🌺 Things to Do in Kona 🌺

The Big Island is obviously a very meaningful place for us and we are so happy you will be able to visit this really special island.

We do recommend renting a car while you're here as the island is called the Big Island for a reason. Make sure you budget travel time into your day when planning excursions.

Whether you’re looking to relax on a beach or explore the vibrant landscapes, there’s something for everyone. A great guide to explore is Big Island Guide Website if you want more information. Here are some of our favourite things to do, and other top recommendations for your time in Kona:

🌊 Outdoor Adventures

• Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay

Fun fact: this is where Captain Cook died. Explore this protected marine sanctuary, known for its vibrant coral reefs and abundant fish species. Sometimes you may even get the chance to swim with dolphins! The snorkeling area around the monument is inaccessible by car, but you have several options to tour Kealakekua Bay: boat tour, kayaks, or a hike into this historical and protected area.

When Heather and her friends visited they went here and rented Kayaks/SUPs and had a great day out on the water.

• Snorkeling at Honaunau Bay (or Two Step Beach / Pae’a)

This is another snorkelling spot just off Ali'i drive. You can rent snorkelling gear right off the beach if desired. Two Step is also a scuba diving location for beginners and experts. There is a sandy area on the north side of the bay where the local dive shops teach new divers.

• Hawaiian Coffee Farm

We spent a lot of time in the early days on Blake's family's farm. We recommend visiting a coffee farms in Holualoa to see how Kona coffee is grown and processed. A list of a few that offer tours can be found here.

• Kona Coast Beaches

Spend a relaxing day at some of Kona’s stunning beaches, our favourites are Kua Bay or Hapuna Beach, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or walking along the shore. They often have lifeguards but please be careful if the waves are big!

We will hopefully be organising a beach day for everyone in the days following the wedding, so stay tuned!

• Volcanoes National Park

A unique must-see for any visitor to the Big Island. Explore active lava fields, steaming craters, and hiking trails with breathtaking views. Depending on the activity you may be able to see some active lava flows!

* this is a bit of a drive (about 2-2.5 hours away), so make sure you plan ahead for this day

• Southpoint

If you're heading to the volcano, make sure you stop at Southpoint which is the "southern most tip of the United States". Have a beer at "the most southern bar" or a Malasada at "the most southern bakery".

• Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden

This one is QUITE a drive, but a highlight from one of Heather's visits. It is a 40-acre natural garden of tropical plants and a nature lover’s paradise located in the Onomea Valley, about 5 miles North of Hilo, Hawaii.

Ideal to combine this with an early morning drive to see the sunrise at at the top of Mauna Kea.

• Mauna Kea

Speaking of Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest volcano is an incredible visit for either sunset or sunrise. (Bundle up though - its freezing!) The Visitor Center area is great for stargazing and accessible for all vehicles. The summit of Mauna Kea is open to visitors with a 4 wheel-drive vehicle during the day and for sunset, but is closed from 30 minutes after sunset, to 30 minutes before sunrise. Feel free to have a chat with Blake for more insider tips on the best way to visit here.

🏞 Cultural & Historical Sites

• Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park

A sacred place of refuge where ancient Hawaiians sought sanctuary. It’s rich in culture and history, with beautiful temples and stunning ocean views. Blake took Heather here on her very first trip back to Hawaii and was a really cute tour guide.

The historical significance of this place is truly impressive and should not be missed. The park spans across 182 acres and can easily take a couple of hours to explore. It makes for a really nice day trip to visit the park to learn about the history of the area and then go snorkeling at two-step, right around the corner.

• Kailua Village Historic District

Visit the Kona Historical Sites in Downtown Kona. An easy thing to do when you're walking around (they're hard to miss). Here's a link to tell you a little about what to see. There's the Hulihe’e Palace, Moku’aikaua Church, Kamakahonu and Anu’ena Heiau.

🌄 Unique Experiences

• Night Manta Ray Dive

A unique experience to Kona. Heather went with her friends on the original Hawaii trip and while she was unable to see them then, she's always wanted to go back and give it another try. Jack's Diving Locker did say at the time that they honour your voucher if you don't see them that night. (I still have a faded yellowed receipt somewhere at my parent's place from 2019, but I'm not sure if they'll honour that one..)

• Helicopter Tour of the Island

If you want to go big, we really recommend a helicopter tour. Blake's friend hooked him up with a flight with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters in order to impress Heather when she first came back to Hawaii to see him. (He succeeded, it was incredible)

The Big Island is breathtaking from above. You can choose to fly over the volcano or waterfalls and a quick browse of their site looks like they might now offer a tour of both!

🛍 Shopping & Souvenirs

• Kona Farmers Market

Visit the open-air market for fresh produce, local crafts, and Hawaiian souvenirs. It’s open daily, but the best day to go is on Wednesday or Saturday.

• Ali’i Drive

This main road offers a mix of shops, art galleries, and boutiques to pick up gifts and souvenirs. Everyone has to go into the classic ABC stores where you can find everything from silly souvenirs to drinks and snacks.

• Costco

This may seem silly but Costco is a staple for local hawaiian families and a great place to go if you're stocking up an Airbnb or were wanting to pick up some adventure gear like snorkle/fins/bodyboard etc.