25 Best Things to Do in Kailua-Kona Hawaii: The Ultimate Bucket List

Kailua-Kona is the Big Island’s adventure capital. With endless things to do in Kailua-Kona Hawaii, from Manta Ray snorkels to coffee farms, planning gets overwhelming.

This guide curates 25 essential experiences, including free gems and bucket-list tours, so you can spend less time planning and more time exploring.

Kailua-Kona is defined by the ocean, and its water activities are some of the most unforgettable experiences on the Big Island. 

Whether you want a once-in-a-lifetime experience or an easy, family-friendly outing, these water activities showcase why Kona is considered the island’s adventure capital.

If you do only one activity in Kona, make it this. The manta ray night snorkel is widely considered one of the most unique wildlife encounters in the world.

Tours use underwater lights to attract plankton, drawing massive manta rays (wingspans up to 10ft) to glide gracefully just inches below you.

You simply float on the surface holding a light board and watch the underwater "ballet."

• 📍 Location: Departs mainly from Keauhou Bay or Honokōhau Harbor.

• 💡 Pro Tip: Book in advance (at least 2-3 weeks) as this sells out year-round.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (~$100–$130).

Often described as a real-life aquarium, this spot offers the best snorkeling Kailua Kona has for beginners and kids.

The bay is protected by a breakwall, keeping the water calm, shallow, and teeming with colorful reef fish and Honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles).

• 📍 Location: South end of Aliʻi Drive (near Keauhou).

• 💡 Pro Tip: Rent gear from the truck on-site and always use reef-safe sunscreen.

• 💰 Cost: Free (Parking is paid for non-residents).

For the clearest water in Hawaii (often 100ft+ visibility), head to this marine sanctuary, home to the Captain Cook Monument.

Since there is no road access to the snorkeling spot, you have to earn the view by paddling or boating in. Morning visits often come with spinner dolphin sightings.

• 📍 Location: South Kona (Captain Cook area).

• 💡 How to go: Join a guided kayak tour (permits required) or a Zodiac boat tour.

• 💰 Cost: Paid tours (~$100+).

Looking for relaxing family activities in Kona? This is a fantastic option for minor children or seniors who want to explore the reef without getting wet.

You will descend over 100 feet in a pressurized submarine to view sunken shipwrecks, artificial reefs, and marine life through large portholes.

• 📍 Location: Departs from Kailua Pier (Hotel transfers often available).

• 💡 Good to know: The tour lasts about 45 minutes; no swimming skills needed.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (Premium pricing).

To truly appreciate the scale of the Big Island, take to the skies.

Parasailing offers a peaceful bird’s-eye view of Kailua-Kona town, the crystal-clear reef, and the massive Hualālai volcano looming in the background.

• 📍 Location: Boats depart from Kailua Pier.

• 💡 Options: Choose a line length (up to 1,200ft) depending on your adrenaline level.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (~$90–$100+).

Kona is famous globally because the ocean floor drops off steeply just minutes from the harbor.

This means you don't need to travel far offshore to hook a massive Blue Marlin or Ahi (Yellowfin Tuna).

• 📍 Location: Honokōhau Harbor (just north of town).

• 💡 How to book: Solo travelers can book a shared charter to split costs; groups should book a private boat.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (Shared ~$150+, Private ~$800+).

Kailua-Kona has a wide mix of beaches, and no two feel exactly the same.

Some are calm and perfect for floating or swimming with kids, while others are known for shore breaks, scenery, or seasonal sand conditions.

The beaches below highlight the best spots to relax, swim, and enjoy the ocean, depending on what kind of beach day you’re after.

A local favorite famous for its "disappearing act".

During winter swells, the ocean often pulls all the white sand out to sea, leaving only lava rock exposed.

When the sand is "in", it is the most popular spot in town for bodyboarding and having fun in the shore break.

• 📍 Location: Aliʻi Drive, about 4 miles south of town.

• 💡 Pro Tip: Check the conditions before you go; if the sand is gone, head to Kahalu’u instead.

• 💰 Cost: Free.

Located directly in front of the King Kamehameha Hotel, this is the safest and calmest swimming cove in Kona.

The water here is as gentle as a swimming pool, making it perfect for toddlers or those who want to float peacefully on a paddleboard.

• 📍 Location: Right next to Kailua Pier (North end of Aliʻi Drive).

• 💡 Best for: Families with small kids or renting a stand-up paddleboard (SUP).

• 💰 Cost: Free.

The town's former airport runway, in use until 1970, is now a massive mile-long public park.

While the beach is rocky and not ideal for swimming due to strong currents, it offers incredible tide pools to explore at low tide and is the best "local" spot to watch the sunset.

