Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

I highly recommend this guide. When we traveled all over big island we saw many locations we would not have. Many unique locations to explore that as a traveler you would not know about.

I purchased this book because I am going to this island and the author was very good and knowledgeable about them island. Great purchase

I’ve been visiting the islands for over 20 years and The Ultimate Guide book is the best you will find. Everything you need or want to know are in these books! Honest reviews on restaurants, resorts, hotels and activities. Easy to follow maps of streets, hiking trails, hidden gems and history of the islands. You won’t be disappointed!!

Without question, this is one of the best guidebooks on the Big Island. Contains history, geography, places not to be missed, "off-the-beaten-path" trips, those who have 4WD and those who do not, places to eat, and other wonderful tidbits.My wife and I went to the Big Island last month, with very little time to plan. Looking at Amazon, I was impressed by the reviews, and I was not disappointed. There are a couple of items that need to be revised (Tropical Dreams in Waimea no longer has a shop at the plant), but I enjoyed all that Doughty stated. As a result of the guidebook, our trip was memorable, and the recommendations worthwhile. Simply stated: if you're going to the Big Island, GET THIS BOOK!

This is a great book. Overall, its the best I could think of. Of course, a little bit more maps with a little bit more markers wouldn't harm. There's always room for improvement (especially in terms of pictures of the destinations). Couple of don't:1. Champagne pond -- *DON'T* go there! It doesn't worth the trip. I don't know what the homeowner's society did to Andrew Doughty but he marked this spot as "Don't miss!". Honestly, you should miss it. First of all, the road is not easy there and will take lots of your time.Second, I really can't think of anyone who could enjoy a swimming in a pond under hateful eyes of the homeowners. Yes, the pond doesn't belong to them but still, I find little pleasure in experiencing it as it is now.And third, the pond just doesn't worth it. It's just a tiny little pool of hot water. When I visited it, it was flooded with ocean water (high tide!) and it didn't look appealing. And it will get crowded closer to the evening. I just can't justify all the hassle it took us to get there with the experience I've got from that pool. Nearby Ahalanui hot water pond is thousand times easier to reach, friendlier, has public facilities like restrooms and showers and much better overall.All I can say about "Champagne pool" is that it's a very rude joke that Andrew made on homeowner's society. That's it.2. Green sand beach -- this is not a road at all. Not even 4WD. Maybe a tank could traverse that road ok but not a Jeep. I couldn't made it. I should've found another quiet beach nearby that I can enjoy all by myself (the big black sand beach was overrun by crowds plus 2 buses with schoolkids arrived. Ouch!)3. Waipi'o Valley is a must. I spent a night at the beach and it was magestic. Probably, the highest experience of my trip. Of course, some locals were saying that I'm not allowed to stay there (but then the beach belongs to the state, isn't it??) as well as some kids were telling horrible stories that locals come down at night and burn tourists tents -- so I could give a free ride home to those kids :) Yeah, it's that easy to fool me!Anyway, it's a great place and I would like to retire there!4. You *don't* need to cross the stream when you're looking for the trailhead to Hi'ilawe falls. The trailhead is right between telegraph table and the stream, closer to the stream. Just park there and go. It's a hard hike but well worth it! Beautiful and gigantic falls -- and you *must* experience it no matter what.Here's some pics from there: [...] The last picture is the photo of the stream that you shouldn't cross (looking west, toward the falls). The trailhead just to the left of this stream.What else? You don't have to pay to camp in Big Island. Spencer was closed for some party when I was there so we stayed on the hills next to Hapuna beach. Nice place except some jerks parked next to us and listening loud music until I screamed.I highly recommend Ho'okena beach park for camping -- nice and serene place, nice sand and pretty safe. No cell phone coverage, though (is that a plus or a minus?)Also I would rate as recommend Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill. It's good and well worth the visit. And Jackie is the friendliest restaurateur I've ever seen :)Another thing: you will *need* some kind of a diving certificate (worth [...]) before you can go diving for Manta Rays. Without it they can offer snorkeling which is rather stupid, given the tiny price difference. We didn't have certificates and we didn't know we need ones before the very last minute. Surprisingly, no one on the team mention them and I even started fitting equipment for us. But then one French blond guy showed up and said that we should possess a certificate (what's for??). Well, most likely, he wanted to have some more business for the Big Island Divers but instead they lost us. I've got impression that the whole team silently hated him for mentioning it (well, it's kind of recession out there and we were about to part with [...]!) but couldn't say anything. So beware: be prepared and download some kind of a certificate from the internet before you go. I'll do that next time for sure!I didn't do many of tropical vacations so far (just Egypt, Spain, Dominican republic and Hawaii) but I like the Big Island the most. It's a wonderful place to visit and really great overall. When I grow old, I want to live there, for sure.That's it so far. Maybe I'll add some more later! Stay tuned! ;)

