Kailua-Kona, HI

Travel Guide

Kailua-Kona showing tropical scenes, general coastal views and a sunset
Kailua-Kona showing tropical scenes, general coastal views and a sunset
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park featuring tropical scenes, general coastal views and a sandy beach
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park which includes swimming, general coastal views and tranquil scenes
Kailua-Kona featuring general coastal views and a sunset
“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

Aerial view of Kahikolu Congregation Church, Kealakekua Bay, Big Island, Hawaii, United States of America, North America

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-Kona Wharf or Kona Brewing Company while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Historic Kailua Village
Panorama, coconut palms on golf course fairways

Keauhou

Keauhou is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Keauhou Shopping Center and Keauhou Bay Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Kailua-Kona.

Keauhou
Aerial panorama of the Kona coast on the Big Island in Hawaii. Area of the surfing spot named Pine Trees.

Kahaluu-Keauhou

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

Kahaluu-Keauhou
Magic Sand beach is a very nice beach to hang out and watch sunset. Waves 🌊 could be magical and dangerous to have kids get close with it.

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
After a very bad road of 2 miles in between lava fields, you get tovthid amazing black sand beach, with nearly no-one, just a few turtles 🐢

Kalaoa

Unique features of Kalaoa include the coffeehouses and seaside views. Make a stop by Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park or Kohanaiki Beach Park while you're exploring the area.

Kalaoa
Royal Kona Resort

Royal Kona Resort

4 out of 5
75-5852 Alii Dr Kailua-Kona HI
The price is ¥30,712 per night from Mar 10 to Mar 11
¥30,712
per night
Mar 10 - Mar 11
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,897 reviews)
Was put in room 211. They must be renovating, as the shower looked old. Nice having a small fridge in the room, a microwave would have been appreciated. Not worth the price, only stayed one night, resort fee seems excessive. Will stay elsewhere on next visit to Kona.

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2026

Royal Kona Resort
PACIFIC 19 Kona

PACIFIC 19 Kona

3.5 out of 5
75-5646 Palani Rd Kailua-Kona HI
The price is ¥26,356 per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
¥26,356
per night
Mar 22 - Mar 23
Stay at this hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,368 reviews)
Great clean

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

PACIFIC 19 Kona
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa

OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
78-128 Ehukai Street Kailua-Kona HI
The price is ¥40,566 per night from Mar 24 to Mar 25
¥40,566
per night
Mar 24 - Mar 25
Book a stay at this golf resort in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
Great view, needs updating

Reviewed on Mar 9, 2026

OUTRIGGER Kona Resort & Spa
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.
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER

Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER

4 out of 5
75-6040 Alii Dr Kailua-Kona HI
Stay at this condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (576 reviews)
It was very comfortable and convenient. We were able to park right below our unit the entire stay. We used the outdoor grill to BBQ. We also visited the pool. Everything was nice and the location was great 👍

Reviewed on Mar 2, 2026

Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Aston Kona by the Sea

Aston Kona by the Sea

4 out of 5
75-6106 Alii Dr Kailua-Kona HI
Book a stay at this beach aparthotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a beach locale, 2 meeting rooms, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,211 reviews)
Gorgeous location! The apartment was fully equipped and very clean! Very close walk to the center of town. Fantastic value for the money!

Reviewed on Mar 7, 2026

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 in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Magic Sands Beach and Honl's Beach are located ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (130 reviews)
Everything was amazing. From the check in to the stay. The room was clean and beautiful with an amazing over view of the ocean

Reviewed on Feb 27, 2026

Sea Village
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

Cities near Kailua-Kona

Explore a world of travel with Expedia