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(2 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 Kona Le'a Plantation.

Alii Heights Mauka
PACIFIC 19 Kona
PACIFIC 19 Kona
3.5 out of 5
75-5646 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is £179 per night from 10 Jun to 11 Jun
£179
per night
10 Jun - 11 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (561 reviews)
"Convenient location to walk around Downtown Kona, close to several great restaurants and bars. Overall clean and nice amenities. We loved the coffee cart on property! Wish the ice machine was in a more convenient place. Parking was also an issue after 7pm, even with their overflow lot. Overall we ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024

PACIFIC 19 Kona
Royal Kona Resort
Royal Kona Resort
3.5 out of 5
75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is £203 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
£203
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,550 reviews)
"The pool area was nice, and the bar food was good. Downtown Kona has lots of shopping, but also a lot of homeless persons."

Reviewed on 4 Jun 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 Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,024 reviews)
"Thank you"

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2024

Kona Coast Resort
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
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 condition ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (986 reviews)
"Disappointing kitchen had no basics (salt, pepper, spices, olive oil, aluminum foil, clear wrap) Screen door on slider was in terrible shape, could not completely close the screen at night."

Reviewed on 4 Jun 2024

Aston Kona by the Sea
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
3 out of 5
75-6040 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this eco-certified condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the convenient parking and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (433 reviews)
"My husband and I just completed a 5-night stay here and had a wonderful experience. Check in was a breeze, very friendly helpful staff, and our accommodations were simply wonderful. Proximity to town is ideal — not too far, nor too close. We stayed in a 1 bed 1 bath condo with a full kitchen. We ..."

Reviewed on 31 May 2024

Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Kanaloa at Kona by Castle
Kanaloa at Kona by Castle
3 out of 5
78-261 Manukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition ...
7.4/10 Good! (391 reviews)
"Very nice property thank you 🤗"

Reviewed on 25 May 2024

Kanaloa at Kona by Castle
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

Things to do

Reviews of Kailua-Kona

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
" "5 - Excellent 33.333333333333336%
4 - Good
6
" "4 - Good 66.66666666666667%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Dec 2019

I recommend eating at Kenichi’s - Japanese fusion near the resort & a lovely Italian restaurant called Mi’s in Kailua. The swimming and beaches are excellent for snorkeling. Also recommend Captain Zodiac for a snorkeling trip - dolphins and whales.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Aug 2019

Nice place. Would return but very expensive. Then again its Hawaii

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