Exploring Hawaii's Big Island: Luxury Resorts, Sea Turtles, and Swimming With Manta Rays

Part 2 of our Big Island adventure: where we stayed, the resorts we toured, and the night we swam with manta rays.

In Part 1 of our Big Island adventure, I shared our two full days exploring the island, including our northern and southern loops, the incredible diversity of the landscape, and a few lessons I learned along the way about just how much ground there is to cover.

While we spent two days exploring the island, we intentionally built resort time into our itinerary as well. After all, a trip to Hawaii should not be all about checking places off a list. We wanted time to enjoy where we were staying, get in the water, and experience the island at a more relaxed pace between our days of exploring.

For our entire stay, we called the Kohala Coast home.

Our Home Base: Fairmont Orchid on Hawaii's Kohala Coast

For our stay, we chose the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii along the Kohala Coast, which is the drier side of the island and an ideal home base for exploring. As a preferred agency partner of Accor, we were able to enjoy additional benefits including a resort credit, complimentary breakfast, and an upgrade to a suite that was perfect for our family.

Watch on Instagram Fairmont Orchid Suite Tour - see the full suite along Hawaii's Kohala Coast

A few of the nice touches throughout the suite: the entryway, half bath, and bar area.

The closet and full bath in our suite.

The resort itself was exactly what we were looking for. The property has a relaxed, upscale Hawaiian feel, with plenty of space to spread out. The large oceanfront pool has a meandering design with different areas and nooks, making it easy to find a quieter spot to relax even when families are enjoying the resort.

The beach was one of our favorite features. Because the shoreline is surrounded by lava rock, the snorkeling right from the beach was excellent. Fish tend to gather around rocky areas, and Hawaii's volcanic landscape creates the perfect environment to see marine life close to shore.

We even had the incredible experience of swimming with a sea turtle right at the resort.

Relaxing and enjoying the resort between our days of exploring.

Each evening, we enjoyed dinner by the ocean at Hale Kai, the resort's casual beachfront restaurant. We loved the setting, especially with kids, because it offered beautiful views without feeling overly formal. Another popular dining option at the resort is Brown's Beach House, which is a beautiful choice for a special evening, but for our family, the relaxed atmosphere at Hale Kai was exactly what we wanted.

Of course, we also had to try something a little different. Since the boys are currently obsessed with birria tacos, we made a stop at Kahakai Cruiser, an Airstream food truck concept serving tacos. It was a fun and casual meal that perfectly matched our island adventure.

Dinner at Hale Kai, and tacos from Kahakai Cruiser.

Exploring Luxury Resorts on the Big Island

As a travel advisor, I always enjoy visiting other resorts when I travel. Experiencing a property firsthand helps me understand who will love it, what makes it special, and how it compares to other options.

During our time on the Big Island, we visited Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, and I was incredibly impressed.

The grounds at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.

Rosewood is known for creating properties that have a strong sense of place, and Kona Village is a wonderful example of that philosophy. The original Kona Village had been part of the island's landscape since the 1960s before closing after the tsunami in 2011. When Rosewood brought the property back to life, they were intentional about preserving the spirit and identity of the original resort rather than erasing its history and starting over.

Even the name is a nod to the property's past. Rosewood kept "Kona Village" as part of the name, honoring the beloved resort that had been here for decades.

The same philosophy carries through to the accommodations. Instead of traditional hotel rooms in one large building, the resort's accommodations are individual, freestanding hale. In Hawaiian, hale means "house" or "home," which is exactly what these private structures are designed to feel like. The word also reflects the property's connection to the land and the idea of creating a collection of individual homes within a larger Hawaiian village.

Inside a two bedroom hale at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort.

The result is a resort that feels deeply connected to its surroundings. The natural landscape, Hawaiian-inspired design, and commitment to sustainability create an experience that feels authentic to the island rather than simply being a luxury resort that could exist anywhere.

Every corner of Kona Village felt connected to the island around it.

