MJ’s Healthy Big Island Suggestions

Discover the Ultimate Wellness Experience on the Big Island: Healthy Suggestions for Your Stay

When I travel I love to eat at as many different places as possible. Here I share my top health focused suggestions for enjoying the Big Island. Whether you’re here for one of our transformative fasting retreats or simply exploring this beautiful island, these recommendations will help you stay nourished, relaxed, and inspired throughout your stay.

Healthy Restaurants and Cafes

The Big Island boasts a variety of healthy dining options that will delight your taste buds and support your wellness journey.

Naalehu

Located about 90 minutes south of Kona, Mauka to Makai Eatery is well worth the drive. The drive takes you through the lush rainforest of captain cook, past coffee and magnet farms, along a costal highway through lava fields, and past the iconic “south point”. Perched up on a hill above the quaint town of Naalehu, this hidden gem provides 180 degree scenic view of the Pacific Ocean and the south western coast of the Big Island. They are open on Thursdays and Fridays for lunch and dinner, and every other saturday they host a 6-course farm to table tasting menu by reservation only.

1. Mauka to Makai Eatery – Specializing in fresh, local, and organic ingredients.

Kona

1. Herbavores – A plant-based paradise offering delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes.
2. Kaya’s Cafe – Known for its organic, farm-to-table meals and cozy atmosphere.
3. Journey Cafe – A health-conscious eatery serving nutritious and flavorful meals.
4. Sun Dog Bakery – A charming spot for wholesome baked goods and light meals.
5. Loco Wraps – Offering tasty, healthy wraps made with locally sourced ingredients.

Hilo

1. The Booch Bar – Kombucha on tap and a menu full of healthy, energizing options.
2. Sweet Cane Cafe – A delightful cafe with a focus on organic, fresh, and raw foods.

Health Food Stores

Stock up on all your health and wellness essentials at these top-rated stores.

1. Island Naturals, Hilo, Kona Pahoa – Your one-stop shop for organic groceries and health products.
2. Abundant Life, Hilo – Carries organic produce, groceries, supplements, and locally made non-food items.

Accommodation Options

Choose from a variety of wellness-focused accommodations that align with your healthy lifestyle.

1. Ho’okena, Captain Cook – A picturesque beachside camping spot perfect for tenting.
2. Nomadic Roots, Kalapana – Embrace the spirit of adventure with this unique and sustainable lodging option.
3. Kalani, Kalapana – Kalani, a renowned retreat center offering a variety of wellness programs and weekly ecstatic dance.
4. Manadina Farm, Naalehu – Manadina is a working farm that embraces organic and sustainable practices. They offer a farm to table restaurant on Thursdays and Fridays, and offer quaint cabin rentals with incredible scenic views.
5. Hawaiian Sanctuary Retreat Center, Pahoa – a unique stay on a permaculture farm and spa retreat, with daily yoga and weekly ecstatic dance.
6. Kirpal Meditation and Ecological Center, Pahoa – A tranquil sanctuary for those seeking peace and relaxation.

Must-Visit Beaches

Experience the natural beauty and tranquility of the Big Island’s beaches.

1. O’omas
2. Dog Beach
3. Manini
4. Ho’okena
5. Kua Bay
6. Hapuna / Mauna Kea

Healing Modalities

Explore unique healing experiences that will complement your retreat.

1. Lana Lana Float Therapy, Hilo – Experience deep relaxation and sensory deprivation.
2. Blue Room – Located in Holualoa, 15 min from Kona, Blu Room is a patented technology that provides a body/mind/spirit connection in a consciousness lifting environment.
3. Biocharger, Kona – An innovative device that enhances cellular function and energy.

Activities to Enhance Your Wellness Journey

Engage in activities that nourish your body, mind, and spirit.

1. Yoga, Kona – Join a class to stretch, strengthen, and center yourself at Inner Alignment Studios.
2. Sound Healing – Experience the vibrational healing power of sound.
3. Music – Enjoy live music performances that uplift your spirit
4. Karaoke – Have fun and express yourself through song.
5. Manta Tour – Get up close and personal with majestic manta rays.
6. Dolphin Tour – Swim with dolphins in their natural habitat.

Places to Explore

Discover the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Big Island.

1. Farmers Markets: Captain Cook (every Sunday), Waimea (every Wednesday), Hilo (every day)
2. Isaac Hale Park, Kalapana – Soak in the therapeutic waters of natural hot springs at Isaac Hale Park.
3. Kehena Black Sand Beach, Kalapana – Visit this beautiful black sand beach and enjoy a lively drum circle every Sunday. Learn more here.
4. Akaka Falls, Hilo – Walk a beautiful loop through a tropical rainforest, and marvel at the breathtaking waterfalls.
5. Japanese Gardens, Hilo – Stroll through serene and beautifully landscaped gardens.
6. Peace Garden, Captain Cook – Find tranquility and reflection in this peaceful space.
7. Painted Church, Captain Cook, Pahoa – Explore two historic churches adorned with beautiful artwork and stained glass. Star of the Sea in Pahoa, and Painted Church in Captain Cook.

These suggestions will enhance your experience on the Big Island, whether you’re here for our fasting retreat or exploring on your own. Remember, our retreats are designed to support your health and wellness journey, offering guided water fasting, raw food nutrition, and holistic healing therapies. Join us at Healing Waters Medical Retreat to transform your body, mind, and spirit in this tropical paradise. Book your retreat today and embark on a journey of renewal and rejuvenation.