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

Default Image

Holualoa Village

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

Holualoa Village
Default Image

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
Default Image

Kona Palisades

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

Kona Palisades
Default Image

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 AU$352 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
AU$352
per night
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast, and WiFi. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,494 reviews)
"I love this property’ it has the best views… Everyone is helpful kind and professional… I will be back"

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 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! (1,015 reviews)
"The unit was spacious and the resort had lots of activities for families. The WiFi only worked for 1/2 of our weekly stay. Lastly, our room had roaches."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Kona Coast Resort
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
3 out of 5
75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is AU$433 per night from 9 Apr to 10 Apr
AU$433
per night
9 Apr - 10 Apr
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,009 reviews)
Beautiful
"The hotel was beautiful. They highlight Hawaiian cultural and history in a beautiful way."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 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.
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 gas grills. Popular attractions Honl's Beach and Kona Inn Shopping Village are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (13 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
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 WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition ...
7.4/10 Good! (381 reviews)
"Loved our stay. Great location, easy check in and check out. Very comfortable beds, enjoyed time at the pools. Would recommend staying here."

Reviewed on 10 Mar. 2024

Kanaloa at Kona by Castle
Kona Reef, A Raintree Vacation Club Resort
Kona Reef, A Raintree Vacation Club Resort
3 out of 5
75-5888 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this 3-star condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (296 reviews)
"Overall a great spot to watch the ocean in the evening. Condo was clean and located within walking distance to restaurants and coffee shops."

Reviewed on 27 Mar. 2024

Kona Reef, A Raintree Vacation Club 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.

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