Kelly's Guide to the Big Island
Nature Adventures
This is a strong hike down to some of the most beautiful reef in Hawaii. Bring a snack, plenty of water, and snorkel gear. I recommend starting the hike at 2:30 so you don't have to hike up in the hot sun! Bring a flashlight if you like to take your time.
64 locals recommend
Captain Cook Monument Trail
Napoopoo RoadThis is a strong hike down to some of the most beautiful reef in Hawaii. Bring a snack, plenty of water, and snorkel gear. I recommend starting the hike at 2:30 so you don't have to hike up in the hot sun! Bring a flashlight if you like to take your time.
Easy to access, beautiful and expansive reef. It gets touristy so I prefer to go early in the morning. Next to the reef there is a "Keiki" beach great for little kids.
114 locals recommend
Two Step
Easy to access, beautiful and expansive reef. It gets touristy so I prefer to go early in the morning. Next to the reef there is a "Keiki" beach great for little kids.
A beautiful hour long hike to a stunning and rare green sand beach. I recommend starting the hike around 2pm to catch sunset on your way back. Bring $20 cash to hitch a ride with a local one or both ways. (I like hiking out and hitching a ride back!)
148 locals recommend
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
A beautiful hour long hike to a stunning and rare green sand beach. I recommend starting the hike around 2pm to catch sunset on your way back. Bring $20 cash to hitch a ride with a local one or both ways. (I like hiking out and hitching a ride back!)
Incredible overlook and valley, steep but short hike down and up, bring a picnic and enjoy the magic and awe of this beautiful spot. It's okay to hike down during peak sun, as there is lots of shade at the bottom.
140 locals recommend
Pololu Valley
Incredible overlook and valley, steep but short hike down and up, bring a picnic and enjoy the magic and awe of this beautiful spot. It's okay to hike down during peak sun, as there is lots of shade at the bottom.
Walk across Kilauea Iki crater, check out the lava tube, and go see Pele herself at the Volcano.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Walk across Kilauea Iki crater, check out the lava tube, and go see Pele herself at the Volcano.
Wild, end of the earth feeling, plus a 30-50 foot cliff jump for the brave!
8 locals recommend
South Point Road
South Point RoadWild, end of the earth feeling, plus a 30-50 foot cliff jump for the brave!
Rainbow Falls
Beautiful waterfall with a MASSIVE banyan just above it.
The best consistent surfing near Kealakekua, great for beginners, also great snorkeling and turtles around
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveThe best consistent surfing near Kealakekua, great for beginners, also great snorkeling and turtles around
Beach Going
Beautiful sandy beach with gentle waves and a great local vibe. Bring a blanket and a cooler and grab a spot under the huge monkeypod tree. Hot showers, gorgeous at sunset. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales!
84 locals recommend
Ho‘okena Beach Park
86-4322 Mamalahoa HwyBeautiful sandy beach with gentle waves and a great local vibe. Bring a blanket and a cooler and grab a spot under the huge monkeypod tree. Hot showers, gorgeous at sunset. Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales!
Gorgeous white sand beach with turquoise waters. There's not a lot of shade here so go early morning or late afternoon/sunset :)
159 locals recommend
Kua Bay
Gorgeous white sand beach with turquoise waters. There's not a lot of shade here so go early morning or late afternoon/sunset :)
A sweet little beach park with lots of shade to picnic and relax, and an easy way to get into the water for a swim or snorkel. Walk through the forest to get to a sunset view from the lava rocks. Look for rainbows!
27 locals recommend
Manini Beach
Manini Beach RoadA sweet little beach park with lots of shade to picnic and relax, and an easy way to get into the water for a swim or snorkel. Walk through the forest to get to a sunset view from the lava rocks. Look for rainbows!
Stunning black sand beach, pretty much guaranteed turtle snorkelling, lots of shade, great family vibe.
175 locals recommend
Punalu‘u Beach
Stunning black sand beach, pretty much guaranteed turtle snorkelling, lots of shade, great family vibe.
Magical bay where the wild dolphins like to frequent. Kayaking across is a delight when the swell is right. There is a small sandy patch of beach if you walk over the rocks, along the water.
89 locals recommend
Kealakekua Bay
Magical bay where the wild dolphins like to frequent. Kayaking across is a delight when the swell is right. There is a small sandy patch of beach if you walk over the rocks, along the water.
