Things to Do

Kailua-Kona blends Hawaiian history with world-class water sports. The town itself is compact and walkable; most of the best snorkeling and diving is a short boat ride away.

Guide

Things to Do

01

Manta Ray Night Dive

The manta ray night dive at the Garden Eel Cove, just north of Kailua-Kona, is one of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in Hawaii. …

Sight
02

Lanikai Beach

Lanikai is the small, even more famous beach immediately south of Kailua — half a mile of fine white sand fronting calm turquoise water …

Sight
03

Kailua Beach

Kailua Beach stretches for about 4 km along a perfect crescent bay, with powder-soft white sand, turquoise water, and the green Koolau mountains rising …

Sight
04

Olomana Trail

The Olomana ridge rises sharply above the highway between Kailua and Waimanalo, forming three distinct peaks that look like a row of shark's teeth …

Sight
05

Ulupō Heiau

Ulupō Heiau is the largest surviving pre-contact temple platform on the windward coast and one of the more atmospheric sights in Kailua. It sits, …

Sight
06

Hulihe'e Palace

A graceful two-storey building right on Ali'i Drive overlooking the bay, Hulihe'e Palace is the most tangible reminder of the Hawaiian monarchy in Kailua-Kona. …

Museum
07

Lanikai Pillbox Hike

Officially the Kaiwa Ridge Trail, the Lanikai Pillbox Hike is the most popular short walk on the windward side and one of the best …

Sight
08

Ahu'ena Heiau

Ahu'ena Heiau stands at the north end of Kailua Bay, on the grounds of the King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. This was the royal …

Sight
09

Nā Mokulua (The Mokes)

Nā Mokulua — universally known as 'the Mokes' — are the two near-identical, conical islets that sit a mile offshore from Lanikai Beach. They …

Sight
10

Moku'aikaua Church

Moku'aikaua Church, across Ali'i Drive from Hulihe'e Palace, is the oldest Christian church in Hawaii. Built in 1837 from lava stone and ohia wood, …

Sight
11

Kawainui Marsh

Kawainui Marsh is the largest freshwater wetland in Hawaii — about 830 acres of cattail, reed, and shallow water between Kailua town and the …

Sight
12

Kekaha Kai State Park

Lava-coast state park north of Kona with white-sand beaches and rough access roads

Sight
13

Maunawili Falls Trail

The Maunawili Falls trail leads through dense lowland rainforest at the foot of the Koolau range to a 6-metre waterfall with a pool deep …

Sight
14

Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens

Small Kona botanical garden arranged around Hawaiian and tropical plant zones.
15

Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area

The Old Kona Airport — "Old A" to locals — is a beach park built on the site of the original Kona airport, which …

Sight