10 Tours in Kailua-Kona That You Shouldn't Miss

August 30, 2021 Kandra Bartel

Coffee drinkers will recognize Kona as the source of some of the best beans in the world. Get your blood pumping with a walk along the “Royal Footsteps” waterfront stretch of Alii Drive, or take stargazing to the next level with a nighttime visit to the summit of Mauna Kea. Waterfalls, volcanoes, and soft black sands are just some of the natural features that make Kailua unique. Shimmy your hips at a hula-filled luau, or get an eyeful of native history at the Kamakahonu compound.
Restaurants in Kailua-Kona

1. Kona Coast Sunset Tour

Kailua-Kona, HI, USA Mauna Loa Helicopter Tours
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

We are the only Private Helicopter Tour company in Hawaii! Come and experience a truly special sunset with us!

Inclusions: Fuel surcharge, Airport/Departure Tax

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Lesjbohlen

We had a great time. We felt safe the whole time. Our pilot was awesome! She was very informative. She's very friendly. I wish you had taken a bit of a longer flight.

2. Best and Cheapest Mauna Kea Summit Tour (Free sunset and star photo!)

Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay, 78-128 Ehukai St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA Masashi's Nature School
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

On this Mauna Kea sunset tour, you’ll get to see amazing views from above the clouds on the summit of Mauna Kea! Our guides will also take professional-quality photos of you with the sunset and stars for FREE ! ! We offer the best and cheapest tour! Please check our website before booking.

Inclusions: Guide (English Speaking) Snow jackets, pants and gloves   Bottled water & Snacks Hot Drinks Picnic dinner (Bento box) Oxygen cylinder  Astronomical telescope  Admission fee for Maunakea summit

Exclusions:

3. Mauna Kea Summit Adventure

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Mauna Kea is an unforgettable and sublime location. It is the highest point in the entire Pacific basin and the clarity of the air is astounding. Mauna Kea is a major spiritual center for Hawaiians and many of our guests report a special feeling while on the mauna. We developed the now popular sunset and stargazing tours in 1983 and we have constantly made it more comfortable and educational. Our guides are trained to drive safely and to share their wide knowledge of Hawaii and the sky. Our vehicles (all custom Mercedes) are the nicest and roomiest available.

Inclusions: Hot and hearty vegetable (non-vegan) lasagna dinner w a delicious and special brownie(not included with the meal delete option), Hot drinks are provided including gourmet hot chocolate, tea (black or green), starbucks coffee and biscotti, Use of heavy winter parkas and insulated gloves. Call in your order for Sizes XXL-SM, Travel in custom built, oversized, Mercedes Sprinter micro-coaches, We use big, 11", digital telescopes to view the very best of the night sky. Conditions permitting, Learn about the geology, geography and cultural history as we drive though varied landscapes.

Exclusions: Weather is not guaranteed in any way. There will not be refunds for weather. , Customers are responsible for their own transportation to/from the pick up point.

Reviewed By travelingwithboys

The summit tour was the highlight of our trip to the Big Island. We normally don’t take tours, and prefer to adventure by ourselves, but this was an exception. Our guide (Mitch) was fantastic and Travis (in the other van) was the perfect guide for stargazing. It is worth every penny and time well spent while visit the Big Island! Highly recommend.

4. Expedition South Kona

78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA Sea Quest Hawaii
Excellent
97%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 45 reviews

Snorkel at 3 unique and pristine locations including Kealakekua Bay, the culturally significant Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, and a third remote location you wouldn't be able to access any other way. Perhaps you’ll snorkel at a black sand beach and have it all to yourselves. Maybe a stone arch or a spectacular lava rock formation created thousands of years ago. We will take you to locations even residents of the Island have yet to see. Explore sea caves and lava tubes in our safe, exciting, and maneuverable vessels designed to get you up close and personal with the coast. Scout for marine life such as pilot whales as long as your boat, Hawaiian spinner dolphins, green sea turtles, and more. A deli lunch is provided, as are snacks, water & juice throughout the day. All the snorkeling gear and flotation devices you need as well. You simply show up in your swimsuit with your reef-safe sunscreen and towel in hand and away we go!

