The sun-washed Kona district is located on the west coast of the island of Hawaii, tucked into the base of the Hualālai volcano. This tropical paradise is known for its weird and wonderful lava fields, incredible water sports and world-class sunsets — and a wealth of hidden gems if you're willing to venture off the typical tourist trail. From nighttime snorkeling to rare beaches, Kona is overflowing with once-in-a-lifetime adventures and rich cultural experiences that take your vacation to the next level.
01 Snorkel With Manta Rays at Night
Gather your courage — you'll need it as you jump into the dark ocean to snorkel with manta rays off the Kona coast. It won't be dark for long; the tour operators turn on bright lights, illuminating the water and attracting the plankton that manta rays eat. As you peer into the eerie depths, enormous rays swim silently into view, gliding just inches from your face.
Kona is one of the few places in the world where you can experience this thrilling, otherworldly adventure. Tour boats take you to Manta Ray Village or Manta Ray Heaven. Would you prefer to spend more time in the water? Book a tour to Manta Ray Point, and you'll swim out to the viewing site from the beach at Mauna Kea Resort.
02 Tour a Kona Coffee Farm
Dive into the legendary Kona coffee culture at the region's coffee farms. Properties, including Greenwell Farms, Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation and Hula Daddy Coffee, offer regular tours. You'll learn what it takes to grow and roast coffee as you enjoy the scenic views from the orchard; some tours even take you to places such as the roasting room and cupping room.
As you explore the farm, your guide will offer insights into the history of coffee production and explain why Kona's volcanic soil and high elevation are so important to the process. Most tours end with a sample of the farm's coffee — something you don't want to miss, given that Kona produces some of the best coffee in the world.
03 Relax at Magic Sands Beach
You never know what you're going to get at Magic Sands Beach. Some days, this tiny stretch of coastline is covered in soft, golden sand; other days, the sand disappears, exposing sharp black rocks and coral. When the waves are high, the water fills with boogie boarders, pulling impressive moves in the surf.
Magic Sands is small and usually fills up quickly on weekends. Get there early to get parking and stake out a spot, or try visiting midweek for a bit more space. There's a restaurant nearby, but it's more fun to pack snacks and watch the boogie boarders work their magic.
04 Explore Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau is a sacred place of refuge for the Hawaiian people. When an ancient Hawaiian broke kapu — sacred laws — they could flee to the Puʻuhonua to escape the punishment of death and find forgiveness. Today, you can walk the trails in this ceremonial site to immerse yourself in Hawaiian history and see the Great Wall and the royal grounds. Don't miss the recreated Hale o Keawe, a sacred temple site guarded by towering wooden kiʻi, carved figures that represent Hawaiian gods and deities.
During your visit, keep an eye out for cultural education sites that shed light on the ancient Hawaiian people and practices. If you're lucky, you may even witness a religious or cultural festival.
05 Hike to Papakolea Green Sand Beach
A visit to Papakolea Green Sand Beach is one of the rarest adventures on earth — this remote spot is one of just four green sand beaches in the world. Set in the curve of an ancient cinder cone volcano, it's covered in tiny olivine crystals that give the beach its signature green color.
To get to Papakolea, you'll need to hike about 2.8 miles from the trailhead at the end of South Point Road. Sturdy hiking shoes are a must for the uneven trail and steep stairs down to the sand. There are no services at the beach, so make sure to bring everything you'll need for the day. Most visitors come to explore and take photos; the surf is often too powerful for swimming.
06 Visit Huliheʻe Palace
In the 1800s, members of the Hawaiian royal family often traveled to Huliheʻe Palace for rest and relaxation. The home was once the property of Princess Ruth Keʻelikōlani, who preferred to sleep in a traditional grass hut on the grounds rather than the palatial home. It's located in Kailua-Kona, a short walk from Niumalu Beach and Hale Halawai Park.
During your visit, you can wander through the house to see the traditional carved wooden furniture, Hawaiian quilts and a large collection of artifacts from Hawaii's royal past. If possible, book a docent-led tour to learn fascinating insights about the house and its famous former guests.
07 Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay
With its crystal-clear water and thriving coral reef, Kealakekua Bay offers some of the best snorkeling in Kona. Rocky outcroppings shield the bay from the wind and waves, creating calm conditions. Beneath the surface, you can spot colorful sea creatures and the occasional wild dolphins. Keep an eye out for the white obelisk on the shore; it marks the spot where Captain James Cook died in 1779, not long after he became the first European to visit the Hawaiian islands.
