Credit: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resort Big Island Hawaii
Credit: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resort Big Island Hawaii

4 Reasons Fall Is the Best Time to Visit The Big Island of Hawai’i

Goodbye, Tourists and Hello, Endless Summer!

Summer doesn’t have to end just because the calendar says so. Clock in some island time this fall and enjoy a trip to paradise without the tourists! Hawai’i boasts warm weather all year long, so that’s where we’ll be migrating to as soon as the weather drops below 70 in California. 

Fall is the best time to visit Hawai’i because summer crowds are long gone, and local life is buzzing. Foodie festivals and cultural celebrations immerse travelers in the spirit of aloha, and autumn means fewer crowds and more island adventures. 

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Set on the stunning Kohala Coast and in the spiritual center of five great mountains, Mauna Lani is the destination of the season. Lu’aus take place all year, as do a variety of experiences and activities. Whether you are looking to surf the best swells or tee off at an ocean-adjacent PGA range, this resort on the Big Island has you covered. Check in, but be warned: you won’t want to check out of this seaside sanctuary.

Here are four reasons why fall is the best time to visit Hawai’i and why Mauna Lani is the place to sip back, relax and soak in the spirit of aloha.

 

1 | Seasonal Events: Mark Your Calendar!

Mauna Lani Culinary Classic 

Credit: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resort Big Island Hawaii

The extra bank holiday makes Labor Day weekend the perfect time to travel. On top of saving some PTO, you’ll also get a chance to attend the second annual Mauna Lani Culinary Classic. At this four-day foodie festival, travelers and locals alike will get a taste of Hawaii’s best. Top culinary chefs will host 11 experiences throughout the weekend, starting with a lū’au on Aug. 29. If you’re not already convinced to book your autumn getaway, you’ll even get one free night with Mauna Lani’s 4th night on us offer.

 

IRONMAN World Championship

There’s no better place to swim, run and bike than around the Big Island—the reason why it’s been home to the IRONMAN World Championship since 1978! Every year, top athletes come to the island to compete in the 140.6-mile race. It’s the ultimate test of willpower in the most picturesque setting. Race day begins with a swim through the electric waters of Kailua Bay, followed by a bike ride along the wind-swept coast before running through lava fields. Catch the race on Oct. 14 or come early to train with 3x Hawai’i IRONMAN World Champion Craig Alexander at his Triathlon Camp Aug. 11-16.

 

Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

But first coffee! You don’t have to be a coffee connoisseur to taste the difference in Kona Coffee. Grown on the Big Island, this nutty coffee with silky notes of honey is Hawaii’s specialty. The island’s rich soil and year-round warm climate give the beans their rich flavor profile. Immerse in all things Kona Coffee at the 53rd Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival from Nov. 1-10. And there’s more than just coffee! This is Hawaii’s oldest food festival and features a bounty of local farms throughout the 10-day festival. 

 

Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival (Oct. 5-20)

Long before Hawai’i was a vacation destination, it was one of the largest sugar exporters. We know you aren’t here for a history lesson, so we’ll skip to the sweet stuff. Hāmākua Sugar Days Festival is a two-week celebration of Hawaii’s history of sugar plantations. Expect parades, cultural nights and all things sugar cane. The sugar festival isn’t all fun and games; it also explores new agricultural initiatives to improve the future of farming. This year, we’re most excited about the World premiere of a new documentary capturing the history of plantation workers.

 

2 | Outdoor Recreation: Getting Active

Tennis + Pickleball Clinics at Mauna Lani

Fall Vacation Big Island
Credit: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resort Big Island Hawaii

Coffee. Backhands. Beach. Repeat. Mauna Lani’s onsite tennis club was voted one of the world’s Gold Medal Tennis Resorts. Breezy palms create the perfect rally backdrop, and clinics for all ages and skill levels allow guests to perfect their swing. Tennis 101 breaks down the basics, 3.0 hones in on stroke technique, while 4.0 strategizes point play sessions. Reserve your spot in weekly clinics and check the calendar for Dink and Drink tournaments. The courts are open daily from 6 a.m.-7 p.m.