Inclusions: Lunch, Snacks, Water & Juice, Snorkeling Gear, Flotation Devices, Bottled water

Exclusions: Towels, Sunscreen

Reviewed By mindy1234567890

We did a manta ray night snorkel and a premium 4.5 hr day snorkel. What a amazing experience! Check in was easy. The staff members were kind and considerate. The rays were outer worldly!

5. Big Island Circle Tour and Volcano: Coffee, Wine, Waterfalls and Hamakua Coast

Kailani Tours Hawaii
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 125 reviews

The volcano, waterfalls, coffee, black sand beach, and a visit to a winery in one day! This is the best way to see the island, traveling in a luxury Sprinter and letting someone else do the driving. Continental breakfast, a deluxe lunch, a gourmet snack basket, water, juice and hot towel service all included! Explore the island with our expert guides while enjoying great coffee, a beautiful black sand beach, an active volcano, a mountainside winery and views of our lush and tropical Hamakua Coast. You deserve the best! You deserve Kailani Tours! Premium Coffee Farm (Greenwell Coffee) – Breakfast, Coffee Farm Tour, Tasting and Shopping Punalu'u Bake Shop - Tasty sweet treats made right here in Hawaii Punalu’u Black Sand Beach - View Resting Turtles from a Safe Distance Private Wine and Tea Tour at Volcano Winery - Deluxe Lunch and Complimentary Tastings Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls Hamakua Coastline Drive Waikoloa Hotel Return Kona Hotels Return

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Professional guide, Kona Coffee Farm tour included (optional), Binoculars, Umbrellas, Cold beverages, hot coffee/chocolate, Lunch, Snacks

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By jan n

This was an all day excursion and so full of information and fun. Jim Carrey was the best tour guide ever. He was so knowledgeable about the Hawaiian culture and had plenty of Hawaiian legends to tell. I would do this tour with him again.

6. Snorkel by Wild Dolphins, Guarantee! Boat Adventure

74 Kealakehe Pkwy, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA Kona Snorkel Tours
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 310 reviews

Snorkel by 20 to 200 wild dolphins! We have a RIB Zodiac Speed Boat that takes up to 14 guests max, no massive crowds on a fun adventurous ride! This boat makes it possible for everyone to slide off at once to ensure you will see dolphins unlike the big boats with massive amounts of people slowly getting off one at a time and miss the dolphins swimming by! This dolphin boat adventure is only for the guest that is up for an extreme adrenaline speed boat adventure, this is not a slow cruise boat. Our boat is made for moving faster than other boats to get the best views of dolphins before they are gone. The boat is very low to the water which gives you a better up-close view. This dolphin snorkel is up close and personal this is not a big tourist boat crammed up with 30 to 100 people! Snacks, drinks & gear are free. Tour time is NOT EXACT (2-4 hours) why? How far the wild dolphins that day, weather conditions, how long you snorkel, ETC. If no dolphins, come again FREE!

Inclusions: Use of Snorkelling equipment, Snacks, Bottled water

Exclusions:

Reviewed By SipDiamond

Definitely was one of the best experiences with a tour guide we’ve had on this island. When I say they wasn’t ONE DULL moment with chad I mean that. If your up for gnarly speed boating and fast paced movement he is the guy. Also gave us pretty much as much time we needed to snorkel it’s was again beyond amazing !

7. Captain Cook Exclusive

78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA Sea Quest Hawaii
Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 63 reviews

With the world-renowned and historic destination of Kealakekua Bay just minutes from our point of departure, the Captain Cook Exclusive is a personal, exciting, and efficient way to see the Bay named one of the world’s best snorkeling locations. Kealakekua Bay is a 315-acre marine sanctuary that boasts incredibly protected waters year round making it the best place in Hawaii for beginning snorkelers. After a full hour of snorkeling in the crystal clear waters directly in front of the monument to Captain James Cook, you make your way back to Keauhou Bay along the South Kona coastline. Your Captain maneuvers our custom-made vessels into the sea caves at the base of Hualalai, hugging the coast and detailing the culturally significant and geologically fascinating features along the way. Watch for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and even herds of thousands of goats! If you plan on snorkeling while in Hawaii and want to see what few do, this is the tour for you.

