10 curated experiences
Kailua-Kona
Easy, flat, walkable strip along Kailua Bay past Mokuaikaua Church and Huliheʻe Palace, ending at oceanfront restaurants for sunset dinner; good low-key evening for travelers already based in Kona town.
Kailua-Kona
The in-town Kona lūʻau (no shuttle needed for clients staying in Kailua-Kona), set at Kamakahonu / Ahuʻena Heiau, Kamehameha the Great's former residence — standard buffet-and-Polynesian-show format. Schedule and price are third-party-confirmed, not pulled from the operator's own price page, so verify the current adult rate and that the date is running before quoting a client.
Kailua-Kona
The nocturnal manta experience from below the surface is even more extraordinary than snorkeling — mantas circle in feeding spirals within arm's reach at 20–30 foot depth. Multiple mantas typically present; the record in a single evening is 78. The best night dive in the Pacific.
Kailua-Kona
A national historical park 10 minutes from Kona that almost no tourists visit — ancient Hawaiian fishponds, lava coast, and a sheltered bay where Hawaiian green sea turtles rest on the beach in numbers that rival Punalu'u. The ʻAiʻōpio Fishtrap area is the focal point: a large enclosed lava pool used for ancient aquaculture, now filled with fish and surrounded by turtles on the rocks. Swimming is possible from a small beach in the protected cove. The combination of free entry, no crowds, and genuine wildlife makes this one of the best-kept secrets on the island.
Keauhou
Pacific manta rays with wingspans up to 18 feet perform feeding rolls through plankton-rich water illuminated by boat lights — and you float on the surface as they rise toward your face. Sighting rate is 90%+. The most magical wildlife encounter in all of Hawaii, full stop.
South Kona
The most significant cultural site on the Big Island — a Hawaiian Place of Refuge where kapu (law) breakers, defeated warriors, and civilians could reach safety and receive absolution from priests. The reconstructed royal grounds, carved ki'i akua (deity figures), royal fishponds, and enormous mortarless stone wall (built without metal tools around 1550) are extraordinarily well-preserved. A self-guided audio tour walks you through the site's role in Hawaiian society. The ocean setting — palm trees, ancient lava coast, crystal water — is as beautiful as any resort. Do this before or after Two Step snorkeling directly next door.
South Kona
The best shore snorkeling on the Big Island and one of the finest in Hawaii — a natural two-step lava entry drops directly into 30–50 foot visibility water with exceptional coral coverage and fish density. Spinner dolphins rest in the bay in the mornings; manta rays pass through occasionally. The lack of a sandy beach means the water is completely clear of sediment. Combine with Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau next door: visit the cultural site, then cool off in the bay. Look underwater near the boat mooring area for the word "ALOHA" spelled out in coral and stones.
Kealakekua Bay
Double kayaks across the bay to the Captain Cook monument, spinner dolphins on the way, snorkelling at the monument. She includes two double kayaks in most four-island trips.
Kealakekua Bay
The premier snorkeling spot on the Big Island — an underwater state monument with 100+ foot visibility, coral formations, and tropical fish density rivaling the Red Sea. The Captain Cook Monument marks where Cook was killed in 1779. Spinner dolphins habitually rest in the bay mornings. Boat-only access keeps it pristine.
Kona Coffee Belt
Kona coffee (grown in the volcanic soil of the Kona Coffee Belt between 800–2,000ft on Mauna Loa's slopes) is among the rarest and most prized coffee in the world — the only commercial coffee grown in the US. Greenwell Farms is the best free farm tour on the island: 45–60 minutes with a knowledgeable guide covering the full process from cherry to cup, including a cupping at the end. Bay View Farm is shorter but convenient if combining with Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau nearby. Critical reminder for buying: Hawaii law allows "Kona blend" coffee to contain as little as 10% actual Kona beans. Buy only 100% Kona from the farm directly — never from airport shops.