Kailua-Kona

By plane

• Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at KeaholeIs the main commercial airport for the Kona coast, serving the Kona area and the resort areas of Kohala to the north. Hawaiian Airlines and Go! Airlines offer non-stop interisland service from Honolulu and Kahului, as well as trans-Pacific service from selected cities on the West Coast of the United States. Besides Hawaiian, service from the U.S. mainland is also provided by Alaska, American, Delta, and United. Direct service from Vancouver, Canada is provided by Air Canada and Westjet.

• Coffee plantationsCoffee plantations abound, see for example Bayview Farms, which has a short free tour and samples of the Kona coffee.

• Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

  phone: +1 808-326-9057
  Honokohau Beach usually has plenty of Hawaiian green sea turtle (Honu) basking in the sun to see (keep 20ft/6m away). You can also snorkel in the 'Ai'opio fishtrap, the canoe house and the historic Hawaiian sites. Beach is best accessed from the South side. Has petroglyphs and walking/hiking trails.

• Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens

  address: Kona Outdoor Circle Educational Center, 76-6280 Kuakini Hwy

• Hulihe'e Palace

  address: 75-5718 Ali'i Dr
  Was built in 1838 for Hawaiian royals to vacation. Now it's a museum with Victorian artifacts

• Mokuaikaua

  address: 75-5713 Alii Dr
  Hawaii's first Christian church.

• Sea Hawaii Rafting

  phone: +1 808 325-7444
  address: 73-1397 Hiolani St
  Get up close and personal with the Hawaiian coastline and marine life with Sea Hawaii Rafting. Zodiac adventures are state of the art and environmentally friendly. Offer whale watching excursions, waterfall tours and private charters.

• Yoga Hale

  phone: +1 808 938-9980
  address: 77-6530 Naniloa Dr
  Offers two class sessions daily in our relaxing home studio. Studio can accommodate up to 15 people per class in a comfortable poolside environment. Yoga mats are available (nominal fee) as well as props & towels. Offering 4 types of classes, Yoga Hale provides a calming environment and class structure that novices and yoga experts can enjoy.

• Kona Surf Adventures

  phone: +1 808 334-0033
  address: 74-5606 Pawai Pl Ste 103
  Learn to surf with instructors. All instructors are CPR, First Aid and lifeguard certified as well as trained in professional rescue.

• Kahaluu BeachThere is great snorkeling at a local beach park called Kahaluu. It can be crowded, but it's pretty worth it. You can rent equipment in town and at the beach. Kahaluu also has a lovely little bar next to it when you're tired of drinking salt water. Secure storage lockers are available for $5 from the Kahaluu Snack Wagon parked on the beach from 10am to 3:30pm.

• Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors

  phone: +1 808 324-0442
  address: 75-5909 Alii Dr
  Professional surfing lessons and paddle tours 7 days a week. 13+ years in business. Taught by certified lifeguards.

• Yoga Flow for Your Soul

  phone: +1 808 329-0005
  address: 74-5563 Kaiwi St
  Classes blend elements of Jivamukti Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, and Mindfulness Yoga.

• Kekaha Kai State Park

  phone: +1 808 961-9540
  Also called Kua Bay, Kekaha Kai is an absolutely beautiful white sand beach and a local secret until recently. The beach is mostly used for body boarding as it has a steep shorebreak and can be dangerous to inexperienced swimmers. Newly paved road (ok for 2WD) all the way to beach. Beach has bathrooms, fresh water fountains and showers.

• Wild Hawaii Ocean Adventures

  phone: +1 808 854-4401
  address: Honokohau Small Boat Harbor
  Ride the fastest Navy SEAL boat in HI and snorkel places other boats do not go. Discover the wild side of Hawaii and the marine life up close and in secluded setting. Your captains are world class freedivers and underwater photographers with over 20 years experience on the ocean.

• Hawaii Flight Adventures Inc.

  phone: +1 808 640-9622
  address: Kona International Airport (KOA)
  Aircraft rental for visiting pilots, all levels of flight instruction, multi-engine time building, and air tours.

• Kahalu'u Beach Surf & Sea

  phone: +1 808 322 4338
  address: 78-6685 Ali’i Drive
  Surf lessons for beginners in small groups. Great way to get started with an experienced instructor pushing you into the right waves and telling you when to stand up.

• Paradise CoptersFlights over macadamia nut plantations to the lava flows at Kilauea. Because Kona is twice as far from the volcano as Hilo, tours that leave from Kona are generally 2 hours long and accordingly more expensive. You may choose to drive 2¼-hr to Hilo if money is a consideration. Morning helicopter flights tend to have the least cloud cover, but also book first. If taking photos, wear dark clothing to avoid reflections from windows. A special mention should be made about the "doors off" helicopter tour, which lets you smell the lava and feel its heat.

