When Winter Hits, I Think About Hawaii: Our Girlfriends’ Kona to Volcanoes National Park Adventure and a Great Week of Fun

Winter does this to me every year: I’ll open my phone to look up something totally responsible… and somehow I’m back in my Hawaii album scrolling photos like it’s my job. This Kona to Volcanoes National Park itinerary is the Big Island reset I crave when winter hits—easy to follow, gorgeous, and totally girlfriends-trip friendly. One minute I’m in a sweater in the mountains, the next I’m staring at turquoise water and thinking, When can I get back there?

Nothing better than time with the girls

Last summer, I escaped the Colorado routine and flew to the Big Island with two of my closest girlfriends for a much-needed reset—Kona coffee mornings, long walks, black sand beaches, farmers markets, friendship, and the kind of laughing that makes your cheeks hurt.

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But if I’m being honest, the real highlight wasn’t the itinerary (though it was a bonus). It was being with people who know me—and that I know and love.

The best part of a girlfriends’ trip: the history you don’t have to explain

There’s something deeply comforting about traveling with long-time friends—the ones who don’t need the backstory. The “remember when” friends. The people who’ve seen you in the messy seasons and the good ones.

We’ve been doing girls’ trips for years when we can. I will never forget the year we went to Boston in January. Why? We are all still wondering. It was so cold, but the flights were cheap and we all needed a break from the day-to-day routine.

Life has changed (kids grown, everyone living in different places), but we’ve kept choosing our friendship. It’s not loud or dramatic. It’s just steady.

And the best part? We don’t have to perform for each other.

On this trip there were three of us, but only two of us went to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. One friend didn’t feel like making the trek—and it was completely fine. No guilt. No pressure. No weird energy.

Just a simple, unspoken understanding: You do you. I’ll do me. We’ll meet back up later and you can tell me what I missed.

That kind of friendship is a gift.

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A local connection that made the trip even better

One of my friends has a friend who lives on the Big Island, and she spent some time with us while we were there. It was such a gift having a little “insider” energy—someone who could help us shape the itinerary so we didn’t miss the best parts.

She helped us find a mix of the classic, touristy must-dos and a few things that felt more local. And beyond the suggestions, she was just genuinely fun to hang out with. We appreciated her more than she knows.

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Kona mornings: coffee stops that made the trip

I’m not saying the coffee was the main character… but it was definitely a strong contender. And if you know me you know that coffee is life. It is a love affair that I never seem to outgrow.

So, of course we had to do a coffee tour.

Rising Kona (local coffee estate)

We chose to go to Rising Kona, a local coffee estate that made me slow down without even trying. It wasn’t just “good coffee.” It was seeing where it comes from, tasting it right there, and realizing that no fancy machine at home is going to recreate that exact feeling.

Interestingly, the proprietors had bought the estate without even realizing there were coffee trees on the property. There was a house on the land they wanted to renovate and rent out to vacationers, but instead found they owned five acres of an overgrown coffee plantation right in the heart of the Kona region.

Quick fact: Kona is a very small region of Hawaii with a very specific climate that’s ideal for growing coffee—hence the reputation.

We also learned that for coffee to be labeled “Kona coffee,” there may only be a portion of the beans from Kona (sometimes as little as one bean!). But if it’s labeled 100% Kona coffee, all of the coffee is from the Kona region.

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And let me tell you: this coffee is delicious. Deep, dark, delectable, rich, and smooth all at the same time.

There’s something grounding about a coffee estate—the land, the process, the patience. It was a perfect way to spend a day and, for me, it was really about savoring all the flavor.

Mauna Lani Coffee Company (Shops of Mauna Lani)

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This was a quick, perfect stop on the way to a nearby beach where we snorkeled and saw turtles—one of those “grab it and go” coffees that ends up being surprisingly memorable.

The coolest thing about Mauna Lani Coffee? They make their ice cubes out of coffee. So as your drink melts, it doesn’t get watered down and sad—it just gets more coffee.

And honestly, there is nothing like a cold, icy coffee to perk you up on the way to an afternoon beach outing. It was the ideal little boost before we swapped sandals for snorkels and headed for the water.

Island Vintage Coffee (Kings’ Village)

Island Vintage Coffee at Kings’ Village deserves its own moment because it became one of our favorite easy stops. Kings’ Village is such a wonderful little walkable shopping area, and we ended up going a couple mornings—and then stopping again in the afternoon on our shopping day.

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They also had amazing smoothie bowls, which felt like the perfect counterbalance to all the coffee (or at least that’s what I told myself).

Also: this is where I need to publicly admit I should not be allowed to travel without an adult.

I left my purse hanging on the back of a chair… and then we wandered around the shopping area for a solid 20 minutes like everything was fine.

And then it hit me.

You know that moment where your stomach drops and your brain starts doing math you didn’t even know you could do? My ID. My credit cards. All my cash. Basically my entire personality in one bag.

For about 30 seconds, I was fully convinced I was about to become the first person in history to be accidentally stranded in paradise—broke, alone, and living off smoothie bowls—because you can’t exactly get back on a plane without an ID.

I tried to play it cool for about two seconds (failed), then speed-walked back like I was training for the Olympics.

And somehow—miraculously—it was still there. Exactly where I left it. Nothing touched.