My favourite beach on the island. Go early to snag one of the coveted beach parking passes, or grab a reservation at the Beach Tree or Copper Bar restaurants to gain access. Gorgeous hotel with a public beach at the far end. Beautiful white sand and gentle waves.
70 locals recommend
Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
My favourite beach on the island. Go early to snag one of the coveted beach parking passes, or grab a reservation at the Beach Tree or Copper Bar restaurants to gain access. Gorgeous hotel with a public beach at the far end. Beautiful white sand and gentle waves.
Popular and slightly touristy beach with a strong break near Kona. Great to people watch and see body boarders. Yummy açai truck next to the parking lot!
181 locals recommend
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DrivePopular and slightly touristy beach with a strong break near Kona. Great to people watch and see body boarders. Yummy açai truck next to the parking lot!
Hidden gem, old Hawaii local vibe, seemingly a little rough but very safe. Beautiful sandy beach with natural kiddie pools great for littles. Bumpy road to get there but worth it. Great snorkelling, plenty of shade and beautiful sunsets even if it is raining up top.
7 locals recommend
Ke‘ei Beach
Hidden gem, old Hawaii local vibe, seemingly a little rough but very safe. Beautiful sandy beach with natural kiddie pools great for littles. Bumpy road to get there but worth it. Great snorkelling, plenty of shade and beautiful sunsets even if it is raining up top.
Gorgeous white sand beach with calm waters, this is a true local's secret. Park at Spencer Beach park and take a 10-15 minute hike along the water to find it. Stunning at sunrise and I love to follow it up with Brunch at Halani (in the Mauna Lani)
Mau'umae Beach, Hawaii 96743, USA
Gorgeous white sand beach with calm waters, this is a true local's secret. Park at Spencer Beach park and take a 10-15 minute hike along the water to find it. Stunning at sunrise and I love to follow it up with Brunch at Halani (in the Mauna Lani)
Food scene
Shaka Tacoz
82-6167 Mamalahoa HighwayThe best fish tacos on the island!
Great breakfast sandwiches, coffee, treats, and smoothies. Fast internet and hippie vibes.
57 locals recommend
Kaya's Kawanui Inc
79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt RdGreat breakfast sandwiches, coffee, treats, and smoothies. Fast internet and hippie vibes.
Solid pizza, breadsticks, salads, beer on tap and wine. They have cauliflower crust and vegan cheese for health conscious folks.
25 locals recommend
Black Rock Pizza
82-6127 Hawaiʻi Belt RoadSolid pizza, breadsticks, salads, beer on tap and wine. They have cauliflower crust and vegan cheese for health conscious folks.
Longest running restaurant on the island I believe, serving Japanese comfort food in an old-school atmosphere.
54 locals recommend
Teshima's Restaurant
79-7251 Hawaiʻi Belt RdLongest running restaurant on the island I believe, serving Japanese comfort food in an old-school atmosphere.
Gypsea Gelato
79-7491 Hawaiʻi Belt RdDelicious gelato, iced cream, and other sweet treats.
This hotel has been here for over 100 years! No frills, $9 breakfast = two eggs, rice or toast, papaya, coffee, and breakfast meat. Travel back in time when you pop in here.
35 locals recommend
Manago Hotel Restaurant
82-6155 Hawaiʻi Belt RdThis hotel has been here for over 100 years! No frills, $9 breakfast = two eggs, rice or toast, papaya, coffee, and breakfast meat. Travel back in time when you pop in here.
Incredible food, impeccable service, gorgeous ambiance. If you can't get a reservation, show up as close to 5pm as possible and grab a drink at the bar. I like to leave my purse on my barstool to wander the property for sunset, then return to eat dinner. The local lobster & sweet bread are a must! Expensive but worth it.
24 locals recommend
CanoeHouse
68-1400 Mauna Lani DrIncredible food, impeccable service, gorgeous ambiance. If you can't get a reservation, show up as close to 5pm as possible and grab a drink at the bar. I like to leave my purse on my barstool to wander the property for sunset, then return to eat dinner. The local lobster & sweet bread are a must! Expensive but worth it.
FORC Restaurant
65-1214 Lindsey RoadIncredible food in a humble setting. Dedicated, passionate chefs.
A must for plant based foodies. Jackfruit everything and macadamia béchamel. Yum!
