Island in Hawaii, United States
Big Island for solo travelers
Is Big Island good for solo travel?
Hawaii's biggest island for volcanoes, black-sand beaches, manta-ray snorkeling and Kona coffee farms. Distances are long, a rental car is essential, and Kona (sunny) and Hilo (rainy) feel like different places.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Main concerns are remote trails, dark roads and car break-ins; tell someone before hiking alone. |
How to meet people in Big Island
Manta ray night snorkel groups, volcano hiking tours, farm tours, hostels in Kona and Hilo, and Hilo's farmers market.
Good things to do alone
- Hike Kilauea Iki in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Snorkel with manta rays at night
- Tour a Kona coffee farm
- Watch sunset at the Mauna Kea visitor station
- Swim with turtles at Punaluu Black Sand Beach
Where to stay in Big Island
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Kailua-Kona | Sunny west side: snorkeling, nightlife and most tours |
| Hilo | Rainforest side: cheaper stays, volcano access and local markets |
| Waimea and Hawi (Kohala) | Cooler uplands, ranches and quieter beaches |
| Volcano Village | Close to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, quiet and forested |
Solo travel across United States
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Nashville | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Austin | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Las Vegas | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Los Angeles | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Francisco | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Honolulu | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Washington, D.C. | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Chicago | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Boston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| New Orleans | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Diego | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Seattle | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Miami Beach | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Key West | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Denver | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Philadelphia | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Portland | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Atlanta | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Charleston | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Savannah | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Fort Lauderdale | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kauai | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Big Island | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Sedona | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Orlando | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Maui | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| San Antonio | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Scottsdale | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Big Island good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Hawaii's biggest island for volcanoes, black-sand beaches, manta-ray snorkeling and Kona coffee farms.
How do you meet people in Big Island?
Manta ray night snorkel groups, volcano hiking tours, farm tours, hostels in Kona and Hilo, and Hilo's farmers market. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Big Island?
Spoken almost everywhere.
Is Big Island safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Main concerns are remote trails, dark roads and car break-ins; tell someone before hiking alone.
More about Big Island
Going to Big Island solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Big Island meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Hawaii County Mass Transit Agency (Hele-On)
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (NPS)
- Hawaii Airports Division
- Go Hawaii: Island of Hawaii
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.