Kailua-Kona

Travel Guide
Kailua-Kona
“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 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 Pier or Kailua-Kona Wharf while you're exploring the neighborhood.

Historic Kailua Village
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(37 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
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Kona Palisades

5/5(2 area reviews)

Kona Palisades might not have many top sights, but Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Kohanaiki Beach Park are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Kona Palisades
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Alii Heights Mauka

While Alii Heights Mauka might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Magic Sands Beach and Kahalu'u Beach Park.

Alii Heights Mauka
Royal Kona Resort
Royal Kona Resort
3.5 out of 5
75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is CA $271 per night from Nov. 3 to Nov. 4
CA $271
CA $360 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 3 - Nov 4
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! (2,495 reviews)
Would stay again.
"Just stayed one night. Updates are underway so there is some construction going on. Great location. Great views from our room. We only gor apps and drinks at the restaurant, but both were good. Would stay again."

Reviewed on Oct. 27, 2024

Royal Kona Resort
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa
4 out of 5
78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is CA $346 per night from Nov. 8 to Nov. 9
CA $346
CA $465 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 8 - Nov 9
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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (881 reviews)
"This is our second stay at an outrigger resort and it was great like the first time. Voyager 47 is a must if you book a stay! Everyone is so nice and helpful❤️ enjoyed this stay for our honeymoon ❤️❤️"

Reviewed on Oct. 29, 2024

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 CA $241 per night from Nov. 3 to Nov. 4
CA $241
CA $326 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 3 - Nov 4
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! (940 reviews)
"It was the best location for the Ironman event. And the hotel was very comfortable and centrally located."

Reviewed on Oct. 28, 2024

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.
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
3 out of 5
75-6040 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Book a stay at this eco-certified condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (465 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay at the property. The place was lovely and quiet, clean and a good location. Most of the staff at the front desk were very friendly, a couple of them were a little grumpy, and not very helpful. Overall though, a great place to stay."

Reviewed on Oct. 26, 2024

Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
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 Kailua Pier and Magic Sands Beach are located ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (50 reviews)
"Confusing check-in via phone. Gets pretty hot without AC. Place was clean and quiet."

Reviewed on Oct. 25, 2024

Sea Village
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! (1,024 reviews)
"Great friendly staff...grounds were kept maintained...pool was clean.."

Reviewed on Oct. 10, 2024

Aston Kona by the Sea
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

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
125
" "5 - Excellent 66.84491978609626%
4 - Good
46
" "4 - Good 24.59893048128342%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 6.951871657754011%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0695187165775402%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.5347593582887701%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I just love the village, small-town feeling of this place. It has all the usual amenity close-by. Yet, the beaches, so many different shapes/styles of them within 10 minutes of driving distance. It is just wonderful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful and friendly place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good weather on this side of island...be careful to lock car as items do get stolen on Ali’i drive downtown

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Greatest place lots of spunk

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I love Kailua Kona! Love the Mokuaikaua church. They will be celebrating 200 years very soon! Wish I could be there for it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Relaxed friendly community with all the amenities. Enjoyed Fosters Kitchen and Broke My Mouth Grindz. Access to groceries with Costco, Walmart and Safeway

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