Solo Female Traveler to Big Island

Hi there! I%26#39;ve been to other islands in Hawaii but I%26#39;m making my first trip to the Big Island next month. Very excited.

I%26#39;ll be traveling alone for the duration of the visit and wondered if you all had any suggestions or concerns for a single female traveler?

I%26#39;m looking to get in some beach time, see the volcano, go hiking and maybe a horseback ride. I saw a post that said hiking was not safe for one person...is this true?

No lodging booked yet--I was hoping to find a condo but would love suggestions on safe areas for a single person. Any concern with me staying alone in Kona?

I am a fairly experienced traveler...

Thanks!

Solo Female Traveler to Big Island

Katie....

This island it very rugged and raw... and to explore it requires common sence.

Hiking anywhere is alone is not wise because of the problems an injury might present. Many trails are deserted....and very remote with no cell coverage.

Hiking alone here is at much more a risk that most places......even in the national parks! Who advise against it. Truthfuly every year sees several deaths due to solo hiking. Lava terrain is very unforgiving and out trails are in rather poor shape

I would stick to very well traveled routes or takepart in organized ones. Which there are plenty.

The area around the volcano park and south of Kona and the eastern side has many dangers.... mostly human. The region of Puna and Kau, are famous for the quanity and frequency of '; missing persons';

The Horse ride, The National Park naturalist walks, are great... The beaches of from Kona to Kohala are also very safe.

That said....This island is very rural and unlike any you have yet visited. It is not a great place a single person, let alone a female, to enjoy.. There are more than a few areas where outsiders are less than welcome.....sort of like the Ozarks in remote spots

Kona is very safe...And has plenty of reasonable rooms and condos... use the Left menu to find some in your budget...You can get a studio condo for around $115-120 a night Hotels are as cheap as $ 79 a night...Seaside and Kona Tiki

There is a Hostel in Kona for $30 a night in the dorm .

You will need a car... there are no shuttles of any sort here, and no real public transport

Goood Luck

Solo Female Traveler to Big Island

The only thing I wouldn%26#39;t recommend to do alone would be hiking. Since you are an experienced traveler I assume you know how to take precaution so enjoy your trip!

I would check out a group tour for the hiking and maybe the volcano. Hawaii Forest and Trail has some nice tours. There are other tour companies too.

Since you are looking at beaches more than snorkeling, I would recommend the South Kohala resort areas. The best beaches are in these areas. As a single female myself, I feel very safe there - not that I don%26#39;t feel safe in Kona.

Great advice so far. I agree that hiking would be my only concern for you, so if you can find a group to do that with you will be fine. However up in VNP there are hikes I would feel comfortable doing alone because you will not be alone ;o) lots of other visitors will be there.

Horseback will be fine, check this out: Na%26#39;alapa Stables

http://www.naalapastables.com/waipio2.html

I stay in my condo in Kailua-Kona ';alone'; often (DH travels and kids are in college) and I walk about town all of the time and feel very safe.

Dear Katie: If you are very young and looking for possible new friends maybe consider the Hostel in Kona and team up with some of the young crowd there.

If you want quality beaches then stay in Waikoloa to Waimea area for beaches like Hapuna Beach, Beach 67, etc. As a single women I would stick to the State Beaches w/ facilities and lifeguards and don%26#39;t linger after hours.

Some good beach guides:

alternative-hawaii.com/activity/bibeach.htm

hawaiiweb.com/Hawaii/html/beaches/hapuna_bea…

I hike alone all of the time since I am single and dragging a friend to Hawaii is next to impossible. Stay on the well traveled trails during the daylight hours and you should be just fine like:

-Kilauea Iki trail (Volcano Natioal Park)

-Mana Ulu trail (Volcano National Park)

-Petroglyph trail (Volcano National Park)

-Pololu Valley trail (just down to the beach %26amp; back)

The further you go out the more I would disuade you especially as a single female (sorry that%26#39;s just reality).

Of course do all of the normal stuff like water, raingear, first aid kit, etc. For added precaution a wack stick and pepper spray for any stupid dogs might be a good idea. I%26#39;m actually more afraid of the dogs.

Always let your host or concierge know where you will be hiking or swimming (in case they need to come looking for you).

Happy Travels, TheodoreJay

Oops def. not Beach 67, I get those phone pole numbers mixed up :/

Thanks so much to everyone who responded! Very helpful.

I researched and found some great biking tours. Low cost and fun. You don%26#39;t have to make friends if you don%26#39;t want to. I noticed a few different tours available The volcano was one. Maybe one of these experts remembers their name. Have fun.

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