Top 10 Big Island Luxury Vacation Rentals

Treat yourself to a luxury vacation rental experience. Imagine yourself relaxing and unwinding in a private luxury home overlooking the ocean from your private patio. A Big Island luxury vacation home that sleeps 16, and is perfect for entertaining your family, friends, and business associates. Imagine watching whales spout off in the distance from your private retreat and walking around the corner to find your favorite restaurant featuring some of the best cuisines in Hawaii! Not only will you get to experience all that Big Island has to offer out at sea, but you’ll also be able to explore all it has on land as well! Book directly with the Property Manager for each of these Top 10 Big Island luxury vacation rentals. Only the best will be listed on our Big Island luxury vacation rentals list, from Big Island luxury homes to vacation rentals featured in your favorite blockbuster movies. Book directly with the Property Manager for each Big Island luxury vacation home. Our list is compiled from our experience staying at many of these Big Island luxury vacation homes. For over 20 years we have been in the Big Island luxury vacation rental business.

All About The Big Island

The Big Island of Hawaii is the largest and most diverse island of the eight main Hawaiian islands. From tropical rainforest hikes to volcanic landscapes and white sand beaches, this island has something for everyone. Visit the summit of Kilauea Volcano and be amazed at its continuously flowing lava. The Big Island is a must-see if you are staying at one of our featured Big Island luxury home rentals!

Things to do

The Big Island has been called Hawaii’s Best Kept Secret. The island’s natural beauty and variety of activities are unmatched. Enjoy whale watching tours, deep-sea fishing for prized game fish off the Kona Coast, ATV tours and horseback riding in the ranch country, championship golf courses, helicopter tours, volcano viewing, and spectacular white-sand beaches for relaxing and enjoying water sports.

Take a scenic drive along the Hamakua Coast and explore Hilo, Akaka Falls State Park, Waipio Valley, and the botanical gardens. Not too many Big Island luxury home rentals are near Akaka falls as it’s a bit of a drive.

Visit the summit of Kilauea Volcano and see steaming cauldrons and calderas, then drive down to the coast to watch lava pouring into the ocean. The 11-mile Crater Rim Drive circles the summit area with several scenic lookout points as well as hiking trails. See it all with a Kilauea volcano hike tour!

At the Kilauea Visitor Center, learn more about Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stop in at the historic Volcano House for great views of Kilauea Caldera. The Jaggar Museum has been closed since the start of the 2018 eruption, and there are no plans to reopen due to structural damage and the instability of the area.

Kona’s beaches have stunning beauty, particularly those on the western shore of the Big Island. From Kailua-Kona to Hualālai, one can find numerous beaches, each one with its own character. This area of the island is one of the world’s premier big game fishing destinations where huge marlin and swordfish catches are legendary. These waters are also popular for a variety of ocean excursions from snorkeling and scuba diving to humpback whale watching and sunset sails.

Nearby Beaches

Big Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, from pristine white sand to black and green sand. Hapuna Beach is best known for its scenic beauty and picnic facilities. Kahaluu is also popular for snorkeling and seeing Hawaiian green sea turtles. Many of the Big Island luxury home rentals are near these two popular beaches.

Laalao Beach is south of the village and has a lifeguard, beach facilities, and a nice view of Hilo Bay. Lelewi Beach Park offers a shallow bay making it the east side’s most popular snorkeling spot. Richardson Ocean Center is located here and facilities include pavilions, restrooms, and showers as well as picnic pavilions.

Restaurants

The abundance of farmers on the Big Island and the fresh seafood coming from its shores daily ensure the best of ingredients are available for some truly amazing culinary delights. Merriman’s in Waimea is the signature restaurant of Hawaii regional cuisine pioneer Peter Merriman and a great place to sample inventive dishes utilizing the best of Island ingredients.

Roy’s is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. This waterfront restaurant overlooks a lake on the Kohala Coast and serves Hawaiian ono tacos and blackened ahi. For the freshest fruits, vegetables, and flowers, visit a farmers market weekly around the island including in Hilo, Honokaa, Laupahoehoe, Waimea, Waikoloa, Keauhou, Pahoa, Volcano, Captain Cook, and Kailua-Kona.

Shopping

For some of the most authentic and original souvenirs, spend a day searching through the many arts and crafts shops in Hawaii. Local artisans supply unique products to serve as handcrafted keepsakes of your visit. Carved native woods, exquisite jewelry, and handmade glass can all be found along with more traditional gifts like aloha shirts. Browse the many shops of Historic Kailua Village on the Kona Coast, the Kings’ Shops at Waikoloa Beach Resort, and the Keauhou Shopping Center in the town of Keauhou. Many small towns on the Big Island are home to art galleries and boutiques where true gems can be found as mementos of your visit

Getting Around

You’ll need a rental car for this trip to the Big Island, so you can explore all of its many beaches and attractions. The island’s Hele On Bus is handy for getting between the Kona and Hilo areas. But for most of the Big Island luxury vacation homes you will need a rental car.

Weather and Ocean Conditions

The Big Island is known for its sunny weather which remains relatively stable all year around. The Kona and Kohala coastlines on the western shore are the warmest and driest while Hilo on the northeast shore receives abundant rainfall making this area lush and green.

You’ll find warmer ocean temperatures, balmy breezes, and secluded beaches on the Big Island’s Kona Coast, while Kohala Coast beaches offer more protection from the open ocean. Many sites provide good areas to swim or snorkel in calm waters. Beaches are exposed to strong currents and potentially dangerous surf during the winter months, so visitors should check conditions with lifeguards before entering the water and heed all posted warnings.

History

Known for its rich history, the Big Island has plenty of historical sites to visit. Start with Puukohola Heiau, a fortress-like temple built by the rising warrior Kamehameha in his quest to unite all the Islands under one rule. Other notable historical landmarks include the Puuhonua O Honaunau Temple Grounds and Great Wall which served as a sacred palace of refuge in ancient times. You can also learn about British explorer Captain James Cook’s death at Kealakekua Bay through an informative monument located along the shoreline where he met his untimely end.