Our Favorite Things to Do in Kona
Local Favorites (besides beaches)
Here are some non-beach and non-water related favorites of ours.
Hike Makahi Trail on your own, or take a guided tour with Painted Trees of Hawaii! It's cool and misty and absolutely beautiful. And only 15 minutes from the hot and arid coast!
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트빌리시민속고고학박물관
73-1865 Hao StHike Makahi Trail on your own, or take a guided tour with Painted Trees of Hawaii! It's cool and misty and absolutely beautiful. And only 15 minutes from the hot and arid coast!
The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is at a comfortable altitude for most, and is very fun and informative for all! For healthy adults who want more adventure, check out the summit at sunrise.
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Maunakea Observatories Support Services
177 Makaala StThe Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station is at a comfortable altitude for most, and is very fun and informative for all! For healthy adults who want more adventure, check out the summit at sunrise.
These folks offer the best Mauna Kea Summit at Sunrise excursion, and several others. We ourselves have done their zipline and private waterfall excursion and it was AMAZING. bonus: their ziplines are very quiet!
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Hawaii Forest & Trail Kona Headquarters
73-5593 Olowalu StThese folks offer the best Mauna Kea Summit at Sunrise excursion, and several others. We ourselves have done their zipline and private waterfall excursion and it was AMAZING. bonus: their ziplines are very quiet!
헤븐리하와이안코나커피농장
78-1136 Bishop RdFree tours, with great treats and even better coffee.
This fantastic farm is right up the road from our house, and offers a farm tour, a 15 minute video tour, free samples and cool gift shop.
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The Original Hawaiian Chocolate Factory
78-6772 Makenawai StThis fantastic farm is right up the road from our house, and offers a farm tour, a 15 minute video tour, free samples and cool gift shop.
This is a fairly easy walk right outside of Waikoloa Village, if you want to take a break from shopping and see some Hawaiian history up close.
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Waikoloa Petroglyph Preserve
This is a fairly easy walk right outside of Waikoloa Village, if you want to take a break from shopping and see some Hawaiian history up close.
Shopping and Dining
Walmart, Target, Ross, and Costco are 10-20 minutes away. Walmart and Target have a good selection of beachwear, water needs, and affordable souvenirs, and are close to fast food and small eateries. Here's a list of other, more unique experiences.
Very close - has a grocery store, pharmacy, local book store, restaurants, shave ice, some clothing stores, and movie theaters
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Keauhou Shopping Center
78-6831 Ali‘i DrVery close - has a grocery store, pharmacy, local book store, restaurants, shave ice, some clothing stores, and movie theaters
Wed-Sun 8-3. Great local foods, vendors, and artisans. Make sure to visit the ladies with all the jewelry close to the corner by the library!
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Kona Farmers Market
75-5767 Ali‘i DrWed-Sun 8-3. Great local foods, vendors, and artisans. Make sure to visit the ladies with all the jewelry close to the corner by the library!
Alii Gardens Marketplace
75-6129 Ali‘i DrThis is a nice, fun outdoor market.
Great shopping within an hour's drive, with a petroglyph trail close by. It also has bronze plaques describing all of Hawaii's queens, too.
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Queens' Market Place
69-201 Waikōloa Beach DrGreat shopping within an hour's drive, with a petroglyph trail close by. It also has bronze plaques describing all of Hawaii's queens, too.
Boutique and upscale shopping within an hour's drive, with a petroglyph trail close by. It also has bronze plaques describing all of Hawaii's kings.
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Kings' Shops
250 Waikōloa Beach DrBoutique and upscale shopping within an hour's drive, with a petroglyph trail close by. It also has bronze plaques describing all of Hawaii's kings.
This is one of our favorite places to stroll and browse. There are some awesome galleries, interesting shops, and local gifts.
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Kona Inn Shopping Village
75-5744 Ali‘i DrThis is one of our favorite places to stroll and browse. There are some awesome galleries, interesting shops, and local gifts.
This is a favorite local diner with huge portions and great food. It is a must if you are spending the day in adorable Waimea, or just passing through. Watch out though, it closes early!