• Scuba diving. Kona has some great diving opportunities during the daytime, but the real thing to do here is the Manta Rays Night Dive. All the dive operators in town do a night dive to see the giant mantas, and this is the best and most reliable place in the world to see them. The manta rays of Kona can be up to 16 feet (5m) wide and weigh almost 2000 lbs (900kg)! On any given night there are 1-20 rays feeding at the dive site, and by bringing lights in the water, plankton (their food) is attracted to feed them. Divers sit in sand on the bottom about 30 feet deep (9m) and watch these huge but harmless fishes swim inches from their faces. A must do! Though it's at night, there is so much light in the water and it's so shallow that this is an easy dive for novice divers, as well as a very rewarding dive for even the most seasoned divers. Snorkelers can also get a great up close view of the mantas at the same time. All you have to do is float on the water and hold a light, it's very easy. You must be PADI-certified to do the night dive, but if you aren't you can do a snorkel night tour (sometimes called "dive" as well), which offers comparable views and excitement. Well-reviewed popular companies that do Manta Ray Night dives include: Big Island Divers, Jack's Diving Locker, Kona Diving Company, Fair Wind, Kona Honu, Pacific Rim Divers.

• Jacks Diving Locker

  address: 75-5813 Ali'i Dr
  Great place to go night diving and see huge manta rays.

• Kona CoffeeKona Coffee is widely recognized as one of the top coffees in the world. Look for 100% Pure Kona Coffee, as there are many 10% Kona Blends that do not have the same taste. UCC Hawaii Coffee Factory Outlet, enjoy Roastery Tours and Roastmaster Tours.

• Donkey BallsThese world famous premium chocolate covered Hawaiian macadamia nuts are known for their quality and weird name. Named #1 treat in Kona for years. In Historic Kainaliu.

• ABC storesEverything from deli, groceries, fine wines & spirits, drugs & cosmetics, gifts, souvenirs and local apparel. Four locations in Kailua-Kona.

• Costco

  phone: +1-808-331-4800
  address: 73-5600 Maiau St

• Walmart

  address: 75-1015 Henry St

Budget

• Bongo Ben's Island Café

  phone: +1 808 329-9203
  address: 75-5819 Alii Dr
  They have good lunches, OK breakfasts and a great location.

• The Coffee Shack

  address: Hwy 11 in Captain Cook
  Great food and awesome views in this tiny little restaurant overlooking Kealakekua Bay. Breakfast and Lunch items. If you're on you're way to Volcano National Park, be sure to get up early and to make this a stop on the way.

• Habaneros

  phone: +1 808 324-4688
  address: 78-6831 Alii Dr, #K4
  A cute little restaurant that serves authentic Mexican for lunch and dinner.

• Pancho and Lefty's

  phone: +1-808-326-2171
  address: 75-5719 Alii Dr
  Great Mexican food on the Big Island, right on one of Kona's main strips. Service is so-so, but food is great and the price is good.

• Da Poke ShackRaw marinated fish bowls and seafood salads

Mid-range

• BaLe

  phone: +1 808 327-1212
  address: 74-5588 Palani Rd
  Local-style food, though some of the dishes have a Southeast Asian twist.

• Big Island Grill

  phone: +1 808 326-1153
  address: 75-5702 Kuakini Hwy
  Serves authentic local food.

• You Make the Roll

  phone: +1 808 326-1322
  address: 75-5725 Alii Dr Ste D101
  Although the restaurant itself is nothing more than a take-out counter with a few outdoor cafe-style tables, looks are deceiving. This sushi restaurant is a hidden gem, tucked away in the rear of the Kona Marketplace (entrance faces Sarona Rd.), near Sandwich Island Divers. The sushi is delicious.

• Original Thai

  phone: +1 808 329-3459
  address: 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy
  The location is a little difficult to find but the food is delicious.

• Longboard Legends Pizza

  phone: +1-808-329-2211
  address: Unit 102 - 75-5742 Kuakini Hwy
  Good for dine in and takeout. 10, 20 and 28in Pizza sizes. Medium is very generous size. Excellent toppings.

Splurge

• Huggo'sAnother good place to hang out, especially Huggo's on the Rocks which is next door and usually has a band. It's right on the water with great sunsets.

• Jamba Juice

• Java on the Rocks Huggo's on the Rocks in the morning for Coffee drinks and Oceanside seating.

• Kona Brewing Company

  address: 74-5612 Pawai Pl
  A pub known for great hand spun pizzas, local organic salads and fresh beers on draft that you can't find anywhere else. Every Sunday evening local musicians provide live entertainment. They can be very crowded on weekends. Happy hour is M-F 3PM-5PM.

• LuLu'sJust down Aliʻi Drive and upstairs from Bubba Gump's, is open air and is a pretty cool place to hang out and knock back some beers.

• Quinn's Almost By The SeaKnown for their fish sandwiches.

