Hawaii the Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

by Andrew Doughty

This all new fourth edition is the most comprehensive yet easy to use guidebook ever written for the Big Island. Best selling author, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so big and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer. Hawaii The Big Island Revealed has more up to date information, the most useful maps and scores of hidden gems listed nowhere else. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes the Big Island so exciting.



39 specially created maps include clear, concise directions to even the most remote beaches and other hard to find places, mile markers (so you always know where you are), hiking trails and numerous details in an easy to follow format.



Discover deserted black sand beaches, secluded freshwater lava pools (some volcanically heated), pristine rain forests, lava tubes, hidden waterfalls and the most dramatic part of the erupting volcano. Read fascinating stories and legends from all around the island.



Symbols quickly identify recommended sights and companies. Find out which companies really are the best…and which to avoid. Frank, honest opinions from anonymous reviews—No advertisements.



Special expanded sections on Beaches, Hiking and Adventures.



Web site with links to every business, last minute updates and more. Plus Web pages that expand on all accommodation reviews with aerial photos of all the resorts (so you’ll know if oceanfront really means oceanfront).



Only book ever banned at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center for being "too honest" and "revealing too much."



"Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" covers it all—from the snow-covered top of Mauna Kea, to the sparkling underwater reefs. This is the best investment you can make for your Big Island trip. Whether you are a first time visitor, or a long time kama‘aina, you will find out more about the Big Island from this book than from any other source. Discover the island of your dreams with "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed".

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Guidebook, Collections, History

308 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

Reviews

[Beth Cato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travel books can sometimes be a tedious read, but there is a reason why this book is the top-rated book on the Big Island on Amazon. Reading this feels like talking with a friend. The tone is personable, with jokes and asides, plus lots of practical knowledge you don't see elsewhere--like when the winds pick up, what side of the plane to sit on when flying into Kona and Hilo, where to eat, how to access remote black beaches, etc. As an author, I need these kinds of details for the novel outline I'm working on--and for the research trip I'm planning as well. Plus, their website offers a wealth of supplemental material. I'll be buying their book on Oahu next!

[Spynonu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good guidebook for helping you find your way around the Big Island. Hawaii has few signs showing the way to beaches, monuments, parks, etc. which is nice as it keeps the views uncorrupted BUT it does make it a challenge to know what there is to see. A guidebook is really a must to get the most out of your time on the island. I used this book to find places to eat, out of the way beaches, shopping, and other activities.

While there is some mile by mile listing of what is available -I do wish this book was laid out more like the Milepost with EVERYTHING listed when you'd encounter it on the various island roadways. I felt I missed a lot of good things on my drives because they were listed elsewhere in the book under different headings. Unfortunately, when I saw them later I had no opportunity to go back to that area to explore.

This book does not have everything that is available but I would definitely suggest it's purchase to anyone traveling to the Big Island for the first time.

As a post note- I bought the Kindle version of this book but it was inconvenient so I grabbed a paperback copy. Much better!

[Rachelle Judson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best guide book. Every time we've visited a Hawaiian island I've read the guide book before hand. They're fantastic.

[Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This awesome guidebook was indispensable during my five-day visit to the Big Island with my family. It led us to an unforgettable hike in Volcanoes National Park and an almost surrealistic experience at a beautiful and secluded waterfall and swimming hole. Its recommendation for our snorkeling tour was also perfect.

However, I do have an issue with the organization of this book and its relatives (about Oahu and Maui and Kauai). Information about particular activities or attractions seemed spread all over the place -- in the section about particular areas of the island, in the section about activities, etc. Likewise, the maps seemed to be all over the place and almost impossible to find the right one when I needed it.

This is a great book with all the information you will ever need to make a great vacation. Just be sure to really read and study the book before you go on the trip so that you don't have to spend so much time on the vacation itself (as I did) looking in the index and one-by-one looking up all of the references to each attraction you want to experience.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a bit littered with typos (maybe rushed to press?), you cannot beat Doughty’s Hawaiian guidebooks. The first half reads like a novel, and the second half gives you the traditional guidebook primer on the best activities, adventures (yes, these go beyond activities, highlighting the best “trouble” you can get into on the island), and dining. This is the best advice you can follow for the best Hawaiian trip — highly recommended.

My only complaints are the dining section doesn’t include a quick guide to meal type or hours at all. Count on going online or calling these establishments for their specific hours.

[Charlie Scarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great guide on our recent adventure to the Big Island. The definitive Hawaii guidebook, lovingly maintained and updated by people that know their stuff and have no qualms sharing the good, bad, and ugly. Thanks for helping us plan and execute an outstanding week on the Big Island over the holidays!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

An informative travel guide for the Big Island of Hawaii, which I used as a reference on a vacation to the island. Lots of helpful information, and lots of unique fun facts too.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the time of apps for just about everything - yes, the company that wrote this travel guide has an app for the traveler to check on for the 'latest' - not limited to the most current information and reviews, sometimes, when planning a trip, some familiarity of the locale should be encouraged.

