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Before you go
Your trip to Kailua-Kona.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Kailua-Kona – Hawaii Destination Hawaii Island (Big Island) about 270 km from Honolulu
How to get there
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Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA) 11 km
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Kailua Pier 1 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
Kona International Airport (KOA) is about 11 km north of downtown, with flights to the U.S. mainland and to Honolulu, Maui and Kauai. Cruise ships anchor in Kailua Bay and ferry passengers by boat to the pier.
How many days
Three days for Kealakekua Bay, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau, Hāpuna Beach and one night with the manta rays. More days if Kona is your base for the rest of the island.
When to go
All year: the Kona coast is one of the driest in the archipelago, with highs between 27 °C and 30 °C. Afternoons often bring clouds over the slopes. From December to April humpback whales pass offshore.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes. There are limited buses on the island, and the beaches and parks are spread along the coast. Drive on the right.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Kailua-Kona
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Morning
Kealakekua Bay
Take an authorized boat or kayak tour to Cook’s monument and snorkel the reef.
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Afternoon
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau
Head south and walk through the ancient sacred refuge; finish with snorkeling in Hōnaunau Bay.
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Evening
Manta rays
Do the night dive with manta rays, which departs from boats near Kailua-Kona.
2 days in Kailua-Kona
Day 1
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All day
Kona coast
Kealakekua in the morning, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau in the afternoon and manta rays at night.
Day 2
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All day
Kohala
Go north to Hāpuna Beach and spend the day on the Kohala coast.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What is the night dive with manta rays in Kona like?
Boats take participants to coastal spots where lights attract plankton, and manta rays often appear to feed. You join by snorkel or scuba; do not touch the animals.
Are Kailua-Kona and Kailua the same town?
No. Kailua-Kona is the town on the Kona coast of the Big Island; the other Kailua is on the windward side of Oahu, about half an hour from Honolulu.
Can you visit coffee farms in Kona?
Yes. Several farms on the slopes above Kailua-Kona welcome visitors to learn about cultivation and taste the coffee.
How far is Kona from Volcanoes National Park?
About 150 km, a two-and-a-half to three-hour drive via the southern route. It’s worth spending the night in Volcano or Hilo.