Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona

Things to Do in Kailua-Kona

50 curated spots from Kailua-Kona itineraries

Activities & Attractions (30)

Magic Sands Beach
Doafternoon

Magic Sands Beach

White-sand beach where waves 'erase' the shore; swim and lounge.

2h
Free
Hulihe'e Palace
Domorning

Hulihe'e Palace

Tour Hawaiian royal history with gardens and artifacts.

1h
$15 per person
Island Breeze Luau
Doevening

Island Breeze Luau

Cultural show, Polynesian buffet; evening cultural.

3h 30m
$140
Kailua-Kona Pier
Domorning

Kailua-Kona Pier

Historic pier for people-watching, ocean gazing, and gentle waves.

1h
Free
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Domorning

Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

Walk easy coastal trails past ancient fishponds, petroglyphs, and a small beach where you may spot green sea turtles resting on the sand.

2h
Free (parking may have small fee nearby)
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Domorning

Kona Coffee Living History Farm

Outdoor museum and working coffee farm in Captain Cook, showcasing the history of Kona coffee with tastings and guided walks.

1h 30m
$25-30 per person
Ali'i Drive Stroll
Domorning

Ali'i Drive Stroll

Wander the historic waterfront promenade with shops, galleries, and oceanfront vibes.

1h 30m
Free
Ali'i Drive Sunset Stroll (Kailua Pier to Royal Kona Resort)
Doevening

Ali'i Drive Sunset Stroll (Kailua Pier to Royal Kona Resort)

Leisurely walk along the waterfront strip with shops, historic churches, and bayside viewpoints.

1h 30m
Free
Ali‘i Drive Waterfront Stroll (Kailua Pier to Hulihe‘e Palace)
Doafternoon

Ali‘i Drive Waterfront Stroll (Kailua Pier to Hulihe‘e Palace)

Leisurely walk along the main oceanfront strip, passing shops, small beaches, and historic Hulihe‘e Palace and Mokuaikaua Church.

1h 30m
Free (optional small admission for Hulihe‘e Palace)
Award Winning Farm Tour
Domorning

Award Winning Farm Tour

Coffee, chocolate, gifts.

2h
$80
Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Doevening

Big Island Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Private boat night snorkel with gentle mantas; glow lights and wetsuits provided.

3h
$200 per person
Courtyard King Kamehameha Statue
Doafternoon

Courtyard King Kamehameha Statue

Admire the historic statue and stroll gardens in town center.

45m
Free
Fair Wind Cruises - Kealakekua Bay Snorkel
Doafternoon

Fair Wind Cruises - Kealakekua Bay Snorkel

Premium snorkel cruise with slides, platforms, and excellent gear to explore one of Hawaii’s top marine preserves.

3h 30m
$160-200 per person
Fair Wind Cruises - Manta Ray Night Snorkel
Doevening

Fair Wind Cruises - Manta Ray Night Snorkel

Evening boat tour to snorkel with giant manta rays under lights in Keauhou Bay.

2h 30m
$160-225 per person
Four Seasons Hualalai Private Beach & Snorkeling
Domorning

Four Seasons Hualalai Private Beach & Snorkeling

Access exclusive white-sand cove with world-class snorkeling, sea turtles, tropical fish, and pristine coral reefs steps from your resort

3h
Complimentary for resort guests; private guided snorkel tours $200-300 per person
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour from Kona
Doall_day

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour from Kona

Geologist-guided: Kilauea, lava tube, Rainbow Falls; full-day bus tour.[2]

10h
$265
Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour
Doafternoon

Hawaiian Salt Farm Tour

Learn traditional salt-making.

1h 30m
$40
Kahaluʻu Beach Park
Domorning

Kahaluʻu Beach Park

Protected cove south of town with calm waters and abundant reef fish, ideal for beginner snorkeling; rental gear available nearby.

2h 30m
$10-20 (snorkel rental) or Free if you bring gear
Kahaluu Beach Park Snorkeling
Doafternoon

Kahaluu Beach Park Snorkeling

Private guided snorkel with turtles; includes gear, instruction, and shaded picnic.

2h
$150 per person
Kailua Bay Beach
Doafternoon

Kailua Bay Beach

Snorkel in calm waters or relax on the sand near the pier.

1h 30m
Free
Kailua Pier and Seawall at Sunset
Doevening

Kailua Pier and Seawall at Sunset

Head to Kailua Pier area in the early evening to watch boats return, locals fishing, and the sun sink into the Pacific.

1h
Free
Kailua-Kona Farmers Market
Domorning

Kailua-Kona Farmers Market

Sample local produce, crafts; free explore.

1h 30m
$10
Kailua-Kona Historic Town Walk
Domorning

Kailua-Kona Historic Town Walk

Guided exploration of Kailua town's historic sites including Hulihee Palace, Mokuaikaua Church, and charming oceanfront shops and galleries

2h
$30-50 per person (guided tour) or Free (self-guided)
Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Monument Snorkel
Doafternoon

Kealakekua Bay Captain Cook Monument Snorkel

Private zodiac boat to UNESCO site with premium gear and lunch.

