Kailua-Kona Vacation Rentals

Put on  your hiking boots for Makau’ula O’oma Trail’s moderate 4.5 mile course that  hugs the Hualālai volcano. Ascend 2,000 feet and feast on the views of  Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea,and Hualālai when you reach the pinnacle of Pu’u Wa’awa’a Cinder Cone Trail. Hike these trails and more and let the Kailua-Kona flora, fauna, water, and sky cast their spells upon you. 

Will you be the next fisherman to catch a record-breaking marlin? It’s possible when you fish along the Kona Coast. In fact, this stretch has netted people marlin clocking in at more than 1,000 pounds. Fishing charters can take you to the hottest spots where tuna, mahi mahi, ono, sailfish, and, of course, marlin, bite. Inshore fishing can net you smaller catches like mackerel and papio and might be a better choice for your little fisherman. For an even lower key outing, cast your line from the beach and see what’s biting!

Tee off in paradise at one of Kona Coast’s public or private courses. Kona Country Club and Kukio Golf Club both offer lush views, challenging courses, and plenty of time to perfect your game against a paradise backdrop. Head to North Kona’s Makalei Golf Club where native plants, lava tubes, and native plants make this a very Hawai‘in golfing experience. 

Kona Coast’s natural beauty is rivaled only by its historical and cultural connections to Hawai‘in culture. Visit Hulihe’e Palace and walk into a site dedicated to preserving Hawai‘in history and language. The “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific”, Maku’aikaua Church is the first Christian church built on the island. Take a guided tour of Ahu’ena Heiau, a  heiau, or sacred temple, constructed to honor Lono, the god of prosperity and fertility. And you might not be on the run from the law, but those rebels who broke the law of the kapu only had two choices: death or flee to Pu’uhonua o Honuaunau. Pu’uhonua o Honuaunau National Historical Park (aka Place of Refuge) might not offer legal sanctuary but does offer visitors films screenings detailing the site’s history and tours as well as offering a natural refuge to all who visit. 

Don’t let your Kona Coast stay pass without basking in this Polynesia celebration of food, culture, music, and dance. The first lūʻau dates from around 1819 and the celebration continues today with poi, poke, and laulau. Multiple lūʻau happen in Kona, so don your leis and bring your appetites to take part in this cultural feast. 

Surfing, snorkeling scuba diving, and parasailing. Do it all when you stay along the Kona Coast. Fly high above the turquoise waters and gaze on lush mountains and volcanic fields when you parasail above the water. Some Kona picks for snorkeling that brings you close to the ocean’s world include Kealakekua Bay, Kahaluʻu Beach Park, and Puʻuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. Manta rays and coral reefs greet you when you dive into the Pacific. Check out scuba tours, including day dives, night dives, and guided dives to take you to the perfect underwater spot.

Taste your way along the Kona Coast with a tour of  a chocolate farm or coffee farm–after all, this is where Kona coffee hails from. Maybe you want to explore more of the waters with a manta ray boat tour and watch these fish meet to feast at night. If a 360-degree view is a must, helicopter tours take you up and take your breath away. Too adventurous? Take to the waters for a whale watching excursion. Book one of all of these excursions for the ultimate Hawaiian experience. 

Take a gentle ride along the coast and let the salt air ride with you, waves providing the only soundtrack you’ll want. Maybe you choose to explore the forest trails and discover the lushness of the plants on the forest floor. Amp it up with ascents along Hualalai Road and Waipio Valley’s switchbacks and terrain that leaves you breathless. 

If you’re a seasoned wave rider or dipping your toes in the surfing pool for the first time, the Kona Coast serves up some of the world’s premier areas. North of Kona Airport sits Kohanaiki Beach, a spot well-suited for intermediate and advanced riders. Newbies might want to check out Kahaluʻu Beach in Keauhou. Kohanaiki Beach Park’s waves offer tons of practice to hone your wave riding skills. 

Make time to dine, shop, and explore Aliʻi Drive,  Kailua-Kona’s hub for retail, bars, and dining. Of course Kona coffee dots the menu, and sipping that first-morning cup or cooling off with an icy afternoon blend oceanside might just be the best java experience you’ll ever have. Cap it off with art from one of the galleries lining the area and take a little piece of the Kona Coast home.