Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Everything Else
This is one of our favorite beaches! Turquoise waters, fine white sand, boogie board waves, cliff jumps, snorkeling or just relaxing with our beach chairs, an umbrella and Kona Brew. Public parking, bathrooms and showers. Closed Wed
159 locals recommend
Kua Bay
This is one of our favorite beaches! Turquoise waters, fine white sand, boogie board waves, cliff jumps, snorkeling or just relaxing with our beach chairs, an umbrella and Kona Brew. Public parking, bathrooms and showers. Closed Wed
Great for beginner snorkeling (can use what we have but try them in the pool first to make sure they are a good fit or they do have rentals there but cheaper @ Bob's Snorkeling
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveGreat for beginner snorkeling (can use what we have but try them in the pool first to make sure they are a good fit or they do have rentals there but cheaper @ Bob's Snorkeling
Snorkel Bob's Kona
75-5831 Kahakai RdRent snorkel gear or you can buy it $45 at Costco
Luau & yummy food and bottomless Mai Tai's (good to Uber so you can enjoy)
23 locals recommend
Island Breeze Luau
75-5660 Palani RdLuau & yummy food and bottomless Mai Tai's (good to Uber so you can enjoy)
Bring your beach chairs & dinner to watch whales (Nov to March) & the sunset
40 locals recommend
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
75-5560 Kuakini HwyBring your beach chairs & dinner to watch whales (Nov to March) & the sunset
Food Scene
Lots of great local brews to try and great atmosphere.
Plan to be there early since the wait can be 30 minutes plus but worth it. Also check out the tour... great way to see what you like.
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlLots of great local brews to try and great atmosphere.
Plan to be there early since the wait can be 30 minutes plus but worth it. Also check out the tour... great way to see what you like.
This place is literally a hole in the wall but we love the Ninja Star sushi rolls & can barely finish it for only $12; its worth the hassle and wait.
Great to pick it up and take to the beach (must call to order)
26 locals recommend
You Make the Roll
75-5725 Ali‘i DrThis place is literally a hole in the wall but we love the Ninja Star sushi rolls & can barely finish it for only $12; its worth the hassle and wait.
Great to pick it up and take to the beach (must call to order)
Beautiful spot on the beach for coffee & breakfast or a cocktail at night...
149 locals recommend
On the Rocks
75-5824 Kahakai RdBeautiful spot on the beach for coffee & breakfast or a cocktail at night...
Beautiful drive & view... (call for reservation it is always packed)
137 locals recommend
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyBeautiful drive & view... (call for reservation it is always packed)
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyNot on the ocean view but delicious and friendly
Try the passion fruit or other flavor malasada (Hawaiian donut… fresh and yummy). Also, souvenirs and drinks… a great stop on the way to black & green sands beach or volcano 🌋
185 locals recommend
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Try the passion fruit or other flavor malasada (Hawaiian donut… fresh and yummy). Also, souvenirs and drinks… a great stop on the way to black & green sands beach or volcano 🌋
Shopping
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StFuel price is the best (at least 20 cents cheaper)
There is a charge for parking...so sad but you can park at Coconut Grove and walk down.
68 locals recommend
Kona Farmers Market
75-5767 Ali‘i DrThere is a charge for parking...so sad but you can park at Coconut Grove and walk down.
Order ahead pick up! So easy and convenient. Also remember to bring your shopping bags anywhere you go as plastic bags are no longer legal because of damage to the environment
70 locals recommend
Target
74-5455 Makala BlvdOrder ahead pick up! So easy and convenient. Also remember to bring your shopping bags anywhere you go as plastic bags are no longer legal because of damage to the environment
Sightseeing
So much fun... snorkel @ Captain Cook Monument or my favorite the Manta Ray night snorkel (if the price is too much check out the discounted excursions at Costco)
49 locals recommend
Fair Wind Cruises
78-7130 Kaleiopapa StSo much fun... snorkel @ Captain Cook Monument or my favorite the Manta Ray night snorkel (if the price is too much check out the discounted excursions at Costco)
Incredible view of the stars (ask for extra blankets since it is in the 50's or colder )
The road is now open to rental cars as far as the visitor center (check their web sight for updated info)
161 locals recommend
Mauna Kea
Incredible view of the stars (ask for extra blankets since it is in the 50's or colder )
The road is now open to rental cars as far as the visitor center (check their web sight for updated info)
Fish, Dolphins,whales & great to snorkel & Kayak (check out Kona Boys for Kayak rental and up to date information )
55 locals recommend
Captain James Cook Monument
Fish, Dolphins,whales & great to snorkel & Kayak (check out Kona Boys for Kayak rental and up to date information )
Makua Meadows is a $5 entry fee with roaming gardens, beautiful view & free coffee samples...only a few minutes away
7 locals recommend
Mauka Meadows Coffee Farm
75-5476 Mamalahoa HwyMakua Meadows is a $5 entry fee with roaming gardens, beautiful view & free coffee samples...only a few minutes away
This place is fun to explore the lagoon and see the dolphins and sea turtles while walking around the property grab a nice coffee or enjoy the cafe while watching the dolphins. There paid parking or free if open spots on the right before you turn in to resort.
27 locals recommend
Hilton Waikoloa Village
69-425 Waikōloa Beach DrThis place is fun to explore the lagoon and see the dolphins and sea turtles while walking around the property grab a nice coffee or enjoy the cafe while watching the dolphins. There paid parking or free if open spots on the right before you turn in to resort.
Enjoying this beautiful view with an easy hike down and more challenging on way up. Stop in the local town of Hawi and enjoy some of the local shops
140 locals recommend
Pololu Valley
Enjoying this beautiful view with an easy hike down and more challenging on way up. Stop in the local town of Hawi and enjoy some of the local shops
Groceries
Use our phone number to receive discount on all grocery stores & remember to bring the reusable bags as Hawaii has a no plastic bag law. (808-989-0063)
130 locals recommend
Safeway
75-971 Henry StUse our phone number to receive discount on all grocery stores & remember to bring the reusable bags as Hawaii has a no plastic bag law. (808-989-0063)
A local favorite with local treats like Musabi with spam and Mochi and mix plates…Tends to be a little less expensive
156 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdA local favorite with local treats like Musabi with spam and Mochi and mix plates…Tends to be a little less expensive
Arts & Culture
Holualoa is an artsy town just miles from here full of galleries, yummy coffee and places to eat
8 locals recommend
Holualoa Gallery
Holualoa is an artsy town just miles from here full of galleries, yummy coffee and places to eat
Greenwell Farms Inc
81-6581 Mamalahoa HwyMy favorite coffee tour and it’s free with samples
Parks & Nature
A must see...just hours from here with trails, lava tubes and spectacular lava flows. There is a fee to get into the national park (check at visitor center with park ranger how to see lava flow or glow
20 locals recommend
Kilauea Visitor Center
1 Crater Rim DriveA must see...just hours from here with trails, lava tubes and spectacular lava flows. There is a fee to get into the national park (check at visitor center with park ranger how to see lava flow or glow
Rent a bike here and favorite paths and equipment including Ironman shirts etc
11 locals recommend
Bike Works Kona
75-5660 Kopiko StRent a bike here and favorite paths and equipment including Ironman shirts etc
Enjoy getting around down town with these bikes… check out their app for locations and easy rental
HIBike bike share station
78-6721 Ali‘i DriveEnjoy getting around down town with these bikes… check out their app for locations and easy rental
Kona Cloud Forest
73-1865 Hao StThere used to be a charge now you can just enjoy