Big Island - Kona side Guidebook
Best Beaches
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 40 minute drive. Gate guard gives parking pass. Limited parking.
70 recommandé par les habitants
Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 40 minute drive. Gate guard gives parking pass. Limited parking.
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 35 minute drive. Plenty of parking plus facilities. Gorgeous.
241 recommandé par les habitants
Hapuna Beach
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 35 minute drive. Plenty of parking plus facilities. Gorgeous.
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 25 minute drive. Leisure or boogie boarding surf. Plenty of parking & facilities.
159 recommandé par les habitants
Kua Bay
One of the top 3 beaches on Hawaii. Kohala coast. Approx. 25 minute drive. Leisure or boogie boarding surf. Plenty of parking & facilities.
Closest beach to our property, @ 6 minute drive away. Fabulous when sandy, sketchy when rocky or rough surf. Great for boogie boarding and sunset views. Has showers & restrooms. Favorite local hangout.
181 recommandé par les habitants
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveClosest beach to our property, @ 6 minute drive away. Fabulous when sandy, sketchy when rocky or rough surf. Great for boogie boarding and sunset views. Has showers & restrooms. Favorite local hangout.
Best Snorkeling Spots
Best snorkeling spot on island. Only accessible by boat tour, kayak rental or considerably challenging hike. All 3 very worth the trip.
55 recommandé par les habitants
Captain James Cook Monument
Best snorkeling spot on island. Only accessible by boat tour, kayak rental or considerably challenging hike. All 3 very worth the trip.
Best snorkeling, especially for novice or beginning swimmers (easy access). Lots of wildlife, full complement of facilities, lifeguards plus shaded picnic tables for enjoying a bite to eat.
239 recommandé par les habitants
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveBest snorkeling, especially for novice or beginning swimmers (easy access). Lots of wildlife, full complement of facilities, lifeguards plus shaded picnic tables for enjoying a bite to eat.
A top snorkeling spot. Named for ease of getting into the water. Immediately deep, tons of fish life to enjoy. No shower, restrooms nor lifeguard. Large lava field to relax or use as your launching pad.
Two Step Beach
A top snorkeling spot. Named for ease of getting into the water. Immediately deep, tons of fish life to enjoy. No shower, restrooms nor lifeguard. Large lava field to relax or use as your launching pad.
Top Notch Recommendations
Most highly recommended by host and other guests. Multiple time slots posted on their website makes easy planning. Very thorough and friendly tour. 13 minute drive south.
43 recommandé par les habitants
Greenwell Farms Inc
81-6581 Mamalahoa HwyMost highly recommended by host and other guests. Multiple time slots posted on their website makes easy planning. Very thorough and friendly tour. 13 minute drive south.
Drive up to 9k feet elevation. No 4-wheel-drive needed. Amazing sunset views from nearby hill after a 10 minute hike. Stay for the most fantastic star-gazing you have ever experienced. About 1 hour drive.
33 recommandé par les habitants
Onizuka Center for International Astronomy Visitor Information Station
Mauna Kea Access RoadDrive up to 9k feet elevation. No 4-wheel-drive needed. Amazing sunset views from nearby hill after a 10 minute hike. Stay for the most fantastic star-gazing you have ever experienced. About 1 hour drive.
Best Eats
Best Hawaiian / Filipino fusion. Don’t miss the Furikake chicken. No seating, take your meal and a couple of beach chairs to Old Airport.
53 recommandé par les habitants
Broke Da Mouth Grindz & Catering
74-5565 Luhia StBest Hawaiian / Filipino fusion. Don’t miss the Furikake chicken. No seating, take your meal and a couple of beach chairs to Old Airport.
Best Ahi Poke unanimously (visitors &can locals). 5 minute drive. Try to avoid 12 noon, or after 2 pm, when supplies run low. Eat there or take to Pahoehoe park, just down the road.
132 recommandé par les habitants
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveBest Ahi Poke unanimously (visitors &can locals). 5 minute drive. Try to avoid 12 noon, or after 2 pm, when supplies run low. Eat there or take to Pahoehoe park, just down the road.
Best things about Chubby’s: open very late, menu with large selection including many local favorites: Loco Moco, Kalbi, Stir Fry, Korean Wings, etc.
11 recommandé par les habitants
Chubby's Diner
75-5591 Palani RdBest things about Chubby’s: open very late, menu with large selection including many local favorites: Loco Moco, Kalbi, Stir Fry, Korean Wings, etc.
Near downtown & always satisfying. Excellent seafood & environment. Higher on the price scale; In the same location are 3 other good options and distinctively different: Willie’s Hot Chicken, Izakaya Shiono and Kona Brewery.
154 recommandé par les habitants
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlNear downtown & always satisfying. Excellent seafood & environment. Higher on the price scale; In the same location are 3 other good options and distinctively different: Willie’s Hot Chicken, Izakaya Shiono and Kona Brewery.
Less than 20 minutes drive south. Fantastic view overlooking Capt. Cook Bay. Both breakfast & lunch are excellent. Try the Lilikoi cheesecake. Avoid long lines at 9 am and 12 noon.
