Things to Do in Kona

Water Activities

1. Snorkel Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay is the single best snorkeling spot on the Big Island. The bay is a marine life conservation district, meaning the reef is healthy and the fish are dense. Spinner dolphins frequent the bay in the mornings. The Captain Cook Monument sits on the far shore, accessible only by boat or a steep 3.5-mile round-trip trail.

Most visitors book a Captain Cook snorkeling tour by catamaran or zodiac from Keauhou or Kailua Pier. Fair Wind and Sea Quest are the two most popular operators. Morning departures get the calmest water.

2. Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Kona is one of the only places on earth where you can reliably swim with manta rays at night. Operators anchor off Keauhou Bay or the airport reef, set up underwater lights, and the plankton draws mantas with wingspans up to 12 feet right beneath you. Tours run nightly, year-round.

This is the single most memorable wildlife experience you can have in Hawaii. Manta sightings run above 90% on most nights. Book early in your trip so you have a backup date if the ocean is rough.

3. Dolphin Watching

Hawaiian spinner dolphins rest in shallow bays along the Kona Coast during the daytime. Tour boats often encounter pods near Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau. Federal regulations (effective since 2021) prohibit swimming within 50 yards of spinner dolphins to protect their rest cycles. Reputable operators keep a respectful distance and use the boat's position to let dolphins approach on their terms.

4. Sunset Cruises

Several companies run sunset sails from Kailua Pier, typically including drinks and light food. The Kona Coast faces due west, so sunsets over open ocean are unobstructed. Body Glove, Hawaii Nautical, and Sea Paradise all operate evening cruises. A 2-hour trip runs $90-$140 per adult.

5. Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Kailua Bay, right in front of the pier, is calm enough for beginners most mornings. Rental shops along Ali'i Drive offer boards by the hour ($25-$35). Experienced paddlers can head to Keauhou Bay for a longer session with sea turtles.

Best Beaches Near Kona

6. Magic Sands Beach (La'aloa Bay)

The closest real beach to Kailua-Kona town, about 4 miles south on Ali'i Drive. The sand here literally disappears during high surf (hence the name) and returns when the waves calm down. On mellow days, it is a good bodyboarding beach with lifeguards, restrooms, and showers. Arrive before 10 AM on weekends to get a spot.

7. Hapuna Beach State Park

Hapuna Beach is a half-mile crescent of white sand roughly 30 miles north of Kona. Consistently ranked among the top beaches in the United States. The water is clear, the entry is gentle, and there are lifeguards on duty. Parking is $10 per vehicle (free for Hawaii residents). Get there before 9 AM on peak days or you will be turned away at the gate.

8. Kikaua Point Beach

A hidden gem near Kukio, accessible via a short walk from a public access parking lot. This tiny crescent of sand is protected by a lava rock breakwater, making it one of the calmest swimming spots on the Kona Coast. Great for small children. Limited parking (about 10 spaces) fills early.

9. Honokohau Beach

Inside Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, this quiet beach is where green sea turtles haul out onto the sand to bask. It is not a swimming beach in the traditional sense, but the turtles and the ancient fishpond trail make it a worthwhile stop. Free admission.

10. Kua Bay (Manini'owali)

Kua Bay is a smaller, wilder beach about 15 miles north of town inside Kekaha Kai State Park. White sand, turquoise water, and strong shorebreak. Good for experienced bodysurfers and boogie boarders. The gate closes at 7 PM.

Kona Coffee Farm Tours

The slopes of Hualalai volcano between 800 and 2,500 feet elevation produce 100% Kona coffee, one of the most expensive single-origin coffees in the world. The volcanic soil, afternoon cloud cover, and gentle rainfall create ideal growing conditions. Several farms offer free or low-cost tours and tastings.

11. Greenwell Farms

One of the oldest and largest Kona coffee farms, operating since 1850. Free guided tours run daily and walk you through the growing, picking, and roasting process. The gift shop sells fresh-roasted beans. Located in Kealakekua, about 15 minutes south of town.

12. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation

The largest organic coffee farm in Hawaii, up at 3,200 feet on the slopes above Kona. Tours include a look at the roasting facility and a cupping session. The views from the farm are excellent on clear mornings. Reservations recommended.

13. Hula Daddy Kona Coffee

A smaller, family-run farm in Holualoa that has won multiple awards at international cupping competitions. Their tours are more intimate and the tasting sessions are detailed. A good pick for serious coffee drinkers who want to understand grading and flavor profiles.

14. Kona Coffee Living History Farm (Uchida Farm)

A preserved 1920s-era coffee farm in Captain Cook that shows what life was like for Japanese immigrant families who built the Kona coffee industry. Docents in period clothing demonstrate hand-pulping, drying, and roasting methods. Open Thursday through Monday. Admission is $20 for adults.

History & Culture

15. Hulihe'e Palace

Hulihe'e Palace sits right on Ali'i Drive in the center of Kailua-Kona. Built in 1838, it served as a vacation residence for Hawaiian royalty. The palace is now a museum run by the Daughters of Hawaii, with period furniture, royal artifacts, and koa wood pieces. Self-guided tours run about 45 minutes. Admission is $10 for adults.