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Hawaiian Style Cafe - Waimea
65-1290 Kawaihae RdThis is a favorite local diner with huge portions and great food. It is a must if you are spending the day in adorable Waimea, or just passing through. Watch out though, it closes early!
This is a great little city that is about an hour from Kona, with a lot of places to shop and eat.
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Waimea
This is a great little city that is about an hour from Kona, with a lot of places to shop and eat.
마우나케아비치 호텔
Mauna Kea Beach DrThis place reportedly has the best luaus!
Beaches
This is why we live here! Look for the asterisks for our absolute favorites. (Note that beaches may erode with winter waves or weather events. Magic Sands and Maniniowali can be more affected than others, but both are easy to get to and worth checking out regardless)
** This beach is the closest to us, at a ten minute drive, or an hour walk if you're up for it! It is called Magic Sands because some days the sand is plentiful and beautiful, and on others there are exposed rocks and not much else! When the sand is in, it is a busy and fun beach, with restrooms and showers available. It's a great spot for boogie boarding.
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Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i Drive** This beach is the closest to us, at a ten minute drive, or an hour walk if you're up for it! It is called Magic Sands because some days the sand is plentiful and beautiful, and on others there are exposed rocks and not much else! When the sand is in, it is a busy and fun beach, with restrooms and showers available. It's a great spot for boogie boarding.
Park at the harbor at the end of Kealakehe Pkwy, and catch this stretch of trail that ancient Hawaiians would walk all over the island. There is a historical hut, and you can often see sea turtles here. The beach is worth checking out quickly, but there are definitely more beautiful beaches around the island.
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
73-4786 Kanalani StreetPark at the harbor at the end of Kealakehe Pkwy, and catch this stretch of trail that ancient Hawaiians would walk all over the island. There is a historical hut, and you can often see sea turtles here. The beach is worth checking out quickly, but there are definitely more beautiful beaches around the island.
*** The south entrance is a 25 minute drive plus 5 minute dirt/lava road, accessibly by any vehicle with caution. You'll want to make a 5-10 minute sandy or rocky walk to get to the more beautiful beach area to the north. The gate locks at 7p, and there are no lifeguards though the surf is often calm. There are a few portable toilets and several trees. If you like airplanes, the airport is just south of this beach and you can see them land and take off there.
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케카하 카이 비치 공원
Hawaii 19*** The south entrance is a 25 minute drive plus 5 minute dirt/lava road, accessibly by any vehicle with caution. You'll want to make a 5-10 minute sandy or rocky walk to get to the more beautiful beach area to the north. The gate locks at 7p, and there are no lifeguards though the surf is often calm. There are a few portable toilets and several trees. If you like airplanes, the airport is just south of this beach and you can see them land and take off there.
***** This is arguably one of the best undeveloped beaches in the world!
It is more difficult to access, requiring a 20-25 minute walk across some sand but mostly a rocky lava field. I have a great site I built that shows how to get their easily, and what the walk and views are like there - ask me for it if you're interested. There is a four wheel drive trail to get there as well, but it also takes 20-25 minutes and it is pretty rough.
This beach is beautiful, large, and uncrowded. The northern most part where the local caretaker's home is has a secluded and calm section that is great for small children to splash around in, or for adults to relax in the clear water!
This is accessible from Kekaha Kai, so remember that gate closes at 7, unless you four wheel in.
There are no lifeguards, bathrooms or showers.
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마칼라웨나 비치 (Makalawena Beach)
Hawaii 19***** This is arguably one of the best undeveloped beaches in the world!
It is more difficult to access, requiring a 20-25 minute walk across some sand but mostly a rocky lava field. I have a great site I built that shows how to get their easily, and what the walk and views are like there - ask me for it if you're interested. There is a four wheel drive trail to get there as well, but it also takes 20-25 minutes and it is pretty rough.
This beach is beautiful, large, and uncrowded. The northern most part where the local caretaker's home is has a secluded and calm section that is great for small children to splash around in, or for adults to relax in the clear water!
This is accessible from Kekaha Kai, so remember that gate closes at 7, unless you four wheel in.
There are no lifeguards, bathrooms or showers.