I am rating the digital version and digital Kindle experience of the book bought from Amazon. And my current experience is 3 now. First, digital version is not as good or convenient as the paper version. For example, the Kindle version maps are of a low resolution and not zoomable. Second, I bought both digital and hard-copy versions of the book. The hard copy is still with me - I am the second time on the Big Island - but my digital copy is not available to me now _ I do not see the "read it now" option! It means it may happen to you as well: You buy, you pay - and in a while, the item disappears from your digital library. I am offered to buy it again!

We bought this one and the Oahu one, and they’re so informative and colourful. We’ve learnt so much by reading this whilst prepping for our holiday!

I cannot speak more highly about this book. It was a game changer for allowing us to have the most wonderful vacation. We like to know the 'inside scoop' and go off the beaten path and this book guided us every step of the way. Spott on advice. Even better- I highly recommend you also get the app-it connects to GPS and is like having a travel guide right in your car. High praise. I fear every other guide book for other places will disappoint from now on. GET THIS BOOK if you are going to the Big Island

Excellent product,

Lots of information and we’ll written. Will use in our next trip.

Got the 3rd Edition many years ago and this used to be a great guidebook. Time has passed, Hawaiian stink eye worsens, authors get threats from loco moco yockels, and the guidebook slowly gets rewritten to explain why the authors can't reveal the many local sights that residents try to hide by defacing public signage or put up illegal barriers including preventing legal access to beach and waterfront or threatening visitors. This in a state that is fully reliant on tourism for most of its economic well-being. This new edition has gone as far as explaining what you won't be able to see in some truly tone-deaf sections that tell you what you are missing in gory detail. Wizard publications has now fully joined the concealment movement in Hawaii. Time to look for other sources for information or simply go back to using my older versions of this book. It may be the one time where you would be better trying to find a used version from the early 2000 except perhaps for the volcano stuff. The restaurant recommendations are also off. But you can go to the web for all that now anyway.

I love this series and it's been the only guidebook I really use for the Hawaiian Islands. Thanks to this series I have ended up on many fun adventures, respecting local laws, finding uninhabited roads and private waterfalls to hike to and enjoy. I have been using and recommending the Revealed series to family and friends for 10 years now! I have loved every adventure it has sent me on: even if I had to turn around due to overgrowth, road conditions, or floods. If you like fun and adventure this is the only guide book you'll need!FYI The only spot this book wasn't up to date was the information on options to hike to the see the active Lava. Definitely go through the park and spend time there because it's spectacular, but with the current lava flow you can actually approach it from the East side of the park (Pahoa) and rent a bike to take down the gravel road with only a short hike (100 feet?) on the treacherous lava. We did not know this and you can imagine how it felt to hike out from the park side for a gruelling and dangerous (but amazing!) 8 miles, seeing people covered in blood from falls, to finally arrive at the best viewing point and see close to a hundred bikes lined up with most people only having to walk a few feet! Then you can imagine how it felt to know we had to return the same way for another 8 miles in the dark! Hahah but we still loved every second! Such an amazing Island!!

Prodotto utile solo se si vanno a visitare le Hawaii