Kailua-Kona is certainly a tourist town, even the cruise ships dock bay at the Kailua Pier! With that said, there are a bunch of little things that you can do around the city. Here are some of our top recommendations for visiting Kailua-Kona.
Kona Kat Cafe - Spend a morning at the Kona Kat Cafe playing with cats and kittens while supporting a local business! The Kona Kat Cafe is located downtown and hosts rescue cats and kittens in need of homes. You can even adopt one and arrange transport onto the mainland during a brief vacation! Be sure to book reservations in advance so that you can hold your spot for an hour of feline paradise.
Honokohau Harbor - Walk along the Honokohau Harbor (we saw turtles, pufferfish, and a spotted eagle ray!) and grab lunch at the Harbor House restaurant, they have AMAZING calamari.
Enjoy a poke bowl - Grab a poke bowl from Don’s Mai Tai Restaurant. If you are staying at the Royal Kona Resort, this is a great restaurant to visit, and it has an INCREDIBLE view!
Watch the night sand volleyball games in downtown Kona.
Grab a cup of joe at one of the many cute coffee shops along the main strip! We had a wonderful time grabbing a refreshing iced matcha latte (my personal favorite) and watching the waves crash against the coastline.
Explore the coastline. You can fairly easily navigate along the strip of rocky beach with paved pathways interrupted by intermittent shops and restaurants. The coast is beautiful here, with deep blue water clashing against volcanic rock and white stones. The best stops are randomly located off of the highways where you can spontaneously explore the island!
Visit the Kailua Pier and see Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark. This is a relatively quick excursion, and please note that there are no official tours (that we found at least) that tour the historic landmark, but you can easily see it from the coast and event center. Please adhere to the signs and DO NOT cross barred off pathways as the Kamakahonu National Historic Landmark still serves as a religious site for Hawaiians. It is always essential to remember that you are visitors to their home, and please act accordingly!
Stroll through the market! There was an extremely cute market up in downtown Kailua-Kona where vendors sold souvenirs and or produce. These markets are a great way to support local vendors! We love a good market, and this was a great detour to our afternoon exploring the city.
Things to Keep in Mind in Kailua-Kona
Keep basic city common practice – don’t keep valuables in your car and lock everything behind you! We felt very safe in the city, but it is always important to be aware of your surroundings.
Exercise conscious practice as a tourist! I always hear (and or see!) horror stories of tourists in Hawai’i. To the best of your ability, respect the local culture and acknowledge that you are a visitor on the island.
Support local vendors and small business owners in and around the Kailua-Kona area.
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