A Guide to the Top 10 Things to Do in Kona, Hawaii

Kona, a sun-drenched district on the Big Island of Hawaii, offers a stunning blend of natural beauty, rich history, and thrilling adventures. This piece of paradise is known for its amazing coffee, colourful marine life, and stunning volcanic landscapes. If you plan a trip here, you’ll be able to do things you’ll never forget, like drinking coffee made on a local farm or swimming with giant manta rays under the stars.

This guide will help you get the most out of Kona. We’ll talk about everything from the must-see sights to the hidden gems that only locals know about. This way, your Hawaiian vacation can be as relaxing or as exciting as you want it to be. You’ll find the best water sports, the most important cultural sites, and the best local food. If you’re going to Kona with family, on a romantic getaway, or by yourself, there are a lot of great things to do there that will keep you busy.

Get to know the coffee culture in Kona.

You can’t go to Kona without trying its famous coffee. The volcanic slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa are the best places for these beans to grow. Many farms in the area let people come and tour and taste their products, which gives them a unique look at how beans are turned into coffee.

Go on a tour of a coffee farm

There are a number of family-owned farms that give free tours. During the season from August to January, you can walk through the coffee orchards, see the beans being picked, and learn about the careful process of roasting. At the end of these tours, you usually get to taste some of the different roasts for free, which lets you find your favourite. It’s a great activity, and often free, that gives you a look into one of the island’s most important businesses.

Best Coffee Tasting Events

Greenwell Farms is one of the oldest and most famous coffee farms in Kona. It offers in-depth tours and a wide range of coffee to taste.
Hula Dad Coffee from Kona: This farm is known for its high-quality, award-winning beans, and the tours here are more personal and in-depth.
At the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, you can walk through the coffee fields, see how the beans are processed, and even try roasting your own beans.

One of the best ways to get a feel for the local culture is to visit a coffee farm in Kona.

Find Clean Beaches and Fun Water Activities

There are many beautiful beaches along Kona’s coast, and each one is different. There is a beach for every type of person, from white sandy beaches that are great for sunbathing to rocky volcanic coastlines that are great for snorkelling.

Best Places to Snorkel and Dive

The clear, calm waters of Kona are a dream come true for exploring underwater.

Kahalu’u Beach Park: This is probably the best place for kids and other beginners to snorkel. There are a lot of colourful fish and sea turtles (honu) in this bay with shallow water. It’s one of the best free things to do in Kona.
Kealakekua Bay: The Captain Cook Monument is a famous landmark in this marine life conservation district, which has some of the best snorkelling in all of Hawaii. You can reach it by boat tour, kayak, or a challenging hike.
Two Step (Honaunau Bay): This place is next to Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. It gets its name from the natural lava rock “steps” that lead into the water. A lot of people go there to see dolphins and bright coral reefs.

Snorkel and dive with manta rays at night

Book a night snorkel or dive with manta rays for a truly magical time. Tour companies shine bright lights into the water to draw in plankton, which is what manta rays eat the most. These gentle giants, with wingspans of up to 16 feet, glide through the water to eat and often come within inches of you. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a highly rated thing to do with your partner or family.

Paddleboarding, surfing, and kayaking

Kona has a number of places where beginners can ride waves. The waves at Kahalu’u Beach Park are gentle, making it a great place for a first surf lesson. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and kayaking along the coast are great ways to get a workout and see the beautiful shoreline.

Visit historical sites and learn about other cultures.

Hawaiian history and culture are very important to Kona. You can learn more about the island’s history and the traditions that still shape it today by visiting its historical sites.

Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Long ago, this park was a safe place for Hawaiian criminals to hide. If they could get to this holy place, their sins would be forgiven. You can now take a self-guided tour of the historic grounds, see rebuilt temples (heiau), and admire the fierce-looking ki’i (wooden statues) that protect the area. It’s a must-see for history buffs and a powerful cultural experience.

Palace of Hulihe’e

Hulihe’e Palace is in the middle of historic Kailua-Kona and was a vacation home for Hawaiian royalty. Built in 1838, this beautiful palace is now a museum showcasing Victorian-era furniture and artifacts from the time of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. It gives you a look at how Hawaii’s kings and queens lived.

The Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park

This park protects an old Hawaiian village. You can learn about how early Hawaiians lived in this dry place by visiting fishponds, seeing petroglyphs (rock carvings), and more. The park is also a great place to spot sea turtles and native birds. One of the best cheap things to do in Kona, Hawaii is to walk the trails.

Go on a day trip to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

Even though it’s not in Kona, you have to go to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park for a day when you’re on the Big Island. The park is about two hours from Kona and has two of the most active volcanoes in the world: Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

What to See and Do

Kīlauea Visitor Centre: This is the place to go for the most up-to-date information about volcanic activity, trail conditions, and ranger-led programs.
Crater Rim Drive: This beautiful road goes around the Kīlauea caldera and gives you amazing views of the Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku): Walk through a lava cave that is 500 years old and surrounded by a lush tropical rainforest.
Chain of Craters Road: This dramatic road descends 3,700 feet to the coast, passing by vast lava flows and offering stunning sea views.

You should plan to spend a whole day in the park. The landscape is out of this world and serves as a strong reminder of nature’s creative and destructive powers.

Enjoy Local Food and Dining

The food scene in Kona is a great mix of traditional Hawaiian flavours and flavours from around the world. There is something for every taste, from casual food trucks to fancy restaurants.

Local Foods You Have to Try

Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish made with diced raw fish that you have to try. You can get it at grocery stores and even at stores that only sell poke.
Laulau is pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed until they are soft.
Kalua Pig is a dish made with shredded pork that has a smoky flavour and is traditionally cooked in an underground oven (imu).
Shave Ice is the best thing to eat on a hot day. For the best flavour, look for places that use fruit syrups that are made from real fruit.

Best Dining Experiences

The Kona Farmers Market is a great place to try fresh tropical fruits, buy local crafts, and get a tasty plate lunch.
Umekes Fishmarket Bar and Grill is known for having the best poke in Kona. It has a casual atmosphere and serves fresh, tasty seafood.
Da Poke Shack is another local favourite for poke. It’s known for using high-quality ingredients and making a lot of different kinds of poke.
For a special night out: There are a lot of nice restaurants along the Kohala Coast (a short drive north of Kona) with great views of the ocean. These are great places for a romantic dinner.

Find one-of-a-kind gifts and things to buy

Kona has a lot of places to shop, whether you want to buy a special gift for yourself or for someone else.

Ali’i Drive is the main street in Kailua-Kona, and it is full of souvenir shops, art galleries, and small stores. You can find anything here, from t-shirts to expensive jewellery.
Kona International Market: This open-air marketplace features local vendors selling handmade crafts, jewelry, and wood carvings. It’s a fun place to look around and find unique gifts.
Local Art Galleries: There are a lot of artists in Kona. Going to a gallery is a great way to see what local artists have made and maybe even buy something special to remember your trip by.

Making Plans for Your Best Kona Trip

If you plan ahead, your vacation in Kona will go smoothly and be fun.

When to Go: Kona is beautiful all year long, but the best time to visit is usually from April to May and September to October, when there are fewer people and less rain.
How to Get Around: The best way to see Kona and the rest of the Big Island is to rent a car. Make a reservation ahead of time, especially during busy times.
What to Bring: Bring light clothes, swimwear, reef-safe sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and sturdy shoes for hiking. For cooler nights and trips to higher places like Volcanoes National Park, a light jacket is also a good idea.

Your Kona adventure is waiting for you.

Kona is a place that really shows what Hawaii is all about. It has a lot to offer every traveler, with a mix of adventure, relaxation, and culture. The smell of fresh coffee in the morning and the sight of manta rays at night will make the time you spend here unforgettable.

Are you ready to start making plans for your dream Hawaiian vacation? At Hawaii Guide Hub, we make personalized travel plans that make your dream trip a reality. Let us take care of the details so you can make memories that will last a lifetime. Call us today to schedule your Kona trip!

The Best Things to Do in Kona That You’ll Never Forget