Guidebook for Kailua-Kona
Food Scene
Enjoy authentic Hawaiian Poke at Da Poke Shack. A small place for a variety of fresh caught Poke and other local specialties! Eat outside on the picnic tables or take it to go. Go early because they often sell out it's sooooo yummy!
76-6246 Alii Drive in Kailua Kona
132 locals recommend
Da Poke Shack
76-6246 Ali‘i DriveEnjoy authentic Hawaiian Poke at Da Poke Shack. A small place for a variety of fresh caught Poke and other local specialties! Eat outside on the picnic tables or take it to go. Go early because they often sell out it's sooooo yummy!
76-6246 Alii Drive in Kailua Kona
Last time we were in here this place was packed and for good reason! They have around 6 different acai bowls and about 8 different smoothies. Upstairs from Snorkel Bobs. 8am-3pm daily.
32 locals recommend
Basik Cafe
75-5831 Kahakai RdLast time we were in here this place was packed and for good reason! They have around 6 different acai bowls and about 8 different smoothies. Upstairs from Snorkel Bobs. 8am-3pm daily.
Amazing breakfast, lunch and of course Kona Coffee! The views here are breathtaking inside or out on the lanai. Be sure to check out the geckos that come to visit.
137 locals recommend
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyAmazing breakfast, lunch and of course Kona Coffee! The views here are breathtaking inside or out on the lanai. Be sure to check out the geckos that come to visit.
Vegetarian breakfast and lunch fare along with excellent coffee, bowls, smoothies and juices. All handmade and some gluten free items.
9 locals recommend
Evolution Bakery & Cafe
75-5722 Hanama PlVegetarian breakfast and lunch fare along with excellent coffee, bowls, smoothies and juices. All handmade and some gluten free items.
On the way to Waipaio Valley, stop by the famous Tex Drive-In for deep-fried Portuguese dough balls called malasadas. Also enjoy Hawaiian food and burgers.
72 locals recommend
Tex Drive-In
45-690 Pakalana StOn the way to Waipaio Valley, stop by the famous Tex Drive-In for deep-fried Portuguese dough balls called malasadas. Also enjoy Hawaiian food and burgers.
Open air restaurant and live entertainment. Grab some comfy chairs on the sand, relax by the beach, enjoy traditional haupia cake, and tropical beverages, watch the sunset and hula dancer while listening to live Hawaiian music. You'll never want to leave!
171 locals recommend
Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlOpen air restaurant and live entertainment. Grab some comfy chairs on the sand, relax by the beach, enjoy traditional haupia cake, and tropical beverages, watch the sunset and hula dancer while listening to live Hawaiian music. You'll never want to leave!
Parks & Nature
Well worth the drive! It's truly amazing to see Mother Nature's power! There's so much to do and see in the park and nearby, you may want to spend a day or two nearby. Don't miss the petroglyphs and lava tubes. If you can swing it, the helicopter ride over the volcanoes is a once in a lifetime experience! The volcano is amazing to view at sunset so you can truly experience the glow. Stop by the Visitors Center for information about the volcanoes, maps and mementos of your visit. Park is open 24/7/365 for your convenience.
880 locals recommend
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Well worth the drive! It's truly amazing to see Mother Nature's power! There's so much to do and see in the park and nearby, you may want to spend a day or two nearby. Don't miss the petroglyphs and lava tubes. If you can swing it, the helicopter ride over the volcanoes is a once in a lifetime experience! The volcano is amazing to view at sunset so you can truly experience the glow. Stop by the Visitors Center for information about the volcanoes, maps and mementos of your visit. Park is open 24/7/365 for your convenience.
Heading towards Captain Cook on HI-11, just after the intersection at Mamalahoa Bypass Road stay straight and you'll be on Napoopoo Road. Around 82 Napoopoo Road in Captain Cook you'll probably see cars parked alongside the road. Park here and hike down to Captain Cook Monument. It’s a winding but well-traveled trail that's about 1.8 miles down. Did I mention you'll be going down?? Way down... which means the way back up - which is mostly in full sun - is UP - about a 1,500 ft difference in elevation! Recommended to go about 7am, swim for a few hours then hike back up before it gets too hot. Bring water, hat, SPF, snorkel gear and wear good hiking shoes.
