Sightseeing
Body Glove Hawaii
Great snorkeling, whale watching, and dinner cruise adventures!
Fair Wind Cruises
78-7130 Kaleiopapa StSailing adventures and manta ray night dives are a must!
(2 hour drive from Kona) A must do on Big Island (the only island with an active eruption!) Tons of things to do including hiking, lava sightseeing, lava tubes, learn about volcanos, bird watching etc. Check NPS website for details
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
(2 hour drive from Kona) A must do on Big Island (the only island with an active eruption!) Tons of things to do including hiking, lava sightseeing, lava tubes, learn about volcanos, bird watching etc. Check NPS website for details
UFO Parasail Kailua Kona
75-5660 Palani RdThe best way to view kona!
Great company for a variety of experiences from lava tours to waterfall tours!
17 locals recommend
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
68-690 Waikoloa RdGreat company for a variety of experiences from lava tours to waterfall tours!
(2 hour drive from Kona) Pleasant self-guided walk through lush tropical vegetation to scenic vista points overlooking the cascading Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls, which plunges 442 feet! The 0.4 mile loop does require some physical exertion due to the number of stairs, but it is well worth the effort!
341 locals recommend
Akaka Falls State Park
875 Akaka Falls Rd(2 hour drive from Kona) Pleasant self-guided walk through lush tropical vegetation to scenic vista points overlooking the cascading Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls, which plunges 442 feet! The 0.4 mile loop does require some physical exertion due to the number of stairs, but it is well worth the effort!
Food scene
Overlooks magics beach, local food, great drink, and online reservations available!
91 locals recommend
Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrOverlooks magics beach, local food, great drink, and online reservations available!
Fresh fish and local grindz! call for reservations
They buy direct from local fishermen so you know it's fresh!
154 locals recommend
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlFresh fish and local grindz! call for reservations
They buy direct from local fishermen so you know it's fresh!
Our personal favorite brewery in Kona for local grown and Hawaiian flavors of seltzer, cider, and beer! They even have a new weekly release every Thursday!
64 locals recommend
Ola Brew
74-5598 Luhia StOur personal favorite brewery in Kona for local grown and Hawaiian flavors of seltzer, cider, and beer! They even have a new weekly release every Thursday!
Grab a famous Kona Brewing beer with a large slice of pizza. We recommend a "Big Wave" or a "Pipeline Porter" (seasonal)
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlGrab a famous Kona Brewing beer with a large slice of pizza. We recommend a "Big Wave" or a "Pipeline Porter" (seasonal)
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveBest Poke on the west side!
Hawaiian and Filipino fusion food. As seen on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives on food network. Garlic Furikake Chicken has outstanding over-the-top crunch and the contrasting sauces make it sing.
53 locals recommend
Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering
74-5565 Luhia StHawaiian and Filipino fusion food. As seen on Diners, Drive ins, and Dives on food network. Garlic Furikake Chicken has outstanding over-the-top crunch and the contrasting sauces make it sing.
Beaches
One of the island of Hawaii's most expansive white sand beaches located 40 minutes away.
Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily $5 parking fee
241 locals recommend
Hapuna Beach
One of the island of Hawaii's most expansive white sand beaches located 40 minutes away.
Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily $5 parking fee
The island’s best, easily accessible snorkeling grey sand beach. 15 min drive. Protective shoes/fins are best for this beach. Daily, 7am - 7pm, free parking
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveThe island’s best, easily accessible snorkeling grey sand beach. 15 min drive. Protective shoes/fins are best for this beach. Daily, 7am - 7pm, free parking
Soft white sand beach and our favorite for sunset! open 9am - 7pm, free parking lot (small lot, may need to park along road) 20 min drive
159 locals recommend
Kua Bay
Soft white sand beach and our favorite for sunset! open 9am - 7pm, free parking lot (small lot, may need to park along road) 20 min drive
Black sand located on the east side of the island, you'll be surrounded by tons of green sea turtles! open daily 8:30am - 5pm, free parking, 1.5 hr drive.
protect those feet in the water!
175 locals recommend
Punalu‘u Beach
Black sand located on the east side of the island, you'll be surrounded by tons of green sea turtles! open daily 8:30am - 5pm, free parking, 1.5 hr drive.
protect those feet in the water!
Popular beach in town. Sand can disappear overnight in the winter (hence the magic!). Great for sunset viewing, body surfing, or swimming. Open 6am-11pm, limited parking. 15 min drive.
Magic Sands Beach Parking
Popular beach in town. Sand can disappear overnight in the winter (hence the magic!). Great for sunset viewing, body surfing, or swimming. Open 6am-11pm, limited parking. 15 min drive.
Closest beach to drive to ~5 min away! Great for paddle boarding & kayaking (access to kailua bay), snorkeling, and kid friendly (no waves). Open Daily 6 AM-11 PM, Parking at hotel ($$) or nearby public lot
Kamakahonu Beach, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Closest beach to drive to ~5 min away! Great for paddle boarding & kayaking (access to kailua bay), snorkeling, and kid friendly (no waves). Open Daily 6 AM-11 PM, Parking at hotel ($$) or nearby public lot
Maunakea
Maunakea is a sacred Hawaiian volcano home to four of Hawaii's goddesses. A top the summit, 11 telescopes were built to share the secrets of our universe. Access to the summit requires 4x4 (by law) or a tour. Tours typically go out of waikaloa, kona, or hilo.
161 locals recommend
Mauna Kea
Maunakea is a sacred Hawaiian volcano home to four of Hawaii's goddesses. A top the summit, 11 telescopes were built to share the secrets of our universe. Access to the summit requires 4x4 (by law) or a tour. Tours typically go out of waikaloa, kona, or hilo.
The visitors center is a fabulous place to learn so much about the sacred volcano. They have information about plants and animals, videos, a gift shop and more! They typically have a solar telescope set up for safe sun viewing.
33 locals recommend
Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station
Mauna Kea Access RoadThe visitors center is a fabulous place to learn so much about the sacred volcano. They have information about plants and animals, videos, a gift shop and more! They typically have a solar telescope set up for safe sun viewing.