Active volcano. Manta rays at midnight. Black sand beaches and 7 nights with women who actually show up. GGH is heading to the Big Island: February 21–28, 2027. 10 spots. $500 holds yours.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
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Arrive. Exhale. Hawaii begins.
Fly in from SLC, pick up rental SUVs at Kona Airport, check into the Airbnb. Afternoon is yours — sunset at Hapuna Beach, groceries, welcome dinner at the house. The trip starts easy.
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Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Descend into Kīlauea Iki crater (active steam vents, frozen lava lakes), scenery that doesn't look real. Then Chain of Craters Road and Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, where sea turtles sun themselves right on shore. The Big Island doesn't ease you in.
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Four Waterfalls, One Epic Day
This is the day that surprises everyone the most. We start at Rainbow Falls at sunrise, the mist catches the morning light and throws actual rainbows across the water (hence the name). Two minutes away, the Boiling Pots (Peʻepeke Falls) churn through volcanic rock pools that most tourists completely skip. We drive the gorgeous Pepeʻekeo Scenic Coastal Route north and stop at Umauma Falls, a triple-tiered 200-foot cascade with a swimmable pool at the base (bring your swimsuit). After a plate lunch in Honomu, we finish with ʻAkaka Falls, a single 422-foot plunge into a gorge wrapped in bamboo, wild orchids, and tree ferns. One of the most photographed waterfalls in the state. The Hilo Farmer’s Market wraps the afternoon before we drive back to Kona loaded with local snacks. Four waterfalls. One tight corridor. Zero wasted miles.
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Mauna Kea + Two Step Snorkel + Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Sunrise views from 9,200 ft at Mauna Kea Visitor Center, above the clouds. Afternoon snorkeling at Two Step's crystal-clear marine sanctuary. Then the highlight of the entire trip: boarding a boat at sunset and watching massive manta rays glide inches below you in the dark Pacific. One of the top wildlife encounters on earth.
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Pololu Valley + Kealakekua Bay + Coffee Farm
Pololu Valley overlook on the dramatic north coast. Then south to Kealakekua Bay, world-class snorkeling at the Captain Cook Monument, home to spinner dolphins and incredible reef. End with a Kona coffee farm tour because you've earned it.
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Free Day — Beach, SUP, or Nothing at All
Built-in flex day. Hapuna Beach (one of the best white-sand beaches in the US), optional stand-up paddleboard, a coastal walk, or sitting with a coffee watching the ocean. You've been hiking volcanoes all week. Group sunset hike and dinner out to close it.
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Hidden Beaches + Farewell Dinner
Makalawena Beach, reached by a lava field hike that keeps the crowds away. Afternoon in Kona town. Farewell dinner together at a local restaurant. Someone will cry. It's fine.
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Fly Home
Check out, return cars, fly KOA → SLC. You'll spend the flight planning when you can come back.
Why Girls Gone Hiking is an exceptional deal
Let's talk about value — because $2,300 is real money and you deserve to know exactly what you're getting. Here's how GGH Hawaii stacks up against every other way to do a trip like this.
You get a better-planned trip than the big operators offer, a more intimate group, your own private Airbnb bed, and it's led by someone who knows your name — for $600 to $1,600 less than comparable guided trips. The only thing you handle yourself is your flight. Everything else is covered.
The bottom line:
What your $2,300 covers
Included in your $2,300
7 nights in a private Airbnb home / hotel — your own bed
All group transportation (2 rental SUVs)
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park entry
Manta Ray Night Snorkel tour
House groceries for breakfasts, snacks + some dinners
Gas for all group driving
Mel’s full trip leadership + pre-trip logistics
Not Included — You handle these
Flights — SLC —> KOA, est. $500-700 rt. Delta nonstop. Book early.
Personal spending — shopping, coffee, extras
Optional add-ons — Kayak rentals, Mauna Kea summit tour, etc.
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Personal hiking gear
All-in with flights: approx. $2,900–$3,100. Still $600–$1,600 less than comparable guided trips.
Reserve your spot
$2,300 per person
A $500 deposit holds your spot today. The remaining balance isn't due until November 2026, giving you time to plan, save, and book your flight at the best price.
$500
to hold your spot
1
NOW — APRIL 2026
Hold your spot
$500
2
NOVEMBER 1, 2026
Final balance due
$1,800
3
OCTOBER 2026
Sign your waiver
2 min online
Cancellation policy: Deposits refundable (minus $50 processing fee) through June 1, 2026. After June 1, non-refundable. Travel insurance strongly recommended.
Fitness level + what to expect
This trip is for women comfortable hiking 3–5 miles on moderate terrain. The Kīlauea Iki crater hike is the most demanding day (4 miles, 400 ft elevation change). Everything else ranges from easy beach walks to scenic drives. You don't need trail experience, just enjoy being outside and not mind a little sweat.
All paces welcome. We stick together. Nobody gets left behind. That's not a tagline, it's just how GGH works.
This trip IS for you if…
You want to actually do Hawaii, not resort it
You're comfortable hiking 3–5 miles on moderate terrain
You're open to snorkeling + water activities
You want the community of traveling with women you can count on
First-timer to GGH: welcome, this is exactly what we do
Know before you go…
You book your own flight (?? → KOA)
Shared Airbnb — private beds, shared common areas
Manta snorkel is on a boat in the ocean at night
February in Kona: 75–82°F coast, cooler at elevation
Signed waiver required before participating
You don't need to know anyone. Just show up.
GGH trips have a way of turning strangers into people you're texting about the next one. $500 deposits open now, 10 spots, no exceptions.
Ready? Let’s go to Hawaii
Cost
$2,300 per person
Feb 21 - 28, 2027
Dates
10 women
Capacity
$500 deposit
Due Today
Your Questions, Answered
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Nope. You need to be able to hike 3–5 miles on moderate terrain and have a good attitude. We hike together and nobody gets left behind.
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Flights are not included. You book your own SLC → KOA (Kona International Airport). Delta flies nonstop. Budget $500–700 and book as soon as you register — February prices go fast.
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The manta ray snorkel is on the surface — no diving required. Guides walk you through everything. If you can float, you can do this. People call it the best night of their lives.
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Deposits are refundable (minus $50) through June 1, 2026. After that, non-refundable. We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance when you register.
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100%. GGH trips are built so you don't need to know anyone going in. By day two you'll have people you're texting about the next trip. That's just how it works.
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Nope — Hawaii is a US state. Just your driver's license for the flight, same as any domestic trip.