Best Things To Do in Kailua-kona, Hawaii

Are you looking for what to do in Kailua-kona?

WHAT TO SEE

  • Mauna Kea Summit: Whether a stargazer or not, a visit to the Summit of Mauna Kea is a must when in Kailua Kona. Advanced telescopes and nearly perfect observing conditions, with hardly any light pollution, make the whole experience richer and rewarding! Also it makes for a perfect spot to observe oh-so-beautiful sunrises and oh-so-romantic sunsets!
  • Green Sand Beach: It is also known as “Papakolea beach” and “Mahana beach”. Reaching one of the most sought after beaches in Hawaii and in United States is a quite a ride and a hike. But once there, the rewards are just breath-taking! The Beach is one of the most beautiful and the views quite impressive. Get the camera rolling! 
  • Kona Farmers Market: Take a walk along the Market early in the day and you can pick up some of the freshest produce of the fruits and vegetables along with locally made arts and crafts.
  • St. Benedict Roman Catholic Church: Also known as “Painted Church” as the interiors of the Church are painted with Bible teachings and various Saints – around a time when not many could read or write and this was considered one of the best ways to impart the lessons.
  • Manta Ray Night Dive and Snorkel: Plunge in and earn the bragging rights of taking one of the most unforgettable dive of your life at your Big Island vacation! And don’t lose heart if you can’t dive, there are snorkelling tours available as well! Remember to book your tour in advance to avoid any disappointment.

THAINGS TO DO

Shopping

  • Ali'i Drive: Most visited shopping destination in Kailua Kona, Hawaii – here you will find various shops selling different items from merchandise to local crafts suiting everybody’s budget. It also has a lot of bars and restaurants.
  • Kona International Market: An open air mall that focuses on promoting local arts and produce and there’s live entertainment as well.

Pubs & bars

  • Huggo's On the Rocks: Head to this Bar for some of the best live entertainment in Town!
  • Mask-Querade Bar: A gay paradise in Kailua-Kona!

Below we have a list of things to do in Kailua-kona and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Kailua-kona getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Kailua-kona with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Kailua-kona

Here is the list of things to do in Kailua-kona and tourist attractions in city.

  1. Mauna Kea Summit

    4.4 (1109 Votes)
    Mauna Kea Summit

    Outdoors, Entertainment

    If you love astronomy, then the Mauna Kea Summit is your dream come true! The perfect place to see meteors, stars and simple take in the beauty from more than 4000 metres! The summit lies on top of a dormant volcano which is the highest point in Hawaii. Highlights include: Observatory for star gazing Beautiful volcanic rock terrain The ride to the summit is as much a learning experience as th...Read more
  2. Saddle Road

    Outdoors, Entertainment

    If you love long drives, then the Saddle road is a must on your ‘to do list’ while you visit Hawaii. Connecting the east to the west of Hawaii, the road is a popular stretch with breath-taking scenery! No fuel stations are available, so fuel up before you hit the highway. The legendary ‘Fog’ which braces the highway is sure to add thrill to the drive. A must if you want ...Read more
  3. Kona Brewing Company

    Outdoors, Food And Drinks, Brewery, Cafe

    Get the best of both worlds – Food and Beer! Take a tour of this environmentally conscious brewery and taste four of their beers at the end of the tour. Also, don’t miss eating the cafe after the tour – they whip some of the best sandwiches, pizzas and burgers you would have had in a long time! And even if you are not in the mood for a brewery tour, you can still spend a lazy ...Read more
  4. Kua Bay Or Manini'owali Beach

    Outdoors, Beach, Entertainment

    Part of Kekaha Kai State Park, Kua Bay is a secluded beach with sugar white sand and some of the best look out points and hiking opportunities. One of the popular attractions in town during summer as well as winter. During summer, the beach is a perfect spot to enjoy swimming and snorkelling, if the water is calm while winters are ideal to take up surfing. Marine life at the Bay is quite a crow...Read more
  5. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation

    Landmark, Cafe

    Perfect place for all the Coffee lovers! Mountain Thunder is the largest organic coffee farm in the Country and educates its visitors about the whole process of obtaining coffee – from composting, roasting and bagging! Visitors can choose between a free tour and a VIP tour. If you are a di hard coffee fan, then a VIP tour – Roast master of the Day is a must! You get a chance to roas...Read more
  6. Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm

    4.5 (575 Votes)
    Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm

    Outdoors, Wildlife Sanctuary

    A one of its kind farm in Kailua Kona that is dedicated to care for seahorses - and it shows in the way they conduct tours! Learn everything you need to know about the seahorses and then some more. Highlight of the tour is that visitors get to actually have a seahorse curl around their finger. You may even buy a pair for your aquarium at home – just make sure you understand how to care fo...Read more
  7. Hulihee Palace