12 locals recommend
Journey to Good Health Cafe LLC
75-5729 Ali‘i DrA must for plant based foodies. Jackfruit everything and macadamia béchamel. Yum!
Hands down the best Malasada donuts on the island. I love the Lilikoi!
185 locals recommend
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Hands down the best Malasada donuts on the island. I love the Lilikoi!
Stunning property, great restaurants for a fancy night out. There is also a public beach here that you can access and stroll through the property to grab a mai tai from one of the bars. The Hau Tree for sunset/happy hour is awesome and has a big lawn and live music which kiddos love.
15 locals recommend
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
72-100 Ka'upulehu DriveStunning property, great restaurants for a fancy night out. There is also a public beach here that you can access and stroll through the property to grab a mai tai from one of the bars. The Hau Tree for sunset/happy hour is awesome and has a big lawn and live music which kiddos love.
Suisan Fish Market
93 Lihiwai StDelicious and very fresh poke on the Hilo side.
Delicious Poke to grab and go enjoy at Magic Sands Beach just down the road
132 locals recommend
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveDelicious Poke to grab and go enjoy at Magic Sands Beach just down the road
The food is good but the view is AMAZING. I love the fish benedict and the lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake is to die for. Cute Hawaii diner vibes with strong local coffee. Go early or call head to add your name to the wait list. This place is usually slammed but definitely worth a trip.
137 locals recommend
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyThe food is good but the view is AMAZING. I love the fish benedict and the lilikoi (passion fruit) cheesecake is to die for. Cute Hawaii diner vibes with strong local coffee. Go early or call head to add your name to the wait list. This place is usually slammed but definitely worth a trip.
HiCO - Hawaiian Coffee
74-5599 Pawai PlHipster coffee, fast Wifi
HiCO - Hawaiian Coffee
Hipster coffee, Avo toast, doughnuts, fast wifi right in the neighborhood!
The only truly locally brewed beer, yummy bar food, plant infused alcoholic seltzers, and a casual & friendly brewery vibe.
64 locals recommend
Ola Brew
74-5598 Luhia StThe only truly locally brewed beer, yummy bar food, plant infused alcoholic seltzers, and a casual & friendly brewery vibe.
Touristy but solid oceanfront dining with live music on Fridays. Good happy hour deals, no reservations are accepted so expect a wait unless you get there when it opens :)
162 locals recommend
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdTouristy but solid oceanfront dining with live music on Fridays. Good happy hour deals, no reservations are accepted so expect a wait unless you get there when it opens :)
Delicious fresh poke and sides run by a very cute couple. A perfect stop to stock up on a picnic dinner before heading to the beach. They do run out of the good stuff so try to get there before 1pm.
Reel Aloha poke and fish co
Delicious fresh poke and sides run by a very cute couple. A perfect stop to stock up on a picnic dinner before heading to the beach. They do run out of the good stuff so try to get there before 1pm.
Groceries
The most health-conscious grocery store on the island.
61 locals recommend
Island Naturals Market & Deli Kailua-Kona
74-5444 Makala BlvdThe most health-conscious grocery store on the island.
ChoiceMART
82-6066 Mamalahoa HwySolid grocery store often stocked with local produce.
Sunday local Farmer's market. More focused on prepared meals, arts and gifts than produce, but still a lovely scene with live music.
30 locals recommend
Pure Kona Green Market
82-6160 Mamalahoa HwySunday local Farmer's market. More focused on prepared meals, arts and gifts than produce, but still a lovely scene with live music.
I try to buy more locally, but sometimes for long stays Costco is clutch.
153 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StI try to buy more locally, but sometimes for long stays Costco is clutch.
A more local grocery spot, very close to home. Better prices but less of the brands you are probably used to seeing on the mainland.
156 locals recommend
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdA more local grocery spot, very close to home. Better prices but less of the brands you are probably used to seeing on the mainland.
Sightseeing
Awesome farmer's market with produce + ready made food + arts and crafts. Very charming!
Hamakua Harvest Farmers Market
44-2600 Mamalahoa HwyAwesome farmer's market with produce + ready made food + arts and crafts. Very charming!
Water Gear
My go-to spot to buy great snorkel gear and all things water, as well as surfboard rental.
Kona Boys, Inc.
79-7539 Hawaiʻi Belt RdWellness
Amazing holistic bodywork and breathwork. Go to her space or she will come offer a treatment at the house. Divine!
Ahonui Holistic Spa