Kona Town: Where to Eat, What to Do, and How to Use It as a Base
Kona Is the Big Island's Most Practical Base
Kailua-Kona — referred to as simply Kona by everyone who lives there — is the most visitor-friendly town on the Big Island. It sits on the dry, sunny west coast, which means reliably good weather, calm summer ocean conditions, and easy access to the island's best snorkeling, coffee country, and south Kohala resort beaches. If you're planning a Big Island trip and trying to decide where to base yourself, Kona makes the logistics work.
Where to Eat in Kona
Da Poke Shack is the first stop for anyone who cares about food. This small counter operation near the Kona waterfront makes poke fresh daily from genuinely local fish — the shoyu ahi and spicy ahi are the classics. Come early, they sell out. Walk your container down to the waterfront afterward.
Umekes Fish Market Bar and Grill is the east side's answer to Da Poke Shack — a slightly larger operation with excellent poke and fresh fish. Also locally beloved and worth the visit.
For a full sit-down dinner, the restaurants along Ali'i Drive offer a range of options, from casual beach bar to proper seafood. The food truck cluster along Ali'i is excellent for lunch — rotating vendors serving plate lunch, garlic shrimp, and fresh fish tacos at prices well below the sit-down spots.
For coffee, drive south into the Kona Coffee Belt on Highway 11 and stop at any of the farm stands offering free tastings. The farms along this stretch grow some of the best coffee in the world at elevation, and buying directly from the farm means you're getting 100% Kona rather than the blended versions sold elsewhere.
What to Do in Kona Town
The waterfront area around the Kailua Pier is the hub of Kona activity. The pier itself is historically significant — it's where Hawaiian royalty used to receive boats, and now it's where manta ray night dive boats depart in the evenings. The manta ray experience off the Kona coast is one of the best wildlife encounters in Hawaii: large Pacific mantas (up to 12-foot wingspan) aggregate at dive sites along the Kohala Coast at night, and guided snorkel tours let you float on the surface while they feed in the lights below. This is a legitimate bucket-list experience and worth booking well in advance.
The Hulihee Palace on Ali'i Drive is a restored Hawaiian royal summer home with a small museum — a good 45-minute introduction to Big Island history and the lives of the Hawaiian ali'i (royalty).
Kahaluu Beach Park, a short drive south of town, is the best easy-access snorkeling spot on the island — shallow, protected bay, consistent turtle activity in very shallow water. Gear rentals available adjacent to the park.
Day Trips from Kona
Kona's central location on the west coast makes it an excellent base for day trips across the island:
- Captain Cook and Kealakekua Bay: 30 minutes south — the best snorkeling in Hawaii. Kayak tours or boat tours from Kona Harbor.
- Waimea (Kamuela): 45 minutes northeast — upcountry ranch country, Merriman's restaurant, farmers market on Saturdays.
- Kohala Coast resorts and beaches: 30-45 minutes north — Hapuna Beach State Park (one of the Big Island's best white sand beaches), resort facilities, historical sites.
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park: 2 hours south via Hilo — the active volcanic landscape, lava tube hike, and summit of Kilauea. Full-day trip from Kona.
Kona Practical Notes
- Weather: The west coast is dry and sunny. Rain happens in the mountains but rarely at sea level in Kona.
- Parking: Ali'i Drive parking is limited. The free lot behind Lanihau Center on the highway is a better base than trying to park on Ali'i.
- Ocean conditions: Kona's summer ocean (May-October) is typically very calm. Winter can bring south swells that affect beach conditions.
- Sunsets: The west-facing coastline produces exceptional sunsets. The pier and the waterfront restaurants are the best viewing spots.
What Kona Is
Looking for things to do in Big Island? Browse upcoming Big Island events →
Related Reading
Stay in the loop
Get the Friday Hawaii events email
Free. One email a week with what's happening across the islands. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.