Loved this 5 miles round trip hike to the beach. Huge variety of vegetation and most of the trail…read moretramps through a tree forest. The tree forest is interesting with some abandoned and vegetation encrusted old jeeps and cars, historic rock walls and towards the end, spur trails to the sea cliffs, and a collapsed lava tube. At the end is a gorgeous bay favored by sea turtles. We saw at least 23 turtles on our visit. Please note that this trail is muddy and very muddy in spots even when it has not been raining, and the footing is very uneven so it is not for the casual walker, for flip flops or any shoes that you don't mind getting very muddy. I found that having hiking poles was helpful in order to gage how thick the mud was at various places on the pathway. Go early as it is very humid by late morning or mid day.

Read the reviews. Is it muddy and rocky and uneven? YES. But it's mostly in the shade! Be prepared,…read morehave the right shoes, take your time, a lot of the really bad spots and walk around areas etc. if you're not careful, you will end up covered in mud. The beach is neat, we enjoyed snorkeling. Be careful as there can be some strong currents on the far left side (if you're looking out) according to some locals we met.

Before you read this- go book your tour! Steve and Monica were wonderful! We had a bit of a…read morescheduling issue in coming out to see them and they were more than accommodating so that we could explore the caverns! Also, they have hard hats for you which, even if you try really hard, you will need! Monica took us into the tubes and was an excellent guide, she showed us all the different kinds of lavas and was so patient when we wanted pictures and even snapped a few of us herself! This was such a cool experience, so happy we got to do this!

We found this tour on our last day in Kona. When we called there were no more appointments…read moreavailable but Monica was nice enough to accommodate us. The tour was great and Monica explained how the lava tube formed over time, and she let us take our time inside with no rush. We really enjoyed it and recommend to friends and family!

Hale Akule is a wonderfully quaint and amazing home. The space is light, bright, and airy. It comes…read morecompletely furnished, including a washer and dryer which makes it nice while on vacation. It has two bedrooms and one bath, as well as, a sleeper sofa and an air mattress, that we found convenient for our large family. The kitchen was well appointed and had everything we needed to stay in and cook meals, as well as an outdoor barbecue. It is located on the eastern shores of the Big Island of Hawaii. In a nice quiet, rural neighborhood complete with chickens and roosters. Our favorite thing about the rental, is that it has a covered lanai, that allows for enjoying nature and the beautiful half acre in which it sits on. We found a place we love, and we believe you will too. So the next time you're on the big island of Hawaii, stay here! You'll be glad you did, just as we were...

From the owner: Enjoy and explore "The Big Island" of Hawaii amongst the locals. Our quaint hale (home) rentals are…read morelocated in the lush tropical rain forests near the eastern shores of "The Big Island" of Hawaii and just 20 minutes South of Hilo International Airport. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, we offer an affordable alternative to a hotel stay. Our "Hale Akule" vacation home gives you over 900 square feet of living space in which to stretch out, unwind, and enjoy. We offer far more spacious living arrangements than most major hotels; most major hotel rooms average just 325 square feet of space with shared walls. Why live with shared walls? When you can enjoy a private home with half an acre of lush tropical rain forest! "Come home to Hale Akule" and feel the mana. Come live like the locals, in one of our homes. The vast and secluded backyard lanai overlooks the beautiful and mystical Banyan tree. This home is fully furnished and sleeps up to 8. It include

We had an amazing time ziplining in Big Island! The views were absolutely beautiful, and the entire…read moreexperience was so much fun from start to finish. A special thank you to Nick, Lish, Ki, and Heno for making the adventure unforgettable. They were friendly, fun, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel safe and while keeping the energy high. Our little one had a blast ziplining with Nick. If you're visiting Hilo, this is a must-do adventure. I would 100% recommend ziplining with Botanical World Adventures.

Nick and Lish were amazing guides and so personable. My two high school-aged grandchildren, son,…read moreand daughter-in-love also thoroughly enjoyed the ziplining. We also learned from our guides about the flora and fauna of the region. And, we even ate a few flowers and smacked one too to see the reaction. The 8 ziplines increased in speed and length. The last zipline was awesome with the waterfall and the scenery. I highly recommend! This 71-year-old loved ziplining, even in the pouring rain!