 

Hiking Trails: Ha’akulamanu Trail + Kaumana Trail

Credit: SCP Hilo Hotel

No Hawai’i trip is complete without embarking on an adventurous hike or two. Ha’akulamanu, aka Sulphur Banks, is a 1.2-mile scenic walk where volcanic steam rises out of solidified lava along the boardwalk. You don’t get the opportunity to see volcanic gas every day, but we’ll warn you that this trail has a strong smell! For something more lush, the Kaumana Trail in the Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve winds through 2.8 miles of misty forest and offers great views of Mauna Kea Summit. Both hikes are family-friendly, and Ha’akulamanu is even wheelchair accessible.

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Golfing: North + South Courses at Mauna Lani

Mauna Lani boasts some of the most scenic golf courses on the Big Island. It truly doesn’t get much better than teeing off on a course surrounded by the bluest waters and rugged lava flows. The legendary North + South Courses attract not only travelers but also past and present pros. The North Course is an 18-hole championship course set against the Kiawe forests, while the South Course brushes along the rugged coastline for a classic Hawai’i golfing experience. If you’re traveling with the family, the Wikiwiki’s nine holes are perfect for the whole family. 

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3 | Alfresco Dining Season: Perfect Patios

CanoeHouse

Credit: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resort Big Island Hawaii
Fall Vacation Big Island
Credit: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

Locals and vacationers alike love the CanoeHouse for its picturesque patio and Japanese-inspired fare, especially the garlic fried rice! After opening its doors in 1989, CanoeHouse has become a gathering place for generations of friends, families and neighbors. It features seasonal dishes that celebrate Hawaii’s landscape, as well as its farmers and purveyors. The fish is always fresh—so fresh that you can even catch it yourself! CanoeHouse will turn whatever you catch on the Kalama Kai fishing tour into a multi-course dinner. Talk about bliss!

 

Hale Ho’aloha Lū’au

While CanoeHouse serves Hawaiian fusion, the Big Island resort’s Hale Ho’aloha Lū’au specializes in tradition. Every Friday, the Hale Ho’aloha Pavilion transforms into a spectacle of fire, dancing and authentic fare. Feast amongst family and friends while at the luau of a lifetime, which starts at 5:30 p.m. Sip on a welcome cocktail before the Polynesian performances begin. Dances tell the tales of Kalāhuipuaʻa, and attendees can help themselves to an authentic dinner and dessert buffet. Don’t leave until the sun sets because the fire knife finale brings the heat!

 

4 | Balmy Beach Weather: Places to Take a Dip

Relax at Mauna Lani Beach Club

This natural beach is a quiet retreat from the island’s hustle and bustle. Plush sunbeds dot the sand and allow guests to soak up rays in solitude. There is a separate area for families to enjoy too, so no one misses out on the pristine water and lively tidepools. This mile-stretch of paradise is perfectly positioned for paddleboarding and boasts spectacular coral beds. Welcome to the Big Island’s best-kept secret at Mauna Lani!

 

Surf Lessons at Surf Shack

Mauna Lani boasts three iconic surf breaks that get their best swells in the winter. Learn how to shred the gnar like the locals do before the big breaks roll in. Lessons start at the Surf Shack with gear pick-up, and locals’ favorite surf spot is just five minutes down the beach. Even beginners can catch their first wave with tips from Kainalu pros. Practice weight distribution, pop-ups and finding your footing. Private lessons are recommended for beginners and semi-privates are ideal for surfers looking to hone their craft. Everybody say, shaka!

 

Snorkeling with Mauna Lani

Fall Vacation Big Island
Credit: Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection

Dive into the wonderland-like waters of the Kohala Coast. The turquoise waters are more tempting than a siren’s call! Beyond the reef lies vibrant marine life waiting to be explored. All you have to do is show up to Mauna Lani’s Surf Shack at 8 or 10 a.m. for the journey of a lifetime. Local guides reveal hidden coves that come alive with yellow tang and turtles. Mauna Lani’s canoe and snorkel tour encapsulates everything about the aloha spiritwarm hospitality and an unquenchable thirst for adventure. Reservations are required!

 

Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr
Kamuela, HI 96743
855.201.3179
@maunalaniauberge

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Lover of the beach, food and fitness, Emily enjoys exploring all sunny Southern California has to offer! She has a passion for sharing about her favorite local gems and began writing for Locale in 2022. On the weekends, find her creating recipes for her food blog or out in Laguna!

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