Kailua-Kona, HI

Travel Guide

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
Kailua-Kona showing rugged coastline, a sunset and general coastal views
“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 Honl's Beach and Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden.

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
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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
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
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park showing signage

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

3.5 out of 5
75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is ¥29,375 per night from Oct 19 to Oct 20
¥29,375
¥39,102 total
Oct 19 - Oct 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star 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! (2,694 reviews)
"Great location… can’t wait to see it in a couple of years after renovation. Property was probably fabulous about 30 years ago but time has taken its due. I knew this going in though and the price reflected that. Great walking to the village and also great views. Staff were friendly. Luau was sub ..."

Reviewed on Oct 14, 2025

Royal Kona Resort
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa

OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa

4 out of 5
78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥36,067 per night from Oct 29 to Oct 30
¥36,067
¥48,776 total
Oct 29 - Oct 30
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star 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 ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Staff was extremely pleasant, courteous, and accomodating. ."

Reviewed on Oct 5, 2025

OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa
PACIFIC 19 Kona

PACIFIC 19 Kona

3.5 out of 5
75-5646 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is ¥21,912 per night from Oct 20 to Oct 21
¥21,912
¥30,298 total
Oct 20 - Oct 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,888 reviews)
"Nice clean place that is well maintained"

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

PACIFIC 19 Kona
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 4-star 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! (1,122 reviews)
"Everything was great! Beautiful view, crashing surf, nice pool and hot tub. Everything was clean and comfortable."

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2025

Aston Kona by the Sea
Kona Bali Kai

Kona Bali Kai

2 out of 5
76-6246 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free parking, a picnic area, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Magic Sands Beach and Kailua Pier are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (50 reviews)
"Everything was great"

Reviewed on Oct 11, 2025

Kona Bali Kai
Castle Kanaloa at Kona

Castle Kanaloa at Kona

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 property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (454 reviews)
"Stayed in 2303. Great view of Ocean and beautiful apartment. Pool and hot tub good. Not a bad drive back to Kona for activities and quiet at apartment. Swam at Kahalu’u both days which is fantastic to see fish and turtles"

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2025

Castle Kanaloa at Kona
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!!!

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