Hawaii the Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

The Only Book You'll Need

We loved this book. It's mile-marker by mile-marker review of the Big Island was invaluable. We found all of the places as noted with some literary bon mots along the way. But this is the book the Hawaii residents love to hate for two reasons -- the authors may be a bit free with other people's property rights, so if you're reading cross-country, really do pay attention to no trespassing signs. And second, they really do tell you some of the secrets of the island. It's as thoroughly researched as any static publication can be. We used it prior to our trip to make plans and multiple times daily while there touring the island. It was worth every penny we spent on it.

6 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

A Must-Have for Visitors to the Big Island

We have been going to the Big Island for over 20 years and even though we are very familiar with what to do and where to stay, we love this series and always buy the updated edition. It keeps us up-to-date on changes in the restaurant scene and what new has opened up. The on-line birds-eye-photos of all the condos and resorts is a perfect way to determine if you have chosen a beach-front property or not. The list of activities is endless and the ratings and web-site links are helpful as well. Great photos make the guide very readable. While the author has been criticized for occasionally describing some somewhat dangerous activities, it seems that he has added warnings and the common sense on the part of a visitor should always prevail with any dealings with raw nature. There is lots to do on this truly "Big Island" and this guidebook certainly covers it all!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Hawaii The Big Island Revealed - Perfect Book for First Time Visitor or Frequent Visitor

I had visited the Big Island of Hawaii at least 6 times, had never bought a travel book, but this book appeared to be more interesting and comprehensive then most. I'm pleased to report that it was all of the above, and more, and we used the book for some of our driving tours around the Island. Even some of the locals said that the author included information that they really didn't want known. This is a perfect travel book for visitations to the "BIG ISLAND".

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

awesome book

we have taken 3 trips to this island. on the 3rd we acquired this book. Dont know how we did it without this book. would've made past trips much easier for sure. The details given in this book are extremely helpful, and accurate. best beaches,snorkel spots, adventures, and hidden areas even some locals don't know about. if you are going to the big island you need this book. It was a tremendous help getting around the island since there is so much to do.Also if you like to do water activities this book nails it. it helped us to spots we did'nt even explore before,but now wished we had.Whats great is the writer has actually explored everything he writes about in the book which is helpful as well, knowing someone has tried it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Hawaii The Big Island Revealed Gave Us the Vacation of a Lifetime!

This book should be a must-have for any big island vacation. The author reveals LOTS of hidden gems that can't be found in any other guidebook. It tells you the best places to go, and who to go to for everything from snorkeling to snow skiing. This book shows you how to get to hidden waterfalls, secluded beaches, beautiful trails and overlooks, and many other hidden treasures. It is written by a resident of the island who has gone to all the beaches, walked all the trails, eaten at all the restaurants, driven on all the roads, and stayed at all the hotels, helping you to separate the good from the bad. The maps and directions are very easy to use, so easy to use, in fact, that a twelve-year-old planned and guided our trip, and it turned out great! This book proved to be an indispensible part of our Hawaiian vacation, and I hope it will be for yours, too!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Would Recommend this book.

Good basic information with helpful tidbits.
Accurate with descriptions and directions to the "out of the way" beaches and places.

Don't go to Hawaii without it!

I have been a frequent visitor to Hawaii and thought I knew a lot, but boy was I wrong! This series rocks. The only thing I don't like is that the snorkeling section is combined with the beaches. Great honest restuarant reviews by authors who actually live in the state and don't take money to be in the books from the places they review like other guide books. Indepth, honest, funny....I can go on & on. The only guide books you will ever need. Found one of my favorite restuarants by trying a "ONO" and have been back time & time again for yummy Japanese food. Would have never gone in there without the review.

Don't Shoot Andrew sent me

I can't help but like a guidebook that makes me laugh. It is chockfull of insider tips and thorough in its coverage with candid commentary. Author, Andrew Doughty, has been criticized by locals for putting places into the book that should have remained private, who may shoot first and ask questions later of tourists ignoring posted trespassing signs. However, as an independent traveler, I really enjoyed and appreciate his willingness to take me to places a bit off the beaten path. However, having just returned from the Big Island, I would say that Pahao town got a very short shrift in this "the ultimate guidebook." It may have been accurate ten years ago to call it an "outlaw town where FBI fugitives and the never-bathe crowd co-exist." But, I dined at two lovely eateries in Pahao with a gentrified ambiance. Still, I found The Big Island Revealed fun and accurate in most cases.
www.LindaBallouAuthor.com
Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii

The only guide you'll need!

I love this guide. It has it all...places to go, where to eat, where to stay...The maps are great and easy to use. I mark mine up with flags and highlighter (I am on my third copy). The information is good and fun to read. Highly recommended.

Doughtery Ultimate guide books are the best!

We would Highly recommended this along with any other "Ultimate guide" books by this author for any of the other islands.
It became our bible and we took it everywhere. We found hidden beaches, out of the way delicious eateries reasonably priced, and reviews on different kinds of tours they do or do not recommened.
We took both a Kuai, and a Big Island book with us as they were the islands we traveled to.

Great Book

I liked this book because it gave you a lot of information on activities and beaches. It was laid out very well, the mile marker information was especially helpful!

Excellent investment to plan your trip

Doughty's travel guide is an inexpensive tool for planning your trip so that you don't find out the last day that you missed something that you really would have enjoyed because you wasted time and money on something not so great. The size of the island and number of options make this book a little harder to find things in than his others but it is still well organized and easy to follow. I highly recommend!!

Informative

This book was very useful in my recent trip to Hawaii. It is informative and entertaining in its descriptions. This was my 2nd purchase - I wanted an up to date copy. The maps were good, the beach information was great and the descriptions of the volcano area was helpful.

A useful, comprehensive guide

If you are going to the Big Island, you will want a copy of this book before you leave. It will help you plan your trip and tell you about places that you might not find out about otherwise. The author's information is first hand and presented in a useful and in depth manner. Just remember that a lot of the information, such as information about volcano activity, can change rapidly. The book is a guide, but a good one. Make sure you have the latest edition.

The ONLY guide book to have

So informative it is like having a seasoned local riding shotgun. With mile markers as guides all of the best beaches and hidden spots are accessible. As the book suggests if you are going to the Big Island get a 4WD!

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