Best Things to Do in Kona on Vacation | Travel Tips by Flytographer

Mary's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

For malasadas, the best were from Tex Drive Inn (Honokaa). In Waimea, the bbq from The Fish and the Hog (brisket tacos!) was very delicious, and we loved the burgers and fries from Village Burger. Hands down favorite meal was from Randy's Huli Chicken (south of Kona). For fresh eats, we loved Kaya's (south of Kona), The Booch Bar (Hilo), Halabar (at Mauna Lani Auberge), Tin Shack Bakery (Pahoa). I loved all the fruit, and every virgin and alcoholic pina colada I tasted. And anything with lilikoi is so good!

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Watching for whales (remember to pack binoculars if traveling to the Big Island in the winter months!), walking along the water, swimming & snorkeling in the ocean, Hapuna Beach.

What is your best overall travel tip for Kona?

The entire island is incredible to explore, so enjoy some beach days on the Kohala Coast and then explore the east and southern parts of the Island for a completely different experience. Polulu Trail, Kilauea Iki Trail at Volcanoes NP, Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic site. Worth waking early to watch all the spectacular sunrises.

Visited Kona in February

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Aly in Kona for Flytographer

Dooreh's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Not in Kona, but in Waimea, the Fish and the Hog has amazing barbecues and fish taco! Also, Hina Rae's Cafe has amazing acai bowl and ube latte!

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Beautiful sunset at the Canoe House

What is the best tip for celebrating your birthday in Kona?

Bring a birthday garland for your trip, and it will turn any place to a festive atmosphere!

Visited Kona in July

Photo Shoot Location: Puako Hidden Beaches

Christian in Kona for Flytographer

Christina's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Snorkeling with manta rays

Visited Kona in July

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Christian in Kona for Flytographer

Isabella's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Not in Kona, but we highly suggest going to Merrimans in Waimea!

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Definitely go snorkeling with Kona Style! The crew is AMAZING!!!

Visited Kona in June

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Samantha in Kona for Flytographer

Taylor's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Huggo’s. Great fresh fish and drinks right on the water

Visited Kona in June

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Christian in Kona for Flytographer

Laura's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Fairmont Orchid has a great photography site and a great restaurant on the beach to continue to enjoy sunset after your shoot.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

The North Shore was our favorite overall area. Visit the Waipi'o Fruit Shack and the artists shops. You can also take a shuttle to the black sand beach.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

You’ll want a car for exploring, volcanoes national part and rainbow falls are a great adventure and you can stop in Hilo at the market for snacks. There are tons of great beaches depending on what you’re looking for, but Hāpuna is great for families- boogie boarding, nice sand. Turtles Cove is good if you walk a ways past the four seasons. Honokohau beach has tons of turtles and calm water for kids and snorkeling. Alula beach does as well and they’re 5 minutes apart divided by a marina. Night snorkeling with Manta Rays is a total tourist racket, but it’s worth it! Magic Sands is a cool beach with incredibly rough waves. So you’ll need to be diligent the whole time.

Visited Kona in June

Photo Shoot Location: Pauoa Bay Beach (Fairmont Orchid Beach)

Adriana in Kona for Flytographer

Caleb's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Beach Tree at the Four Seasons Resort. It has an amazing ambiance, live music, great food, and beachside seating.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Snorkeling at Kukio Beach.

Visited Kona in June

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Adriana in Kona for Flytographer

Sarah's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

We had a great lunch at Magic Sands - the view is incredible (we saw a turtle swimming) and they have amazing Poke nachos!

What are the best things to do in Kona?

We loved going snorkeling at Kahalu'u Beach Park – there were so many beautiful fish – the colors on some of the fish almost seemed unreal.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

Our kids loved the beach! A great kid friendly beach is Hapuna beach state park, the waves are calms so you can take your kids out and feel very safe if they aren't yet swimming.

Visited Kona in May

Photo Shoot Location: Kailua

Christian in Kona for Flytographer

Adi's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Arise Bakery has the best breakfast in Kona. Great coffee, good vibes, and delicious croissant sandwiches.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

Kona Joe Coffee is perfect spot to grab the perfect cup of coffee (and pastry) with the best views on the island while letting the kids run around.

Visited Kona in April

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Christian in Kona for Flytographer

Michelle's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

The Coffee Shack (recommended by our photographer, Christian). The food, service, and views were incredible. The Eggs Benedict, Cinnamon Hun, and Kona coffee were over the top delicious. So good.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

We love so many things about Big Island it is hard to narrow it down. Day hikes, secluded beaches, and the historical parks. Take the time to get to know the culture and history of this beautiful island.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

Make every outing a fun adventure and learning experience. Pack snacks, eat the local food, and go at their pace.

Visited Kona in April

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Christian in Kona for Flytographer

Jennifer's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Rainbow Falls, Pololū Trail

What is the best tip for a romantic getaway in Kona?

Go explore and enjoy this special moment together!

Visited Kona in April

Photo Shoot Location: Pauoa Bay Beach (Fairmont Orchid Beach)

Marissa and Rui in Kona for Flytographer

Rene's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

OBISIC. Is a must! Their shave ice is so soft.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Night swimming with manta rays!! With Kina adventures

What is the best tip for celebrating your birthday in Kona?

Do a photo shoot with Flytographer! (Christian)

Visited Kona in March

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Christian in Kona for Flytographer

Camille's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

My favorite restaurant was Island Lava Java, for breakfast! The view of the ocean in the morning was perfect and the service was very friendly! The food was even better!

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Our favorite experience was definitely the Manta Ray Night Snorkeling tour! it was truly a unique experience to get to swim with mantas! Hidden gems near Kona are the Hawaiian Vanilla Company luncheon & tour and the Greenwell Coffee farm tour! We also drove to Kiholo Bay, where we saw many whales from the shore and spotted sea turtles in the nearby lagoon. Truly a hidden treat!

