Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Drinks & Nightlife
Popular happy hour spot with a good selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Try the Mai Tai sampler! Also discounts on pupus (small plates) during happy hour.
47 locals recommend
Don the Beachcomber
75-5852 Ali‘i DrPopular happy hour spot with a good selection of beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Try the Mai Tai sampler! Also discounts on pupus (small plates) during happy hour.
Best beer selection in Kona with beautiful views of the bay. Good food too, we especially like their pizza.
77 locals recommend
Humpy's Big Island Alehouse
75-5815 Ali‘i DrBest beer selection in Kona with beautiful views of the bay. Good food too, we especially like their pizza.
The best known and original. Try their beers on draft, as those are brewed in Hawaii (the rest of production has shifted to the mainland due to popularity). Also has good food at the brewery. They also offer a tour that is a great deal.
226 locals recommend
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlThe best known and original. Try their beers on draft, as those are brewed in Hawaii (the rest of production has shifted to the mainland due to popularity). Also has good food at the brewery. They also offer a tour that is a great deal.
Probably my favorite Hawaiian brewery with an excellent variety of beer. Various beers on tap on in 22oz bottles locally (Safeway, ABC, etc.). Worth the hour drive to Waimea to visit their brewpub and restaurant.
88 locals recommend
Big Island Brewhaus
64-1066 Mamalahoa HwyProbably my favorite Hawaiian brewery with an excellent variety of beer. Various beers on tap on in 22oz bottles locally (Safeway, ABC, etc.). Worth the hour drive to Waimea to visit their brewpub and restaurant.
Food Scene
Huggos is a perfect place to enjoy some delicious seafood freshly prepared, and the view can’t be beat. For a more casual experience, try On the Rocks right next door where you can put your toes in the sand and listen to live music. Reservations strongly recommended. (808) 329-1493
162 locals recommend
Huggo's
75-5828 Kahakai RdHuggos is a perfect place to enjoy some delicious seafood freshly prepared, and the view can’t be beat. For a more casual experience, try On the Rocks right next door where you can put your toes in the sand and listen to live music. Reservations strongly recommended. (808) 329-1493
Locals have long known about Mi’s, but they recently moved from Kealakekua to Kailua. Excellent pasta dishes and desserts. Reservations strongly recommended. (808) 329-3880
26 locals recommend
Mi's Waterfront Bistro
75-5770 Ali‘i DrLocals have long known about Mi’s, but they recently moved from Kealakekua to Kailua. Excellent pasta dishes and desserts. Reservations strongly recommended. (808) 329-3880
Just above us is Jackie Rey’s. ‘Ohana’ means family in Hawaiian, and they treat you like it. The daily seafood is always fresh and delicious. Save room for dessert.
127 locals recommend
Jackie Rey's Ohana Grill Kona
75-5995 Kuakini HwyJust above us is Jackie Rey’s. ‘Ohana’ means family in Hawaiian, and they treat you like it. The daily seafood is always fresh and delicious. Save room for dessert.
Splasher’s has a great relaxed atmosphere and a varied menu with nice views of Kailua Bay. They also have a good selection of local beers. Reservations strongly recommended. (808) 326-2212
52 locals recommend
Splashers Grill
75-5663 Palani RdSplasher’s has a great relaxed atmosphere and a varied menu with nice views of Kailua Bay. They also have a good selection of local beers. Reservations strongly recommended. (808) 326-2212
Best place for muffins and pastries. Also a nice dinner spot with their new larger location
163 locals recommend
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrBest place for muffins and pastries. Also a nice dinner spot with their new larger location
This place is tucked back behind the Kona Oceanfront Gallery, and serves small batch coffees. They also have a lovely view at dinner time.
69 locals recommend
Daylight Mind Coffee Company
69-201 Waikōloa Beach DrThis place is tucked back behind the Kona Oceanfront Gallery, and serves small batch coffees. They also have a lovely view at dinner time.
Essentials
Safeway
75-971 Henry StFull service supermarket. Club card prices can save you a lot
KTA Super Stores
74-5594 Palani RdFull service supermarket with a great selection of fresh fish.
ABC STORES
75-5744 Ali‘i DrSundries, gifts, alcohol. This is the closest market to the condo.
Shopping
Open Wednesday through Sunday. Local produce, flowers, décor, jewelry. Note that not all the fruit is local, so be sure to ask.
68 locals recommend
Kona Farmers Market
75-5767 Ali‘i DrOpen Wednesday through Sunday. Local produce, flowers, décor, jewelry. Note that not all the fruit is local, so be sure to ask.
Parks & Nature
Seeing the caldera at night is an amazing experience. Even during the day the park is a great place to hike and explore.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Seeing the caldera at night is an amazing experience. Even during the day the park is a great place to hike and explore.
A lesser known beach close to town. Take the exit for the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. When entering take the first right around to the north side and look for the public shoreline access parking. There is a short path through the fence that is about 5 minutes to the beach. Because this is a national park and contains sacred temples, some things like coolers aren’t allowed. There’s a protected area that is nice for swimming and decent snorkeling. It’s also very common to see turtles on the beach here. Remember these are endangered creatures, and you always should stay at least 10 feet away to enjoy them! Also please respect the areas that are “kapu” (forbidden) as these are sacred sites.
