Best Things To Do

Mauna Kea (Kaunaʻoa) Beach - 32 miles north of Kona, you have to get a parking pass at the main entrance to the resort and say you are there for the public beach parking, there are 35 spots so you usually have to get there early. Great for snorkeling and swimming, soft sand, some shade and a nice easy walk/hikes going both north and south.

Two Step (Honaunau) Snorkeling - This is not a beach, but it’s an amazing bay for snorkeling. It’s lava rocks that make “two steps” that help you get into the water. Many times there are dolphins here in the morning, Mark and Sally have even snorkeled with whales here. 30 miles south of downtown Kona, turn onto 160, right before you get to the national park you turn right onto a small one way street. There are a few places to park right on the water, otherwise you can pay a family $3 to park on their lot.

Hapuna State Park - 31 miles north of Kona. There is a lot of public parking and it’s a great beach with bigger waves, but no shade so bring an umbrella and sunscreen.

Waialea Beach (Called Beach 69) - 30 miles north of Kona, a lot of private spots on the beach, shade and swimming at the north end.

Beach 87 (Kukio) Hualalai - 16 miles north of downtown Kona. You have to go through a security gate, but they give you a parking pass for the public beach parking. Beautiful beach, keiki pond for swimming and a nice grassy area for relaxing. You can hike up to the Four Seasons resort and see the houses of the stars along the way.

Veterans Beach (Manini'owali Beach) - 14 miles north of downtown Kona, take a left at the veterans cemetery. Great beach for a quick trip and good place for whale watching.

Kahalu’u Beach Park - 12 miles south of downtown Kona. It’s a small beach but a quick trip and a good place for beginner snorkeling. Great place for beginner surfing with surfboard rentals and lessons at Kahalu’u Bay Surf and Sea

Magic Sands Beach - Only 3 miles south of downtown on Ali'i Drive, it's a small beach but good for a quick trip.

Place of Refuge

Stand Up Paddle Boarding downtown Kona or at any of the north shore resorts

Kayak to Captain Cook

Boat Cruises out of Kona

Farmers Markets for fresh fruit and Hawaiian souvenirs all over the island.

Luaus are everywhere but we hear the best ones are at the Luau at the Marriott downtown and the Luau at Mauna Kea Resort

Have an epic morning with a Helicopter Tour of the island, just imagine Jurassic Park and add flowing lava, they are expensive but worth a splurge.

You can literally Poke Lava with a Stick on this long, hot, night hike.

Tour a coffee plantation and taste the best coffee in the world.

Manta Rays come out at night and there are tons of ways to see them. You can snorkel with them with a Manta Night Dive or just watch them from the restaurant at the Sheraton or on the rocks right in Mauna Kea beach.

Star Gazing is great from anywhere on the island especially when the Quadrantids Meteor Shower hits its peak January 3-4, but if you can also visit the Mauna Kea observatories.

Golfing, golfing, golfing.

The Big Island is home to the iron man race so you’ll see a lot of people training year round but you can try the biking experience yourself too.

The horseback riding on the Big Island isn’t the romantic beach version, but it’s pretty badass.

If you want to go full tourist you can do some zip-lining through rainforests and over waterfalls too.