After an ideal 5-day Maui journey with mates final spring, we caught a little bit little bit of a Hawaii bug. Simple to do once you’re exhausted from work and all of the airways are continuously competing with value drops.
So we caught $297 tickets to Kona for some relaxation and leisure. In the event you’re on the lookout for the identical R&R, right here’s learn how to spend 5 days on the Massive Island’s Kona Coast in pure island bliss.
A fast overview of the Massive Island
Right here’s the factor, the Massive Island is huge. Yep, like its identify says. So there’s a ton of issues to do on the Massive Island.
In case you have restricted time and want to principally chill and calm down, you’ll need to focus your time in only one a part of the island. For us, that was the Kona Coast, the central and southern elements of the island’s west coast. (You’ll see in a bit that we ventured into Kau as effectively.)
It is a little bit of a crude digest, however principally, the Kona Coast is the sunnier, beachy aspect. The Hilo aspect is the extra wet, volcanic aspect. You may clearly keep in Kohala, Kau, and different areas as effectively, however Kona and Hilo supply essentially the most comfort.
In the event you’ve acquired extra time or actually need to discover a number of elements of the Massive Island, I’d recommend flying into Kona and out of Hilo or vice versa. That manner you’ll be able to spend a while on the Kona Coast, drive north up the Kohala Coast, and nonetheless get to the volcanic aspect.
Once more, we wished to calm down and escape from the dreary northern California winter, so we went with Kona. (Plus, the principle draw for us on the Hilo aspect would have been Volcanoes Nationwide Park, however it not has any lava after the 2018 eruption.)
The place to remain on the Massive Island’s Kona Coast
Once more, the Massive Island is huge. A automobile is mostly required, although you possibly can doubtlessly get round with Ubers and rented bicycles if you happen to actually had the willpower.
However even with a rental automobile in hand, we knew we wished comfort and adaptability. We wished the flexibility to go locations with out fascinated with parking and have some drinks with out worrying who was going to drive residence.
So we selected to remain proper in Kona city. Our lovely Airbnb was proper on the water and had this unbelievable view.
Our Airbnb, in addition to many others, had snorkeling gear, tons of seashore chairs, seashore towels, coolers, and extra to make our time on the Massive Island extra gratifying (and cheaper).
If the thought of sleeping in another person’s residence unsettles you, no worries. There are clearly loads of inns out there in Kona as effectively.
Day 1: Chill out and snorkel
Irrespective of the place you’re coming in from, you’re prone to have had an extended flight to get to the Massive Island. So take it simple in your first day.
Begin off with a breakfast mai tai at Island Java. This beachside cafe serves up your typical morning fare, however it’s their breakfast mai tai that really shines. (Significantly, we favored it manner higher than the extra well-known ones at Don the Beachcomber.)
Magic sands and magical ribs
Spend the remainder of your morning basking within the heat Hawaiian solar (earlier than it will get too scorching).
La’aloa Bay, aka Magic Sands Seaside, is a beautiful, albeit small, stretch of white sandy seashore. It’s additionally one of many closest white sand seashores to Kona.
Once you’re prepared for some lunch, drive south to Randy’s Huli Rooster and Ribs. This out of doors pit serves up scrumptious hen and ribs (as its identify says) each Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. till they’re bought out.
In the event you’re not on the town throughout these days, one other nice possibility a stone’s throw away is Teshima’s, one of many island’s most important staples for Japanese consolation meals.
Snorkeling with spinner dolphins
When you’re full, proceed south to Kealakekua Bay State Historic Park. It’s the house of the Captain Prepare dinner monument, which marks the place the well-known British explorer was killed, and Hikiau Heiau, a standard Hawaiian spiritual web site.
The bay can be residence to the island’s magical spinner dolphins and plenty of different species of marine life. It’s an awesome alternative to do some snorkeling or kayaking.
Whereas I’m normally an enormous advocate for DIY, Kealakekua Bay is one place the place I’d suggest hopping on a tour if you wish to get some good marine life viewing.
That’s as a result of the bay now requires particular permits to entry that physique of water. There are three distributors which have the license, and you may undergo them. In any other case, you’ll want to use to your personal allow or discover a rental spot that has the licenses for every vessel.
