Weather in March in Big Island

Hi, we will be arriving in Kona around mid Mar, for 1 week, and considering to stay 1 nite in Volcano, however, seems the weather is very unstable in that area. Do you suggest i book a firm date for the hotel there for 1 nite, or should I just listen to the weather report, choose a good day to visit and drive back to Kona.

I am thinking to do it on my last day of the trip, but just afraid the risk of bad weather, what do you suggest? we are traveling with young kids.

And can we do Akala falls and volcano in 1 day trip, driving from kona and drive back same day?

thx.

Weather in March in Big Island

I think it%26#39;s always nice to leave things completely open, but it may not be practical. You likely won%26#39;t know the weather in advance, and maybe there won%26#39;t be a room open, and then what about your Kona room?

I would say, just do either the day trip or the room, it%26#39;s a rare storm such as we had this week where the highways are closed briefly.

The weather here changes so fast that you could leave the other side having it be sunny in Volcano and it could have changed in an hour. Sometimes the weather changes half a dozen times a day. The only report that%26#39;s useful is if there really is a big storm system in play.

Bring rain jackets.

From Kailua-Kona to Volcano, the southern route is shorter, and Akaka Falls is to the north, which will be longer for you. If you were staying in Waikoloa, I would say take the northern route. Only stop at Akaka if you DON%26#39;T have all your luggage in your car, is my advice, that is, on a day trip.

Kona is not a town; it%26#39;s two whole districta of the island, so it%26#39;s hard to know where you%26#39;re coming from unless you give the specific location, OK?

Weather in March in Big Island

we ars staying at Kona Coast resort Alii Drive Kailua-Kona. How long of a drive will it be to the valcano? I do want to make sure That I see the valcano.

Aloha, It will be a 2 1/2 hour drive if you do not stop. I would suggest stopping at Punalu%26#39;u Black sand beach if you take the southern drive, good place to let the children out to see a black sand beach and maybe some turtle.

With young kids you may not be able to do as much at Volcano National Park as you would like but there are still things you will enjoy, check out Devastation Trail and The Thurston Lava Tube, kids love those.

http://www.nps.gov/havo

http://www.nps.gov/havo/forkids/index.htm

As far as staying over night, March is still a busy time on the island and I would imagine you would want to secure a place for your last night, either take the plunge for Volcano or double book, if it was just the two of you it would be easier to plop someplace for the night or push to drive back even if your tired, but with kids you really want to have a place to put their little heads when they tucker out or your last night in paradise might be stressful.

Are you going to fly back to the Mainland after driving 3 hours from Volcano to the airport in Kailua-Kona? Ouch! I usually liked to get the ';energy out'; of my children before going on a plane, a car never did that... Maybe doing a trip to VNP early on in the trip might be better? Try for a day trip or bring an over night bag and if you are having fun and do not want to drive back you can go to your list of places you like and give them a call for a night.

From the condo it will take slightly over 2 hours via Hiway 11. add another 4-5 hours in the park,+ an Hour to Hilo and another 3.5 hours back to Kona

with a quick stop at Akaka Falls, and possibly the 4 mile scenic drive. on Hiway 19

SO total time is : 11.5 total hours

Sun goes down on the east side around 4:30 pm

Sunrise on the West around 7:15

Volcano is at 4000 ft, is 12 to 15 degrees cooler than HILO and about 20 degrees cooler than Kona. That is consistent 24/7, 365 days a year

It is in a 220-230 inch rain belt and is a rainforest. Day time temp will be in the low 60%26#39;s to high 50%26#39;s .....at night expect low 40%26#39;s

...Of note the higher humidity will make it feel colder.

The volcanos convection and the humidity of the tropics will act to give you rain every day at some point....year round 98% of the time.

March in Kona will be dry and about 80-82

March in Hilo will be wet and about 76-78

There are 12 different climates on this one island..and during the normal travel day you will experiennce almost half of them.

faults next to targus mini mouse