    Outdoors, Landmark, Historical Site, Palace

    Situated on Ali`i Drive, Hulihe`e Palace was the vacation residence of Hawaiian royalty and now is a museum operated by the Daughters of Hawai`i and has on display pretty furniture and some of the most beautiful artefacts. 
  8. Honokohau Settlement And Kaloko-honokohau National Historical Park

    Outdoors, National Park, Historical Site, Archaeological Site

    Home to historically and archaeologically important site - Honokohau Settlement – it is a site not to be missed while in Kailua Kona. Get a chance to see four different ahupuaa (traditional sea to mountain land divisions), heiau (sacred temples) and kii pohaku (petroglyphs). Marvel at the Hawaiian fishponds, explore the pristine beach or get acquainted with the marine life at the Shore.&n...Read more
  9. Magic Sands

    4.5 (804 Votes)
    Magic Sands

    Beach, Leisure, Nature

    Perhaps the most unique beach in the world, the Magic Sands beach is named after the mysterious phenomena of its disappearing and re-appearing sand! There are days when the beach is rocky and on other days it is covered in beautiful white sand. The waves themselves are bigger than most beaches and even though the beach is a small one, it sure does exude a distinct charm. Good place to body surf...Read more
  10. Saint Benedict Roman Catholic Church

    Church, Religious Site, Landmark, Historical Site

    Also known as “Painted Church” as the interiors of the Church are painted with Bible teachings and various Saints – around a time when not many could read or write and this was considered one of the best ways to impart the lessons. While an important historical site, the Church has various programs to reach out to those in need and to serve the community.
  11. Honokohau Marina

    4.1 (540 Votes)
    Honokohau Marina

    Outdoors, Beach, Entertainment

    Head out to the Marina for a delightful experience. This stunning Marina has been carved out of Lava and has various options for the visitors to choose from when it comes to go on a charter for fishing and whale watching tours. Or just take a walk along the picturesque beach. Make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes as the road isn’t a smooth one and one may encounter quite a lot of st...Read more
  12. Kiholo Bay

    Outdoors, Beach, Entertainment, Leisure

    The Kiholo Bay is a one of a kind experience. If you love turtles and pristine blue waters to snorkel in, then the place will be a story you will keep telling for years to come. The bay is a marvel- meeting of fresh and salt water with a rocky lava island in the middle. A heaven for the experienced snorkeler, other tourists visit the bay to simply watch the turtles and enjoy the sea breeze.
  13. H.n Greenwell Store Museum

    Museum, Specialty Museum

    The H.N Greenwell Store Museum maintains a store from the 1870s- products, ambience and all! Known for its authentic story of the Greenwell Family which owned almost 1000 acres in Hawaii, the store itself was run by Mrs Greenwell till her death. To this day, the store produces the same items which were made in those days. Bake bread with the knowledgeable volunteers who keep you engaged with be...Read more
  14. Dons Mai Tai Bar

    Bar, Food And Drinks, Entertainment, Performance

    Don’s Mai Tai Bar is popular for serving the best mai-tais in the city over a spectacular view of the Bay! The cool breeze is sure to ease out stressful days and the lip-smacking cocktails only add to the self-pampering visit. Highlights include: Cocktails Live Music Good food Take your time to absorb the beauty of it all- the location, ambience and scrumptious food!
  15. Keauhou Shopping Centre

    Outdoors, Restaurant, Entertainment, Performance

    If you want to experience the dynamic pulse of city, then the Keauhou Shopping centre is your place! Offering a complete authentic shopping experience, shops are open from morning to midnight- making it an ideal tourist spot to shop till you drop! The shopping centre includes: Apparels and Accessories Restaurants Entertainment like Cinema house Specialty shops Medical shops A good way to spen...Read more
Kailua-kona
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  • Is there anything going on the last week of January this year 2021?

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  • our ship is docking in Kailua Kone from 9am to 6pm. they have few excursion choises. is ther public transportation or local guides for hire for the day. rent a car ? looking for ideas on how to best use our time

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    • I suggest you first pick a few of the many best things to do in Kailua-Kona that would fit in the time you have in the city. You may then decide to either use public transport or rent a car, depending upon how far your chosen places are. If the attractions in Kailua-Kona are quite nearby, you may also cover them on foot. 

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  • What events happening Dec. 31 Kailua Kona Hawaii?

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    • Hello,

      First of all, a very Happy New Year to you! The hotels in Waikoloa Beach Resort on the Kohala Coast are offering several special New Year's Eve dinners and a luau, Hilo Bay will host their first-ever New Year’s Eve Fireworks show at midnight,  Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast is hosting a Journey into 2019 New Year’s Eve celebration, and so much more. 

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