Kailua-Kona, often referred to as just “Kona”, is the capital of Hawaii’s Big Island.
It is located on the central coast on the leeward side of the island. This side of the island faces away from the incoming winds and tends to be more sunny and dry than the windward side of the island.
Kona is known for its rich history, beautiful sandy beaches, great snorkeling, and so much more. Continue reading to discover the best things to do in Kona, Hawaii!
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8 Fun Things to do in Kona
Table of Contents
- 1. Stay at a resort
- 2. Visit Anaeho’omalu Bay
- 3. Snorkel with Manta Rays
- 4. Swim in an ocean pool
- 5. Visit ancient royal grounds
- 6. Snorkel at Two-Step
- 7. Visit the Painted Church
- 8. Watch the sunset at Magic Sands Beach
1. Stay at a resort
If your idea of a Hawaiian vacation includes relaxing at a resort without a care in the world, then you’re in luck! The best resorts on the Big Island can be found in and around Kailua-Kona.
We stayed at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort and had a great experience.
As you pull up, the resort doesn’t seem like much. But once you step foot into the lobby you’ll be greeted with a newly renovated open-air hotel with spectacular ocean views from every level.
Be sure to get a room with a balcony overlooking the ocean where you can enjoy the morning sunrise.
The resort sits on the shore of Hapuna Beach, one of the best beaches in Kona.
Hapuna Beach is known for its wide stretch of soft sand.
It is also one of the best beaches for swimming and boogie boarding.
As an insider tip, I would recommend stopping at Snorkel Bob’s on your way from the airport.
Here you can pick up snorkel gear and boogie boards to use for the duration of your trip. Rentals start at just $24 for an entire week.
Hapuna Beach is also one of the best spots to catch an iconic Hawaiian sunset.
You can even spot sea turtles often swimming in the shallow water or lounging on the sand.
Amenities at the resort include several swimming pools, hot tubs, and an infinity pool that overlooks the ocean.
If you’re hungry, there are several onsite restaurants to choose from. The Naupaka Beach Grill is a casual poolside eatery that serves seafood, burgers, salads, nachos, and more.
For a more sophisticated dining experience, try the award-winning Meridia with ocean views.
A continental breakfast is also served at Ikena Landing, or you can grab a cup of coffee at Piko Coffee+Bar.
A few more of the best resorts in Kailua-Kona:
- Hilton Waikoloa Village: This is one of the best resorts for families with multiple swimming pools, a waterslide, a saltwater lagoon, and so much more!
- Mauna Lani: The Mauna Lani was voted the #1 resort on Hawaii’s Big Island in 2022. This hotel is part of the upscale Auberge Resorts collection. It is a bit of a splurge, but worth it for an unforgettable stay!
- Royal Kona Resort: This is a little more budget-friendly option, but still offers a great location and amenities.
- Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa: Enjoy an outdoor infinity pool, water sports rentals, lei making classes, and sunset luaus.
2. Visit Anaeho’omalu Bay
Anaeho’omalu Bay, also known as A-Bay, is one of the most unique beaches in Kona.
You’ll find swaying coconut palms and a narrow strip of sand with the ocean on one side and the ancient Kuualii royal fish pond on the other.
This area was once a former fishing village. Evidence includes the two royal fish ponds as well as petroglyphs that can be found on the lava rocks.
The water in the bay is calm, making it perfect for families to enjoy a day at the beach. Kayaks and paddle boards are also available for rent at the beach.
Anaeho’omalu Bay is found on the shore of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort and is conveniently located near shops and restaurants.
Try Island Fish & Chips, a nearby locally owned shop that sells fresh fish and chips.
They have walk-up ordering and patio seating with views over the pond.
After your meal, be sure to stop by the Original Big Island Shave Co. We have tried shave ice on every island in Hawaii and can confidently say that this is the best shave ice we’ve ever had!
Everything on the menu looks delicious, but a local recommended the Mana’s Chantilly and it was to die for!
