Explore!
Choose your Color!
Black Sands, Green Sands, White Sands or Golden Sunsets
Links and Tips
Convenient Links
List of Beaches on West Side of BI This is a List I made of Beaches on the West Side of the BI. – If you click on to the beach names, it wiil launch Google Maps so you can get driving directions while you are on island.
Trolly Schedule The Trolley is Running Again! It had been shut down for a while during Covid.
Manta Ray Night Snorkel – This is a Big Island Must-Do! Not scary – very safe – but truly amazing! These gentle giants are safe to humans. They have no teeth and no barb’s like Sting Rays. They eat plankton which are attracted to light. I would recommend both Big Island Divers and Jack’s Dive Locker. Tip: 1) Make your reservation early because they do fill up! 2) Ask for a wet-suit to stay warm in the water.
Zip-Lining – There are several great places to Zip-Line. I have done Kohalazipline and it was great fun!
Gypsy Interactive Drive Tour – Smart Phone App for Interactive Self-drive Tours
Shaka Drive Tour – Smart Phone App for Interactive Self-drive Tours – I have this App and like it. There are 5 different tours and although they cost about $15 each, after you download the App, it offers you a special to get all 5 for half price. Because GPS drains phone battery, keep your phone charging. I think it may have been a quirk with my car radio, but when I used my car’s aux. USB port, I would have to reset the cord sometimes because my car would forget my phone. I ended up just using a cigarette lighter to USB port and letting the sound come out of my smart phone, which worked without issues.
Luau – I highly recomend the Island Breeze Luau at the Coutyard King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. Also, check out the lower area of the Hotel lobby. There is a lot of Hawaiian Art and History to see!
Car Rentals – Discount Hawaii Car Rental is typically the best price. You may want to check their web site often. From one day to another, prices can vary. Once you find a cheap price, Book it! If you find a better price next week, cancel the first reservation and go with the newer, lower price!
Turo is another car rental option you may want to look at. Turo is kind of like VRBO or ABB but private individuals rent their own private vehicles. Often less expensive than traditional car rental companies. Turo is also a good option if you want to rent a 4X4 and drive where the traditional rental companies won’t allow. I have heard that with GPS, some car Rental companies can find out if you drove on unapproved roads and fine you heavily.
National Parks
Pu’ukohola Heiau National Park
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau – a.k.a. City of Refuge
What’s on TV?
Cable TV Guide Listing (HD Channels begin at 1001)
Live Web Cams of Keauhou Bay (Keauhou Bay is a 5 minute walk from condo)
The Fairwind’s Live Web Cam of Keauhou Bay
Live Web Cam at The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa
Places to Eat –
In the last few years, several of our favorite restaurants have closed but often other great ones took their place. Below are some of the restaurants we love to go to. We would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. You may want to use the links below and check-out the menus.
Tropics Tap House – 1/2 mile away in Keauhou Shopping Center.
Los Habanaros – 1/2 mile away in Keauhou Shopping Center. A favorite for take-out
Magics Beach Grill – Next to Magic Sands Beach on Ali’i Drive – about a 5 minute drive from our condo.
Island Lava Java – a.k.a just Lava Java – Downtown Kauila Kona on Ali’i Drive – – about a 12 minute drive from our condo.
Foster’s Kitchen – Downtown Kauila Kona on Ali’i Drive – about a 12 minute drive from our condo.
Huggo’s On the Rocks – Great views with your toes in the sand! Downtown Kauila Kona on Ali’i Drive – about a 12 minute drive from our condo.
Kona Brewing Company – Great Food and Great Locally Crafted Beer – about a 15 minute drive from our condo.
Jackie Rays’ Ohana Grill – about a 10 minute drive from our condo.
The Fish Hopper – Downtown Kauila Kona on Ali’i Drive – about a 12 minute drive from our condo.
Golf
Our condo is on the Kona Country Club. Our guest get a discount.
Art & Farmer’s Market
Ho’oula Farmer’s Market 5 minute walk! Wednesdays ONLY -9 am to 2 pm (in front of the Outrigger Kona Resort – formally known as the Sheraton Kona Resort) – Live music and lots of local jewelry and art sold by the actual local artists. It’s fun to meet and talk to the artist when you buy a piece of art.
Kayaks and Paddle Boards
Rent ocean kayaks on Keauhou Bay – 5 minute walk from our condo – Call first and reserve. http://www.oceansafariskayaks.com/. They also have great guided tours! If you do a morning tour, you have a good chance of seeing dolphins. They also rent Stand Up Paddle Boards.
Learn to Surf
Take a Surfing lesson – they have great instructors!) or just rent a board – 1 mile north on Ali’I at Kahaluu Beach http://www.
THINGS TO DO ON THE LAST DAY OF YOUR TRIP IF YOU HAVE A LATE FLIGHT.
Day Pass at one of the Resorts
The resort front desk can secure your bags while you enjoy the pool. www.resortpass.com Type in “Kona, Hawaii” There are Day Passes or you can reserve your own Cabana or a Day-use hotel room. The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is just down the hill from our condo.
Coffee Farm Tours
Here are a couple of great Coffee Farm Tours. www.heavenlyhawaiian.com and www.buddhascup.com The temperature at the higher elevations of a coffee farm won’t make you feel you need to shower before getting on the plane.
Learn more than you ever thought you would know about Vanilla!
Book a Lunch tour at www.hawaiianvanilla.com
Beautiful Sunsets from our Lanai
Ocean View Pool
What are you waiting for?
