Big Island Itinerary - Day 8 - Information On Big Island Hawaii

By this point you may be feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation. That's often the case because we want to see and do it all in Hawaii. But sometimes you just have to slow down and relax a bit to avoid being burnt out.

Hapuna Golf Course

So how can we start today off in a more relaxed style? How about a round of golf or a morning at the spa. Most people enjoy at least one of those two activities, if not both. In fact, if you enjoy both then do both! If it's golf you're after you'll find a long list of golf courses on the Big Island here. If you prefer a spa day, you can find Big Island spas or check with your resort which likely has a spa in it as well.

Kings' Shops

After a nice morning hitting the links or getting massaged, it's time for some lunch and some shopping. Let's head over to the Waikoloa area if you're not there already. There are tons of restaurants in this area. The various resorts along here will have restaurants or you can head towards some of the shopping areas such as The Shops at Mauna Lani, Kings' Shops, or Queens' MarketPlace to name a few.

Take your time and enjoy a nice lunch, you're in no hurry today. After that shop around at the resorts or shopping malls I listed above. This is a great time to buy a few souvenirs or gifts to take home.

Malama Petroglyph Trail / Puako Petroglyph Preserve

If you want to walk off more of that lunch or simply enjoy the history of Hawaii, you can also check out the Malama Petroglyph Trail / Puako Petroglyph Preserve which is in this area. The preserve features over one thousand kii pohaku (petroglyphs) that were carved into lava rock centuries ago by the native Hawaiians.

Anaeho'omalu Bay Beach

After that, you'll probably want to cool off so head to Anaeho'omalu Bay Beach, or "A Bay" or "A Beach" as it's often called. This is yet another great west side beach for families and it is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike. The center of the beach is the best part to play in the sand or swim in the water. Snorkeling can be good here if you head off to the right side but the water usually isn't super clear here. The waters here are usually very calm since the area is protected by an offshore reef.

If you haven't seen a luau on your trip then now is a great time for one. The Big Island has several luau dinner shows to choose from but often just going to the one offered at your resort is likely your best option. It's usually less fooling around and you'll be able to enjoy cocktails without having to worry about a designated driver as you stumble back to your room.

Depending on the start time of your luau and your location, try and catch a sunset. If you're right on the ocean just take a quick walk to get a clear view of the ocean as the sun goes down. It's often pretty magical when the weather cooperates.