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Big Island Safety Tips: Rules to Follow on Your Next Hawaii Vacation

by on Mar 30, 2016
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These Big Island safety tips will help you stay safe on your next vacation to this volcanic wonderland.

The Big Island is one of the most unique and spectacular islands in Hawaii…it has one of the tallest mountains in the world, the Mauna Kea, and an active volcano in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It also has extreme variants of altitude ranging from sea level to as high as 4,000 feet.

If you are about to set off on a trip to The Big Island or are planning to book a vacation here, then it’s important to understand the safety implications of the island and what you should do to stay safe:

Big Island Safety Tips

Pack Well
One of the best things you can do is to be prepared.

During your vacation on The Big Island you may be exposed to a number of different climates, from freezing to extremely hot, and you may have to traverse varying terrains.

If you plan to climb Mauna Kea or go to the astronomy observatories at 13,800 feet then make sure you dress appropriately. It gets extremely cold at this height and there is usually snow at the top during winter.

Make sure you include the following items in your bag:

  • Reef slippers for snorkeling and swimming
  • Sun screen and plenty of it
  • Long durable pants for hiking
  • Strong hiking boots (see lava section for more detail)
  • Short-sleeve shirts with collars to keep the unexpected sun off your neck when walking
  • Hat with a brim for sun protection
  • Bug spray to be used in the wet areas of the island
  • Sunglasses
  • Scarf and mittens for the cold

Watch the Lava
It is vital that you and your family stay very safe around lava, there have been a number of visitors that have been injured on the Big Island thanks to disregard for the active lava flow.

If you are planning to view the island’s spectacular volcanoes national park then it is important you understand the following pieces of safety advice:

  • Do not approach active lava flow
  • To reach the lava you will have to hike, make sure you have plenty of sunscreen and the right hiking gear (there is no shade on the lava field)
  • You have to wear boots when hiking on the active lava field (avoid steel or any other material that will melt in the heat on the sole of your boots, or anywhere on your boots, and make sure they have a good grip and come up to your ankles)
  • Wear long, heavy denim jeans and do not wear anything that is flammable

You will probably also have to walk on at least a mile of cold lava to reach the hot lava, be aware that this can crumble beneath your feet…so always make sure you are looking where you are stepping.

Book the Right Flight

You may have already felt slightly confused when you were researching your trip about the name of the Big Island?

Don’t worry – it is confusing. The Big Island’s technical name is Hawaii, which is also the name of the entire state, and most direct flights to Hawaii state stop at Oahu (where Honolulu is). But this doesn’t mean that you cannot visit the Big Island.

There are a number of airlines that have direct fights, including Hawaiian Airlines and Pacific Wings. These arrive at Kailua-Kona Airport, so just make sure that your final destination is to this airport. Many flights come via the larger international airport in Honolulu and fly domestically to the Big Island. Just double check that you will end up at the correct airport.

Enhance your trip to the Big Island by booking some great discounted activities at HawaiiDiscount.com.

Please remember that popular activities sell out frequently. We recommend making reservations well in advance of your trip.

To book an affordable Hawaii tour or activity, call 1-866-482-9775 today.

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