Hawaiʻi Island Summer Guide 2026: Plan Your Trip

Hawaiʻi Island is the most diverse — and largest — of all the islands, with experiences ranging from volcanic landscapes to beaches and rainforest. Summer is a popular time to visit, and many of the island’s top activities have limited availability, so booking ahead is key. We recommend booking your activities as soon as you book your flights to ensure you don’t miss out on bucket list experiences like manta ray night snorkeling, visits to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and stargazing tours.

Accomodations

Where you stay on Hawaiʻi Island shapes your entire experience, but we can help remove some of the guesswork.

The West Side

Kona and the Kohala Coast are the most popular areas to stay. This side of the island is known for sunny weather, beaches and resorts.

The East Side

Hilo offers a quieter, more local experience with easy access to waterfalls and rainforests, though it sees more rain.

Vacation rentals and condos are widely available and can be a great option for families or longer stays.

Rental Cars

The island is big. It takes at least two hours to drive from Kona to Hilo, so grouping your activities by region and choosing accommodations accordingly can save you a lot of drive time. And unless you plan to stay at your hotel and not go out for any excursions, you will need a rental car.

Packing

Now that you’ve booked your accommodations and locked in your must-do activities, the final step is packing for your Hawaiʻi trip. Before you zip up your suitcase, check out our guide to what to pack for Hawaiʻi for smart tips on saving space, avoiding overpacking and making sure you have everything you need.

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