**** This is the closest nice beach that is easy to get to. It is a 30 minute drive, with convenient parking and a paved path to the beach. There are bathrooms and showers, and because of all of this convenience it does get somewhat crowded. If you need a break from the people, take a walk to the lava fields and coral hills north of beach. Note that sometimes winter waves or weather events can affect the amount of sand at this beach, but it is easy enough to get to and worth checking out in any condition.
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Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
**** This is the closest nice beach that is easy to get to. It is a 30 minute drive, with convenient parking and a paved path to the beach. There are bathrooms and showers, and because of all of this convenience it does get somewhat crowded. If you need a break from the people, take a walk to the lava fields and coral hills north of beach. Note that sometimes winter waves or weather events can affect the amount of sand at this beach, but it is easy enough to get to and worth checking out in any condition.
A 35 minute drive will get you to this great keiki beach, good for small children. You need one of a limited number of daily passes from the security gate, which keeps crowds down. There is good snorkeling, and it is surrounded by nice houses. If you walk to the north, you may see a lot of turtles.
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Kikaua Point Park
A 35 minute drive will get you to this great keiki beach, good for small children. You need one of a limited number of daily passes from the security gate, which keeps crowds down. There is good snorkeling, and it is surrounded by nice houses. If you walk to the north, you may see a lot of turtles.
This is easy to get to and close to good shopping. It isn't the prettiest beach right at first, but if you walk to the south 20-30 minutes there are gorgeous, isolated sandy areas between trees that you can claim and relax in! The sand is beautiful there - black and white and gold, even some mossy green. Bring a hammock!
Waikoloa beach is north of it, which is an ok beach, too.
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Anaehoomalu Bay
This is easy to get to and close to good shopping. It isn't the prettiest beach right at first, but if you walk to the south 20-30 minutes there are gorgeous, isolated sandy areas between trees that you can claim and relax in! The sand is beautiful there - black and white and gold, even some mossy green. Bring a hammock!
Waikoloa beach is north of it, which is an ok beach, too.
*** This beach is a 51 minute drive and tremendously fun and interesting! There are many fairly secluded little sandy areas separated by scrub trees, and you can claim your spot of your own or with just a few others and enjoy a relaxing day. There is a rope swing and a lot of trees - bring a hammock.
This beach is just to the south of Hapuna, so it is pretty easy to hit both in one day.
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Waialea Beach
Old Puako Road*** This beach is a 51 minute drive and tremendously fun and interesting! There are many fairly secluded little sandy areas separated by scrub trees, and you can claim your spot of your own or with just a few others and enjoy a relaxing day. There is a rope swing and a lot of trees - bring a hammock.
This beach is just to the south of Hapuna, so it is pretty easy to hit both in one day.
**** This is named the best beach in the world by many. It is large, but doesn’t feel crowded even when it is busy. It has lifeguards, bathrooms, and showers.
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하푸나비치 주립공원
Old Puako Road**** This is named the best beach in the world by many. It is large, but doesn’t feel crowded even when it is busy. It has lifeguards, bathrooms, and showers.
**** This is a very pretty beach with a nice resort at one end. If you walk to the north you're able to check out some scenic points.
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Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
**** This is a very pretty beach with a nice resort at one end. If you walk to the north you're able to check out some scenic points.
***** The black sand beach at Waipio Valley is a 2 hr drive, including 10 minutes on a very narrow, steep, and then bumpy 4 wheel drive road. This road can be hiked in and out if you aren't able to drive it. Carefully cross the stream and get to the other side of the beach which is absolutely beautiful - one of the best in the world. And the sand is just as soft and beautiful as any other beach, but this is black and amazing! The surf can be strong here, so swim with caution. Bring a hammock and a picnic. There are portable toilets.
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Waipi'o Valley
48-5561A Waipio Valley Rd***** The black sand beach at Waipio Valley is a 2 hr drive, including 10 minutes on a very narrow, steep, and then bumpy 4 wheel drive road. This road can be hiked in and out if you aren't able to drive it. Carefully cross the stream and get to the other side of the beach which is absolutely beautiful - one of the best in the world. And the sand is just as soft and beautiful as any other beach, but this is black and amazing! The surf can be strong here, so swim with caution. Bring a hammock and a picnic. There are portable toilets.