DO NOT BOOK! I booked a tour online and showed up at 5am and no one was there!! They did not answer…read moremy calls, texts, or emails. So I was stuck at the park in the dark at 5am by myself and very upset to not see lava. Still awaiting my refund ...

News of the recent Kilauea volcanic activity on the island of Hawaii reminded me that I still…read morehadn't reviewed EpicLava, and my phenomenal experience with John and his wonderful team this past Christmas. The word epic may not even do justice to the ethereal experience of watching these rivers of liquid fire up close; the flowing lava is 2,400 degrees hot! The 5-mile hike over pahoehoe lava fields starts at 4AM, so that by the time the blazing sun is in the sky, you're well-nigh finished with much of the exposed hike. These folks have an unwavering focus on the safety of the group; they pace the hike according to the capabilities of all the individuals in the group. John's passion about this geological marvel is contagious. John and Jessica advise visitors to wear long pants, long-sleeved shirts, long socks, and sturdy, closed-toed shoes for the hike; they provide gloves (along with water and snacks) for the hike. This is because the sand particles covering the lava flow crust have the sharpness of broken glass, and can cause serious cuts if they come in contact with the human skin. By the time I had finished the hike, I had already planned my next trip with this team of lava explorers.

This is not the HILTON or MGM Grand, but it sure does work…read more Leg 2 of our Hawaii trip. Definitely was a memorable one thanks to Art & Orchids B&B. We got in fairly late as we came from Kona side. We took a lot more extra time stopping at various points. Exhausted, we found our room (Rainbow room) quaint, pleasant and clean. Big room, walk in closet and quaint bathroom beside the common living area with kitchenette, refrigerator for guest use. Very eclectic design for sure! Most of the items are local artist which is great community support! It felt very homey. You are definitely in the middle of nature. Set in the middle, it was practical for our trip calendar which consisted of the surrounding areas of Keaau. Hilo, Volcano, Pahoa, etc was within close proximity and took no longer than 20-30 minutes to arrive. They were very accomodating! Thanks again! The breakfast buffet was excellent and fresh. There was enough for everyone. Markie was very hospitalable to help guide the days planned (Thanks for the Richardson tip!). There is sunscreen, aloe vera, snorkeling, bath towels, bath mats also available for guest use. Which was very convinient. We definitely would keep this B&B in mind on our next trip to the Big Island. Day 1 - Falls galore. Rainbow, Akaka, Pe'e Pe'e & Boiling Pots. Richardson Park where we saw a giant green turtle coming to bay to rest! What an amazing site! Some of the locals were also spear fishing! Day 2 - Volcano Park. Took about 30 minutes to get to. We were there until 8pm to glare at the luminous Lava glow ! The brightest in over 10 years! Room Tip: All the rooms are great ! See more room tips

This is my second time here. My boyfriend and I absolutely love this b&b! The scenery is gorgeous…read more The sounds of the frogs and birds are soothing and something you won't experience on many other parts of the island. There is a hot tub that lights up different colors and sits in the midst of the beautiful scenery. There is also a nice pool area with a rock waterfall flowing into it. The breakfast is complete with granolas, various fruits, monkey bread, toast, creamy eggs, coffee, assorted teas, etc. There is a large living room with books and games. There are plenty of places to hang out. The road leading to the B&B isn't that bad. However, the short road to the driveway has a lot of pot holes. They're easy to get around and this part of the drive only lasts a couple of minutes. Don't let this tiny thing discourage you. This place is great and the hospitality is excellent. We will be back again.

