9 Best Things to Do in Kona: Big Island’s Western Paradise

The best things to do in Kona showcase why this sunny western coast of Hawaii’s Big Island has become such a beloved destination. With its perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, history, and natural beauty, Kona offers visitors an authentic Hawaiian experience unlike any other. From swimming with manta rays to sampling world-famous coffee, the best things to do in Kona appeal to travelers seeking both excitement and cultural immersion. This guide highlights nine unmissable activities that will make your Kona vacation truly unforgettable, whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to explore more of this tropical paradise.

Key Takeaways

• The best things to do in Kona include water activities, coffee experiences, and historical sites
• Visit between September-November for ideal conditions to enjoy the best things to do in Kona
• Budget approximately $200-350 per day for accommodations, food, and activities
• The best things to do in Kona are suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups
• Most popular attractions are within 30 minutes of downtown Kailua-Kona

9 Best Things to Do in Kona

1. Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay

Kealakekua Bay offers Kona’s most spectacular snorkeling experience with crystal clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant tropical fish. This protected marine sanctuary provides remarkable visibility and is home to spinner dolphins, sea turtles, and countless colorful fish species.

What makes this location special is both its natural beauty and historical significance as the site where Captain Cook first made contact with native Hawaiians in 1778. The Captain Cook Monument marks this historic location on the bay’s northern shore. The protected status of this marine conservation district has preserved the underwater ecosystem, creating a snorkeler’s paradise.

Useful Information:

• Cost: Free beach access; boat tours $80-150
• Hours: Accessible all times; mornings offer calmest conditions
• Booking Tips: Reserve boat tours 1-2 days ahead with Fair Wind or Sea Paradise

Extra Tips: While adventurous swimmers can reach the monument from shore, most visitors opt for boat tours or kayak rentals. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and underwater cameras for the best experience.

2. Experience Manta Ray Night Snorkeling

Among the most magical best things to do in Kona is witnessing gentle giants of the ocean manta rays with wingspans reaching 16 feet glide through illuminated nighttime waters. This unforgettable experience consistently ranks as one of Hawaii’s most extraordinary wildlife encounters.

Tour operators position lights that attract plankton, which in turn draw mantas to feed. Snorkelers float on the surface holding onto specialized rafts with lights while these magnificent creatures perform an elegant “feeding ballet” below, swooping and barrel-rolling within inches of observers in a completely safe interaction.

Useful Information:

• Cost: $105-150 for snorkel tours
• Hours: Tours depart around sunset (5:30-6:30pm)
• Booking Tips: Reserve 3-5 days in advance with Sea Paradise or Kona Honu Divers

Extra Tips: Though sightings aren’t guaranteed, success rates exceed 80% year-round. The experience is suitable for children (usually 8+ years) and non-swimmers can often participate with flotation devices.

3. Tour a Kona Coffee Farm

No list of the best things to do in Kona would be complete without experiencing the region’s world-famous coffee culture. The unique volcanic soil and ideal climate create perfect conditions for cultivating what many consider among the finest coffee beans worldwide.

Family owned farms offer fascinating tours showing the entire process from cherry to cup. Learn about hand-picking methods, processing techniques, and roasting practices that contribute to Kona coffee’s distinctive profile. Most tours conclude with tastings where you can sample various roasts and experience the subtle flavor notes that make Kona coffee so celebrated.

Useful Information:

• Cost: Many tours free or $5-20; includes tastings
• Hours: Most farms operate tours 9am-3pm daily
• Booking Tips: Greenwell Farms offers excellent walk-in tours; Hula Daddy requires reservations

Extra Tips: Visit during harvest season (August-January) to see the picking process. Buy directly from farms for freshest beans and best prices.

4. Visit Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park

Step back in time at this remarkable cultural sanctuary, known historically as the Place of Refuge. This important site offers visitors insight into traditional Hawaiian society and spiritual practices in a beautifully preserved coastal setting.

The sacred grounds feature reconstructed temples, royal grounds, and imposing ki’i (wooden carved images of gods) surrounding the Great Wall an impressive 10 foot high stone structure built in the 1500s without mortar. In ancient Hawaii, those who broke kapu (sacred laws) could find forgiveness and safety if they reached this sanctuary.

Useful Information:

• Cost: $20 per vehicle (valid for 7 days)
• Hours: Open daily 8:30am-4:30pm
• Booking Tips: No reservations required

Extra Tips: The adjacent Two Step Beach provides excellent snorkeling opportunities. Early morning visits offer better light for photography and fewer crowds.

5. Explore Kailua-Kona’s Historical Sites

Downtown Kailua-Kona holds several historical treasures within walking distance that showcase Hawaii’s fascinating transition through monarchy, missionary influence, and statehood. A self-guided tour connects these significant sites in a compact area.

Start at Hulihee Palace, the former vacation home of Hawaiian royalty built in 1838, now a museum displaying Victorian artifacts. Nearby stands Mokuaikaua Church, Hawaii’s oldest Christian church (1820), featuring impressive koa wood interiors. Complete your journey at Ahuena Heiau, a reconstructed temple where King Kamehameha I spent his final years.

Useful Information:

• Cost: Hulihee Palace $10; Mokuaikaua Church free
• Hours: Palace open Mon-Sat 10am-3pm; Church generally open daily
• Booking Tips: No reservations needed

Extra Tips: Several historical markers along Ali’i Drive provide additional context for these sites. Early morning provides cooler temperatures and better photo opportunities.