*** It only takes one hour drive to the southern most point of the United States, where you start either the hour long four wheel drive trail or multiple hour long hike/walk to Green Sand Beach. The trail to the amphitheater shaped beach is rather steep and sandy/rocky. This unique place gets busy in the afternoon, so plan to arrive early.
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파파코레아 그린 샌드 비치
*** It only takes one hour drive to the southern most point of the United States, where you start either the hour long four wheel drive trail or multiple hour long hike/walk to Green Sand Beach. The trail to the amphitheater shaped beach is rather steep and sandy/rocky. This unique place gets busy in the afternoon, so plan to arrive early.
Water Fun Besides Beaches
Snorkling, tide pools, sunsets, and more!
This is a must do if you want to go snorkeling. It is only a 15 minute drive, with an easy entrance to the water and large, sheltered snorkeling area without any strong surge. There are many little colorful fish!
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Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveThis is a must do if you want to go snorkeling. It is only a 15 minute drive, with an easy entrance to the water and large, sheltered snorkeling area without any strong surge. There are many little colorful fish!
This is a fantastic snorkeling spot about 40 minutes south, and it requires a bit more agility to enter and exit. There are a tremendous amount of fish, and the coral is large and varied.
It is close to Place of Refuge (Pu'uhanua O Honaunau) which is a great place to check out history as well as a lovely stroll along lava fields and tide pools. A great combination!
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Two Step
This is a fantastic snorkeling spot about 40 minutes south, and it requires a bit more agility to enter and exit. There are a tremendous amount of fish, and the coral is large and varied.
It is close to Place of Refuge (Pu'uhanua O Honaunau) which is a great place to check out history as well as a lovely stroll along lava fields and tide pools. A great combination!
This isn't the most beautiful beach in and of itself, but if you go towards the end of the road you'll come to large lava fields that are great fun to wander around and see the surf crash and the resulting tide pools. A great spot to catch sunsets and take un-beach photos!
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Pine Trees Surfing Beach
This isn't the most beautiful beach in and of itself, but if you go towards the end of the road you'll come to large lava fields that are great fun to wander around and see the surf crash and the resulting tide pools. A great spot to catch sunsets and take un-beach photos!
This is a fun place to check out, with a lot of variety. We like the pebble black sand and the rocks you can climb and walk along near the coast.
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Kiholo Bay
71-1890 Queen Ka'ahumanu HwyThis is a fun place to check out, with a lot of variety. We like the pebble black sand and the rocks you can climb and walk along near the coast.
There is a great historic self-guided walking trail here, and you'll see several tiki statues! There is also a fantastic picnic area and nearby lava fields that you can walk along for hours, catching sea spray from the crashing surf close by and observing the beautiful sky in its resulting tide pools. This is a very peaceful and wonderful place to visit.
If you want to combine it with some adventurous snorkeling, check out Two Step right next to the park.
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푸우호누아오 국립역사공원
State Highway 160There is a great historic self-guided walking trail here, and you'll see several tiki statues! There is also a fantastic picnic area and nearby lava fields that you can walk along for hours, catching sea spray from the crashing surf close by and observing the beautiful sky in its resulting tide pools. This is a very peaceful and wonderful place to visit.
If you want to combine it with some adventurous snorkeling, check out Two Step right next to the park.
This is a recent discovery of ours. It is close by but hard to find - google "end of the world kona" and you'll find where people have gone cliff jumping here - which we definitely do not recommend doing. But yelp has shows where this is on a map. It is just south of the Sheraton Resort at Keauhou Bay, and there is a short, rocky walk leading to large lava cliffs. The waves crash here for spectacular sea spray and colors, and make for the most magnificent sunsets!
Maihi Bay
This is a recent discovery of ours. It is close by but hard to find - google "end of the world kona" and you'll find where people have gone cliff jumping here - which we definitely do not recommend doing. But yelp has shows where this is on a map. It is just south of the Sheraton Resort at Keauhou Bay, and there is a short, rocky walk leading to large lava cliffs. The waves crash here for spectacular sea spray and colors, and make for the most magnificent sunsets!