Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook
Reviews (302)
Just got back-- this book made the trip!
I should say I'm not a fan of guidebooks in general, and indeed did not buy a copy of this one until several locals in Hilo recommended it to me. They were right-- it really is a key that can unlock much of the Big Island for the adventurous traveler. While it may not be worth the effort if you're just planning on hanging around the resorts on Kona side, this was the perfect guide for my wife and I as we spent a week based in a rainforest cabin several miles east of Mountain View south of Hilo. We traveled most of the paved roads (and a good portion of the unpaved/lava roads) on the island and saw far more than we would have without such a great guide. Beaches are listed counter-clockwise around the entire island. Trails are well described, and the "hidden gems," while not always all that hidden, are almost always worth the drive/walk. Places like the steam caves in Puna, the Champagne Pond, and the more remote reaches of South Point we likely would not have discovered with our usual method of using a map alone. The info provided for such tourist-drawing activities as driving up Mona Kea to the observatories was very solid (even a bit on the conservative side) and our experiences with the restaurant reviews found them spot on (disclaimer: we ate in only four restaurants over an eight-day period, preferring to purchase food at farmer's markets and fish on the bayfront). On the balance an excellent guide book, aided in our case only by advice from a few locals and some friends who grew up in Hilo. My only reservation has also been expressed by others, i.e. that some of these places are really pretty special and should not be overrun by tourists OR locals-- they'd be better off remaining secrets for the few who live in the area and will take care of them. We tended to avoid places that fit that bill, and in most cases even the lava roads to the more remote sites were dotted with other rental Jeeps, most of whose drivers were also clutching a copy of this guidebook!
Invaluable reference for a trip to the Big Island
I just returned from 9 days on the Big Island and found this "Revealed" book and the Moon Handbook to be my two best resources (I brought a total 5 guidebooks with me). I used the Moon Handbook predominantly on the windward side while I was staying in Volcanoes Nat'l Park and the "Revealed" book predominantly on the leeward side while I was staying in Kona. I used the dining recommendation from both books. I had pre-booked my accommodations, so I did not use that section of the book, although I looked up my condo and found their review accurate. Contrary to the comments of another reviewers (probably written a couple of editions ago) I did not find that the authors encouraged illegal or unethical activity, although they do emphasize that public beach access is the law in Hawaii. However, as noted, I did notice that many, many of the other tourists were carrying around copies of this book. This book was particulary helpful when trying to find beaches to play & snorkel - they are listed in order as you drive up or down the coast and the "gems" are truly noteworthy, although all the beaches were crowded since the local schools had let out for the holidays. The detailed maps were terrific. I used them quite a bit to get around. They also have a website that lists current updates and changes to their book, such as closures due to the earthquake last fall. The only critique I would have is that I could have use a bit more description of the hiking/walking required to get to each of the sights. Distance, elevation change/steepness (or stairs), terrain descriptions would have been helpful since I had a mobility-impaired grandparent with me. (Rather than "15-20 min hike" because that's dependent on physical status). Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you were only taking one with you to the Big Island.
So accurate, so entertaining
Reading the book itself was like experiencing everything the author had while researching it, the writing is candid, humorous, insightful. It made our three day (I know, short) trip to the Big Island a great success. Except for one thing: the winds that the author describes as being strong in the afternoon on the Kohala coast are actually strong in the morning, but (according to our hotel) only in the summer (around September). If you spend such a short time on the island, this book is totally worth it. I just wish we had been considered "locals" like him, because in the low season (September), Hawaiians just aren't as friendly. There were hardly any tourists (weather is less predictable, it's past the main travel season in both US and Asia) and the locals appeared to be enjoying their time away from the crowds. But that's our experience, and don't let it stop you from buying this guide.
Outstanding book, the only one to use.
The pro As mentioned in the previous reviews, you can't find a better tour book. For those planning a trip to the islands, you can't go wrong reading the Ultimate Guidebook series. Do yourself a favor and read them before planning a trip to Hawaii. It gives the reader/planner insights not found in any other tour/guide book. Only then would you know (depending on your traveling habits) what to plan for, where and for how long. The detailed maps with side road markers and accurate, no holds back-down to earth reviews of sites and places to stay truly make this guide book stand above the rest. Their accompaning website goes further in providing the latest in up to the minute information and accomodation reviews and photos of the sites. I bought this book as well as the other in the series a few weeks before actually booking the trip and I ended up booking much later after reading all the information such as the hotel was being renovated and under constant noise, plus it was quite further away from the activities that I was more interested in and getting a 4wd vehicle which they recommend for hard to reach places. Something I would not have done had I not had these books. Truly outstanding. Other guide books should be like this. The con This book makes you want to do and see so much in the little time one plans on the island that I find myself wanting a vacation after the vacation. But hey, I wouldn't want it any other way. Being that everyone and their mother already knows that these books are the best one to have, some of the sights might not be as secret as the book entails. Bottom line, Get the book (or all of them if visiting numerous islands) and read them to plan out your trip. Then take them with you and have fun. You won't be disappointed.
