Top Things to do in Kailua-Kona
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Top 10 Things to do in Kailua-Kona, United States
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. Mauna Kea Summit
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
At 13,796 feet, this peak offers an incredible view of lava, desert, the valley and Mauna Loa.
Reviewed By susanaquerida - Vancouver, Canada
If you want to save your vehicle’s suspension and be supplied with a warm coat, take Hawaii Forest & Trail tour for stargazing. The coats and gloves are essential. The telescopes are high power and the guides are very knowledgeable. Hot chocolate, supper on the way up and a slow ascent will save the day. It’s a memorable site so don’t blow it by driving on your own and then freezing.
2. Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By james628 - Brandon, Florida
What a beautiful beach. Smaller than others but has the waves for boogie boards, soft golden sand, parking if you get there early, amazing views and a fun atmosphere. We really enjoyed this beach much more than the other more popular beaches near by. Keep this one a secret, it is a real gem.
3. Makalawena/Pu'u Ali'i
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 302 reviews
Reviewed By mtn_peach - Anchorage, Alaska
Absolutely visit this beach. Completely worth the walk, especially on a weekday when hardly anyone is there. If you have a jeep you can take the rougher road further north and the walk is almost nothing from there. Don't do that road with a car though.
4. St. Michael the Archangel Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 115 reviews
Reviewed By IrishFan-80 - Lancaster, PA
Our first time in the new Church....and it was packed and amazing!!! Loved the traditional pews and altar but also the Baptismal font. Terrific choir! Highly recommend! Keep The Faith!
5. Kahaluu Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 449 reviews
Reviewed By lyle7692 - lyle7692
This is an outstanding ‘beginners’ snorkeling spot. First off, it’s protected by a barrier, so surf is minimal. Second, it’s shallow, so it’s not intimidating and is warm. Finally, there is a ton of wild life. Tangs, trigger fish, parrot fish, and sea turtles. Heck, this is great snorkeling for the experienced people!
6. Kanaloa Octopus Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 187 reviews
Reviewed By Alan P - Prince George
First off; the negatives:
These are marine animals, people! They have minds of their own, individual personalities and are extremely intelligent. The volumes of people who go on this tour is opressive, and most do not heed the instructions or rules given by the guides.
If you stick your hand into a tank with an octopus that takes offense to you; expect at the very least to get a water jet in your direction, or in an extreme situation, a bite from a sharp beak. If you stuck your hand in my face repeatedly, I would likely do worse to you!
The amount of people who were inconsiderate, disrespectful and pushy on this tour was ridiculous, and are usually the ones leaving the bad reviews...
The positives;
The guides are informative and most are university educated, or are students considering marine study fields for their occupation. They know what they are talking about.
The interaction with the octopii, after the initial crowd got bored and left, was fantastic. It was almost like the animals could sense when the families with uncontrolled children left, and then chose to come out and interact... I personally interacted with several of the octopii and "played" for almost an hour with one particular female that would only come out of her shelter for me. Tip: the calmer one is, and less aggressive with these animals, the more interactive they will be with you. Do not shove your hand at them, rather let them come to you instead. Hmmm..... i think these may have been the exact words of our guide?
We stayed extra time, and were the last family to leave. My 9 y/o had several octopii interacting with him and thoroughly enjoyed himself, to the point that we had to purchase a stuffed octopus, which he then named after his favourite; "Moonica".
This is a fantastic experience if you are patient and calm with the animals. If you are looking for something to play fetch with and give you unconditional love, however; save your tour money and go buy a puppy when you get home!
This is not a "Rah! Rah! Fireworks and marching band" experience, but for those looking for more insight into the life cycles of day octopii, and having a learning experience, and possibly coming away from it with more knowledge about these creatures than you had going in; it would interest you...
This facility is 100% funded by tourism dollars, so I can understand the need for the volumes of people on the tour, but honestly; that tour volume is also the biggest negative.
If you have no interest in marine biology, the environment and sustainability of species that we predate and / or impact; then show up at the entrance and throw your money in through it... you will get the same experience as going on the tour.
For my family, however; we learned a lot, and stuck around after the rest of the people who chose to leave negative reviews, left; to have a wonderful experience... so much so, that it was difficult for us to leave afterwards.... But then, marine life / biology interests me.
Having owned and operated a business that deals in designing and maintaining marine aquaria, it never ceases to amaze me that people expect instant gratification from their marine charges without desiring to learn or put in any effort, so they quickly sell off everything they own and then complain to everyone about the negative experience they had. This is NOT a reflection on the activity itself, but rather a reflection on one's own ignorance and expectations with regards to said activity. A little self-education and effort before jumping into something would change the perspective....
Do some homework for yourself and don't spoil the experience for those who may actually want to do this. Also; do yourself the favour and wait for the crowds to thin out before making your final judgement on this tour. You will have a very different experience than the people looking to get in and out as quickly as possible because there are more exciting things to do....
We loved it and will return!!!
7. Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 851 reviews
Reviewed By Kmessmer53 - Albuquerque, New Mexico
I went to this facility with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. They are the largest sustainable seahorse farm in the world. The facility is clean and the proceeds from purchases made in the gift shop go towards maintaining the science within the facility. I have to say I was very impressed.
They have a DNA database of ten seahorse species and hope to eventually gather DNA for all 35 species. This is the kind of preservation/conservation I can get behind. So glad I went.
8. Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 617 reviews
Reviewed By spanishpeeks - Des Moines, Iowa
The people at the visitors' center were helpful, plus there were hulu classes! They'll give you a map, which helps make sense of everything. The petroglyphs were underwhelming, but interesting enough, and the walk to the beach was great. We did see the turtles napping, and it's a nice sandy spot. But it was hot, so we were glad we had plenty of water and sun screen. Our grandson got a Junior Ranger badge, which made him proud.
9. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 890 reviews
Up in the rain forest above Kona, Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is the highest grown coffee in the state of Hawaii and the largest organic coffee farm in the state as well. 2011 Good Food Awards 1st place winner and 2011 & 2012 Kona Cream of the Crop 1st place winner. 2012 & 2013 SIAL Golden Bean award winner (international competition held in Canada). 2013 Hawaii Coffee Association Cupping Contest: 1st place Kona District and 1st place Commercial Division. 2013 Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Cupping Contest 1st Place Classic Division. Mountain Thunder offers Free tours daily (no reservation required, walk-ins welcome!), on the hour every hour between 10am and 4pm (1st tour starts at 10am, last tour starts at 4pm). VIP tours and roasting lessons are available by appointment only, Cost ranges from $65.00 - $199.00. Book a VIP tour or Roasting lesson through Mountain Thunder's website (link above). Must book at least 24 hrs in advance.
Reviewed By Nyllie - Eugene, Oregon
Came here instead of other coffee plantations because the hourly free tour schedule was very convenient, and we have some family with short attention spans, so it was perfect. There were clean bathrooms and a shaded area to wait for the tour, as well as the small store where you could sample and buy a wide variety of coffee and tea. The tour guide was very engaging before, during and after the tour, and it was nice to get a quick view of the coffee making process. Definitely go on a paid tour if you’re looking for more detail, but this was a great way to learn details about Kona coffee before buying some to take home.
10. Kiholo Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 311 reviews
Reviewed By Marzena D - Poland
Beautiful spot with just a couple of people around. Black sand, turquise waters and lots of turtles around. Very interesting.
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