Kailua-Kona

Travel Guide

Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona
“E komo mai Kona!” That means “Welcome to Kona!” in the native Hawaiian language, and you’ll hear it a lot when you escape to this fabulous tropical rock in the Pacific Ocean. Where is Kona, anyway? It’s on the eastern side of the island of Hawaii, and it’s a perfect destination for your next trip. Why? Because Kona holidays will get you lei’d the second you walk off the plane.

Things to Do in Kona

Since you’re on an island during your Kona holiday, and islands are surrounded by water, jump in. Reserve a spot on a charter boat for a swimming adventure with dolphins that will knock your swim fins off. You’ll be able to swim alongside the gentle marine mammals and see how they operate in their natural state. Just be careful—they’re known to be very playful.

When you’re done frolicking in the deep blue sea, use your lastminute.com.au Kona car hire and head to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to see what an active lava spitting mountain looks like up close. Next, stop by the Thomas A. Jaggar Museum to learn about the history of scientific exploration on the slopes of Kilauea.

Shopping, Dining and Nightlife

The city centre is a great place to do your island shopping. Take a walk, bike ride or drive down Ali’i Drive and visit as many shops as you can. Everything from high-end stores to cute souvenir shops are spread out along this oceanfront strip. Pick up a set of koa wood bowls, brightly coloured aloha shirts and a melodic ukulele. Don’t want a ukulele? Well, one of your friends back home will. You need to bring them some presents, after all.

Are you ready to stuff your face with some of the finest food in the islands? If you’re debating whether or not to buy a Hawaiian shirt, do it over a traditional plate lunch of lau lau, kalua pork, lomi lomi salmon, rice and poi. There’s more to this plate lunch, but you’ll have to spend a holiday in Kona to find out what else. Don’t forget about the Kona Farmers Market that’s held Wednesday through Sunday, where you can sample 100 percent Kona coffee and a fresh poke bowl.

You’re on holiday, so you definitely deserve to let loose for a night or two. Any one of the major resorts in town have lobby bars that turn it up when the sun goes down. Kona Brewing Company beers are local favourites, but when you visit Hawaii you’ve got to suck down a couple of mai tais and lava pits.

What’s Next

What are you waiting for? Pack your thongs and cozzie and get the heck out dodge. Browse through lastminute.com.au’s selections of Kona packages to book a hotel and flight together in order to save big bucks for other activities. One of our Hawaii holiday packages is bound to be perfect for you!

Where to stay in Kailua-Kona

Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden featuring tropical scenes and a park

Holualoa Village

While visiting Holualoa Village, you might make a stop by sights like Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden and Honl's Beach.

Holualoa Village
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Historic Kailua Village

Are you interested in stunning beaches, island views and popular shops? A visit to Historic Kailua Village might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Kailua Pier and Kailua-Kona Wharf.

Historic Kailua Village
Kahalu\'u Beach Park featuring landscape views, snorkelling and coral

Kahaluu Bay

5/5(2 area reviews)

Kahaluu Bay is a destination visitors seek out for its beaches, seaside views and pristine golf courses. You might want to check out attractions like Kahalu'u Beach Park or Magic Sands Beach while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Kahaluu Bay
Kahalu\'u Beach Park featuring landscape views, snorkelling and coral

Kahaluu-Keauhou

If you're spending some time in Kahaluu-Keauhou, Keauhou Shopping Center and Keauhou Bay Beach are top sights worth seeing.

Kahaluu-Keauhou
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Alii Heights Mauka

While there might not be top attractions in Alii Heights Mauka, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Magic Sands Beach and Kahalu'u Beach Park.

Alii Heights Mauka
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Kona Palisades

When in Kona Palisades, you can plan a visit to Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park and Kohanaiki Beach Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Kona Palisades
Royal Kona Resort
Royal Kona Resort
3.5 out of 5
75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is HK$1,510 per night from 12 May to 13 May
HK$1,510
HK$2,010 total
includes taxes & fees
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8/10 Very Good! (2,552 reviews)
"Clean, nice staff"

Reviewed on 23 Apr 2025

Royal Kona Resort
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa
OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa
4 out of 5
78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is HK$1,990 per night from 26 May to 27 May
HK$1,990
HK$2,668 total
includes taxes & fees
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 outdoor pools, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,021 reviews)
"Excellent hotel, friendly staff, very attentive. Definitely recommend"

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2025

OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa
PACIFIC 19 Kona
PACIFIC 19 Kona
3.5 out of 5
75-5646 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is HK$1,411 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
HK$1,411
HK$1,894 total
includes taxes & fees
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,518 reviews)
"Nice location, liked the design and room clean and comfortable. Found three small cockroaches in the room. Arrived late, left early, did not take advantage of the amenities’ but still had to pay the $25 per day resort fee. Good Kona coffee in the morning but no complimentary breakfast.."

Reviewed on 24 Apr 2025

PACIFIC 19 Kona
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aston Kona by the Sea
Aston Kona by the Sea
4 out of 5
75-6106 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this 4-star beach aparthotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a beach locale, 2 meeting rooms, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,074 reviews)
"This was an amazing property and experience! Thank you so much for everything. We’d definitely come again."

Reviewed on 11 Apr 2025

Aston Kona by the Sea
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
3 out of 5
75-6040 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (522 reviews)
"Very nice stay nice to have parking"

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2025

Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Kona Bali Kai
Kona Bali Kai
2 out of 5
76-6246 Alii Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free parking, a picnic area, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Magic Sands Beach and Kailua Pier are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (10 reviews)
"Great place to stay, close to the Main Street of Kona and close to the ocean!"

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2025

Kona Bali Kai
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Kailua-Kona

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
3
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
6
4 - Good 67%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I recommend eating at Kenichi’s - Japanese fusion near the resort & a lovely Italian restaurant called Mi’s in Kailua. The swimming and beaches are excellent for snorkeling. Also recommend Captain Zodiac for a snorkeling trip - dolphins and whales.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Nice place. Would return but very expensive. Then again its Hawaii