While I toured the property, the boys and Rob enjoyed time at the pool and beach, which was the perfect arrangement for our family.

The adult pool and bar at Kona Village.

The boys at the pool, and bikes available for getting around the property.

Sea Turtle Encounters Along the Kona Coast

After our visit to Kona Village, we continued exploring the coastline and made our way to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, just north of Kona.

The beaches here are a prime resting spot for Hawaiian green sea turtles, and we were hoping to see one.

Sure enough, as we arrived, a turtle had just settled onto the sand.

We watched from a respectful distance as it rested before eventually making its way back into the water. We intentionally entered the ocean in another area to give it space.

Apparently, the turtle had other plans.

A short while later, the same turtle popped up right between the boys and me. We recognized it from the beach, and it felt like it had decided it wanted to come say hello.

We gave it plenty of room, but it was one of those unexpected travel moments that you cannot plan for and will never forget.

We also stopped at Kahalu'u Beach Park along Ali'i Drive, which is widely regarded as one of the best places near Kona to see Hawaiian green sea turtles. The shallow waters and protected reef make it a popular snorkeling location, although later in the day the water conditions were a little rougher than ideal.

Looking for turtles at Kaloko-Honokohau, and the shallow reef at Kahalu'u.

Before our final adventure, we enjoyed an early dinner at Magic Sands Beach. Sitting above the crashing waves and watching everyone boogie board was such a fun way to end our last evening on the island.

Then it was time for the experience I had been most excited about.

Swimming With Manta Rays on the Big Island

Swimming with manta rays was the grand finale of our Big Island adventure, and it is easy to understand why this experience is so popular.

Watch on Instagram Don't miss this. It was a highlight of the trip. Watch the night swim with manta rays off the Kona Coast.

The Kona Coast is one of the best places in the world to experience manta rays because the waters provide a consistent feeding environment for these gentle giants.

The experience happens at night because manta rays are attracted to the lights shining into the water. Those lights attract plankton, which brings the manta rays close to the surface as they feed.

Choosing the right company and departure location can make a big difference. Starting from Keauhou Bay is highly recommended because it is a very short ride to the snorkel site. Less time traveling means more time in the water with the manta rays.

The experience itself was incredible, but it was not effortless.

You float on the surface while holding onto a lighted raft that extends behind the boat. A pool noodle is placed under your lower legs to keep your body positioned correctly and prevent your feet from dropping beneath you toward the manta rays.

The ocean movement combined with holding onto the bar for an extended period can be physically demanding.

The experience lasted about 45 minutes, and within minutes, our arms were already tired from gripping the bar. The boys made it about halfway through. They saw manta rays, but I wished they had held on just a little longer because only seconds after they got out, a manta ray swam directly underneath the bar we were holding.

A few minutes later, another one came even closer.

I considered getting out early because my arms were really hurting, but I am so glad I stayed.

Right after they gave us the five-minute warning, a manta ray came from behind me and swam directly underneath. We were belly to belly, only inches apart.

It took my brain a few seconds to process what was happening because I was not expecting to be that close.

I also loved seeing the experience from above once I returned to the boat. The boys were still able to enjoy watching the manta rays from the surface, and I was glad they were able to be part of the experience even after leaving the water.

Aboard the catamaran for our manta ray night swim off the Kona Coast.

Getting ready for the night swim.

The Big Island: A Place to Explore More

The Big Island is a destination that rewards curiosity. It invites you to slow down, look closer, and discover something unexpected around every corner.

It is standing beside volcanic landscapes that tell the story of the earth's power. It is snorkeling with sea turtles in protected bays. It is relaxing at a beautiful resort, tasting local favorites, and ending your trip floating above the ocean as manta rays glide beneath you.

This is why I love experiencing destinations firsthand. I want to know what is worth prioritizing, what works best for different travelers, and what details can make a good vacation become an unforgettable one.

The Big Island gave us some of our favorite travel memories, and it is exactly the type of destination that reminds us why we chose the name Explore More.