KONA COAST
Explore the natural wonders of Kona and its world-famous coffee beans
A Hawaiian Paradise of History and Natural Beauty.
It’s no surprise that the sunny Kona district on the Big Island is among the most favored destinations for tourists. Its largest town is Kailua Kona, which is a vibrant historic village offering spectacular restaurants, shops, and a historical walking tour at Hulie’e Palace, Mokuaikaua Church, and the Ahuena Heiau.
Kona takes up an expansive area of the island, stretching about 60 miles along the Big Island’s west shore from Kona International Airport to south of Kealakekua Bay and is separated into two districts, north and south. The city of Kona, rich in history, is also home to important landmarks, fascinating coral reefs with calm clear waters for snorkeling, scuba diving or spotting dolphins and Hawaiian green sea turtles. Kona features two of the largest national historic parks – Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau and Kaloko-Honokohau. It also boasts hundreds of coffee farms including the world-renowned Kona coffee. History enthusiasts will enjoy visiting Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay, where Captain James Cook first landed on the island in 1778.
The stunning beauty of this “sunny side” of the island and the unique attractions of Kona are a must-see for everyone who dreams of a quiet tropical vacation.
Want to spend the day with us exploring all the natural wonders of the Big Island?
Then our Grand Circle Tour of Hawaii Island is for you. Here you will get to experience cultural, historic, scenic, and volcanic views with gourmet delights all in one trip and without missing a single thing. From cascading waterfalls to turtles lounging on a beautiful black sand beach, you can further indulge your senses with the tastes of Kona at the Royal Kona Coffee Mill & Museum and Big Island Candies Factory or Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm (stop depends on day). On this tour you will see Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, Hilo Town, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Visitor Center, Volcano House, majestic views of the volcanic crater, Rainbow Falls and more.
Ever wanted to meet the stars on the Big Island?
Our Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour is where you will explore the celestial wonders of the sky from the summit of Mauna Kea volcano with a professional guide and astronomer using a Coronado SolarMax 60 hydrogen-alpha solar telescope where you can safely view the sun and its surface. Tours start in Kona or Kohala where you will begin your journey with world-renowned Kona coffee by visiting the coffee plantation which is a must and especially when you’re on Kona. Here you will learn all about coffee, from the bean to the cup.
Located in South Kona, Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, was once official royal grounds and considered a place of refuge for Hawaiian people who broke ancient laws. The sacred laws, referred to as Kapu, were of the highest significance to traditional Hawaiian culture and treated with great respect. Breaking kapu was so severe that death was often a result. Those who had broken the law could hope to seek safety in the Pu’uhonua refuge where they would participate in a ceremony of absolution before being released back into society.
Today Pu’uhonua o Honaunau is one of the most significant sites in Hawaii. There are self-guided walking tours at the national park which lead visitors to the 12-foot-high Great Wall and wooden statues of gods (kii) who guard the site known as Hale o Keawe Heiau, a sacred temple that housed the bones of 23 chiefs (alii).
There are literally hundreds of coffee farms in Kona, and many that offer tours to the public such as: Royal Kona Coffee Mill and Museum, Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, Greenwell Farms and Hula Daddy Coffee where you can see coffee orchards and learn all about the coffee-making process. Many tours offer free tasting of the coffee and a visitor center where you can buy the local coffee.
Coffee tours are often guided walking tours where you can take in the awe-inspiring scenery of the grounds while learning all about your favorite bean. If you’re planning a trip to Kona in November, don’t miss The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival which takes place every year and is a must-do for all coffee fanatics.