(You may also take the one-hour hike from the doorway of the park to the Capitan Prepare dinner monument after which enter the water there, however the path is rocky, and also you’ll nonetheless must swim out for the most effective probabilities to swim with spinner dolphins.)
Day 2: Be taught some Hawaiian historical past and see some fishies
Be taught some Hawaiian historical past in your second day with a go to to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau Nationwide Historic Park.
The Pu’uhonua was a refuge for individuals who broke the kapu, or sacred legal guidelines, in addition to for defeated warriors and civilians throughout wartime. It was, in different phrases, a literal secure area. Subsequent to it are the Royal Grounds and Ki’ilae Village, which displays Hawaiian conventional society.
This park was probably the most thrilling highlights for me, as too usually journeys to Hawaii are simply seashores and hikes and devoid of any publicity to Hawaiian historical past and tradition. (Oahu has some improbable museums and historic websites although.)
Be certain to name into the free audio information. It provides tremendous useful context as you discover the three adjoining sections. In any other case, you’re simply seeing constructions and sculptures with out understanding what they’re or their cultural and historic significance. (Once we went, the quantity was (808) 217-9279 — however remember to double verify once you go to.)
When you’re exploring Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau, you’ll undoubtedly see snorkelers proper subsequent to the park.
I received’t lie, that spot is admittedly rocky and unfriendly to these with out reef footwear, however it does supply simple snorkeling proper offshore. You may even see some fish with out moving into the water.
For lunch, check out Da Poke Shack. In the event you like poke, this place received’t disappoint.
There’s not a lot seating at Da Poke Shack, however who must eat on the restaurant when you’ll be able to simply take it to a close-by seashore?
The manta ray feed
Then take a while to calm down within the afternoon. You’ll need to avoid wasting power for the night particular: the manta ray night time dive.
Manta ray night time dives are probably the most well-liked actions on the Massive Island’s Kona Coast. Snorkeling as these magnificent water flyers gracefully transfer round you at nighttime night time waters? Down.
There are a ton of tour firms that do that, however I used to be tremendous completely satisfied to seek out Anelakai Adventures, which provides a manta ray night time snorkel through a standard Hawaiian outrigger canoe.
Most firms will supply two instances for night time dives — one across the time the solar goes down and the opposite a couple of hours later. We selected to go for the sundown time slot given we had been paddling out on an outrigger canoe and since nighttime water temperatures in January could be a bit chilly, even in Hawaii.
The expertise principally includes you hanging on to your canoe (or different personalized raft) whereas viewing manta rays doing their night time feeds. You don’t must be very athletic for this, however it does assist to be comfy with a snorkel.
They had been beautiful creatures to look at, however I received’t lie, I used to be chilled to the bone simply floating there and not likely transferring. Positively needed to get out a couple of minutes early to keep away from getting sick!
Day 3: Inexperienced and black sand seashores
After days of white sand seashores, lace up your mountain climbing footwear and head south down the Kona Coast. As we speak is the day for inexperienced sand and black sand seashores. (Technically each of those are in Kau and never Kona. I do know, I do know.)
First up is the inexperienced sand seashore. It’s also referred to as Papakōlea Seaside or Mahana Seaside.
This secluded seashore is situated at the southern tip of the Massive Island. To get to it, you’ll must hike 2-3 miles from the trailhead car parking zone.
Be sure to’re effectively ready with numerous sunscreen and water. Regardless of the coastal path, the hike was extra desert-like — stifling scorching, solar blazing in your pores and skin. (Granted, we did this hike on the hottest time of the day). Don’t have any hesitations stripping and trekking in your swimwear.
If mountain climbing isn’t your factor however you actually need to see one of many world’s solely inexperienced sand seashores, it’s also possible to pay for a experience from one of many locals who wait on the trailhead with their vans. (Those self same vans might be on the seashore to give you a experience again later.)
A observe concerning the shade of the inexperienced sand seashore: don’t get tricked by folks’s enhancing and filtering tips, Instagram ain’t actual life.
The sand is extra of a glittery deep olive inexperienced than your commonplace inexperienced. The colour comes from crushed olivine particles which are interlaced with black sand.
We didn’t find yourself spending an excessive amount of time on the seashore itself, having arrived a bit late within the day. However it’s a lovely and quiet spot to take pleasure in a e book and get a tan.