4h
$600 per couple
Kealakekua Bay Viewpoint & Picnic (Napo‘opo‘o Road area)
Doafternoon

Kealakekua Bay Viewpoint & Picnic (Napo‘opo‘o Road area)

Drive to scenic overlooks above Kealakekua Bay, with options to stop at small parks or pullouts for photos and a casual picnic.

1h 30m
Free (picnic supplies extra)
Keauhou Bay
Domorning

Keauhou Bay

Kayak, SUP, or watch dolphins in calm waters.

2h
$80-120 per person
Kekaha Kai State Park Beaches
Doafternoon

Kekaha Kai State Park Beaches

Multi-beach explore: Mahai'ula sands; free time.

2h
Free
Kohala Waterfalls Adventure
Doafternoon

Kohala Waterfalls Adventure

Chase private falls; guided tour.

3h
$200
Kohala Zipline Adventure
Domorning

Kohala Zipline Adventure

Canopy tour with 8 lines; Kohala Zipline operator, wear sneakers, medium fitness.

3h 30m
$160
Kona Cloud Forest Guided Walking Tours
Domorning

Kona Cloud Forest Guided Walking Tours

4-mile hike through native forests, lava tube; wildlife birds.[6]

3h
$150

Restaurants & Food (20)

Kona Inn Restaurant
Eatafternoon

Kona Inn Restaurant

Historic oceanfront spot; fresh opah crudo and mai tai sunsets from the veranda.

2h
$175-300 per person
Ulu Ocean Grill
Eatevening

Ulu Ocean Grill

Four Seasons' signature seafood spot with farm-to-table Hawaiian fusion; order the poke tasting and fresh lobster.

2h
$150-250 per person
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
Eatafternoon

Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill

Casual-upscale spot known for excellent poke bowls and fresh fish, plus creative cocktails.

1h
$25-40 per person
Big Island Grill
Eatmorning

Big Island Grill

Casual spot serving generous plates of local-style dishes, from loco moco to garlic shrimp and teriyaki meats.

1h
$18-30 per person
Da Poke Shack
Eatafternoon

Da Poke Shack

Fresh ahi poke bowls with local flavors; try the spicy version.

45m
$20-30 per person
Don's Mai Tai Bar
Eatevening

Don's Mai Tai Bar

Resort bar with epic sunsets, pupus, and non-alcoholic specialties.

1h 30m
$70-100 per person
Foster's Kitchen
Eatmorning

Foster's Kitchen

Modern American seafood; try the fresh catch or steak buffet.

1h
$70-110 per person
Huggo's
Eatevening

Huggo's

Iconic oceanfront restaurant on Ali‘i Drive with fresh island fish, steaks, and a laid-back but polished vibe; go for sunset and order the fresh catch or macadamia nut-crusted fish.

1h 30m
$45-80 per person
Island Lava Java
Eatmorning

Island Lava Java

Acai bowls and Kona brews.

1h
$15-25 per person
Lemongrass Express
Eatafternoon

Lemongrass Express

Thai-Hawaiian curries.

45m
$15-25 per person
Manta
Eatevening

Manta

Mauna Lani's award-winning seafood restaurant; signature ray-inspired dishes and wagyu.

2h 30m
$200-300 per person
Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar
Eatevening

Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar

Oceanfront lanai seating with fresh fish tacos or ahi benedict; live music.

1h 30m
$30-40 per person
Super J's
Eatafternoon

Super J's

Authentic laulau and poke bowls; splurge on family-sized seafood platters.

45m
$50-80 per person
Ulu Ocean Grill at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Eatevening

Ulu Ocean Grill at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Upscale beachfront restaurant featuring local seafood, sushi, and farm-to-table Hawaiian flavors in a refined yet relaxed setting.

2h
$80-150 per person
'ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge
Eatevening

'ulu Ocean Grill + Sushi Lounge

Seafood and sushi in a stunning Four Seasons setting; try the fresh oysters and ono specials.

2h
$100-150 per person
Bamboo Restaurant
Eatevening

Bamboo Restaurant

Asian-Hawaiian fusion tapas.

1h 30m
$30-45 per person
Beach Tree Restaurant & Bar
Eatevening

Beach Tree Restaurant & Bar

Beachside Italian-Hawaiian fusion; share calamari steak and beef filet.

2h
$90-140 per person
Billy's Island Seafood
Eatevening

Billy's Island Seafood

Grilled fresh catch and island salads.

1h 15m
$25-40 per person
Brown's Beach House
Eatevening

Brown's Beach House

Fairmont Orchid's beachfront steakhouse; prime Wagyu and chilled seafood towers with live music.

2h
$200-350 per person
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel - Hokulea
Eatafternoon

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel - Hokulea

Historical spot for upscale Hawaiian brunch with ocean breezes.

1h 30m
$100-150 per person

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