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 16 to Mar 17
¥30,712
¥41,112 total
Mar 16 - Mar 17
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,901 reviews)
On the Ocean! Best location in Kona. Great Staff, never ran into one who wasn’t helpful in a genuine way. I will be using this resort for my future trips to Kona. Ahhhh. . . But these reviews will cause me to plan farther in advance if people catch! I certainly hope they do! Mahalo

Reviewed on Mar 10, 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 ¥28,044 per night from Mar 11 to Mar 12
¥28,044
¥37,977 total
Mar 11 - Mar 12
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,371 reviews)
Very clean, very quiet and peaceful. Very close to the Kailua harbour.

Reviewed on Mar 10, 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 ¥39,639 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
¥39,639
¥53,614 total
Mar 29 - Mar 30
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,014 reviews)
The pools were very big and nice, but that is because there are no useable beaches any where close to here. The poolside restaurant is nice and affordable, however, it gets really busy, because it is the only reasonably priced option available. The Pico restaurant is the only other option, and it ...

Reviewed on Mar 10, 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

Reviews of Kailua-Kona

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
883
5 - Excellent 59%
4 - Good
500
4 - Good 34%
3 - Okay
77
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
20
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
11
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

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

Lovely quiet area that was amazingly beautiful.

5/5 - Excellent

DonK

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

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler

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

Don’t stay here!!!

Cities near Kailua-Kona

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