18 locals recommend
Honokohau Beach
A lesser known beach close to town. Take the exit for the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. When entering take the first right around to the north side and look for the public shoreline access parking. There is a short path through the fence that is about 5 minutes to the beach. Because this is a national park and contains sacred temples, some things like coolers aren’t allowed. There’s a protected area that is nice for swimming and decent snorkeling. It’s also very common to see turtles on the beach here. Remember these are endangered creatures, and you always should stay at least 10 feet away to enjoy them! Also please respect the areas that are “kapu” (forbidden) as these are sacred sites.
Called magic sands because the amount of sand can vary greatly with storms. Popular spot for boogie boarding when surf is up, or snorkeling when calm. One of the few beaches with a lifeguard stand because of it’s popularity.
181 locals recommend
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveCalled magic sands because the amount of sand can vary greatly with storms. Popular spot for boogie boarding when surf is up, or snorkeling when calm. One of the few beaches with a lifeguard stand because of it’s popularity.
We suggest going early if you visit this beach as the number of public parking spots is limited. They will let you know at the gate if they are full, in which case try Mauna Kea up the road, or Kua Bay back towards town. Kuiko is almost never crowded, and has some nice snorkeling as well. It is a bit of a walk from parking, so be prepared if you are setting up for the day. Restrooms and showers. The gate will provide directions.
26 locals recommend
Kukio Beach
72-197 Waiulu StWe suggest going early if you visit this beach as the number of public parking spots is limited. They will let you know at the gate if they are full, in which case try Mauna Kea up the road, or Kua Bay back towards town. Kuiko is almost never crowded, and has some nice snorkeling as well. It is a bit of a walk from parking, so be prepared if you are setting up for the day. Restrooms and showers. The gate will provide directions.
Another beach with limited public parking. This beach is very popular because it’s large and protected. You can also eat/drink at the beach bar and grill which serves the public. Beach chairs are reserved for resort guests. Restrooms. The gate will provide directions.
70 locals recommend
Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
Another beach with limited public parking. This beach is very popular because it’s large and protected. You can also eat/drink at the beach bar and grill which serves the public. Beach chairs are reserved for resort guests. Restrooms. The gate will provide directions.
Sightseeing
This could be listed in hikes or boat tours, as it’s not a place you just drive up and snorkel, but it’s worth mentioning as it’s the best snorkeling I’ve seen in Hawaii. There are 4 ways to snorkel here listed in order of effort required. 1) By boat from Keauhou or Kona. 2) Take a tour with one of the three licensed companies (We recommend Adventures in Paradise). 3) Rent a kayak from locals and paddle across the bay 4) Hike 4 miles round trip with 1500ft of elevation. We chose the tour option and loved it.
55 locals recommend
Captain James Cook Monument
This could be listed in hikes or boat tours, as it’s not a place you just drive up and snorkel, but it’s worth mentioning as it’s the best snorkeling I’ve seen in Hawaii. There are 4 ways to snorkel here listed in order of effort required. 1) By boat from Keauhou or Kona. 2) Take a tour with one of the three licensed companies (We recommend Adventures in Paradise). 3) Rent a kayak from locals and paddle across the bay 4) Hike 4 miles round trip with 1500ft of elevation. We chose the tour option and loved it.
Entertainment & Activities
Known as "two step" for the entry. One of the best snorkel spots in the state. Not much of a beach, which is why I list it here instead of the beaches section, and also why the water is so clear for snorkeling. Called two step because of a couple natural steps that make for an easy entry. Take Kuakini Hwy South and it turns into Mamalahoa Hwy. After roughly 17.5 miles you take a sharp right onto Keala O Keawe Rd which leads to the park. There’s some free parking up the road, or parking for $5 at City of Refuge National park (recommended). Restrooms, no water.
30 locals recommend
Honaunau Bay
Known as "two step" for the entry. One of the best snorkel spots in the state. Not much of a beach, which is why I list it here instead of the beaches section, and also why the water is so clear for snorkeling. Called two step because of a couple natural steps that make for an easy entry. Take Kuakini Hwy South and it turns into Mamalahoa Hwy. After roughly 17.5 miles you take a sharp right onto Keala O Keawe Rd which leads to the park. There’s some free parking up the road, or parking for $5 at City of Refuge National park (recommended). Restrooms, no water.
Just recently reopened after a lengthy renovation and the course was in immaculate shape last time I played. The golf itself is pretty straight forward, but the views are incredible. If you are lucky enough to play when the surf is way up, you might get wet on some holes. The only place I’ve played closer to the ocean is Pebble Beach.
10 locals recommend
Kona Country Club
78-7000 Ali‘i DrJust recently reopened after a lengthy renovation and the course was in immaculate shape last time I played. The golf itself is pretty straight forward, but the views are incredible. If you are lucky enough to play when the surf is way up, you might get wet on some holes. The only place I’ve played closer to the ocean is Pebble Beach.