• 📍 Location: North end of Kuakini Highway (5 mins from downtown).

• 💡 Pro Tip: Walk to the far north end for the best tide pools and seclusion.

• 💰 Cost: Free.

Often voted the most beautiful beach on the West Side, Kua Bay features pristine white sand and brilliant turquoise water that rival those of the Caribbean.

It’s excellent for swimming and spotting whales from the shore during the winter months.

• 📍 Location: Part of Kekaha Kai State Park (North of the airport).

• 💡 Good to know: Shade is very limited here, so bring your own umbrella. Arrive early (before 10 AM) to find parking.

• 💰 Cost: Free (Non-residents may pay a small parking fee).

Eating well is part of the Kona experience, and the best flavors aren’t always found in fancy restaurants.

From legendary poke counters to craft beer brewed just minutes away, these local food stops showcase the everyday tastes that define Kailua-Kona and keep both visitors and locals coming back.

Consistently ranked among the best restaurants in the U.S. on Yelp, this humble spot serves fresh, never-frozen ahi poke with bold Hawaiian flavors.

It is strictly a takeout place, known for generous portions and authentic sides like seaweed salad and lomi salmon.

• 📍 Location: Aliʻi Drive (about 3 miles south of town).

• 💡 Pro Tip: If the line is too long, Umekes Fish Market nearby is an excellent alternative.

• 💰 Cost: $$ (~$15 - $25 per bowl).

No food tour is complete without a stop at Hawaii’s most famous craft brewery.

Visit the lively brewpub to sip on fresh drafts like Longboard Lager or Big Wave Golden Ale paired with their popular wood-fired pizzas.

The vibe here is casual, energetic, and distinctly Kona.

• 📍 Location: Pawai Place (Old Industrial Area, 5 mins from downtown).

• 💡 Best time: Come for the Sunday evening live music, but arrive early to beat the crowd.

• 💰 Cost: $$ (Moderate).

An iconic dessert stop in the heart of Kailua Village.

Unlike the snow cones you know, this shave ice is incredibly fluffy and served in massive portions.

It’s the perfect treat to cool down while walking along the seawall.

• 📍 Location: Aliʻi Drive (Downtown).

• 💡 How to order: Get it "local style" with a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream in the center and a "snow cap" (condensed milk) on top.

• 💰 Cost: $ (~$8 - $10).

Kona’s story isn’t only written along the coast—it continues up the slopes of its mountains and across its working farms.

Visiting these coffee plantations, salt farms, and marine conservation sites offers a deeper look at how Kona’s land, ocean, and people are closely connected beyond the beach.

One of the oldest names in the industry.

If you are looking for authentic Kona coffee tours, Greenwell is perfect because they are frequent, accessible, and highly educational.

You’ll walk through the coffee fields, see the processing machinery, and enjoy unlimited samples.

• 📍 Location: Kealakekua (South Kona).

• 💡 Good to know: Tours run continuously from 8:30 AM to 4 PM; no reservation needed.

• 💰 Cost: Free.

For a completely different experience, head up to the misty Cloud Forest on the slopes of Hualālai.

This high-altitude farm feels like a rainforest and offers a deeper look into organic coffee production.

The cooler air and lush greenery make it a refreshing break from the beach heat.

• 📍 Location: Kaloko Drive (15-20 mins upslope from town).

• 💡 Pro Tip: Bring a light jacket or sweater; temperatures here are significantly cooler than on the coast.

• 💰 Cost: Free (Self-guided/Standard) to Paid (VIP Roasting Tours).

For one of the most unique things to do in Kona, visit the only farm in the world that harvests salt from deep ocean water (pumped from 2,200 feet deep).

The guided tour is a fascinating mix of science and culinary art, ending with a tasting of their gourmet salts (such as garlic- or smoke-infused salt).

• 📍 Location: Keahole Point (Near the airport).

• 💡 Best for: Foodies looking for unique souvenirs to take home.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (~$25 - $30).

This is a unique conservation facility where you can see thousands of seahorses and sea dragons.

It is one of the few places in the world where visitors can hold a live seahorse in their hands under the supervision of a biologist.

• 📍 Location: Keahole Point (Near the airport).

• 💡 Requirement: Tours must be booked in advance online.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (Premium pricing).

Long before it became a popular travel destination, Kailua-Kona was a center of Hawaiian royalty, religion, and daily life.

Exploring these historical sites and cultural experiences helps bring that past into focus, from sacred places of refuge to royal homes and traditional island celebrations.

Known as the "Place of Refuge", this is arguably the most spiritually significant site on the West Coast.

In ancient Hawaii, if you broke a law (kapu), your only chance of survival was to outrun warriors and reach this sacred ground.