137 recommandé par les habitants
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyLess than 20 minutes drive south. Fantastic view overlooking Capt. Cook Bay. Both breakfast & lunch are excellent. Try the Lilikoi cheesecake. Avoid long lines at 9 am and 12 noon.
Matchless location downtown right on the water. Good fare at a slightly elevated price for the spectacular view. Go when the surf is high.
Coffee @ Kai
75-5776 Ali‘i DrMatchless location downtown right on the water. Good fare at a slightly elevated price for the spectacular view. Go when the surf is high.
Very good food. Located downtown. View of the Ocean and of the Volleyball court for lively games sometimes. Lots of places to wander and enjoy after a meal.
77 recommandé par les habitants
Humpy's Big Island Alehouse
75-5815 Ali‘i DrVery good food. Located downtown. View of the Ocean and of the Volleyball court for lively games sometimes. Lots of places to wander and enjoy after a meal.
Most unique Italian seafood with Peruvian flair. Fantastic execution, friendliest owners/chef ever, very high prices. Breakfast and lunch only. 1 hour drive up north in Kawaihae.
Cipriano's Kitchen Kawaihae
Most unique Italian seafood with Peruvian flair. Fantastic execution, friendliest owners/chef ever, very high prices. Breakfast and lunch only. 1 hour drive up north in Kawaihae.
Original Thai Cuisine LLC
75-5629 Kuakini HwyAlways satisfies visitors. Expect good food, including the pizza and beer.
226 recommandé par les habitants
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlAlways satisfies visitors. Expect good food, including the pizza and beer.
Historic Sites
One of five Historic Parks. Good hike and tour. Right next to Two Step Beach. About 30 minutes south.
270 recommandé par les habitants
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160One of five Historic Parks. Good hike and tour. Right next to Two Step Beach. About 30 minutes south.
Enjoyable historic hike. About 12 minutes north. Beach there often has sea turtles to view.
45 recommandé par les habitants
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Enjoyable historic hike. About 12 minutes north. Beach there often has sea turtles to view.
Very rich and valuable site of great importance to Hawaiian history. Worth the visit and self guided tour to learn about the early establishment of Kamehameha I and King and unifier of the Hawaiian islands. About 45 minute drive north by Kawaihae.
Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site
Very rich and valuable site of great importance to Hawaiian history. Worth the visit and self guided tour to learn about the early establishment of Kamehameha I and King and unifier of the Hawaiian islands. About 45 minute drive north by Kawaihae.
Historic palace in downtown Kona. On Ali'i drive, about 10 minutes away by car. Tours by reservation or walk-in. Check website.
67 recommandé par les habitants
Hulihe'e Palace
Historic palace in downtown Kona. On Ali'i drive, about 10 minutes away by car. Tours by reservation or walk-in. Check website.
In Waimea, @ 1 hour drive north. Small but rich in the rarely known Cowboy history of the Big Island of the late 19th century to today. Go on Wednesday and catch the Farmers Market in the same location.
Paniolo Heritage Center
67-139 Pukalani RdIn Waimea, @ 1 hour drive north. Small but rich in the rarely known Cowboy history of the Big Island of the late 19th century to today. Go on Wednesday and catch the Farmers Market in the same location.
Grocery Shopping
Best all around grocer. Open 24 hours, great for late plane arrivals.
130 recommandé par les habitants
Safeway
75-971 Henry StBest all around grocer. Open 24 hours, great for late plane arrivals.
15 minute drive. Costco is Costco. Some very unique Hawaiian products. Best local price for gas, too.
153 recommandé par les habitants
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau St15 minute drive. Costco is Costco. Some very unique Hawaiian products. Best local price for gas, too.
Truly worthy local grocery. 2 locations within 10 minutes. Excellent choice for Poke.
156 recommandé par les habitants
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdTruly worthy local grocery. 2 locations within 10 minutes. Excellent choice for Poke.
Best Hikes
2 blocks from our home. (ask hosts for best directions) 7 mile stretch with only slight up & downhills. Beatifully maintained path through neighborhoods with great views along the way.
Walua Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, États-Unis
2 blocks from our home. (ask hosts for best directions) 7 mile stretch with only slight up & downhills. Beatifully maintained path through neighborhoods with great views along the way.
20 minute drive up north. Multiple trails to choose from. Beginner (30 min) to Advanced (3 + hours). You might get caught in a “Cloud Forest”.
10 recommandé par les habitants
Makahi St trailhead
73-4365 Makahi St20 minute drive up north. Multiple trails to choose from. Beginner (30 min) to Advanced (3 + hours). You might get caught in a “Cloud Forest”.
Way up north and very much worth the drive. 30 minute hike down to spectacular rough & raw black sand beach. @ 45 minute hike back up to your parking spot. Stop in Hawi on the way back for a refreshing shave ice.
140 recommandé par les habitants
Pololu Valley
Way up north and very much worth the drive. 30 minute hike down to spectacular rough & raw black sand beach. @ 45 minute hike back up to your parking spot. Stop in Hawi on the way back for a refreshing shave ice.