Kailua-Kona, HI

Travel Guide
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park featuring tropical scenes, general coastal views and a sandy beach
“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 a park and tropical scenes

Holualoa Village

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

Holualoa Village
Kailua Pier featuring general coastal views, tropical scenes and a bay or harbor

Historic Kailua Village

Visitors to Historic Kailua Village rave about its stunning beaches, island views, and popular shops. You might also want to make some time to see Kailua Pier or Kailua-Kona Wharf while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Historic Kailua Village
Kahalu\'u Beach Park featuring snorkeling, landscape views and colorful reefs

Kahaluu-Keauhou

While visiting Kahaluu-Keauhou, you might make a stop by sights like Keauhou Shopping Center and Keauhou Bay Beach.

Kahaluu-Keauhou
Kahalu\'u Beach Park featuring snorkeling, landscape views and colorful reefs

Kahaluu Bay

4.5/5(221 area reviews)

Kahaluu Bay is a destination visitors seek out for is 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 neighborhood.

Kahaluu Bay
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Kona Palisades

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

Kona Palisades might not have many top sights, but Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Kohanaiki Beach Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Kona Palisades
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Alii Heights Mauka

While Alii Heights Mauka might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do 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 ¥30,031 per night from Apr 30 to May 1
¥30,031
per night
Apr 30 - May 1
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! (2,511 reviews)
"The view from the oceanfront room was exactly as pictured and made the experience! Also appreciated the service to order ahead food and pick up. Fast and convenient!"

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024

Royal Kona 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
The price is ¥36,873 per night from May 5 to May 6
¥36,873
per night
May 5 - May 6
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! (999 reviews)
"Location and amenities were great."

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2024

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
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! (1,005 reviews)
"I thought it was a great value for the money. Having 2 bedrooms, full kitchen dining room, living room and nice size balcony with table for 6 pple. My only complaint is the Air Conditioning. It will not go lower than 74 and at times it seemed that it was not even blowing cold air. I can't imagine ..."

Reviewed on Apr 18, 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! (970 reviews)
"The property and location were very nice and easy parking. Traffic was light in the area for the beginning of April but im not sure of other months. The pool and private sand beach were very nice. Inside the unit, the kitchen and baths were updated and very nice. The carpeting and living room/bedroom ..."

Reviewed on Apr 8, 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 gas grills. Popular attractions Kailua Pier and Magic Sands Beach are located nearby. Discover ...
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 Mar 25, 2024

Sea Village
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! (299 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 Mar 27, 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

Things to do

Reviews of Kailua-Kona

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
883
" "5 - Excellent 59.221998658618375%
4 - Good
500
" "4 - Good 33.5345405767941%
3 - Okay
77
" "3 - Okay 5.164319248826291%
2 - Disappointing
20
" "2 - Disappointing 1.341381623071764%
1 - Terrible
11
" "1 - Terrible 0.7377598926894702%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 25, 2020

Kailu Kona is unique tnat I always go there for work.There is dryside and wetside for sometimes also have snow on mountain and still have those active volcanoe for view.The island was big and lots of place for view or big enough for cruising around.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 27, 2020

Our trip was made difficult by all the coronavirus restrictions. We couldn't use the beach or go in the ocean, had to order take out food and life became very difficult. Then our flight was cancelled and we had to pay for a new one.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 23, 2020

Lovely quiet area that was amazingly beautiful.

5/5 - Excellent

DonK
Mar 22, 2020

Rugged, Borderline-Rural Beauty. I highly recommend an extended visit to this area for a unique face of Hawaii!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 21, 2020

I love the Big Island but with the Corona virus going on, throughout the world, things were starting to shutdown and you couldn't visit many places. We still had a nice time, visiting friends and family there.

1/5 - Terrible

Disappointed
Mar 15, 2020

Don’t stay here!!!

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