It consists of chocolate-flavored shave ice, topped with mac nut ice cream, chocolate syrup, condensed cream, chantilly drizzle, fresh whipped cream, and chopped macadamia nuts. Divine.
3. Snorkel with Manta Rays
Snorkeling with manta rays is the top tourist attraction in Kona and should definitely be on your Big Island bucket list!
There are a few other places in the world where you can swim with manta rays.
However, what makes the experience at Kona so unique is that this is one of the only places in the world where the mantas consistently appear each and every night.
These reef mantas are born in these waters and spend their entire lives here. The tour guides even recognize the regulars and know them by name.
Manta rays are the fifth largest fish species in the world. The ones found here in Kona have an average wingspan of 12 feet!
While it may seem a bit unnerving to snorkel in dark water at night with a 12-foot manta only inches away, rest assured that these gentle giants won’t hurt you.
Manta rays are incapable of hurting humans. They don’t have a barb on their tails like sting rays, and they are filter feeders meaning they don’t have teeth.
It is surprising to learn that for such a large fish, their diet consists entirely of microscopic plankton.
You’ll find that there are quite a few tour operators located along the coast of Kona so it can be hard to choose which one to go with.
After much research, we went with this Keauhou Manta Ray Tour and had a great experience.
If you’re wondering what to expect on a manta ray tour, at the time of your tour you’ll head to the Outrigger Hotel where you’ll park along the side of the road.
Then walk down to the boat launch area where you’ll meet your guide. You’ll be outfitted with wetsuits and snorkel equipment before boarding the boat.
The water can be cold at night, but the wetsuits work wonders to keep you warm.
One of the selling features of this tour is that it is only a short 5-minute boat road to the middle of Keauhou Bay.
Once the boat is anchored, the guides will set up light boards for each guest to hold onto. The light attracts the plankton which in turn attracts the mantas.
It won’t be long before the mantas come to enjoy their nightly buffet of plankton.
They will be gliding and barrel-rolling below you and may even brush up against you when they come to the surface. Just don’t ever purposefully touch one.
At one point we had eight giant rays swimming all around us, it truly was a magical experience.
You will be in the water for 30 minutes, which honestly was just the right amount of time.
If you are prone to motion sickness, it is quite common to start feeling nauseous from constantly bobbing up and down in the water.
I would highly recommend getting a prescription patch before your trip, or at least take Dramamine. My husband wore the patch and he was just fine. My patch actually fell off when I jumped in the water and I started feeling pretty sick about halfway through.
After you return to the dock, there will be hot chocolate and cookies to enjoy at the end of the tour.
Be sure to bring a towel, go pro, and cash for a tip. There will be a place on the boat where you can store your personal items while snorkeling.
Swimming with manta rays is one of our top recommended things to do while spending a week on the Big Island. For a complete itinerary, see our guide for the Best Things to do on the Big Island in One Week.
4. Swim in an ocean pool
The Ali’i Saltwater Swimming Pool, also known as Rivi’s Saltwater Tide Pool, is a cool secret spot in Kona.
This man-made saltwater pool is filled by the ocean tide.
It is not filtered or cleaned, so the water can get stagnant when the tide is low. There is also a film of algae on the bottom that makes it quite slippery.
The conditions aren’t always ideal to swim in the pool, but it does make for some really cool drone shots.
There are smaller man-made tide pools to the left of the swimming pool that are better suited for a soak.
The tide rhythmically flows in and out of these shallow pools made with cemented rocks. It often brings various sea creatures with it making it a fun place to catch crabs and explore.
This beach is not safe for swimming, but it’s a beautiful spot to relax and watch the crashing waves as the sun sets.
The Ali’i Saltwater Pool is open to the public, although parking can be hard to find.
It is located behind the Aston Kona By The Sea condominium complex at 75-6106 Ali’i Dr Kailua Kona.
You’ll see a public access path located between the Kona By The Sea complex and the neighboring Kona Isle condominiums on the right.
Parking is for residents only, but there is a strip mall next to the Kona Isle condos and some street parking just past that.