• Beach Villas at Kahaluu

  phone: +1 808 331-8878
  address: 78-6721 Ali'i Dr
  The Beach Villas at Kahaluu represent the first new beach front condos constructed on Alii Drive in the last 20 years. These villas are large, designer decorated, with the following amenities: infinity pool, spa, gas barbecue, central air conditioning, with plasma TVs.

• Holua Resort at Mauna Loa Village

  phone: +1 808 324-1550
  address: 78-7190 Kaleiopapa St
  73 air-conditioned villas, with private lanai or patio with ocean, mountain or golf course view. Villas are fully furnished and available in two floor plans.

• Holualao Inn

  address: 76-5932 Mamalahoa Hwy
  Bed and Breakfast estate surrounded by 30 acres of pasture land, coffee orchards, and tropical gardens, overlooking the world famous Kona coast.

• Kona Coast Resort

  phone: +1 808 324-1721
  address: 78-6842 Alii Dr
  Resort with two swimming pools, three Jacuzzis, sauna, children's pool and playground, tennis courts, volleyball, fitness center, and on-site activities like hula lessons and dive instruction

• Kona Magic Sands Resort

  address: 75-5776 Kuakini Hwy
  Kona's affordable oceanfront hotel where every room is on the water featuring a lush tropical feeling with the convenience of modern amenities

• Mauna Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows

  phone: +1 808 885-6622
  address: 68-1400 Mauna Lani Dr
  Oceanside resort with all amenities and services including free wifi. Two sandy beaches separated by a fishpond. Several restaurants on-premises and free shuttle to nearby shops and restaurants. If visiting during the full moon make a point of going to the Hawaiian Talk Story performance at the historic cottage on-site. Scheduled from 5:30PM, but go early to get a good seat. Bring a picnic like the regulars do.

• Outrigger Keauhou Beach ResortOceanfront resort located along the Kona Coast. Full service spa, swimming pool, fitness center, six tennis courts and meeting facilities.

• Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa

  phone: +1 808 930-4900
  address: 78-128 Ehukai St
  Large, older hotel without beach access, situated on solidified lava. You'll need a car to get anywhere. It has a surprisingly cool pool, with a Manta Ray Super Pool & Slide, 200-foot-long water slide, a sand-bottom pool, nearby whirlpools and lush foliage and waterfalls.

• Yoga Hale

  phone: +1 808 938-9980
  address: 77-6530 Naniloa St

• Lava Java

  address: Alii Drive
  Free WiFi with a purchase.

• SafewayFree WiFi with two clicks required to log in.

• Airport Shuttle

  phone: +1-808-960-1260
  From most of Kailua-Kona, they charge $28 for 2 people to the KOA airport. If you are further north closer to the airport, a metered taxi will be cheaper.

• Hawaii Volcanoes National ParkThis park is awesome. Walk in or take a helicopter ride and get great views of lava and steam. Depending on the conditions, the lava could be flowing into the ocean or up on the coast.

• Mauna KeaThis dormant volcano is the highest point in the Pacific Basin, and the highest island-mountain in the world. Mauna Kea rises 9,750 meters (32,000 ft) from the ocean floor to an altitude of 4,205 meters (13,796 ft) above sea level, which places its summit above 40 percent of the Earth's atmosphere. The summit of Mauna Kea hosts the world's largest astronomical observatory, with telescopes operated by astronomers from eleven countries. Visitors will frequently ascend the summit to watch the sunset, then return to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station for free nightly star gazing with public telescopes operated by knowlegable star-guides.

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• Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Also known as the City of Refuge National Historical Park - located just a few miles south of Kona town near Captain Cook. Designated a national historical park in 1961, this 182-acre site includes the puuhonua and a complex of archeological sites, including temple platforms, royal fishponds, sledding tracks and some coastal village sites. Hikers can follow a trail that winds along the coast for about a mile to the park boundary. The trail includes several archeological sites, including heiau (temples) and sledding tracks.
• Waipi'o Valley Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeastern coast. Down in the valley there is a black sand beach. On either side of the valley are cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet in elevation with several waterfalls. Hiking in the Waipio Valley is a good adventure. The road down is very steep. Only 4-wheel drive vehicles are allowed on it. Many hikers walk down and then try to hitch a ride back up.
• Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park Site of the first extensive contact between Hawaiians and Westerners with the arrival of Captain Cook in 1779. Viewing of Hikiau Heiau, a traditional religious site, and the Captain Cook monument at a distance across Kealakekua Bay. The bay is a marine life conservation district, a popular destination for kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling.

• Green Sand BeachThis secluded green sand beach is located near Ka Lae (South Point) in the Ka'u district of Hawaii. The hike to get there is a rugged 2-mile walk over dusty ruts that lead to the beach. If you have a rugged 4-wheel drive vehicle you might be able to drive all the way. Getting down to the sand is a climb. The beach is shaped like a giant bowl and you have to walk/climb down the side.

• Captain Cook - A small town known for it's coffee.