First of all, this version was published in 2019 before the pandemic that closed the world and thousands of businesses.
Two, this is specifically about the big island of Hawai'i - there are additional books available for the other three major tourist islands of Kauai, Maui and Oahu.

The writers are - blatantly - in love with their homeland of Hawai'i as they practically gush about the positives and even the negatives have good aspects. Like the city of Hilo being the wettest city in the U.S. with an average of 140" rain annually. . .BUT it happens mostly at night and yields incredibly lush vegetation and amazing waterfalls.

The book is divided into the seven regions (with detailed maps) of Kohala; Kailua-Kona; South Island; Volcano encompassing the Hawai'ian Volcano National Park; Hilo and Puna; Hamakua & Waimea and the central area of Saddle Road. Each section is divided into beaches, activities, adventures and dining with detailed reviews of restaurants and accommodations.

Scattered throughout are morsels of Hawai'ian pre-European life, culture and society along with history of its discovery and movement through the decades into current modern life (or at least until 2019).
*Like the sport of chiefs - surfing. It really was reserved for chieftains only. If a commoner was caught surfing, they were executed. And of course, surfing at that time was performed naked.
*Mahukona Volcano is extinct and is actually the first volcano that erupted to form the actual island of Hawai'i and is currently off the northwestern shore of the Kohala region.
*When someone talks about returning to the States, please remember that Hawai'i IS A STATE. You would be returning to the mainland.
* When an area or road has signs declaring "Private Property" and/or "No Trespassing", the property owners mean it. Likely due to previous tourists violating privacy, destroying property and crops in order to get to some scenic display, injuring themselves and/or forcing emergency services to 'rescue' inconsiderate people, the owners have basically restricted and forbidden any and all tourists even if they once were able to take some economic benefits. So don't blame the owners, blame the selfish and thoughtless predecessors.

Seriously though, having an ultimate guidebook that goes region by region, mile-by-mile with attractions that most tourists would never consider or stumble upon is actually a good place to start for any trip. Much less the paradise that is the state of Hawai'i and in this case, the Big Island which displays almost all of the different climates (yes, it gets snow on Mauna Loa).

2023-050

[Ashley Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

We used this guidebook every single day that we were on the Big Island. I felt like this book really helped us to find spots off the beaten path. The maps in it are great, and I highly recommend it if you're planning to visit Hawaii.

[Jerrilynn Lilyblade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great planning book

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding travel book. A great overview, nuanced reviews of places and beaches and adventures. I didn't pay much attention to the restaurant reviews (because of food allergies), but I appreciated the pragmatic travel logistics the book documented (Costco, here we come). I dogeared many pages and will return to this book all the way through our epic, once in a lifetime trip to The Big Island.

[Marlene M Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have this booked marked with many sticky notes. I'm heading to Hawaii to celebrate my mom-in-laws 75th birthday later this year. I'm very much looking forward to this trip. It looks like it could be my new "most beautiful place on earth" (overtaking Vancouver, B.C.). I have to remember that this trip is not what I can get out of it, but an opportunity to experience Hawaii with my in-laws. I think we'll be able to find some great activities to do. This book does a great job of outlining areas and activities. Very helpful.

[Tiare · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I haven’t read this book cover to cover I have found it an excellent guide to the Big Island. Yes it’s sold in all the tourist places, but what got me is the locals that recommended it to me, so if it’s sitting on their bookshelves, it’s good enough for mine. The author is humorous and it’s an enjoyable read. I recommend getting it before you come to the island and then bringing it along for the ride.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just left the big island and this book proved to be a awesome guidebook. I'm not a fan of how it's laid out, it's by activity and not by area but the content is spot on. The directions, vibe, timing of your visit, and leaving local hangouts for locals on the weekend was all good info. I'll use this book and others in the series!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has been the gold standard of Hawaiian guidebooks for years. I've been using the books for years and just picked up this 10th edition and there were many things I noticed. 1) Most of the content remains the same edition to edition of course with just some small tweaking. 2.) I did notice that the editing was a bit sloppy. It would reference: "See Adventures on pg 236 for more." Than you would go to that page & it would not be there. 3.) Also if you want info on accommodations or more than just a handful of dining options you now have to checkout their digital content. Well that is out there in spades.
It's still a great guidebook & provided a lot of invaluable info. I will say also it may depend on the type of trip you are planning also. We had some senior citizens in our group & I was specifically looking for some more sedate type activities. Unfortunately the book catered more to the action & adventure set. This series is well noted & commended for its honesty and forthright reviews. In 'The Basics Chapter' the islands hazards are listed as: The Sun, Water Hazards, Ocean Critters, Bugs, Land Critters, Vog, Dehydration, Curses, Grocery Stores (high prices). But one thing that I feel should have & could have been mentioned was since COVID there has been an explosion of the homeless population in Hawaii. Some areas of the island were either unsafe or inaccessible . Say you wanted to walk down to Kamakahonu Beach Park right on Alii Dr, in the heart of Kailua-Kona. Pg. 64 of the guidebook states: "One of the calmest beaches on the island. There you can rent kayaks, paddle boats, stand up paddle boards,etc..." Issue being that when I was there 2 weeks ago there was a barricade of flipped over wheelchairs, garbage cans and other items blocking the entrance and lined up along the sea wall in front of the beach park was a camp of homeless individuals. So I believe one big hazard was not mentioned.
Long & short- yes its worth checking out but you may & probably will need other guidebooks and resources.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our family used this guidebook the entire time we stayed on the island. We day packed it like we would our sunscreen.