There are three main ways to get to the bay: boat tour, kayak or hiking. Guided boat tours are the best way to find the most spectacular snorkeling spots; they usually leave from Kailua Pier, Keauhou Bay or Honokōhau Harbor.
08 Go deep-sea fishing off the Kona Coast
Kona is world-famous for its exceptional big-game fishing. The deep waters just off the coast are home to an abundance of huge blue marlin, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna.
Try your luck at reeling in one of these undersea giants during a deep-sea fishing tour. Charters accommodate up to six people and are usually available for a half day, three-quarter day or full day. Since the ocean is protected by tall volcanoes, the ocean is often calm and kid-friendly. Make sure to bring sunscreen, check the company's catch and release policies and find out if they'll help you process the fish you catch.
09 Take a tour of the Kona Brewing Company
The Kona Brewing Company is a mainstay of the Big Island, producing a wide variety of craft beers that are shipped all over the world. You might recognize popular brews, including Big Wave Golden Ale, Longboard Island Lager and Gold Cliff IPA.
If you're a fan, a brewery tour is a must. You'll get to explore the massive 30,000-square-foot facility, get a peek at recipe development and learn how beer is made. The guides also explain how the company uses environmentally responsible techniques to reduce the island's ecological impact. The tour ends with a tasting session, where you'll get to try the latest and greatest beers.
10 Stroll through the Kona Farmers Market
If you happen to be in town from Wednesday through Saturday, plan to spend an hour or two at the Kailua-Kona Village Farmers Market. Tables overflowing with locally grown foods and flowers stretch as far as the eye can see; you'll find everything from fruits and vegetables to coffee and macadamia nuts. Tucked among the food booths, there are stalls selling handicrafts, art and jewelry.
While you stroll the market, pick up a coconut drink to stay cool. Make sure to stock up on tropical fruits, including strawberry papaya and guava — the flavors are richer and deeper than you'll find in supermarket fruit at home.
11 Visit the Painted Church
Walking up to St. Benedict's Painted Church is an experience in itself. This tiny, ornate white church is perched amid lush greenery on a hill overlooking Kealakekua Bay. The peaceful setting doesn't prepare you for what awaits when you walk through the door — the interior is covered in brightly colored murals that stretch from floor to ceiling. Painted palm trees stretch across a colorful sky overhead, and scenes from the Bible decorate the walls.
The paintings are the work of Father John Velghe, a Belgian priest who lived in the area in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A self-taught artist, he spent four years painting the interior.
12 Explore the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park preserves the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement. Set on the coast just north of Honokohau Beach, this scenic park transports you back in time. Walk along palm-lined paths, check out the ancient fishponds and petroglyphs, and examine the many archaeological sites scattered throughout the grounds.
The park is relatively undeveloped, but the trail system is well-maintained. As you walk by the water, look out for the green sea turtles that often swim in the shallows near the shore.
13 Attend the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival
Every November, coffee growers from around Kona come together for the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. The 10-day event, which takes place from November 1-10, 2024, honors the legacy of the island's coffee industry and the culture that surrounds it.
The festival is a big draw for coffee lovers, with a latte art competition, recipe competition and numerous coffee vendors. Browse the market stands to find artwork, crafts and locally produced foods, or take in one of the many public concerts. The cultural showcase offers a regular lineup of music and dance performances, while the lantern parade lights up the night in a tribute to the islands' multicultural history.
14 Discover dolphins at Honokohau Marina
The waters off Kona are home to hundreds of wild spinner dolphins. If you want to see these incredible creatures up close, book one of the dolphin-watching tours that depart from Honokohau Marina. The captain will take you around the harbor and out along the coast to find pods of dolphins. If you're lucky, you'll get to see them jumping and spinning out of the water just feet from the boat.
Most tours depart in the morning when dolphins are most active. It's a good idea to book your tour well in advance, as boats tend to fill up quickly during the busy summer season.
15 Take a helicopter tour over Volcanoes National Park
With its expansive lava fields and active steam vents, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a fixture on most Kona itineraries. A helicopter tour is the best way to appreciate the rugged beauty of the park. Soaring over the volcanoes gives you a remarkable perspective on the vast size of the steaming craters.
The most exciting time for a helicopter tour is during an active eruption. The shield volcanoes have slow, non-explosive eruptions, so it's often possible to fly right overhead.
Kona is a relatively small area, but it's packed with diverse activities. Whether you're in the mood for an adventurous outing, an insightful historical or cultural experience or a relaxing day in the sun, this tropical region has you covered. Start planning your trip today to craft an itinerary that embraces everything the Kona district has to offer.
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