you could plan to spend a night in the village of Volcano. That way, you’d get more time to spend at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and see the lava at night (if it’s flowing) without having to drive as far in the dark.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens is well worth a visit. I aim to stop there every time I visit.

If you liked the Waipio Valley down at valley level, maybe you’d like to hike the Waipio Valley Rim for a different view: http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/11/waipio-valley-rim-hike-with-hawaiian-walkways/

]]> By: Gary http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44084 Gary Fri, 16 Apr 2010 08:32:24 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44084 Hi Sheila. We have driven down to where you can see the plume from the lava entering the ocean. We have never done the night view just because of the drive back to Kailua that late. However Volcanoe Ntl. Park and the Botanicals in Hilo are a worththy trip. The area we visit on Kealakekua Bay we have come to know as Manini Beach. Small and secluded but a nice view of the Cook monument and excellent snorkelling! We are considering the ATV thing this year, however we are more horsebacker's than atver's. Thinking about a more paniolo type ride? Any other ideas? Hi Sheila.
We have driven down to where you can see the plume from the lava entering the ocean. We have never done the night view just because of the drive back to Kailua that late. However Volcanoe Ntl. Park and the Botanicals in Hilo are a worththy trip. The area we visit on Kealakekua Bay we have come to know as Manini Beach. Small and secluded but a nice view of the Cook monument and excellent snorkelling! We are considering the ATV thing this year, however we are more horsebacker’s than atver’s. Thinking about a more paniolo type ride? Any other ideas?

]]> By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44019 sheila Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:55:00 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-44019 Gary - one of the great things about going to Hawaii is you almost never run out of things to do. Just a few quick thoughts came to mind as I read what you have done and seem to like - - Have you gone on an ATV tour? - Have you seen the lava flow? http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/03/16/advice-for-viewing-the-big-island-lava-flow/ - Have you done any snorkeling? Kealakekua Bay is one of the best places in Hawaii Have fun! Gary – one of the great things about going to Hawaii is you almost never run out of things to do. Just a few quick thoughts came to mind as I read what you have done and seem to like -

- Have you gone on an ATV tour?
- Have you seen the lava flow? http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/03/16/advice-for-viewing-the-big-island-lava-flow/
- Have you done any snorkeling? Kealakekua Bay is one of the best places in Hawaii

Have fun!

]]> By: Gary http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-43978 Gary Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:30:00 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-43978 My wife and I will be returning for the 6th time this year. We have horsebacked into waipio valley, (highly reccomended), jet skied, (not so highly reccomended), rented a harley for a day just to name a few. We have done 2 different luau's and enjoyed both very much. We have stayed at the Outrigger in Keahou 4 times, not the 4 seasons but nice on a budget and the staff was always very curtious. This will be our second at the Kona Reef condo. We enjoy that even more. Looking for some new things to do this year. My wife and I will be returning for the 6th time this year. We have horsebacked into waipio valley, (highly reccomended), jet skied, (not so highly reccomended), rented a harley for a day just to name a few. We have done 2 different luau’s and enjoyed both very much. We have stayed at the Outrigger in Keahou 4 times, not the 4 seasons but nice on a budget and the staff was always very curtious. This will be our second at the Kona Reef condo. We enjoy that even more. Looking for some new things to do this year.

]]> By: Elle Wood http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-35064 Elle Wood Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:46:54 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-35064 Fantastic post! These are the sort of tips that anyone going to the islands should know about. There is so much to see and do than most people ever realize, and often times for very little to no cost. Fantastic post! These are the sort of tips that anyone going to the islands should know about. There is so much to see and do than most people ever realize, and often times for very little to no cost.