It allowed us to take a more off-the-beaten-path approach to Hawaii. Only once did it steer us wrong on an adventure company that was no longer in business.

I would have liked a few more photos of beaches, to show entry as that was hard for much off the coast.

I would also like to recommend more discussion of rental car options on the island. This was our only disappointment and is possibly just due to the lack of vehicles during Covid times.

Would highly recommend.

[Tom Bentley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read an older version for early trips and the newest one, though perhaps not every page, but close. Just came back from the Big Island last week (beautiful and so wonderful to travel after so long!), and this book is a wealth of informative tips, leavened with dashes of humor. We went to many sites (gushing waterfalls, new lava beaches, good restaurants, snorkeling, strolling) based on info in the book and agreed closely with its assessments. Worth taking a long look for Big Island planning

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will just recommend the entire Revealed series, as these authors do know their stuff. The downside to recommending them and their books is to risk over tourist activity at the recommended eateries, vistas, and lodgings, but that is an honest problem we must all deal with. So, if you get to experience something wonderful, thanks to these books, enjoy it for the treasure it is, share it with others who cannot partake, and leave it better than you found it.

[Cecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, read it cover to cover. Tone is very conversational and easy to read. Need a new edition now that most of the Puna information is no longer relevant (due to the volcanic eruptions starting May 2018, most of that area has changed and many beaches no longer exist.). Loved the historical and culture facts and stories. Looking forward to the next edition!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over and over and over. every time we go.
We have virtually every edition--annotated, scribbled, smeared, and rained on.
And have owned them since the first one came out.
Truly the ONLY guidebook you'll ever need for paradise!
(Thanks to the authors for all their diligence. Although the loss of the hike to the back of Waipio is one of the greatest disappointments we have on island.)

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guide book is must read if going to big island Hawaii. It is throughly researched, honest, and witty. This book made our trip! Great recommendations on beaches, food options, sights, hikes, and activities. We love that he includes both the “must see” and “must miss.” Great, great addition to our trip and also a fun read!

[Nelson Minar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent guidebook. Full of detail and humor and good information. It's an unusual guide, written by a real local and not some giant company like Fodor or Frommer. But it's also totally professional and complete. Definitely recommend for any visit to the Big Island, and I imagine their other Hawai'ian guides are just as good.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I didn't finish a book for a month and this week I've powered through four. This is much like the Oahu Guidebook I finished yesterday, which is to say easy to read and navigate and it gives the feeling of being written by someone who truly does know the island well. We're planning to return to Hawaii next year and I'm planning to have their app along when we do. Very useful.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course you want an accurate and concise guide about wherever you're traveling. But throw in some humor and searing honesty and you've got an awesome guidebook. This is the book recommended by people who actually live on the Big Island, so you know it's good.

[Kelly Heflin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best guidebook that I know of!

Worth every penny. The authors know first hand what they are writing about. They take the time & have the passion for what they are writing about & providing for every reader.

[Kappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better guidebooks for Anywhere. Funny side comments were entertaining.
Gave the book a 4 because it jumped around a bit. I get why he did that but it was sometimes hard to remember where I saw something about snorkeling or a hike when I was in a particular town

[Bobsie67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky but good advice on what to do, where to stay and eat. You’ll still be a Halle when you visit, but at least you’ll go with some insider knowledge and be able to stray from the more touristed spots. The jokey writing style might not be for all, but it is very much in the spirit of Hawaii.

[Terri Buckingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with super maps of the island. Of course I have to be honest and say we liked it that they featured our coffee farm! 🙂🙂🙂 But even besides that it’s a great resource when you are visiting this slice of paradise called Hawaii.

[Gary Nease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only an excellent guidebook, it has an associated android app that finds your current location via GPS and orients you to all the other hotlinks nearby. By far the best travel app I've ever seen.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly researched and the snarky asides sprinkled throughout the chapters were entertaining. The guidebook authors don’t hold back their honest opinions and they make it clear their opinions can’t be bought.