Just don’t park in any lots that are designated for customers only, or if there are “no parking” signs.
5. Visit ancient royal grounds
The Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historic Park is a historically significant area with beautiful white sand beaches and thick groves of coconut palm trees.
In addition to its unparalleled beauty, this land was once considered a sacred place to the ancient Hawaiians. They believed that the area possessed extraordinary mana, or spiritual power.
The 182-acre park is divided into two distinct regions, the Royal Grounds and the Pu’uhonua.
The royal grounds were the center of power and only the ali’i (chiefs) and their advisors, priests, and servants were permitted to step foot there.
Beyond the Royal Grounds, you’ll find The Great Wall. This 400-year-old wall is over 950 feet long, 18 feet thick, and up to 12 feet tall.
This wall separates the Royal Grounds from the Pu’uhonua.
Pu’uhonua translates to “Place of Refuge”.
During ancient times, there were strict laws, or kapu, that were enforced.
Some examples of kapu included that a woman was not allowed to eat with a man, a commoner could not cast his shadow on an ali’i, and no one was allowed to catch a fish out of season.
If anyone was found breaking kapu, they would be sentenced to death.
The only way they could avoid punishment was if they could somehow escape to the coast and swim to Pu’uhonua.
If they managed to make it here, they would receive protection and absolution. Defeated warriors also escaped here to find safety and refuge.
Today, visitors can tour both the Royal Grounds and Pu’uhonua.
Here you can watch cultural demonstrations and visit various sites like the Hale o Keawe, a sacred royal mausoleum that houses the bones of 23 ali’i and is guarded by carved wooden gods.
Be sure to stop at the visitor center to watch a film and pick up a map for a self-guided tour.
I would also highly recommend downloading the free NPS app.
Once it is downloaded, search for Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Here you will find several self-guided audio tours that will enhance your visit.
If you have time, consider taking the 1871 Trail to Ki’ilae Village. The 2-mile round trip trail follows along the rugged coastline to reach an abandoned Hawaiian village.
6. Snorkel at Two-Step
Two-Step is a lava-fringed beach located adjacent to Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau Park at Honaunau Bay. You can even see the Hale o Keawe just across the bay.
The beach is located outside the park so visitors do not need to pay the park entrance fee in order to swim.
However, if you do visit the park and plan to swim afterward, you must exit the park and find additional parking.
There is a small parking lot located at the beach. It fills up quickly, but there is also street parking along the road before turning onto the one-lane road leading down to the beach.
Once you reach the beach, you’ll find a lot of great tide pools to explore.
However, you won’t find much sand so I would recommend bringing a beach chair if you plan to sit and relax. You’ll also want to wear water shoes as the lava rock is quite rough.
Even though the beach is small, the snorkeling is fantastic. There are shallow coral reefs near the shore filled with brightly colored tropical fish.
It reminded me of Carlsmith Beach Park, one of the best places to go in Hilo.
You’ll also find coral canyons and channels on the south end of the bay that were formed by ancient lava flows.
This is a favorite spot for the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles to hang out. Just keep in mind that they are federally protected and you are required to stay at least 10 feet away.
The north side of the bay is popular for scuba diving. The water is deeper here with a variety of coral formations. It is also common to see spinner dolphins in this part of the bay.
You must also maintain a distance of 50 feet from the dolphins. We saw some tourists getting fined for approaching the dolphins while we were there.
After working up an appetite while snorkeling, be sure to stop at the nearby Shaka Tacoz for some of the best tacos and burritos on the island.
Enjoy your meal on the small outdoor deck with views of the ocean.
7. Visit the Painted Church
St. Benedict’s Painted Church is located only a few miles from Two-Step and is worth a quick stop.
This catholic church was originally built in 1842 near the shore by Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau Park.
In 1880, it was painstakingly dismantled and brought 3 miles uphill to this idyllic setting in order to make the church more accessible to the farmers.
From the outside, the small white church is charming with beautiful surrounding gardens, a cemetery, and views of Kealakekua Bay.