What is the best tip for going on your babymoon to Kona?

If you want a unique stay for a babymoon that is not at a resort, Holualoa Inn is the perfect place to stay! Such an amazing B & B with the friendliest staff and best breakfasts on a coffee farm!

Visited Kona in February

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Adriana in Kona for Flytographer

Lafras's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

ULU Ocean Grill at the Four Seasons is a beautiful upscale classy restaurant with amazing dishes and cocktails right on the beach. Pineapple’s Island Fresh Cuisine in Hilo has delicious local food and mai tais served in a hollowed out pineapple and is an affordable option.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Mauna Kea sunset and stargazing! Do not leave Kona without doing this, it is unreal. Night Snorkel with Manta Rays! Catamaran charter was so much fun and we saw a pod of whales!

Visited Kona in December

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Adriana in Kona for Flytographer

Bryna's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

The Coffee Shack is family friendly and such beautiful views! Be sure to arrive there early!

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Manta Ray night swim on the Hula Kai and Fairwinds morning snorkel.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

It’s easy and very family friendly here. We’ve been traveling here since our oldest was 6 months old.

Visited Kona in November

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Marissa and Rui in Kona for Flytographer

Stephanie's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Favourite restaurant: Basik in Kailua; Makani's Magic Pineapple Shack in Hilo; Underground Pizza in Waimea

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Seeing the stars on Mauna Kea and Hiking Mauna Loa

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

Be comfortable with going off itinerary - they just want to swim, anywhere :)

Visited Kona in November

Photo Shoot Location: Puako Hidden Beaches

Samantha in Kona for Flytographer

Olivia's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Shaka Tacoz food truck! The ono fish tacos were absolutely delicious! We went there twice during our stay.😛

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Watching the surfers from the rental property!🏄‍♂️

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

Definitely do some research of kid friendly beaches. We’ve never been to this island before and as we knew, it had a lot of lava rock beaches. So you have to search out the soft sand beaches and usually make a drive to them. But it’s worth it!

Visited Kona in October

Photo Shoot Location: Kailua

Rojeena in Kona for Flytographer

Katie's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Canoe House was a beautiful restaurant in an incredible setting right on the beach. Food was amazing and the service was great.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Volcano National Park

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

Go with the flow. Pack a few days of diapers, buy the rest when you get here. Lots of sunscreen! It can be hard, but it’s worth it!

Visited Kona in October

Photo Shoot Location: Pauoa Bay Beach (Fairmont Orchid Beach)

Marissa and Rui in Kona for Flytographer

Kalyn's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Lava Lava Beach Club and the Waipio Fruitshack(

What are the best things to do in Kona?

We loved driving around the island with a guided tour app (Shaka and GuideAlong) to learn the history, best spots, and etc.

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

If you like to drink lots of water, buy the big refillable jug at a water station (there is one outside Walmart) and then you can return and save waste.

Visited Kona in September

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Rojeena in Kona for Flytographer

Sally's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Huggos on the Rocks,for the atmosphere, views and live music

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Punaluu Black Sand Beach (a little south), old Kona airport, Kua beach

What is the best tip for a friends' getaway in Kona?

We tried to fit as much as we could into our trip, we were about to explore and see both sides of the idea.

Visited Kona in July

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Sej in Kona for Flytographer

Cami's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

No favorite food honestly. It was kind of mediocre, but we loved the Pololu hike to the black sand beach. There was a restaurant on the side of the road on the way called Gillies that was absolutely fantastic!

What are the best things to do in Kona?

We snorkeled with the mountain rays, and that was an amazing experience! We loved every beach we went to there. They are breathtaking. Our resort was the Hilton Waikoloa resort, and one of our favorite activities was the lagoon there.

Visited Kona in August

Photo Shoot Location: Pauoa Bay Beach (Fairmont Orchid Beach)

Marissa and Rui in Kona for Flytographer

Laura's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Kona Brewing-great food, great service, and a fun atmosphere.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

The Krishna Cow Sanctuary was so much fun, as was the catamaran trip to snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument with Fair Wind Tours.

Visited Kona in July

Photo Shoot Location: Pauoa Bay Beach (Fairmont Orchid Beach)

Samantha in Kona for Flytographer

Catherine's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Java lava, lovely breakfast

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Dolphin encounter at waikoloa

Visited Kona in July

Photo Shoot Location: Custom Route

Aubrey in Kona for Flytographer

Grace's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

Original Thai. Delicious food and the people working there were so nice and welcoming.

What are the best things to do in Kona?

Our favorite activities were on the Hilo side. Hiking Kilauea and going to ‘Akaka Falls and boiling pots.

Visited Kona in July

Photo Shoot Location: Pauoa Bay Beach (Fairmont Orchid Beach)

Marissa and Rui in Kona for Flytographer

Carol's Travel Tips for Kona

What are the best places to eat and drink in Kona?

We loved Humpy’s. Great food and awesome views!

Visited Kona in May

Photo Shoot Location: Old Kona Airport

Amanda in Kona for Flytographer

Nic's Travel Tips for Kona

What is the best tip for travelling with kids to Kona?

Pack an extra suitcase with all the beach stuff. Bring life jackets for the kids so they can have fun in the water and you don’t have to worry about their safety. Water shoes are a must. As are goggles and snorkels for all. Bring towel robes for the kids to keep them cozy. Worry about unscreen less by using big hats and rash guards. No sunburns and everyone stays happier!

Visited Kona in March

Photo Shoot Location: Pauoa Bay Beach (Fairmont Orchid Beach)

Marissa and Rui in Kona for Flytographer