Eat & Cruise Big Island!
Eat
Favorite places to eat around the island.
808 Grindz Cafe
75-5660 Kopiko StGreat varieties of food. Personally like the eggs benedict.
Teshima's Restaurant
79-7251 Hawaiʻi Belt RdFor an authentic old time Japanese experience.
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyBeautiful scenic outdoor cafe, gift shop and roasting tours.
One of the longest running restaurants in Kona. Delicious pizza s and their famous pink sauce.
22 locals recommend
Bianelli's Gourmet Pizza and Pasta
78-6831 Ali‘i DrOne of the longest running restaurants in Kona. Delicious pizza s and their famous pink sauce.
Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlFor an iconic sunset cocktail
Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Kona nightlife. Many eateries on this street.
Cruise
Places of interest around the island. Includes places to snack on your way around the island.
Manago Hotel Restaurant
82-6155 Hawaiʻi Belt RdThe Grande Dame of the coffee plantation era.
See how coffee plantation life was for the local coffee farmers.
17 locals recommend
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
82-6199 Hawaiʻi Belt RdSee how coffee plantation life was for the local coffee farmers.
This fascinating historical church depicts biblical scenes painted on the walls.
35 locals recommend
St Benedict Catholic Church
84-5140 Painted Church RdThis fascinating historical church depicts biblical scenes painted on the walls.
Of course you have to pose next to the massive wooden carvings of Hawaiian gods.
270 locals recommend
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160Of course you have to pose next to the massive wooden carvings of Hawaiian gods.
Go Sunday mornings for the farmers market. While there, check out the volcanoes.
40 locals recommend
Cooper Center
19-4030 Wright RoadGo Sunday mornings for the farmers market. While there, check out the volcanoes.
See the sulfur banks, steam vents and take a guided hike from one of the rangers.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
See the sulfur banks, steam vents and take a guided hike from one of the rangers.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Turtles!
Punalu‘u Beach
There's black sand.
Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
And then there's green sand.
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Taste fresh Punalu'u sweet bread.
Kona Joe Coffee LLC
79-7346 Mamalahoa HwyBeautiful scenic outdoor cafe, gift shop and roasting tours.
UFO Parasail Kailua Kona
75-5660 Palani RdGreat unusual photos from your vacay!
Body Glove Hawaii
Get lucky and spot some sea creatures.
Manta Ray Dives of Hawaii
74-380 Kealakehe PkwyYou came all this way- you gotta do this!
Waipi'o on Horseback
48-5158 Honokaa-Waipio RoadRide the rim of the valley. Stunning views.
Great place to get your feet wet, and enjoy the beach. Good walking path on the mountain side.
40 locals recommend
Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area
75-5560 Kuakini HwyGreat place to get your feet wet, and enjoy the beach. Good walking path on the mountain side.
Keauhou Harbor
Watch the boats come and go, and awesome sunset.
Apart of the Hilton, near the starting line of the Ironman swim. Great calm waters.
Kamakahonu Beach, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Apart of the Hilton, near the starting line of the Ironman swim. Great calm waters.
Located within Volcanoes National Park. Came here January 2023, and the view was great! Little spews of lava coming out of the ground.
Kilauea Overlook
Located within Volcanoes National Park. Came here January 2023, and the view was great! Little spews of lava coming out of the ground.
Ohana Bali Spa & Massage
Pottery TerraceSent guests here and have had nothing but compliments.
Lavaloha
1820 Amauulu RdCame here for a butterfly and chocolate factory tour, great experience.
UCC Hawaii
Great views, great coffee.
Pink Mocha Café
73-4976 Kamanu StFor the closest coffee fix.
Massage Sanctuary
Lori is wonderful!
Neighborhoods
Where we're at. For security, Airbnb will release the full address 5 days before your reservation. As of July 2023, there's construction on the main road, expect traffic.
Manu Mele St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Where we're at. For security, Airbnb will release the full address 5 days before your reservation. As of July 2023, there's construction on the main road, expect traffic.
Uluaoa St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Go Christmas time, the houses are usually decked out.
Oni Oni St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Go Christmas time, the houses are usually decked out.
City advice
Getting around
Cars dominate.
While you can get around via ride hailing apps, it can get really pricey.
Don't miss
The lava
Unique to big island.
Customs and culture
🫳🚫Turtles and nature
While it's against the law to touch a turtle, it's taboo to take rocks and other objects of nature.
Book before you go
Any touristy spots.
The state has recently pushed for a reservation system for parks including beaches. Although primarily in Oahu for places like Hanauma Bay and Diamond Head, expect it coming here.
What to pack
Patience
The islands run on Hawaii time, expect things to be slower: Starbucks, traffic.
Don't miss
Reviews
Check what others wrote to know what to expect. There may be updated hours and locations.