The Big Island

Hawai'i is such a magical destination that’s hard to describe until you’ve visited. The islands have a rich cultural history, amazing local food and stunning topography -- it definitely does not feel like the US. If you’ve got the time, I’d recommend checking out two islands as flights between islands are inexpensive and quick. I visited the stunning Turtle Bay on the north shore of Oahu and the enchanting Mauni Lani on the Big Island (Hawai’i) and fell in love with both properties.

The Big Island is such a special place to visit! It is known for beautiful landscapes, volcanoes, black sand beaches, whale watching... the list goes on and on. There are countless options when considering where to stay on the Big Island — Hilo, Kailua Kona, Waimea and even Volcano Village.

The Island of Hawai’i, or Big Island, is home to some of my favorite Hawaiian food like poke, shave ice and huli huli chicken. Combine that with stunning luxury resorts along the Kohala Coast and the gorgeous Hāpuna Beach (recently rated the best beach in the U.S.!) and you'll see why the Big Island is my favorite Hawaiian island. It’s a great vacation destination for couples or families looking to indulge, eat well and enjoy the unique natural beauty of the islands!

The Big Island of Hawai'i is breathtaking and its air is electric with magic. You will find yourself welcomed by friendly locals, enormous mountains, America's only national park with an active volcano and a vibe that can only be described as the Aloha Spirit. While the Big Island is not known for an abundance of sandy beaches, its waters are full of some of the most beautiful and diverse marine life on the planet, making it a diver and snorkeler's paradise. It is the only place in the world where you can swim with wild Manta Rays at night! Foodies are in luck because the Big Island has some of the freshest seafood and pork dishes you will ever eat. Whether you want to go on a waterfall hike, go looking for black-sand beaches, plant Koa Trees or watch the surfers do their thing as you enjoy one of the island's locally brewed beers, the Big Island delivers.

The Island of Hawai'i — the Big Island — is a special place to visit. As the largest island in size and the least populated, it offers diverse microclimates and breathtaking natural beauty. For me, it is a place where the calming waves, clear blue water and whale watching give me the ultimate recharge from the hustle and bustle of my busy life. This is my happy place. Experience it for yourself with my recommendations in this Island of Hawai'i travel guide.

Kona Village, a Rosewood Resort, is the epitome of barefoot luxury. Nestled on 81 acres and surrounded by 200-year-old lava flows, the landscape showcases a stark, but beautiful contrast to the warm and carefree aesthetic embodied throughout the resort and exemplified in each of the 150 standalone hales (houses). The resort provides a versatile backdrop for honeymooners seeking seclusion, families seeking fun, friends seeking quality time and everything else in between. If you are looking for a relaxing, luxurious stay in Hawai'i, look no further than Kona Village.

Hawaii, The Big Island, is underrated in my opinion. But maybe that’s a good thing. It is much less crowded than the other islands, rarely any traffic, and has many serene, hidden beaches that are stunning! Of course, it’s famously known for its active volcanos but did you know it has 10 of the world’s 14 climate zones? You can drive from a desert-looking lava rock landscape to wet, tropical areas of the island in one day. The laid-back vibe, warm hospitality of the locals and uncrowded beaches are a few of the reasons this is my favorite island in the state of Hawaii.

The Island of Hawai'i, affectionately called the Big Island, is the newest island in the archipelago that can sometimes feel like an alien planet. As an active volcanic island, it's more difficult to find idyllic sandy beaches compared to other islands like Maui. But this doesn't mean they don't exist — or that they're not potentially even better (i.e., way less crowds!) Luckily for you, I've traveled here over a half dozen times and I'm sharing the scoop on the best beaches on the Big Island to help you plan your trip and reduce time deciding in the car. Here is the ultimate guide to the best beaches on the Big Island.