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

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, colorful 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 snorkeling with 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 lesser-known spots worth seeking out. This way, your Hawaiian vacation can be as relaxing or as exciting as you want it to be. You’ll find great water sports, significant cultural sites, and excellent 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 well suited to growing these beans. 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

Several family-owned farms offer tours, many of them free. 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 favorite. 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: one of Kona’s oldest coffee farms. It offers in-depth tours and a wide range of coffee to taste.
• Hula Dad Coffee: This farm is known for its high-quality beans, and the tours here are more personal and in-depth.
• Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation: You can walk through the coffee fields, see how the beans are processed, and even try roasting your own beans.

Visiting a coffee farm is a great way to get a feel for the local culture.

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 snorkeling.

Best Places to Snorkel and Dive

Kona offers access to coastal and underwater environments, but water conditions vary. Check current warnings and local advice before considering any ocean activity.

• Kahalu’u Beach Park: This is probably the best place for kids and other beginners to snorkel. There are a lot of colorful fish and sea turtles (honu) in this bay with shallow water. It’s a popular free activity in Kona.
• Kealakekua Bay: The Captain Cook Monument is a famous landmark in this marine life conservation district, known for clear water and abundant marine life. 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 memorable experience and a popular choice for couples and families. See our guide to the manta ray night snorkel in Kona for what to expect on the water.

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

Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau preserves a sacred place of refuge. The National Park Service explains its role within the kapu system. Read the site’s interpretation and follow current park instructions when visiting.

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. Walking the trails is a budget-friendly way to explore the park.

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 Center: 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 flavors and flavors from around the world. There is something for every taste, from casual food trucks to fancy restaurants.

Local Foods You Have to Try

• Poke: 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: pork and fish wrapped in taro leaves and steamed until they are soft.
• Kalua Pig: a dish made with shredded pork that has a smoky flavor and is traditionally cooked in an underground oven (imu).
• Shave Ice: a refreshing treat on a hot day. For the best flavor, look for places that use fruit syrups made from real fruit.

Best Dining Experiences

• The Kona Farmers Market: a great place to try fresh tropical fruits, buy local crafts, and get a tasty plate lunch.
• Umekes Fishmarket Bar and Grill: a local favorite for poke, with a casual atmosphere and fresh, tasty seafood.
• Da Poke Shack: another local favorite for poke, known for high-quality ingredients and many 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.

• Aliʻi Drive: the main street in Kailua-Kona, full of souvenir shops, art galleries, and small stores. You can find anything here, from t-shirts to expensive jewelry.
• 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.

Use the Big Island activity overview to put Kona in the wider island context. If you are considering the long drive to the volcanoes, read our Hawaii Volcanoes National Park guide before setting your itinerary.