The Big Island is amazing! The only touristy spot is Kona but it is small and drive just a little ways and it is very rural feeling and local. I also love that you have so many different climates to choose from, desert on the Kona side, lush tropical on the north and east sides, Waimea (NW part of the island) is a ranching area and beautiful (doesn't feel like Hawaii), then there is Volcano and it is a whole other place on it's own, it's enchanting. I just cannot say enough about the Big Island. There are amazing beaches all over the island, white, black and even green sand beaches. Great snorkeling/scuba spots. Fresh, delicious food year round from fishing to pig, and avocados, mac nuts, citrus...everything you could want to grow. The people are very friendly too, everyone waves, something I love about small town areas. Definitely worth it to go check out. We want to get a small piece of land there in the future to go in the winter months. It's been 4 years since we've been and I miss it, if it wasn't for family here in the PNW we would still be there : )
If you haven't heard about the WWOOF program you should check it out. If you wanted you could stay on a organic farm and work a few hours a day in exchange for food and a place to stay, a lot of these farms are family friendly too. That would be a economical way to visit the island and really get a feel for the area, community, etc. rather than staying in a hotel. I know there are at least 15 farms in the WWOOF directory. You just pay $20 a year to be a member and they will send you the directory.Â
Hope that helps, so excited for you!
