About Big Island Experience

Aloha and welcome to The Big Island Experience, a homegrown company! Not a "tour" company, our good fun outings offer you to personally experience the hidden and hard to reach gems of this immensely diverse island.

 From the sacred valley of the kings, to the highest mountain in the world (from the seafloor), a deep emerald green sand beach oozing from a dormant olivine cinder cone, to everything in between.

The guide of Big Island Experience is Shannon Nacoma Herrington. Born and raised on the island, he has been exploring it since his youth.

 A family man, he is married, has two keiki(kids) Noah and Pua'ena and is knowledgeable in the Hawaiian culture and local ways. An avid outdoorsman, you'll find him riding the surf, hiking, camping and fishing all over the island.  Shannon is also an expert bodyboarder.

 He brings his knowledge and aloha spirit to give you a very personalized tour(2-4 guests per tour) with history, Hawaiian folklore, photo opportunities, explanation of the geography and climates and is happy to answer any questions you have. It is his goal to give you a great experience with aloha and make it easy for you to get to the "hidden gems".

And we will take you there in an air-conditioned, four wheel drive vehicle. In all our outings and services our guide will give you the best experience with the most aloha! We want you to be happy and will strive for it in everything we do! **Please check all our posts on this blog to find what experience suits you**. To book a outing, please e-mail, call or write a letter and let us know the date, names, contact phone number and how many guests will attend. **Minimum of two guests, maximun of 4**.There will be a prompt response.

Payment will be accepted on the day of the outing. We accept cash and travelers' checks, NO credit cards or personal checks please.Booking ahead of time is recommended due to limited space. To cancel, please let us know 48 hours prior to your outing. In some cases hazardous events such as heavy thunderstorms/flash flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunami, etc. may cause your outing to be canceled. Mahalo nui loa

Big Island Experience

95 Ohuohu St. Hilo HI 96720

sherrington@hawaii.rr.com
808-895-0580

**What to bring on your outing:**
a positive adventurous spirit

Camera/memory cards/extra batteries

swimsuit, reef shoes, towels,

sunscreen and a hat

**For Puna/Lava outing also bring:**

long pants, light rain jacket

solid covered shoes with traction

**For Green Sands or Hamakua outings also bring:**
funds for lunch+souvenirs from
Punalu`u Bake Shop &
Tex's Drive In and Gift Shop

**For Kea`au Beach:**
Hiking shoes and
mosquito repellent
camera&accessories
swimsuit,sunscreen,hat,towel
and sunglasses

Kea`au Beach Hike 9 am - 2 pm (estimate)

Hike to one of the most scenic and well-hidden beaches on the Big Island for a great old-Hawai`i experience. A two and a half mile hike (one way) that takes you along Puna's lush tropical coastline and through the rainforest to reach a true hidden gem.  

Kea`au is a heavenly crescent of  powdery black and white sand fed by two fresh water rivers in which Nene geese thrive. Relax on the beach and swim with turtles in the protected sand bottomed cove. Learn about the history of the area. Get away from it all and go deep into Puna at Kea`au. Lunch(sandwich,fruit and chips) and water for you to bring is provided for this hike. $145 per guest/$100 for Country Goose B&B guests.

Puna Coast and Lava Viewing Experience 2 pm - 7:30 pm (estimate)

Meet in Pahoa and drive down through the tree tunnel and stop at Lava Tree State Park on the way to the coast. Centuries ago lava flowed into this forest of 'O'hia trees, engulfing and incinerating the trees, but leaving cylindrical hollows, or tree molds, where the lava cooled and solidified against them as the remaining hot lava flowed away. 

Stop at Cape Kumukahi and then four wheel it to Champagne Pond and take a dip in this thermal heated pond in a beatiful and amazing setting. Turtles and fish abound in this tropical vocanically heated pond!

Explore and snorkel Kopoho tide pools with all the colorful corals, tropical fish, and turtles. One of the most unique and largest tidal pool systems in all of Hawai`i. Our guide Shannon will have extra snorkel gear if needed.

Check out the surfers ripping up the waves at Pohoiki Bay. A very fun "Big Island" experience.

Journey into old Hawai`i on tranquil Red Road. With no traffic, this road runs on "Hawaiian Time"- a very slow pace. Extra tropical and lush with jungle practically touching the turquoise colored ocean, makes this drive one of the most beatiful and relaxing in all Hawai`i. A must see in Puna.

Lava viewing at the end of the day as night falls. We will take you to the best vantage point to view the glowing lava. Another experience that shouldn't be missed on the Big Island. $150 per guest/$130 for Country Goose guests.

Hamakua Heritage Experience 9 am - 3:00 pm (estimate)

Meet in historic Hilo Town with a viewing of Rainbow Falls

Four mile scenic drive along the beautiful Hamakua coastline with spectacular vistas and tropical scenery.

Breathtaking Akaka Falls, Kole Kole Beach and Hakalau Bay. Windward tropical beauty at it's best. Fantastic photo opportunities.

Lunch at Tex's Drive In located in historic Honoka`a Town. Fresh fish, sandwiches and local dishes.

Waipio Valley "the valley of the kings". Four wheel down into the valley and explore a waterfall(when flowing*), the black sand beach and the river mouth. Swim, bodysurf or bodyboard in the black sand bottomed bay if conditions are safe. Fantastic photo opportunities. Take in the amazing unbelievable beauty and Hawaiian history of this sacred valley. $165 per guest/ $145 for Country Goose guests.

Ka`u Heritage/Black & Green Sands Beaches Experience 9 am - 3:30 pm (estimate)

Explore Nahuku(Thurston) Lava Tube, the Steaming Bluffs and the Jaggar Museum/Halema`uma`u Crater in Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the fire goddess Pele and the history of the Ka`u Desert.

Photo opportunities and history at Punalu`u Black Sands Beach. Get within feet of the endangered nesting sea turtles. Take a swim in the sea turtle filled bay or even get up close and snorkel with gear provided free!

Stop in Na`alehu Town for lunch at the famous Punalu`u Bakery. Ono(delicious) goodies, sandwiches and local dishes.

Head down to the southernmost point of the USA at Ka Lae(South Point) and four wheel it to Green Sands Beach. A beautiful secluded crescent of pure bright green sand at the foot of a cinder cone. Awesome for swimming, bodysurfing and relaxing in the tropical sun at a GREEN sand beach!

Return to Volcano via the "mountain road" between Na`alehu and Pahala that gives you breathtaking views of forested hills, country vistas and a unreal view of the Pacific blue. A real treat for nature lovers.$175 per guest/$150 for Country Goose guests.