On the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island overlooking Waiulua Bay sits Waikoloa Village, a resort town located on an ancient lava field. The days here are sunny with very little rainfall, making it easy to take advantage of the overabundance of local activities. In addition to deep-sea fishing, volcano explorations, and world-class golfing, you can also hike through ancient petroglyph fields and historic temples.

Waikoloa Village also sits next to Route 19, one of the two main roads that create a big loop around the island. While there is plenty to do around Waikoloa Village, its proximity to the highway makes it a perfect jumping-off point to the nearby bays and beaches, like 49 Black Sand Beach, which resulted from a 19th-century lava flow. Alternatively, head off further and discover the many towns and natural attractions of the Big Island.

About a 35-minute drive southwest of Waikoloa Village is Kona International Airport (KOA), known for its open-air design and thatched-style roofs. Many taxi services, shuttle vans, and rental cars are available, as public transportation is limited to and from the airport. Exploring the Big Island is best done by rental car or ride-hailing service due to limited local transportation options. There is a public transport system on the Big Island called the Hele-On Bus, and while affordable, it's not optimal for sightseeing. It is a good option that will get you from town to town if you have time to spare.

Waikoloa Village remains warm and humid almost year-round, without much variation between seasons. The dry season from late May to early October is relatively hot and humid. The rainy season is the rest of the year, still warm but with more precipitation. Vacation rentals in Waikoloa Village are popular in winter as well as in summer, when families can take longer holidays.

The shoulder seasons are a great time to visit Waikoloa Village and offer all the same outdoor perks, plus cultural events like a ukulele festival in March. The festival celebrates one of the most beloved instruments in Hawaii, complete with ukulele giveaways and ukulele tutorials in addition to live performances. December to April is whale season, so you may catch sight of a humpback whale while lounging on the beach.

Kona Cloud Sanctuary

Just south of Waikoloa Village, tour the Kona Cloud Sanctuary, a preserve dedicated to protecting and inspiring appreciation of the natural ecosystem. On a tour, you can discover native flora like the ancient Koa, Ohia, more than 100 varieties of bamboo, and 30-foot high fern trees. You can also learn about native birds like the Hawaiian hawk and the honeycreeper.

Genesis Galleries

Discover some of the best artwork Hawaii has to offer at the family-owned Genesis Galleries located in both King’s Shops and Queen’s Marketplace. The gallery contains all kinds of local artwork from glass, bronze, and wooden pieces and painted surfboards to original oils from international and local artists.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

One of the best ways to discover the volcanoes of the Big Island is by visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, about two hours from Waikoloa Village. You’ll be able to hike across dried lava craters, and get a view of the active Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes, the latter of which is one of the world’s most active.