Inclusions: Snacks, Water & Juice, Snorkeling Gear, Flotation Devices (including snorkeling vests & view finder boards), Bottled water

Exclusions: Towels, Sunscreen, Swimsuits

Reviewed By mindy1234567890

We did a manta ray night snorkel and a premium 4.5 hr day snorkel. What a amazing experience! Check in was easy. The staff members were kind and considerate. The rays were outer worldly!

8. Night Manta Experience

78-7138 Kaleiopapa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA Sea Quest Hawaii
Excellent
0%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
100%
Overall Ratings

4.9 based on 160 reviews

Snorkel at night with the gentle giants of the South Kona Coast in safety and comfort, and experience what the Travel Channel named one of the top 10 things to do in your lifetime. Our incredibly short boat ride will have you and our highly trained in the water guides snorkeling with the manta rays in minutes. An evening you won't ever forget!

Inclusions: Snorkel Gear Included, Wetsuits and Flotation Devices, Hot Chocolate

Exclusions: Gratuities, Towels (recommended), No transportation provided

Reviewed By mindy1234567890

We did a manta ray night snorkel and a premium 4.5 hr day snorkel. What a amazing experience! Check in was easy. The staff members were kind and considerate. The rays were outer worldly!

9. Deluxe Sail & Snorkel Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay

Keauhou Bay, Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI 96740, USA Sea Paradise Sailing and Snorkeling Tours
Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.9 based on 67 reviews

Set Sail down the Majestic Kona Coastline with breathtaking views of landscaped ledges of ancient lava flows. As you arrive at the "World Famous Captain Cook Monument" your snorkeling adventure will begin in the turquoise waters and vibrant reef of the marine sanctuary of Kealakekua Bay. Make sure to bring an underwater camera to capture the colorful schools of fish, pods of spinner dolphins that are also commonly spotted in the bay. “Hawaii The Big Island Revealed” guide book says, “snorkeling in Kealakekua Bay near the monument is perhaps the best you will find anywhere in the state”.

Inclusions: Lunch, Continental breakfast, Masks, Fins, Snorkels, View Boogie boards, Flotation, Guided Snorkel Tours, Reef Safe Sunscreen, Snacks, Filtered Water, Variety Juices

Exclusions: Gratuities are not included but greatly appreciated , Alcoholic beverages are available onboard for additional charge with a credit card purchase only

Reviewed By travelingwithboys

We went on the night manta ray snorkel and it was a bucket list experience for sure! Before going I was a bit nervous about jumping in the ocean at night-but the crew made us super comfortable and I felt well taken care of. The water was surprisingly warm and 45 minutes in the water was up in the blink of an eye. Do not hesitate! We also loved that it was a super short boat ride to where the rays were.

10. Mauna Kea Summit Sunset and Stars Free Astro Photos Hilo Kona Waikoloa Pick Up

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, 93 Banyan Dr, Hilo, HI 96720, USA Hawaii Island Holidays
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.9 based on 30 reviews

Delight in the awe-inspiring sunset at the top of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific. Your guide will share historic accounts of the Big Island. Stand amidst the world’s largest collection of research telescopes. Two of the eight telescopes which took the first photos of the black hole are here. Sip a hot beverage during your private star show and view planets with a Celestron telescope. Your guide will take astrophotography photos of you with a DSLR camera and email them to you.

Inclusions: Transportation in a comfortable 4X4 van, Snacks and a hot beverage, Jackets and gloves to keep you warm, Experienced tour guide, Professional Celestron telescope , FREE night photo with our professional camera

Exclusions: Dinner (Travelers may bring their own)

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.