However, once you step inside you’ll see what makes this church so unique.
The walls and ceiling in this one-room chapel are completely covered with brightly painted murals.
Over 120 years ago, Father Jean (or John) Velghe, came from Belgium to serve as a priest over this parish.
During the 5 years that he served, he hand-painted scenes from the scriptures all over the walls. Most of the parishioners were illiterate, so the paintings served as visual aids while he taught his sermons.
Father John had no professional training as an artist, and he painted his murals using simple house paints instead of the oil paints that most artists preferred.
However, his artwork truly is powerful. You’ll see that one side depicts light and God’s good grace, while the other side depicts darkness, pain, and suffering.
The church is still active with about 150 parishioners and daily mass.
It is open to visitors every Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 am-3:30 pm. There is a docent onsite to give tours and provide more details about the church’s history.
8. Watch the sunset at Magic Sands Beach
Magic Sands Beach is one of the few sandy beaches that can be found close to Kona’s city center.
Here you’ll find a small cove with soft sand, palm trees, and jewel-toned water.
It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset and play in the surf when the waves aren’t too rough.
The beach is named “Magic Sands” because the rough winter swells often wash away some of the sand, revealing black lava rock hiding below.
For another beautiful beach, be sure to check out the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach near South Point!
There are several restaurants and food stands located within walking distance of Magic Sands Beach, including Magic’s Beach Grill and Kat’s Kau Kau shave ice truck.
Da Poke Shack is also located about a mile up the road and serves some of the best poke on the island. They often sell out so come early for lunch.
*Related post: If you’re planning to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, be sure to see our guide for hiking the Kilauea Iki Trail.
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A few more of the best things to do in Kona:
- Kiholo State Park Reserve: Take a one-mile dirt road to reach the black sand shore of Kiholo Bay. The most beautiful part of the reserve is a lagoon located on the north end of the bay where the turquoise water is in stark contrast with the black lava rock and green palm trees. It is a haven for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles and there is also a lava rock island that you can snorkel to. Kiholo Bay was once a royal site and you can still find two ancient royal fish ponds by the lagoon. To reach this part of the bay, you’ll have to walk along the beach for about a mile. You can also park in a small dirt lot on Ka’ahumanu Highway above the bay and walk down a 1-mile dirt road to reach the lagoon.
- Kona Village Farmers Market: Purchase local produce and goods at the Kona Farmers Market. It is held in central Kona south of Kailua Bay every Wednesday through Sunday from 7 am-4 pm.
- Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm: Get up close and personal with seahorses at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm as you learn about these adorable sea creatures.
- Kealakekua Bay: Rodale’s Scuba Diving magazine ranked the Big Island as the best place to snorkel in the Indio-Pacific, and Kealakekua Bay is arguably the best place to snorkel on the Big Island. This bay is the only underwater state park on the Big Island. Visibility is up to 100 feet and the reef is teeming with tropical fish and unique marine life that can only be found here. The best snorkeling spot is on the north side of the bay and can only be reached by a challenging 3.8-mile hike. Alternately, you can book a snorkel tour, which I would recommend. This bay also holds historical significance as it is where Captain Cook was killed. There is a 27-foot-tall obelisk monument that has been erected in honor of him.
- Keanalele waterhole/Queen’s Bath: The Queen’s Bath is a freshwater swimming hole located inside a lava cave. The water is shallow enough that you can explore back inside the lava tube and there are skylights throughout to light the way. The water stays a chilly 70 degrees year-round. This is also considered a sacred site where the queen would bathe, so please be respectful. It is located near Kiholo State Park Reserve.
- Kahalu’u Beach Park: The best surf beach in Kona for beginner and intermediate surfers. There is a surf board rental facility located at the beach.
- Pololū Valley Lookout: Pololu Valley is located about 1 1/2 hours from Kona, but it’s worth a trip to take the short scenic hike down to the lush valley and black sand beach.
I hope this guide helps you discover the best things to do in Kona!
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