]]> By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-32494 sheila Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:01:52 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-32494 Bec - many options! One off the beaten path area that came to mind is Honokaa. It's somewhat centrally located, though not a lot of beaches nearby. The Waikoloa Beach Resort(http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/12/01/waikoloa-beach-resort-a-great-place-to-stay-on-hawaiis-big-island/) is one of my favorite areas of the Big Island, though you're more likely to find a 3- bedroom condo/villa rather than a large house. We really liked the Hali'i Kai villa complex there. Bec – many options! One off the beaten path area that came to mind is Honokaa. It’s somewhat centrally located, though not a lot of beaches nearby.

The Waikoloa Beach Resort(http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/12/01/waikoloa-beach-resort-a-great-place-to-stay-on-hawaiis-big-island/) is one of my favorite areas of the Big Island, though you’re more likely to find a 3- bedroom condo/villa rather than a large house. We really liked the Hali’i Kai villa complex there.

]]> By: Bec http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-32452 Bec Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:09:27 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-32452 I plan to get married in Hawaii, I think the big island.We are looking at maybe renting short term approx 2weeks a house so all families can stay and get married on the beach/at the property / or in gardens etc. Can you recommend the most beautiful area that is not too expensive? We love nature , the beaches, wildlife etc. Thanks Bec I plan to get married in Hawaii, I think the big island.We are looking at maybe renting short term approx 2weeks a house so all families can stay and get married on the beach/at the property / or in gardens etc.

Can you recommend the most beautiful area that is not too expensive? We love nature , the beaches, wildlife etc.

Thanks
Bec

]]> By: Mike http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-25500 Mike Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:42:35 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-25500 We stayed at Aloha Junction bed and breakfast a few minutes from the entrance to the Volcano National Park. Really nice people run it. And it was such a nice change from the hotel in Waikiki we stayed at. So quiet! You hear the birds and everything! I tried to get something booked for us for this trip, but they were booked. So instead we booked something near the ocean at a place called Kapoho Kaiyo. Really nice, walking distance to the ocean and tide pools. When we get time tomorrow, we plan on going snorkeling! We stayed at Aloha Junction bed and breakfast a few minutes from the entrance to the Volcano National Park. Really nice people run it. And it was such a nice change from the hotel in Waikiki we stayed at. So quiet! You hear the birds and everything! I tried to get something booked for us for this trip, but they were booked. So instead we booked something near the ocean at a place called Kapoho Kaiyo. Really nice, walking distance to the ocean and tide pools. When we get time tomorrow, we plan on going snorkeling!

]]> By: shelton http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-23127 shelton Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:39:53 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-23127 Thanks for the info. Back in March this year, my fiance and I got married in Maui and stayed at the Grand Wailea. It was beautiful! and we loved it!.....but our first buffet breakfast for 2 costs us $90.00!!! we were shocked but at least it got us prepared for rest of trip:) Thanks for the info. Back in March this year, my fiance and I got married in Maui and stayed at the Grand Wailea. It was beautiful! and we loved it!…..but our first buffet breakfast for 2 costs us $90.00!!! we were shocked but at least it got us prepared for rest of trip:)

]]> By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-18739 sheila Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:21:38 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-18739 Hi Cassandra - a place that Andy & I stayed at that was really unique is the Volcano Rainforest Retreat. It's near the town of Volcano very close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We stayed in the Forest House where we were surrounded by rainforest. It was really a unique experience. http://www.volcanoretreat.com/cottages.shtml Just one semi-word of caution, it's a little bit "new age", so to speak. We're not new age people but, we didn't actually find it was a problem. I just wanted to let you know. Hi Cassandra – a place that Andy & I stayed at that was really unique is the Volcano Rainforest Retreat. It’s near the town of Volcano very close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. We stayed in the Forest House where we were surrounded by rainforest. It was really a unique experience. http://www.volcanoretreat.com/cottages.shtml

Just one semi-word of caution, it’s a little bit “new age”, so to speak. We’re not new age people but, we didn’t actually find it was a problem. I just wanted to let you know.

