Kailua-Kona

Travel Guide
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

Royal Kona Resort
Royal Kona Resort
3.5 out of 5
75-5852 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is CA $262 per night from Sep. 30 to Oct. 1
CA $262
per night
Sep. 30 - Oct. 1
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy a full-service spa, breakfast, and WiFi. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,160 reviews)
"This last minute unexpected stay turned out to be quite the blessing."

Reviewed on Sep. 18, 2023

Royal Kona Resort
Kona Coast Resort
Kona Coast Resort
3.5 out of 5
78-6842 Alii Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this 3.5-star golf hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the convenient parking and the bathrooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"I loved staying here! It’s beautiful, spacious and the staff are very responsive for anything you need. On Mondays there is a free hula show, there’s another free hula show on Fridays at the Keauhou shopping center just up the road. The pool is warm with a bar right next to it. The room we had was ..."

Reviewed on Sep. 19, 2023

Kona Coast Resort
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
3 out of 5
75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua-Kona, HI
The price is CA $520 per night from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7
CA $520
per night
Oct. 6 - Oct. 7
Stay at this 3-star beach hotel in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
"Lots of Hawaiian history, clean room, ice and fresh water was a plus. Enjoyed the lagoon."

Reviewed on Sep. 12, 2023

Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel
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 free parking, a beach locale, and 2 meeting rooms. Our guests praise the property condition in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (926 reviews)
"Wonderful place to stay with a great view!"

Reviewed on Sep. 18, 2023

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 3-star condo in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Honl's Beach and Sadie Seymour Botanical Garden ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (407 reviews)
"The unit was absolutely perfect. There's not a single thing that could be improved in the unit. The ocean view was beautiful, the layout inside the unit was great and clearly has just been upgraded because it's stunning inside. My only complaint was the scumbag pot smoking turd who rented (or owned) ..."

Reviewed on Sep. 7, 2023

Royal Sea Cliff Kona by OUTRIGGER
Kanaloa at Kona by Castle
Kanaloa at Kona by Castle
3 out of 5
78-261 Manukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Kailua-Kona. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (358 reviews)
Good place to stay.
"Overall, great place to stay as a family! Beware that they charge a daily rate for the use of AC."

Reviewed on Sep. 5, 2023

Kanaloa at Kona by Castle
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

Reviews of Kailua-Kona

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
125
" "5 - Excellent 66.84491978609626%
4 - Good
46
" "4 - Good 24.59893048128342%
3 - Okay
13
" "3 - Okay 6.951871657754011%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0695187165775402%
1 - Terrible
1
" "1 - Terrible 0.5347593582887701%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Mar. 21, 2020

I just love the village, small-town feeling of this place. It has all the usual amenity close-by. Yet, the beaches, so many different shapes/styles of them within 10 minutes of driving distance. It is just wonderful.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Mar. 17, 2020

Beautiful and friendly place

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Feb. 28, 2020

Good weather on this side of island...be careful to lock car as items do get stolen on Ali’i drive downtown

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Feb. 24, 2020

Greatest place lots of spunk

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 21, 2020

I love Kailua Kona! Love the Mokuaikaua church. They will be celebrating 200 years very soon! Wish I could be there for it.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Jan. 30, 2020

Relaxed friendly community with all the amenities. Enjoyed Fosters Kitchen and Broke My Mouth Grindz. Access to groceries with Costco, Walmart and Safeway

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