6 Compelling Reasons to Visit Hawaii's Big Island This Season
The Big Island of Hawaii beckons with fresh attractions and timeless seasonal highlights, making the next few months an exceptional time to visit. Discover the dramatically reshaped Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, witness a traditional Hawaiian rodeo, or snorkel alongside communicative humpback whales.
Enhance your trip with flights starting at $179 one-way on Hawaiian Airlines and extended-stay savings at Marriott Resorts in Hawaii. It's no wonder travelers are booking 2019 vacations before finishing this guide.
Here are the top six reasons the Big Island tops our travel list right now:
The Reopened Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Following Kīlauea's 2018 eruption—featuring 125 days of lava fountains, ash, and vog—the park has fully reopened under clear skies. Experience the transformation firsthand on Hawaii Forest & Trail’s Volcano Unveiled tour, offering rare access to altered landscapes.
Hike lava fields past active steam vents and sulfur banks along the expanded Halemaʻumaʻu Crater rim, surrounded by resilient tree ferns and ʻōhiʻa trees. The tour includes the scenic Chain of Craters Road and a massive underground lava tube glowing with golden microbes.
Abundant Humpback Whales
Hawaii's winter whale season draws up to 8,000 humpbacks from Alaska to mate, rest, and calve.
For prime sightings of breaches and tail slaps, visit South and North Kohala districts from January to March. Join Kohala Divers' morning or sunset sails, combining whale watching with snorkeling. Divers may rarely spot whales underwater, but their songs travel miles, creating an unforgettable auditory experience.
Hawaiian Cowboys (Paniolos)
Hawaii's paniolo culture predates the U.S. mainland. In 1793, explorer George Vancouver gifted King Kamehameha I cattle, leading to unchecked herds. By 1832, Baja California cowboys trained locals, birthing the term "paniolos."
Admire their skills and leis at the annual Panaʻewa Stampede Rodeo (Feb. 16-18) in Hilo, featuring roping, barrel racing, bronco riding, and paniolo ballads. Riders can join horseback tours at 12,000-acre Kahua Ranch with Naʻalapa Stables.
Early Cherry Blossoms
Hawaii offers a tropical sakura alternative with peak blooms in early February at Waimea's historic Church Row trees, planted for Emperor Hirohito. The namesake festival blends Japanese tea ceremonies, kimono exhibits, Bon dancing, taiko, mochi making, sake, hula, lion dancers, and cherry desserts.
Tropical Oktoberfest: Kona Brewers Festival
Hawaii's craft beer boom shines at the annual Kona Brewers Festival (March 7), hosted at Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel luau grounds.
Sample 36 breweries and Hawaiian restaurants offering ahi poke tostadas, Kona coffee-marinated steaks, and pineapple gelato. Enjoy music, a recycled "Trash Fashion Show," and a homebrew competition. Pair with the morning Run for the Hops 5K/10K. Tickets on sale January 12; proceeds benefit local charities.
Street Festival Merriment
The pinnacle is the Merrie Monarch Festival hula competition (April 25-27), sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines. Tickets sell out fast from December, but enjoy the arts fair, Pacific dances, and Royal Parade in Hilo. Named for King David Kalākaua, who revived hula and Hawaiian traditions.
Where to Stay
Marriott's four Big Island resorts offer $100 nightly resort credit through March 31.
The Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay excels for manta ray viewing from its bayside restaurant or Evening Manta and Snorkel Adventure. Sail on a Hawaiian canoe or enjoy the 200-foot lava tube slide.
Redesigned Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa overlooks Anaehoʻomalu Bay and historic fishponds, with championship golf, pools, sunset luaus (Mon/Wed), and shopping at Queens’ MarketPlace and Kings’ Shops.
The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort highlights minimalist design framing Hapuna Beach, ancient lava fields, Hapuna Golf Course, and Hapuna Spa.
Iconic Mauna Kea Beach Hotel (1965), built by Laurance S. Rockefeller, features art tours, apiary honey, and the scenic golf course.
Getting There
Fly Hawaiian Airlines, celebrating 90 years of service. Enjoy complimentary meals in coach, Extra Comfort options, or first-class island cuisine by chef Lee Anne Wong.
Experience Hawaiian hospitality, music, and tips from crew. Direct from LAX; connections from 12 mainland cities, including Boston. Kona flights from $179 one-way West Coast.
