You can’t go wrong when you book flights to Big Island, Hawaii. Luaus and leis await you on Hawaii’s largest landmass. Although it’s approximately the size of Connecticut, Big Island Hawaii also happens to be the least populated of all of the islands.
When you book a flight to Big Island you’re in for an entirely different experience: Ominous volcanoes, snowcapped mountains, and black lava deserts are just as common as lush rainforests, peaceful alpine meadows, and beaches. Although, don’t expect to see the beaches laden with white sand – green and black beaches are actually the most common here.
Mother Nature got something right when she crafted the Hawaiian Islands – each piece of land has its own tropically distinct appeal. Big Island’s eclectic terrain and climate are what makes it so special and intriguing. In the morning, you might sunbathe on a sunny, sizzling beach, and at night, experience the Alpine cold that comes courtesy of the towering mountains. One side of the island is dry, while the other is incredibly lush, so if you like variety you can’t go wrong booking a Big Island flight for a little taste of island diversity. Big Island has the highest peaks in the Pacific, the most volcanoes in the state, and the “newest” land on earth – this slice of heaven is saturated in superlatives, and is just a mere flight away. Mauana Kea, the world’s tallest sea mountain, hails 14,000 feet above sea level, and its next door neighbor, Mauna Loa, happens to be the largest volcano on the planet, and still erupts quite frequently.
Spend your time kayaking through coves, or scuba diving amidst underwater caves and tunnels to explore the striking exotic marine life. On land, choose to hike, bike, or horseback your way through the picturesque rainforests and that makes the island so uniquely attractive. Your dream vacation is waiting for you, all you have to do is book your cheap flight to Big Island.
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While you’ll experience tropical weather no matter when you book a Big Island flight, the area does offer quite a mix of weather in such a small area. Depending on which geographic part of the island you’re on, conditions could range from cool and rainy to hot and dry. Summer lasts between May and October, when days are warm, and peak at the hottest and driest in August. Between December and March are the coolest months, when wind and rain move in and take the heat out of a perfectly good beach day.
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There’s no bad time to plan a Big Island flight, but if you go during the summer, you’ll experience the best beach days, blue skies, and dry conditions.
Peak-Season:
If you’re in search of sunny beach days, jaw-dropping views, and outdoor excursions, book your flight to Big Island during the summer and take full advantage of the hot weather and tropical atmosphere.
Off-peak Season:
Winter storms and heavy rainfall can put a damper on the winter months,, but you’re more likely to find cheap flights to Big Island and deals on accommodations during the months of February and March, when the weather is coolers than the rest of the year.
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Unless you plan on lying on the same beach day in and day out (which is truly tempting) ,you should plan on renting a car to get around the island. There are very few public transportation options when you travel to Big Island, so bite the bullet and rent one of your own. Hawaii’s belt road is the easiest way to get around, and for the most part, there are two roads that consistently wrap the island: Mamalohoa Highway, which is the more scenic upper road, and Queen Kaahumanu, which is the faster, but less charming option.
Other than renting a car, Big Island travel revolves mostly around taxis, shuttles, and buses. Once your flight to Big Island lands, you should be able to catch a shuttle directly to your accommodation. If you want to test the public transportation, an island-wide bus system called Hele-On Bus loops around West Hawaii, Ocean View, and Kawaihae.
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Akaka Falls: If you’re booking flights to Big Island to immerse yourself in natural beauty, then Akaka Falls is a sight for sore eyes. Said to be the most scenic waterfall in the state, it boasts a 442-foot drop and is situated next to another gorgeous, but somewhat smaller Kahuna Falls. Once you trek through the blossoming rainforest, pass by the pungent ginger and bamboo plants, and reach the observation point, you’ll be able to circle the falls on a one-mile paved loop that allows clear and stunning views. Most days, you’ll also be able to see a rainbow or two.
Submarines: If the kids are antsy from the long flight to Big Island, have no fear – there are plenty of perfect opportunities to entertain while exploring parts of the island that intrigue people of all ages. Go down under in the 48-passenger Atlantis, a submarine with plenty of windows to see all of the colorful marine life in the depths of the Pacific. The high-tech underwater vehicle plunges 120 feet under the surface – the tour lasts around an hour and will captivate kids and adults.
Kayaking: Craving a little racy action? Strap yourself in a kayak and hit the deep blue for the day. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro-kayaker booking a Big Island flight, there are perfect opportunities for you to challenge yourself on the surface and still enjoy the incredible scenery. If you’ve never kayaked before, you’ll start out in calm water, most likely in a peaceful lagoon like Kailua Bay. If you’ve mastered the waters, you can try more exciting places, like Honokohau Harbor or head straight to Hamakua Coast and take on the rocky waters. Rent one or two person kayaks for either a half or full day. Some tours go around monuments and sea caves, where you can hop out and swim with the beautiful fish and turtles as they glide through the water with you.
Ka Molokai Makahiki Festival: If you book flights to Big Island in January, you’ll be fortunate enough to experience one of the biggest parties of the year – the annual Ka Molokai Makahiki Festival, which is traditionally held right after Hawaii’s winter harvest time. The celebration starts with the story of Captain Cook, who brought his ship to Big Island during the Makahiki season. Arts, crafts, games, food, and hula all make up the wonder and excitement of the festive atmosphere. Enjoy watching sport competitions and ancient Hawaiian games like huki huki (tug of war), ulumaika (lawn bowling), or uma (arm wrestling), and feel free to participate in the communal gift giving that radiates throughout the island.
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Your cheap flight to Big Island arrives at Honolulu International Airport (HNL), but you may have to connect through smaller aircraft once you get there.
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