Today, you can explore the Great Wall, wooden idols (kiʻi), and the royal grounds, all remarkably preserved.

• 📍 Location: South Kona (Hōnaunau Bay), about 40 mins from town.

• 💡 Pro Tip: The entrance fee is per vehicle; if you have an "America the Beautiful" National Park pass, entry is free.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (~$20/vehicle).

Located right on Aliʻi Drive, this Victorian-style mansion served as a vacation home for Hawaiian royalty.

It is one of only three palaces in the United States.

Today, it operates as a museum filled with artifacts, koa wood furniture, and personal items belonging to King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani.

• 📍 Location: Downtown Kailua-Kona (Oceanfront).

• 💡 Good to know: Tours are self-guided but limited; check their website for open hours before walking over.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (~$22/adult).

Standing directly across the street from Hulihe‘e Palace, this is the oldest Christian church in Hawaii, founded in 1820.

The structure is an architectural marvel, built from crushed coral and lava rock, with timbers made of native Ohia wood.

Its iconic white steeple is a landmark of the Kona skyline.

• 📍 Location: Aliʻi Drive (Downtown).

• 💡 How to Experience: The doors are usually open for visitors to step inside and view the historical exhibit in the back.

• 💰 Cost: Free.

This massive park preserves an ancient Hawaiian settlement.

It is one of the best places to see Petroglyphs (ancient rock carvings) and traditional fishponds without a guide.

The park is rugged and unpolished, offering a raw look at how early Hawaiians lived off the land and sea.

• 📍 Location: North of town (near Honokōhau Harbor/Costco).

• 💡 Pro Tip: Go early in the morning to hike the Petroglyph trail before the black lava rock gets too hot.

• 💰 Cost: Free.

You cannot leave Hawaii without experiencing a Luau.

Hosted at the Royal Kona Resort, this is the classic choice for visitors in Kailua-Kona.

Expect an evening of storytelling, an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring Kalua pork, and a high-energy Polynesian show ending with Samoan fire-knife dancing.

• 📍 Location: Royal Kona Resort (Aliʻi Drive).

• 💡 Best for: Families and first-time visitors wanting the full "dinner & show" experience.

• 💰 Cost: Paid (~$160+ per person).

Some of Kona’s most memorable experiences happen away from the busiest streets.

Tucked into the hills and local neighborhoods are small art villages, peaceful gardens, and open-air markets that offer a more relaxed, local side of Kailua-Kona

Perfect for slowing down and exploring at your own pace.

Searching for non touristy things to do in Kona? Just a 10-15 minute drive upslope lies this charming, artistic village.

Nestled among coffee farms, Holualoa offers a slower pace of life with cool mountain breezes, historic buildings, and a high concentration of art galleries.

It’s the perfect escape when the beach gets too hot.

• 📍 Location: Mamalahoa Highway (Upslope Hualālai).

• 💡 Best for: Strolling through galleries like the M. Field Gallery or grabbing a coffee with a panoramic ocean view.

• 💰 Cost: Free.

A true 'hidden gem' and one of the best free things to do in Kona that is often overlooked.

These gardens are arranged in geographic tiers, showcasing native Hawaiian plants from the coast to the rainforest.

It is quiet and peaceful, offering a quick immersion in the island’s botany without a long hike.

• 📍 Location: On the grounds of the Kona Outdoor Circle (Aliʻi Drive area).

• 💡 Good to know: It’s a short stop (about 30-45 mins); perfect for photographers and plant lovers.

• 💰 Cost: Free (Donations accepted).

If you are hunting for cheap things to do in Kona, Hawaii, skip the souvenir stores and head to this bustling outdoor market.

Under the colorful tents, you’ll find piles of exotic tropical fruits (like rambutan, dragon fruit, and papaya), locally grown flowers, and handmade crafts.

• 📍 Location: Corner of Aliʻi Drive and Hualālai Road.

• 💡 Pro Tip: Bring cash (small bills are best). Visit between Wednesday and Sunday (7 AM – 4 PM).

• 💰 Cost: Free entry.

With these 25 things to do in Kailua-Kona, you have more than enough options to fill a week-long itinerary.

Whether you are chasing adrenaline on a manta ray night snorkel or sipping coffee in the misty hills of Holualoa, Kona offers a diversity of experiences that few other destinations can match.

Ready to start planning?

• For Adventure: Book your Manta Ray and Kayak tours first.

• For Relaxation: Plan your beach days around the "Magic Sands" conditions.

• For Culture: Don't miss the Place of Refuge and a sunset Luau.

Aloha, and enjoy the adventure capital of the Big Island!