{"id":1633,"date":"2018-11-06T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-11-06T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flytographer.com\/blog\/travel-guide-kona\/"},"modified":"2018-11-06T18:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-11-06T18:00:00","slug":"travel-guide-kona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flyphotoprod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/travel-guide-kona\/","title":{"rendered":"Flytographer\u2019s Guide to the Kona Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Even for the well-travelled, Hawaii Island, colloquially known as \u201cthe Big Island,\u201d seems otherworldly \u2014 sun and rain (the Kona coast is notably brighter than wet Hilo on the island\u2019s east side); sand (dreamy white beaches and wild black ones, too); roads that snake through rainforests hugging steep ravines; miles of barren volcanic rock; wide-open valleys overlooking the Pacific. The Big Island is just that\u2026 big \u2014 about 4,050 square miles.<\/p>\n

And when Hawaii\u2019s Kilauea volcano erupted this May, its lava flow affected an area of about 9.5 square miles and ceased entirely by September. Only a small part of Hawaii was affected, but the fallout for the local tourism industry was felt across all the islands. Formed by volcanic eruptions, it\u2019s that rugged origin that makes Hawaii the awe-inspiring natural wonder we see today. Now that the ash has long since cleared and Kilauea sleeps once again, we wanted to share our guide and top picks for rediscovering this Hawaiian gem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\"\"<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\"\"<\/span>Flytographer Caleb and Cece in Kona<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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Best Restaurants in Kona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Kona Brewing Co.
\n<\/span><\/strong>When in Hawaii, it\u2019s best to drink Hawaiian beer. You\u2019ll find it at Kona Brewing Co.<\/a>, where you can tour the brewery and taste popular bottles like Big Wave Golden Ale. Pizza at the indoor\/outdoor brewpub is a must, too. Some Saturdays, there\u2019s an open-air market outside the brewery; on Sundays, there\u2019s live music.<\/span><\/p>\n

Basik Cafe
\n<\/span><\/strong>Healthy eaters will want to stop by this second-floor smoothie and acai shop in town. Basik<\/a> has some of the best bowls on the island.<\/span><\/p>\n

Beach Tree Bar at the Four Seasons Hualalai
\n<\/span><\/strong>Head to the Four Seasons Hualalai for drinks or dinner in a breezy, beach house setting. Dine in the sand or under the vaulted ceilings of Beach Tree Bar\u2019s<\/a> elegant dining room, complete with ocean views.<\/span><\/p>\n

Red Water Caf\u00e9
\n<\/span><\/strong>In the small, elevated village of Waimea, cozy Red Water Caf\u00e9<\/a> relies on local farms to provide ingredients \u2014 garden tomatoes, feta, line-caught ahi \u2014 for its American and Japanese fare.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\"\"<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\"\"<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\"\"<\/span>Flytographer Sandra and Kris in Kona<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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Must See Attractions in Kona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

49 Black Sand Beach
\n<\/span><\/strong>Volcanic rock lends the tint to the black sand enjoyed by sunbathing turtles at the small and secluded 49 Black Sand Beach. For snorkellers, underwater views of corals and fish delight.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area
\n<\/span><\/strong>Hapuna Beach has everything that makes Hawaiian beaches so dreamy: white sand, lava caves, water clear enough to snorkel in, views of Maui in the distance. The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort<\/a> will open near the beach at the end of the month.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\"\"<\/span>\n<\/div>\n
\n\"\"<\/span>Flytographer Aislinn in Kona<\/a>\n<\/div>\n
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Things To Do in Kona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

ATV the Waipio Valley
\n<\/span><\/strong>To see the wonder of the<\/span> Waipio Valley, cruise the<\/span> Kohala coastline in ATVs. ATV Outfitters Hawaii<\/a> <\/span>offers journeys that bring you through an old eucalyptus rainforest down to the picturesque Keawaeli Bay where waves crash below you and a tropical waterfall is just a short hike away.<\/span><\/p>\n

Night Snorkel with Manta Rays
\n<\/span><\/strong>Stroll Ali\u2019i Drive in the afternoon and you\u2019ll find companies touting this underwater nighttime adventure. For the adventurous, cruising along the surface of the water looking down offers up views of the wild creatures somersaulting and gliding beneath.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a Road Trip
\n<\/span><\/strong>Toward Hilo, the island\u2019s most famous waterfall, Akaka Falls<\/a>, pulls crowds to stare at water dropping 442 feet from the ground. Follow the path to hike the short distance down for a closer view and wait around for a rainbow. Not far away, the Hilo Farmers Market<\/a> \u2014 where you\u2019ll find local coffee, native tropical fruits like guava, pineapple, passion fruit, and more \u2014 is worth a walk-through.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\nBook a Photographer in Kona<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\n<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Even for the well-travelled, Hawaii Island, colloquially known as \u201cthe Big Island,\u201d seems otherworldly \u2014 sun and rain (the Kona coast is notably brighter than wet Hilo on the island\u2019s east side); sand (dreamy white beaches and wild black ones, too); roads that snake through rainforests hugging steep ravines; miles of barren volcanic rock; wide-open valleys overlooking the Pacific. The…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":84592,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"yes","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[156,254],"class_list":["post-1633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-flytographer","tag-city-guide","tag-kona"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nFlytographer's Guide to the Kona Coast | Flytographer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Even for the well-travelled, Hawaii Island seems otherworldly. 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