16. Ahu'ena Heiau

This reconstructed Hawaiian temple sits on the grounds of the Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel, right next to Kailua Pier. King Kamehameha I spent his final years here (1812-1819) and used the heiau as his personal place of worship. You can view the site from the hotel grounds; it is not open for entry. Free to visit the exterior.

17. Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

Pu'uhonua o Honaunau is a sacred refuge about 20 miles south of Kona. In ancient Hawaii, lawbreakers who reached this walled compound could be absolved by a priest and spared from punishment. The Great Wall, royal fishponds, and carved ki'i (wooden images) are remarkably well-preserved. Entry is $20 per vehicle (National Parks pass accepted). Combine this with nearby Two Step snorkeling at Honaunau Bay.

18. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

Kaloko-Honokohau preserves ancient fishponds, petroglyphs, and house platforms along the coast just north of Kona. The Kaloko fishpond wall is an engineering feat: hundreds of feet of hand-fitted lava rock holding back the ocean. Green sea turtles rest on the beach here. Free admission. The visitor center is on Highway 19 between the airport and town.

Land Activities

19. Mauna Kea Summit & Stargazing

Mauna Kea stands 13,796 feet above sea level and hosts some of the world's most powerful telescopes. The summit is about 2 hours from Kona via Saddle Road. Several tour companies offer sunset and stargazing excursions that include warm clothing, dinner, and telescopes at the Visitor Information Station (9,200 feet). The summit road above VIS requires 4WD. If you drive yourself, allow time to acclimate to the altitude.

20. Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserves

The King's Trail petroglyph fields near Waikoloa contain thousands of carvings etched into lava rock by ancient Hawaiians. Two easy, well-marked trails are accessible from the Waikoloa Beach Resort area: the Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve (Kings' Shops trailhead) and Puako Petroglyph Archaeological District. Both are flat, short walks under a mile. Bring water. There is zero shade.

21. Hiking the Captain Cook Monument Trail

A steep 3.5-mile round-trip trail drops 1,300 feet from the trailhead on Napo'opo'o Road down to Kealakekua Bay and the Captain Cook Monument. The hike down takes about an hour; coming back up in the heat takes longer. Bring plenty of water and sun protection. The reward is having the bay largely to yourself for snorkeling, without needing a boat tour.

Food & Drink

22. Ali'i Drive Restaurants

The oceanfront stretch of Ali'i Drive from Kailua Pier south to Royal Kona Resort is lined with restaurants. Huggo's and Huggo's on the Rocks sit directly over the water. Don the Beachcomber has strong tiki drinks and decent poke. Lava Java is the go-to breakfast spot with ocean views and solid coffee. For a local plate lunch, Bianelli's or Broke da Mouth Grindz up Palani Road are cheaper and faster than anything on Ali'i Drive.

23. Kona Brewing Company

The original Kona Brewing pub is on Kuakini Highway, about a mile inland from Ali'i Drive. The Longboard Lager and Big Wave Golden Ale are their flagships, but the pub-only small-batch brews are the real draw. Decent pizza. The outdoor patio fills up by 5 PM, so go early or expect a wait.

24. Farmers Markets

The Kona Farmers Market on Ali'i Drive (across from Hale Halawai) runs Wednesday and Saturday mornings with local produce, macadamia nuts, honey, and Kona coffee. It gets crowded by 9 AM. The Keauhou Farmers Market (Saturday mornings at the Keauhou Shopping Center) is smaller and less touristy. Both are good places to grab cheap papaya, lilikoi, and avocados from local growers.

Shopping

25. Ali'i Drive Shopping

Kona's main drag has the expected mix of souvenir shops, art galleries, and aloha shirt stores. Kona Bay Books is one of the last independent bookstores on the island. The Coconut Grove Marketplace near Hale Halawai has a cluster of boutiques and snack stands. Prices are tourist-grade; locals shop elsewhere.

26. Kona Commons & Makalapua Center

For practical shopping (Target, Ross, Safeway, TJ Maxx), head to Kona Commons on Makala Boulevard. Makalapua Center next door has Walmart and Costco. Both are about 2 miles north of town on Highway 19. Stock up on sunscreen, snacks, and supplies here instead of paying resort prices.

Visitor Tips for Kona

Getting Around

You need a rental car for the Big Island. Public transit exists but is too infrequent and slow to be practical for visitors. The Hele-On bus runs limited routes along the Kona Coast. Most attractions on this list are spread across 30+ miles of coastline, making a car essential.

Weather & When to Go

Kona is dry and sunny almost every day. Average highs hover around 82-85 degrees year-round. Rain falls on the mountain slopes in the afternoon, rarely reaching the coast. The best time for calm ocean conditions is April through October. Winter swells (November through March) bring bigger surf to some beaches but also humpback whale sightings offshore.

Parking in Kailua-Kona Town

Street parking along Ali'i Drive is limited and metered. Your best bet is the free lot behind Hale Halawai park or the pay lots near Kailua Pier ($5-$10 per day). Arrive before 9 AM if you want a free spot on weekends.

Sunscreen & Reef Safety

Hawaii law bans sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate to protect coral reefs. Mineral (zinc oxide) sunscreen is required for ocean activities. You can pick up reef-safe brands at any Kona drugstore or big box store.