So yes, I survived. And yes, my friends will be reminding me of this until we’re 90.

Kona to Volcanoes National Park itinerary

The Coffee Shack (yes, that one)

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The Coffee Shack is famous for a reason. I came for the coffee (and yes, it was great), but the views are what stopped me in my tracks. Even if you don’t stay for the food, walk out on the back deck and take in the island—it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Some places become a memory because the scenery is the kind you don’t forget. This was one of those places for me.

Punalu‘u Beach: turtles on the sand

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Punalu‘u was a different kind of wow.

There’s something surreal about seeing sea turtles just resting on the sand like it’s the most normal thing in the world. We could’ve stayed there forever—partly because it was beautiful, and partly because we were trying to get enough amazing photos to do it justice.

Black sand beaches + sea turtles: the moments we’ll never forget

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park: steam, wonder, and perspective

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Volcanoes National Park has a way of making your problems feel… appropriately sized.

We didn’t actually see an eruption while we were there—it was steaming, and of course it felt like the volcano waited until we left to do anything dramatic. But honestly? It didn’t matter.

What we did do was walk through lava tubes, which is one of those experiences that makes you stop talking for a minute and just look around. Cool, dark, and a little eerie—in the best way.

One practical note before you go: there’s an entry fee, and if you’re visiting during peak travel times (winter break through early spring, or summer), it can be worth buying a pass ahead of time so you’re not adding extra steps at the entrance. You can grab a Hawai‘i Volcanoes pass on Recreation.gov, or use an America the Beautiful pass if you already have one (or plan to get one). You can also find more information about the park here.

Being there in person was powerful. Walking around, taking it all in, feeling that mix of awe and humility that only nature can hand you.

Kona Salt Farm tour

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The Kona Salt Farm tour was such a fun change of pace—one of those “I’m so glad we did this” experiences.

We were a little surprised when we first pulled up because the area feels pretty industrial… but once you’re inside, it’s actually so cute—and it sits right on the ocean. The views were incredible, and our tour guide was genuinely great: super knowledgeable and the kind of person who makes you pay attention without even trying.

What I loved most is that it wasn’t just a “walk around and look at things” tour. We learned how the salt is made and got to see the process in action. And the detail that stuck with me? They pump up ocean water from more than 2,200 feet below the surface to make sure the salt has the purest minerals and nutrients.

Then came the best part: a little salt tasting with fresh veggies and fruit. It was surprisingly fun to taste the different flavors side-by-side—and of course we left with a few jars for gifts and souvenirs.

I love adding something like this into a beach-heavy trip because it gives you a different kind of story to bring home. Plus, it’s a reminder that the best souvenirs aren’t random trinkets—they’re the kind you’ll actually use, and every time you do, you’re right back in Hawaii for a second.

49 Black Sand Beach: snorkeling with colorful fish

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Snorkeling at 49 Black Sand Beach was a great way to spend the afternoon—and honestly, the sand is more gray than jet black. It’s still volcanic, but over time that black sand has weathered and mixed with lighter minerals, rocks, and sediments. The result is a salt-and-pepper shoreline that feels dramatic and rugged, just a little softened by time and tide.

And the snorkeling is exactly why you come. The water was clear, the reef is close enough that you’re not doing a marathon swim to see anything, and there were colorful fish everywhere—one of those spots where you put your face in the water and immediately go, “Oh yep, this was the right choice.”rld.

The quirky hidden gem: fish exfoliation at a tucked-away pond

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And then there was the little tucked-away pond at Kalahuipua‘a where tiny fish basically give you the world’s tiniest pedicure.

I was skeptical. Then I looked down.

If you’ve never done it, it’s equal parts hilarious and oddly satisfying—and yes, it’s ticklish. One of those “we will talk about this forever” moments that becomes a friendship inside joke before you’re even back in the car.

And the best part? There’s a great restaurant nearby for dinner: Napua at Mauna Lani Beach.

Mini itinerary: steal this for your own girlfriends’ getaway

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This isn’t a strict schedule—more like a “greatest hits” outline you can mix and match depending on where you stay and how much you want to drive.

You can always swap days around based on weather and energy.

Kona to Volcanoes National Park itinerary

Why Hawaii works so well for a girls’ trip

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What I keep coming back to—especially when it’s cold and snowy at home—is that the Big Island is just an easy place to do a girlfriends’ trip well.

It checks all the boxes:

• You can mix “do everything” days with true downtime. One day you’re doing Volcanoes National Park, the next you’re in a beach chair with an iced coffee and zero agenda.
• There’s something for every mood. Beach walks, snorkeling, farmers markets, scenic drives, shopping, coffee stops—everyone can pick what they’re into without it turning into a group negotiation.
• It’s built for flexible plans. You don’t have to lock yourself into a strict schedule to have an amazing trip. A loose “greatest hits” itinerary is plenty.
• The memories come naturally. Turtles, black sand beaches, lava tubes, and that one random stop you didn’t expect to love (hello, tiny fish pedicure) — it’s the kind of place where the highlights sort of stack up on their own.

If you’re craving sunshine, a change of scenery, and a trip that feels fun without feeling stressful, Hawaii is a really solid choice.

Your turn:

Do you have a group of long-time friends you travel with—or want to?

And if you could plan a summer getaway right now, where would you go?

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