We went on an almost 100% full (flower) moon. It was special to see the terminator line on the…read moreCelestron telescope - it had such great definition! The color of Mauna Kea with the moon shining on it was so magical all around us. There were some clouds that cleared pretty well by the end of our star gazing. We were the last ones up there so it got dark enough to see more than you'd expect with the moon. Jeff, our awesome tour guide, used a laser pointer to help us see the constellations we usually can't back at home. The images on the digital telescope like nebulas, the moon & star clusters were an amazing addition to have as keepsakes. My husband and I felt he made the tour a great balance of learning and fun. He had the group feeling like family before we even left from the pickup lot. Things to consider: I do recommend following the moons cycles booking this tour/your trip if this is especially important for you to see as many stars as possible. The sunset and views of the observatory's make it awesome anyways :) I struggled with altitude sickness around 12,000 ft. Jeff had made sure to let us know beforehand if we experienced any issues to speak up. I was hesitant as I know it would mean turning the whole tour around, but some tingling turned to dizziness and then a brief fainting. He immediately stopped the bus and helped ground me and make sure I was completely okay & coherent before letting me know our options for the tour. We made it up to the top with 2 more (included in tour) stops and I felt better with each one having more time to acclimate :) Thank you Jeff!! You handled this so professionally and I appreciate your check-ins for the rest of the trip. It's cold even with parka and gloves. It's so worth packing warm shoes and layers. The bus had ac and heat so that was great! Do it if you can! Awe-inspiring! Such an unreal environment that makes you wonder about so many things. Just take the precautions seriously, move slow and breathe deep.

Mauna Kea summit trip was amazing. Definitely worth it. Our guide, Aaron was very humbly…read moreknowledgeable and you can tell he really enjoyed the star gazing. He made our group time together feel like ohana. The equipment was top notch.

If you're staying in Hilo, I would highly recommend this place! There are so many good things that…read moreI can go on and on about. The location is quiet and peaceful with lots of plants and trees. Each guest has a designated parking spot marked with specific colors which makes it very nice and organized. The kitchen is shared by multiple guests and the cabinets are color coordinated so stick to your color so you don't accidentally eat your neighbors pineapple! They even provide a list of things you can do (generally on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) for their guests. You must check out Uncle Roberts night market (I think it's on Wednesday and Saturday night, but please double check). Also, shoutout to the sweetest girl Dakota for making fresh bread daily! You've inspired me to bake bread at home. I can't believe how easy it is! We cannot wait to stay here again the next time we visit the big island!

From the owner: We at Greenwillmind aim to encourage individual and societal mindfulness by offering space to…read morelike-minded travelers who value the core principles of truth, beauty, patience, kindness and love as well as have a deep respect for community and the natural environment. May you find space, rest, peace, joy & harmony at one of our vacation properties of on the Big Island of Hawai'i and spread the Aloha where ever you may go.

In life, I've learned to "go with the flow" and it's always an amazing adventure when you do…read more Finding myself at the Lave Tree Tropic Inn was Jumanji! The symphony within nature kept me invigorate. The historical charm of the area is tempting to both an Indiana Jones or Tomb Raider adventurer(s). Yet, it is the subtle charm of Irene that soothes the balance between nurture and nature. You will be awaken by the most aromatic vanilla-macadamia-nut coffee whiff, while being tempted by a freshly baked warm, "banana-chocolate-chip-papaya-slice-of-heaven-bread." Now, a word-of-advice, the road towards the Tropic Inn requires "off-road" tires and caution within the trail. It rains often, and muddy roads create sticky situations. Nonetheless, if you're down those neck of the woods, you otta' know your terrain... Mahalo, Vee

I love serendipity!!!…read more Irene plays the ukulele and her friends sing Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, how fun!!! Admits tropical paradise, quiet, and serenity, I found quickness and humor, the best!!! Mahalo to all of you. Aloha, Vittorio is ready for his ukulele lesson.

I've depended on Bernie for almost 8 years. She has helped me with so many things, which started…read morewith a screen door then went to porch, lighting, painting, fans all the way to rodents and so much more. I just had to point and wishes were granted. Thank you for all your hard work!

Bernie has an impressive bank of skills that she draws upon to repair, upgrade or solve problems in…read moreyour home. She did a variety of work for me- painting, fixing and upgrading various projects in my house. She has a strong work ethic and demonstrates pride in her work. She is able to give advice based on her years of experience and will make suggestions, if you are open to them. She is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her.