In the event you plan to remain for an extended chunk of time, simply be certain to carry every thing you want. It’s a distant seashore with no services, no shops, no workers.
The world is sort of distant, so there aren’t too many choices for lunch. When you trek again out to your automobile, I’d suggest driving to Ka Lae Backyard Thai Meals, which serves up contemporary, made-to-order dishes. In the event you’re keen to drive a little bit additional, I’ve heard nice issues about Hana Hou Restaurant in Naalehu.
From inexperienced to black to sundown
Naalehu is additionally the closest city to Punalu‘u Seaside, the black sand seashore with sea turtles. Sadly, we ran out of time the day we visited the inexperienced sand seashore and couldn’t get to Punalu’u earlier than it acquired too darkish.
However take a look at this beautiful place. I’ll must hit it up subsequent time.
In your manner again to Kona, make two necessary stops:
1. The Punalu‘u Bake Store
This Massive Island basic sells Portuguese-influenced Hawaiian sweetbreads in addition to dinner rolls and cookies. The sweetbreads will make a carb-loving monster even out of your cleanest-eating mates.
In the event you can’t bodily make it into the bake store, the excellent news is their merchandise are bought in grocery shops all around the island. Received’t lie, we virtually stuffed a few loaves of their gentle and pillowy taro sweetbread into our suitcases.
2. South Level, the southernmost level of america
Whereas this spot is tremendous near the inexperienced sand seashore, I’d suggest ready till you’re in your manner again to hit it up. Particularly, ready till sundown time for the beautiful views.
South Level is additionally well-liked with cliff jumpers regardless of many indicators forbidding it. That’s not in my wheelhouse, but when it’s in yours, effectively, your life, your dangers.
Day 4: Water and solar and beer
Whereas the Massive Island doesn’t have as many beautiful stretches of sandy seashores as Maui, it doesn’t lack choices for individuals who choose to get within the water.
One of the crucial versatile locations for watersports on the Kona Coast is Kahaluu Bay.
This bay has two distinct sides. The left aspect is reserved for snorkelers whereas the proper aspect was meant for surfers and paddleboarders. That manner you and your fellow vacationers can every select their sport with out having to lug everybody else to a different spot.
There’s additionally loads of seashore area for the tans-only, no-water individual in your group to get their fill of vitamin D.
Time to be a glutton
When you’ve cleaned up a bit, go to Broke da Mouth Grindz for lunch. This Hawaiian and Filipino spot is like all of your consolation meals desires come true.
Then go down the road to Ola Brew Co, a comparatively new brewery within the space. (And as such, the spot is sort of all locals.) They brew ciders, too!
And naturally, how are you going to not hit up the island’s most well-known brewery, Kona Brewing Co.? Wind down your day there — they usually have dwell music, too!
Whereas Broke da Mouth Grindz and the 2 breweries are all walkable from city, there’s additionally a Kona Trolley that may assist you to get round.
Day 5: Repeat day 4
Fast, get some extra water and sunshine earlier than it’s essential to head to the airport! To your final day on the Massive Island, preserve it near Kona city and preserve it chill.
Begin your day with a paddleboard or kayak rental (or each!) and get out onto Kailua Bay (in downtown Kona).
The bay is comparatively calm however not so passive that the paddle is a bore. We wish to carry a beer with for a pleasant mid-ocean refresher. (After all, at all times be certain to carry these cans again with you!)
When you’ve returned your gear, don’t overlook to take a look at Kamakahonu Nationwide Historic Landmark. As soon as the residence of Kamehameha the Nice, unifier of the Hawaiian Islands, this spot now homes a reconstruction.
Then lay down your towel and calm down on the sandy seashores of Kailua Bay.
In the event you’ve acquired little ones with you, the seashore right here is ideal for them. There are tons of kids taking part in within the shallow waters of the cove, and the seashore itself is sufficiently small that it’s simpler to control them.
Hopefully, your Airbnb or resort will will let you try late and bathe earlier than you head to the airport. If not, each seashore has a pleasant cool bathe the place you’ll be able to at the least rinse a number of the sand off your physique.
Aloha ’til subsequent time! (Or slightly, a hui hou!)
