Things to do in Kailua-Kona: tours, beaches and historic sites
Prices and details checked on October 16, 2026How we compare tours
We list 171 tours based in Kailua-Kona, so most of your options start in town. The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience: One Tank Dive or Snorkel Charter costs from $135 per person and runs 3 hours.
The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience: One Tank Dive or Snorkel Charter costs from $135 per person and runs 3 hours.
The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience: One Tank Dive or Snorkel Charter
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What can you fit into a short visit to Kailua-Kona?
The Irukakona Kona whale watching tour runs 2 hours and costs from $79 per person. The Kona Sea Salt farm tour runs 1 hour and costs from $17 per person.
| Place | What you can do | Good to know | Getting there | Hours or entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahalu'u Beach Park | The county lists swimming, surfing, picnicking and snorkeling, and kayaking is not allowed. | - | Kahaluʻu Beach Park is at 78-6702 Aliʻi Drive in North Kona. | Lifeguards are on duty 7 days a week, 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM (county listing). |
| Hulihe'e Palace | Visitors can see six rooms on two floors with koa furniture, feather standards, royal portraits and heirlooms from the era of Princess Ruth, King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. | - | Huliheʻe Palace is in historic Kailua-Kona on Aliʻi Drive. | Guided Mo'olelo tours are generally Wednesday to Saturday at 11:30 AM. |
| Kekaha Kai State Park | A side hike to the summit of Puʻu Kuʻili, a cinder cone, gives a view of the coastline. | - | - | Daily hours are 8:00am to 6:30pm, and the gates close at 7:00pm. |
| Kiholo Bay | The state lists beachgoing, camping, fishing, hiking, sightseeing, snorkeling, swimming and wildlife viewing as park activities. | - | - | The park is open daily from 7:00am to 7:00pm. |
| Kaloko Honokohau | Honokōhau Beach is a 20-minute walk from the visitor center or a 5-minute walk from the entrance near Honokōhau Harbor. | Almost half the park is underwater, with nearshore coral reefs and hundreds of anchialine pools. | - | The visitor center (Hale Hoʻokipa) is open daily 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. |
Choose the whale watching tour if you want time on the water. Choose the salt farm tour if you have an hour and a tight budget. Kona Barbeque runs 1.5 hours and Kona Haunted Hele runs 2 hours, so both fit a short window.
Kona Barbeque
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What not to miss in Kailua-Kona?
Huliheʻe Palace is on Aliʻi Drive in historic Kailua-Kona. Visitors see six rooms on two floors, with koa furniture, feather standards, royal portraits and heirlooms from the era of Princess Ruth, King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani. Guided Mo'olelo tours are generally Wednesday to Saturday at 11:30 AM.
Kahaluʻu Beach Park is at 78-6702 Aliʻi Drive in North Kona. The county lists swimming, surfing, picnicking and snorkeling there, and kayaking is not allowed.
What are must-do things in Kona?
Kekaha Kai State Park is open daily from 8:00am to 6:30pm, and the gates close at 7:00pm. A side hike to the summit of Puʻu Kuʻili, a cinder cone, gives a view of the coastline. Motorized vehicles and ATVs are prohibited in the park.
Kiholo Bay is open daily from 7:00am to 7:00pm. The state lists snorkeling, swimming, wildlife viewing and sightseeing as park activities. Camping is allowed on weekend nights only, Friday through Sunday, and sites may be reserved up to 30 days ahead.
What is Kailua-Kona known for?
Kailua-Kona is known on this site for its tours on the water and its historic sites, not for one attraction. The Kona Manta Ray Night Experience is based in Kailua-Kona. Kailua Pier is also in Kailua-Kona, and so is the Kona Farmers Market.
Which Kona activities have a listed price?
The Irukakona whale watching tour costs from $79 per person, and the Kona Manta Ray Night Experience costs from $135 per person. The Wasabi historical Kona and farm tour costs from $169 per person.
What else is worth a stop in Kailua-Kona?
Kaloko-Honokōhau has almost half its park underwater, with nearshore coral reefs and hundreds of anchialine pools. The visitor center, Hale Hoʻokipa, is open daily from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. Honokōhau Beach is a 20-minute walk from the visitor center. Camping is not permitted in the park, and dogs must be on a 6-foot leash.
Old Kona Airport Park has a large sandy tide pool inland of the rocky shore, where families often take children to swim. The park gate is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Does the month change what you can do in Kona?
Choose your month by the activity you want, because each place below has its own days and hours. Plan a weekend visit to Kiholo Bay if you want to camp, since camping is allowed only Friday through Sunday nights. Plan a Huliheʻe Palace visit for a guided tour, since those run Wednesday to Saturday. Book the Kona Manta Ray Night Experience for its 3-hour run.
Tours that go there
Kona Barbeque runs 1.5 hours. Kona Haunted Hele runs 2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kahaluʻu Beach Park open late?
Lifeguards at Kahaluʻu Beach Park are on duty from 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM, 7 days a week.
Can you camp at Kiholo Bay?
Yes, camping is allowed at Kiholo Bay on weekend nights only, Friday through Sunday.