Don't Leave Home Without It
This is the absolute best book on Hawaii that I have ever read, and I have read many. There is a very good balance with photos and commentary, and though the descriptions are not always lengthy - that is to be expected getting in as many attractions as they do. I have taken it with me the last four trips to the big island, and I discover something new every time. I would never have discovered the green sand beach on my own, and it is my favorite now. It takes a hike to get there, but it is worth it! I found several remote beaches that I would never have known about without this book. One word of warning..... when the book states a site is hard to get to and you will rarely see any other people there, believe it. I had a very lonely nervous drive out to South Point.
Read it and Reap! Don't read it and Weep!
Invaluable as 1) a pre-visit resource for both background and depth of understanding on the what, where, who and how to best experience the Big Island: 2) for use on-the-move to guide you to the rich (and away from the wary) experiences, and help you get the most of your overall visit; 3) to help explain to others, upon your return home, just what you did, what you saw, what you felt during your visit - and why you will be going back; and 4) a gift of compass and wisdom, which is now combined with your own annotations and experiences, to pass on to the next person you know (and now convinced) who will now be visiting the Big Island too. Oh yes, and it is entertaining as heck! Glad I used it, glad I can tell you about it! Enjoy on your own special journey!
Like having an amazing local tour guide with you on your trip
I love this book! It's so thoroughly researched and detailed and covers everything you need to know about the Big Island, including what to do and how to get there. Find yourself in a tiny, tiny town on the Big Island and wondering where is the best place to eat? Ask the book. Want to know the history of and the kind of food served at a luau? Ask the book. Need to know the closest way to get from point A to B? Ask the book. Wondering why there are wild goats on the side of the road? Ask the book. Not only is the author thorough, detailed and incredibly knowledgeable about Hawaii, he's witty. I appreciated the humor and personal tidbits the author threw in. When he advises you to buy mosquitoes or risk the "bloodletting of your life", he's not kidding - he knows from experience! We took this book everywhere with us on this trip and it never disappointed. By the end of the trip I felt like the author was a good friend - just one that I've never actually met in person. I will definitely be buying the other Hawaiian island books for our next trips!
A Guide Book with Actual Guidance
As other reviewers mention in detail, this book attempts to provide an "insider" view of all the sites on the Big Island. Since the main attractions of the Big Island are largely natural, it can be a bit tricky describing where to find a particular site to snorkel or a certain waterfall, but this books does a nice job of trying to point out these spots. However, I have seen some of them mention in other books. The key, though, is that this guide provides detailed opinions of what is worth seeing and what is simply tourist fare. If you are looking for an active vacation, this book is probably for you. For families looking to take guided tours, this book provides some nice narrative about famous sites, but there are paperbacks that can better serve as reference material. For me, this was a great way to help budget my time, since it mentions some hypes sites that it describes as avoidable, while pointing to places and activities that pop up between major landmarks.
Essential Reading
These "Revealed" books are Da Bomb. We recently visited Big Island and Oahu and used both books. My friend is somewhat navigatiionally challenged but could easily use the books to give directions and provide spontaneous options on our travels. I must have consulted the books dozens of times. In fact, we met at least two families that also were using and raved about these books. The books are well organized so it is easy to research different activites or places. The author has a real sense of humor. They are a great read. He provides a range of options from easy to hard. For instance, you might explore some of the best coffee growing area in the world (Kona) or hike a little-known trail through a rain forest to view a volcanic crater (Hilo). The Oahu book was as well presented as the Big Island book. Plus he has great maps too, even to the detail of where an inexperienced or experienced snorkler might likely swim. Don't leave home without 'em.
You MUST have this book for your Big Island vacation!
This guidebook was fantastic for everything from where to stay, things to do, and places to eat. Conversationally-written and fun to read, it will definitely make you excited about your upcoming vacation. My only complaint is that I didn't see in the book that state beaches are closed on Wednesdays for "cleaning" and was therefore pretty disappointed after having made a Wednesday (day before I left) my day to beach-hop. Perhaps I missed this detail, but I consider it a crucial one and so it should have been posted everywhere very clearly. A great investment, though, for a dreamy vacation!
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