Hiking Big Island

Are 12 days in the big island (hawaii) too much?

I need some advice: I am going to Hawaii and I am planning to stay in the big island for about 12 full days. I am going to have a car so transportation shouldn’t be a problem. Now, my questions are:

1) Are 12 full days too long?

Mind that I want to do hiking mainly (of course I am going to visit the beaches too!). And I think I prefer settling in one place and exploring it well, instead of hopping anxiously between islands. However, if you are familiar with the big island and you are a nature lover, I would really appreciate your opinion..

2) I find the idea of the volcano national park thrilling.. And as I said I am planning to do a lot of hiking.. Maybe camping too. Is spending 4-5 days for the park too many?

Many thanks in advance for your time..
Btw, If I stay less in the big island, I will go to another one, that’s why I’m asking..

No 12 days is not too long if you prefer settling in one place and exploring it well.

Volcano National Park – there’s plenty of hiking to do there. I’d say 3 days if you really like to go on long hikes and take photos. It would be nice if you could stay up at the hotel/cabins up there.
You have to get up early to see the lava flow (Kilauea)… seriously you have to go out there at 3am if you expect to make the hike out.

Mauna Kea – 1 day is good but if you love it, you might want to go back a 2nd day to capture additional photos you didn’t get the first day. Take a good jacket and rent a 4 wheel drive or you won’t get up to the top. Also it snows up there.

You might spend 3 nights in Kona or Waikoloa. That way you can do day trips to see the Pu’ukohola heiau, City of Refuge, Captain Cook, Lavaand lay out at Hapuna beach. You can also go on one of those MantaRay snorkel tours in Keauhou Bay.

Then 1 extra day to see the black sand beach, painted church and do a few hiking trails along a Hamakua coast.

You can definitely make use of the 12 days on the Big Island. Driving from Hilo to Kona takes a good 3.5 hours non stop…but surely you will have plenty of detours on your way over… So that’s 2 additional days just driving round trip. Stay on one island, sleep in every day and move at a leisurely pace – afterall you’re on vacation!

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