6. Relax at Hapuna Beach

When listing the best things to do in Kona, spending time at nearby beaches is essential, and Hapuna stands as the Big Island’s premier beach destination. Located about 30 minutes north of Kailua-Kona, this half-mile stretch of pristine white sand consistently ranks among America’s top beaches.

Hapuna offers perfect swimming conditions most of the year with gentle waves ideal for bodysurfing and boogie boarding. The beach features ample facilities including showers, restrooms, picnic areas, and lifeguards, making it suitable for all-day excursions and families with children.

Useful Information:

• Cost: $10 parking for non-residents
• Hours: Open daily 7am-8pm
• Booking Tips: No reservations required

Extra Tips: Arrive early to secure parking and prime beach spots. Bring shade as the beach has limited natural cover. Winter months can occasionally bring larger surf.

7. Kayak to Captain Cook Monument

For adventurous travelers seeking active best things to do in Kona, kayaking across Kealakekua Bay to the Captain Cook Monument combines exercise, history, and world-class snorkeling. This self-powered journey allows you to explore the coastline at your own pace while accessing one of Hawaii’s best snorkeling spots.

The approximately 1.5-mile paddle each way takes you across the protected bay to the monument marking where Captain Cook met his fate in 1779. Upon arrival, tie up your kayak at the small dock and enjoy snorkeling in the incredibly clear waters teeming with tropical fish, coral formations, and often sea turtles.

Useful Information:

• Cost: Kayak rentals $40-60 per day; permits required
• Hours: Morning departures recommended for calmest conditions
• Booking Tips: Kona Boys and Adventures in Paradise offer permits and equipment

Extra Tips: Only a limited number of companies have permits for this activity. Bring plenty of water and sun protection as there’s little shade. The paddle is moderately challenging and not recommended for beginners in windy conditions.

8. Visit Kona Brewing Company

Beer enthusiasts count a visit to Kona Brewing Company among the best things to do in Kona for a taste of local craft beer in a relaxed island atmosphere. This popular brewery combines Hawaiian ingredients and brewing traditions to create distinctive tropical-inspired beers.

The brewery tour offers insights into their sustainable brewing practices and the challenges of making beer in an island environment. After the tour, the adjacent pub serves their complete lineup of beers alongside island-inspired pub fare featuring local ingredients. The shaded outdoor lanai provides a perfect setting to sample flights of their award-winning brews.

Useful Information:

• Cost: Brewery tours $15 (includes tastings)
• Hours: Tours at 10:30am, 12pm, and 2pm; restaurant open 11am-10pm
• Booking Tips: Reserve brewery tours 1-2 days in advance

Extra Tips: Even without the tour, the pub makes a great lunch or dinner stop. Try their beer flights to sample multiple varieties. The pizzas and pupus (appetizers) pair perfectly with their brews.

9. Stargaze at Mauna Kea Summit

While technically outside Kona proper, stargazing at Mauna Kea is one of the most awe-inspiring best things to do in Kona vicinity and makes for an unforgettable day trip. Standing at 13,803 feet, Mauna Kea is home to the world’s largest astronomical observatory and offers unparalleled night sky viewing.

The summit road takes you above the clouds to witness a spectacular sunset followed by an incomparable blanket of stars. The Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet offers free nightly stargazing programs with telescopes and knowledgeable guides who point out constellations, planets, and celestial phenomena.

Useful Information:

• Cost: Free access; guided tours $200-250
• Hours: Visitor Center open 12pm-10pm; closed Mondays and Tuesdays
• Booking Tips: Four-wheel-drive vehicle required for summit; tours reserve 1-2 weeks ahead

Extra Tips: Prepare for extreme temperature drops (often below freezing after sunset). Spend at least 30 minutes at the Visitor Center to acclimate before continuing higher. The altitude can cause problems for those with respiratory or heart conditions.

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Kona?

September to November is the best time to visit Kona warm, less crowded, and more affordable. Winter brings whales and some rain, while summer offers sun but higher prices.

How many days should I spend in Kona?

Spending 4–5 days in Kona lets you enjoy top activities like snorkeling, beach time, and cultural sites. Add 2–3 more days for day trips to Volcanoes National Park or Mauna Kea.

Is Kona expensive?

Kona can be moderately pricey, averaging $200–350 daily per person. To save, travel during shoulder seasons, stay in rentals with kitchens, enjoy happy hour deals, and balance paid tours with free activities like beaches and self guided walks.

What’s the difference between Kona and Hilo?

While enjoying the best things to do in Kona means sunny beaches and resort comforts, Hilo offers a greener, quieter side of the island. Just two hours away, Hilo’s lush rainforests and waterfalls contrast Kona’s dry coast, thanks to over 130 inches of annual rain versus Kona’s 10–15

Are there good beaches in Kona?

Yes, the Kona coast is home to some of the best beaches in Hawaii. In Kailua-Kona, Magic Sands Beach offers easy access, while a short drive north takes you to stunning spots like Hapuna, Mauna Kea Beach, and Kua Bay. South of Kona, beaches like Hookena and Honaunau Bay (Two Step) are perfect for snorkeling, with rare black and green sand beaches further along the coast.