64 locals recommend
Captain Cook Monument Trail
Napoopoo RoadHeading towards Captain Cook on HI-11, just after the intersection at Mamalahoa Bypass Road stay straight and you'll be on Napoopoo Road. Around 82 Napoopoo Road in Captain Cook you'll probably see cars parked alongside the road. Park here and hike down to Captain Cook Monument. It’s a winding but well-traveled trail that's about 1.8 miles down. Did I mention you'll be going down?? Way down... which means the way back up - which is mostly in full sun - is UP - about a 1,500 ft difference in elevation! Recommended to go about 7am, swim for a few hours then hike back up before it gets too hot. Bring water, hat, SPF, snorkel gear and wear good hiking shoes.
Kahalu'u Beach Park just across the street from the condo. The most popular place on the island for snorkeling and swimming. Restrooms, food, coral and lots of sea life waiting for you! Watch the sunset with the other locals and tourists each nice and enjoy the splendor of true Hawai’i!
239 locals recommend
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveKahalu'u Beach Park just across the street from the condo. The most popular place on the island for snorkeling and swimming. Restrooms, food, coral and lots of sea life waiting for you! Watch the sunset with the other locals and tourists each nice and enjoy the splendor of true Hawai’i!
Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay) - take the Kua Bay access road down to the parking area. There are restrooms for changing, sometimes a food truck and white sands awaiting. The beach is a nice size, not usually too busy and plenty of great waves.
Maniniowali Beach
Manini'owali Beach (Kua Bay) - take the Kua Bay access road down to the parking area. There are restrooms for changing, sometimes a food truck and white sands awaiting. The beach is a nice size, not usually too busy and plenty of great waves.
Pae'a (aka "Two Step") in Captain Cook. Just outside and to the right of Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. You'll park along the road and walk to the lava rock formation. You'll see everyone lining up at one end of the lava rock where it's 2 steps down and you're in the ocean! Amazing coral for snorkeling here. Lots of locals and sometimes even an outrigger club may be practicing so stay out of their way when exploring.
21 locals recommend
Two Step diving & snorkeling
Pae'a (aka "Two Step") in Captain Cook. Just outside and to the right of Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park. You'll park along the road and walk to the lava rock formation. You'll see everyone lining up at one end of the lava rock where it's 2 steps down and you're in the ocean! Amazing coral for snorkeling here. Lots of locals and sometimes even an outrigger club may be practicing so stay out of their way when exploring.
Sightseeing
Words cannot describe the beauty you'll see here. There's a rich history in this area so please respect it. You can hike down the valley and also enjoy horseback riding through the valley. Be sure to stop by the world famous Tex Drive-In for Portuguese Malasadas on the way!
201 locals recommend
Waipio Valley Lookout
Words cannot describe the beauty you'll see here. There's a rich history in this area so please respect it. You can hike down the valley and also enjoy horseback riding through the valley. Be sure to stop by the world famous Tex Drive-In for Portuguese Malasadas on the way!
Arts & Culture
Archaeological park featuring burial grounds and a rich history. 1871 Trail in Captain Cook
270 locals recommend
Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160Archaeological park featuring burial grounds and a rich history. 1871 Trail in Captain Cook
Shopping
Here you have your choice of Japanese, Italian, Thai, Mexican or Hawaiian Restaurants. Shopping, Cafe, Pharmacy, Grocery Stores and a movie theater all about a 2 drive away.
58 locals recommend
Keauhou Shopping Center
78-6831 Ali‘i DrHere you have your choice of Japanese, Italian, Thai, Mexican or Hawaiian Restaurants. Shopping, Cafe, Pharmacy, Grocery Stores and a movie theater all about a 2 drive away.
Entertainment & Activities
Learn about the conservation of several species of seahorses! Interact with them for a truly once in a lifetime experience!
27 locals recommend
Ocean Rider Inc
73-4388 Ilikai PlaceLearn about the conservation of several species of seahorses! Interact with them for a truly once in a lifetime experience!