Kailua-Kona Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Kailua-Kona
“E komo mai Kona!” That means “Welcome to Kona!” in the native Hawaiian language, and you’ll hear it a lot when you escape to this fabulous tropical rock in the Pacific Ocean. Where is Kona, anyway? It’s on the eastern side of the island of Hawaii, and it’s a perfect destination for your next trip. Why? Because Kona holidays will get you lei’d the second you walk off the plane.

Things to Do in Kona

Since you’re on an island during your Kona holiday, and islands are surrounded by water, jump in. Reserve a spot on a charter boat for a swimming adventure with dolphins that will knock your swim fins off. You’ll be able to swim alongside the gentle marine mammals and see how they operate in their natural state. Just be careful—they’re known to be very playful.

When you’re done frolicking in the deep blue sea, use your lastminute.com.au Kona car hire and head to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to see what an active lava spitting mountain looks like up close. Next, stop by the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum to learn about the history of scientific exploration on the slopes of Kilauea.

Shopping, Dining and Nightlife

The city centre is a great place to do your island shopping. Take a walk, bike ride or drive down Ali’i Drive and visit as many shops as you can. Everything from high-end stores to cute souvenir shops are spread out along this oceanfront strip. Pick up a set of koa wood bowls, brightly coloured aloha shirts and a melodic ukulele. Don’t want a ukulele? Well, one of your friends back home will. You need to bring them some presents, after all.

Are you ready to stuff your face with some of the finest food in the islands? If you’re debating whether or not to buy a Hawaiian shirt, do it over a traditional plate lunch of lau lau, kalua pork, lomi lomi salmon, rice and poi. There’s more to this plate lunch, but you’ll have to spend a holiday in Kona to find out what else. Don’t forget about the Kona Farmers Market that’s held Wednesday through Sunday, where you can sample 100 percent Kona coffee and a fresh poke bowl.

You’re on holiday, so you definitely deserve to let loose for a night or two. Any one of the major resorts in town have lobby bars that turn it up when the sun goes down. Kona Brewing Company beers are local favourites, but when you visit Hawaii you’ve got to suck down a couple of mai tais and lava pits.

What’s Next

What are you waiting for? Pack your thongs and cozzie and get the heck out dodge. Browse through lastminute.com.au’s selections of Kona packages to book a hotel and flight together in order to save big bucks for other activities. One of our Hawaii holiday packages is bound to be perfect for you!

Where to stay in Kailua-Kona

Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden featuring tropical scenes and a park

Holualoa Village

While visiting Holualoa Village, you might make a stop by sights like Honl's Beach and Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden.

Holualoa Village
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Historic Kailua Village

Are you interested in stunning beaches, island views and popular shops? A visit to Historic Kailua Village might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Kailua Pier and Kailua-Kona Wharf.

Historic Kailua Village
Kahalu\'u Beach Park featuring landscape views, snorkelling and coral

Kahaluu-Keauhou

If you're spending some time in Kahaluu-Keauhou, Keauhou Shopping Center and Keauhou Bay Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Kahaluu-Keauhou
Kahalu\'u Beach Park featuring landscape views, snorkelling and coral

Kahaluu Bay

5/5(5 area reviews)

Kahaluu Bay is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, seaside views and pristine golf courses. You might want to check out attractions like Kahalu'u Beach Park or Magic Sands Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Kahaluu Bay
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Kona Palisades

When in Kona Palisades, you can plan a visit to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Kona Palisades
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Alii Heights Mauka

While there might not be top attractions in Alii Heights Mauka, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Magic Sands Beach and Kahalu'u Beach Park.

Alii Heights Mauka
Royal Kona Resort
Royal Kona Resort
3.5 out of 5
75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is NZ$381 per night from 15 May to 16 May
NZ$381
per night
15 May - 16 May
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,525 reviews)
"Location, location, location. We had a corner room that was quite literally "on the rocks". Our most expensive room ever during our 53 years of marriage, but well worth the cost."

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Royal Kona Resort
Kona Coast Resort
Kona Coast Resort
3.5 out of 5
78-6842 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this 3.5-star golf hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Staffs are very accommodating. Would definitely stay again."

Reviewed on 9 May 2024

Kona Coast Resort
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
3.5 out of 5
75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$468 per night from 18 May to 19 May
NZ$468
per night
18 May - 19 May
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
"I love the quick access to everything near Kona. Parking was easy. The pool was closed for remodeling during my stay but it was not an issue due to near beach access. There were no issues with cleaning every 2 days."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aston Kona by the Sea
Aston Kona by the Sea
4 out of 5
75-6106 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and 2 meeting rooms. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (969 reviews)
"This resort was relaxing and enjoyable. I would definitely stay here again if I had the opportunity. The only reason that I did not give it a perfect review was due to the really weird design of the window in the bedroom. It was a corner window that faced into the outdoor entrance to the condo. We ..."

Reviewed on 3 May 2024

Aston Kona by the Sea
Sea Village
Sea Village
2.5 out of 5
75-5992 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Kailua Pier and Magic Sands Beach are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (14 reviews)
"Check in was snow, the room guaranteed by 4:00 pm, I was there at 3:40pm and they won’t let us to the room till 4:00pm, this resort didn’t provide shampoo and conditioner, it is kind of weir."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Sea Village
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
3 out of 5
75-6040 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Book a stay at this eco-certified condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the convenient parking and the ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (429 reviews)
"Excellent property, and wonderful, helpful staff. We had an ocean front room, which was amazing. The pool is great for kids and adults alike. The property is also located a little away from the busy part of Ali’i drive, which makes it great to relax at the end of the day after a day full of activities ..."

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 2024

Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Kailua-Kona

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
20
" "5 - Excellent 52.63157894736842%
4 - Good
17
" "4 - Good 44.73684210526316%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 2.6315789473684212%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
14 Dec 2019

Market is fun and get specials at Safeway by asking for a card

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
21 Oct 2019

The bed needs to be replaced.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
30 Sep 2019

Do the manta ray snorkel - eplc

5/5 - Excellent

Jan
31 Aug 2019

Beautiful place. Well worth the visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
5 Jul 2019

One of the best locations on the Big Island

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
17 Jun 2019

Def need a car and explore!

Cities near Kailua-Kona