]]> By: Cassandra http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-18737 Cassandra Tue, 09 Jun 2009 19:57:26 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-18737 Hi Sheila - My husband and I are planning a trip to Hawaii this September. We plan on spending 6 days on the Big Island and at least two days exploring the Volcanoes National Park. Can you recommend a few nearby places that we can stay at for a couple of nights? We would apprciate any other tips or pointers you have for us. Thanks, Cassandra Hi Sheila – My husband and I are planning a trip to Hawaii this September. We plan on spending 6 days on the Big Island and at least two days exploring the Volcanoes National Park. Can you recommend a few nearby places that we can stay at for a couple of nights? We would apprciate any other tips or pointers you have for us.

Thanks,
Cassandra

]]> By: Leslie Lang http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-13162 Leslie Lang Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:47:36 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-13162 Sheila, what an incredible blog! From someone who lives on the Big Island, let me say that you really have it all right! We have just started a site that you or your viewers might be interested in. It's bigislandonthecheapdotcom, and we feature free, discounted and cheap things for visitors or residents to do on the Big Island. We're about to officially launch the site (also: honoluluonthecheapdotcom) in the next week or so with some discount coupons to some great attractions as part of our big launch. You're really doing a terrific job and congratulations on your Lonely Planet awards. Well deserved! Ho‘omaika‘i! Leslie lang Sheila, what an incredible blog! From someone who lives on the Big Island, let me say that you really have it all right!

We have just started a site that you or your viewers might be interested in. It’s bigislandonthecheapdotcom, and we feature free, discounted and cheap things for visitors or residents to do on the Big Island. We’re about to officially launch the site (also: honoluluonthecheapdotcom) in the next week or so with some discount coupons to some great attractions as part of our big launch.

You’re really doing a terrific job and congratulations on your Lonely Planet awards. Well deserved! Ho‘omaika‘i!

Leslie lang

]]> By: sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-12287 sheila Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:32:45 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-12287 Excellent Becca! Hope you have a wonderful time and please come back and let us know how your trip went. Aloha! Excellent Becca! Hope you have a wonderful time and please come back and let us know how your trip went. Aloha!

]]> By: Becca http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-12285 Becca Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:03:36 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-12285 We are going to Hawaii tomorrow, the 23rd! We are staying here: http://www.renthawaiihome.com/banana/index.html and a couple of days with my in laws at Kona Coast 2. We are going to Hawaii tomorrow, the 23rd! We are staying here:

http://www.renthawaiihome.com/banana/index.html

and a couple of days with my in laws at Kona Coast 2.

]]> By: Muhamad Ridwan http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-11933 Muhamad Ridwan Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:16:31 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-11933 I just wanna go to hawaii to be : ( "hawaii student exchange program 2009" ) because It's my dream go there when I was child I just wanna go to hawaii to be : ( “hawaii student exchange program 2009″ )
because It’s my dream go there when I was child

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-3557 Sheila Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:37:52 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/25/best-big-island-budget-fun/#comment-3557 Marios - I think you'll find plenty to do! We're staying in a condo in Waikoloa right now. The best restaurants we've found here in Waikoloa are Roys in the Kings Shops and Sensei's in the Queens Marketplace. The Island Fish and Chip stand in the Kings Shops has pretty good food for lunch. For a quick cheap bite, also check out the food court at the Queens Marketplace. These are all very walkable from the Waikoloa Marriott. A-bay right in front of the Marriott is a nice beach. We've walked out there for sunset a couple of times. Marios – I think you’ll find plenty to do!

We’re staying in a condo in Waikoloa right now. The best restaurants we’ve found here in Waikoloa are Roys in the Kings Shops and Sensei’s in the Queens Marketplace. The Island Fish and Chip stand in the Kings Shops has pretty good food for lunch. For a quick cheap bite, also check out the food court at the Queens Marketplace. These are all very walkable from the Waikoloa Marriott.

A-bay right in front of the Marriott is a nice beach. We’ve walked out there for sunset a couple of times.

]]>