We may earn a commission when you book or buy through links on this page.
Big Island condos, cottages, and homes
Big Island Vacation Rentals
Big Island vacation rentals are strongest when the location matches the itinerary. Kona and Kohala work best for beach-and-condo trips, Hilo and Hamakua fit waterfall days, Volcano is ideal for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Waimea can help repeat visitors split the distance between coasts.
Current Big Island Rental Snapshot
Vacation rental average daily rate (ADR) and occupancy from Hawaii DBEDT / HTA lodging data for September 2026.
Rental ADR$373
Average nightly vacation rental rate
Rental Occupancy38%
Booked vacation rental unit share
Hotel ADR$372
Useful comparison before choosing a rental
Best FitSplit stays
Two bases can save hours on larger itineraries
Best Big Island Areas for Vacation Rentals
The Big Island rewards planning around driving distance. A lower nightly rate can quickly lose value if it adds long cross-island drives every day.
Kona Coast
Kailua-Kona, Keauhou, Alii Drive
Best for condos, dining, snorkeling, manta ray tours, coffee country, and flexible west-side stays. Kona is practical for first-time rental trips because services and restaurants are close by.
Best for waterfall days, gardens, lush scenery, lower-key stays, and a possible second base. Expect more rain and fewer resort-style amenities than the west side.
Best for Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, cool nights, rainforest cottages, and slower park exploration after dark. Volcano works especially well as a one- or two-night split stay.
Waikoloa Vacation Rental Management offers condo rentals in the Waikoloa Beach Resort area, a strong fit for travelers who want resort conveniences with kitchen, laundry, and extra space.
Vacation rentals can be excellent on the Big Island, but the island's size changes the math.
Consider a split stay
A west-side rental plus a night or two in Volcano or Hilo can make the trip much easier if waterfalls, lava landscapes, or the Hamakua Coast are priorities.
Check drive time before price
Kohala to Volcano, Kona to Hilo, and Hilo to beaches are real drives. Compare rental savings against the time and fuel needed for the itinerary.
Review location context
Confirm beach access, lava-zone context, road quality, parking, taxes, cleaning fees, and cancellation terms before booking a remote cottage or house.
Search Big Island Hotels & Stays
Filter Big Island properties by area, property type, guest rating, or search term. Use the property-type filters to narrow toward rentals, condos, and condo hotels.
Loading accommodations…
No accommodations match your filters
Try adjusting your search or filter criteria
More Big Island Lodging Planning
Use these next if you are still deciding whether a rental, hotel, resort, inn, or split stay is the best fit.
Big Island Accommodations
Compare Big Island hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, B&Bs, and the best regions for each lodging style.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
0:000:54
Voice
Read the transcript
Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
0:000:53
Voice
Read the transcript
Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
0:000:49
Voice
Read the transcript
Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out