What to do on Hilo and Kailua Kona, Hawaii

[OCEANCATS]

One of the best places to Snorkel is Kahaluu beach near Keauhou Beach hotel. Free and you can take the Keauhou bus to get there. They rent masks and snorkels there. I lived there 10 years and you will see the most fish there right up close and personal. Take frozen peas or cheese and they will follow you.

 

Is this beach near Kona or Hilo?

 

Thanks!

[HiloAuntie]

So many things to see in Hilo ... free zoo just outside of town; a scenic 4-mile drive; another scenic drive along the coast near the Port of Hilo. You can see parks and big turtles near shore; Big Island Candies where you can watch them make goodies. If you go up to Deck 13, make friends with a server named Gregory ... one of the nicest people on board the Pride of America. There's also Boiling Pots park and, if you get the chance, drive along the Red Road near Kalapana ... there's a great little place to eat called Kalani Retreat ... and there's a painted church across the street from a noni juice factory where you can get free sample of healthy juice .... don't forget there are 7 varieties of geckos on the big island!

[Kartgv]

Is this beach near Kona or Hilo?

 

Thanks!

 

It's about 4 miles south of the pier in Kona. By the way, the Keauhou Beach Hotel is closed - very sad to lose access to some beautiful grounds and tide pools.

[OCEANCATS]

How sad. Is the beach still accessible or would you recommend another - we will have a rental car in Kona so after visiting a coffee plantation we would like to enjoy snorkeling - if we're lucky spot some turtles...

[Kartgv]

How sad. Is the beach still accessible or would you recommend another - we will have a rental car in Kona so after visiting a coffee plantation we would like to enjoy snorkeling - if we're lucky spot some turtles...

 

Yes, the beach is accessible as it was never part of the hotel, but a separate park right next to it. Snorkeling will be great and we've never been there and NOT seen turtles.

[Karysa]

I'm a little different with Kona. To really appreciate the Big Island, I would suggest renting a car and driving the Waimea. There is no other place in the world that looks like that part of the island. And the difference in terrain going from sea level to 2000 ft Waimea is like going from Mars to Ireland. It's a bit of a drive, but it sure helps one appreciate a volcanic island. The visit the coffee plantations if you have time.

 

Burt

 

This seems interesting to me. Is it pretty straight forward or are the chances of getting "lost" high? :D. Any further information on this drive would be most appreciated.:)

[marathonrunner123]

following

[Notion_of_the_Ocean]

There is a clear answer for Hilo of Volcanoes National Park which we plan to see while we are there as well.

 

We are struggling with Kona as well and may just have that be a shopping in the port town day and enjoy the ship. Perhaps not though if something interesting comes up here in the next month.

[Susan-M]

 

We are struggling with Kona as well and may just have that be a shopping in the port town day and enjoy the ship. Perhaps not though if something interesting comes up here in the next month.

 

Is renting a car an option? If so, it gives you a few good choices.

[Notion_of_the_Ocean]

We don't have a car that day. How easy is it to get around and explore the Kona port area without a rental? Perhaps Hapuna Beach? What are some other attractions there.

[kapoho2]

Kona is a tender port and the tender drops you off right in the middle of town. You can stroll up and down the main drag and visit the different shops and restaurants. The town is set on the water and there are several very small beaches.

 

Hapuna Beach is beautiful, but it is about 30 miles up the coast. You would definitely need a car to visit this beach.

[Kamloops50]

There is a public in front of the King Kam? Hotel (maybe name has chsnged). It is right beside the harbour for the deep charter boats.

[viranpooja]

Lavaland Hawaii Day Tours! We did a custom tour with Hank and it was incredible. The highlight of our trip in Hilo. I would highly recommend booking a custom tour with them if you like to learn about volcanoes, go on hikes, etc.!!!!

[CruisingSince2012]

How long is the drive from Hilo to HVNP?

 

Are there any good beaches in that area?

 

Does Mary Lou specialize in private tours?

[Susan-M]

How long is the drive from Hilo to HVNP?

 

Are there any good beaches in that area?

 

Does Mary Lou specialize in private tours?

 

Here's a link to google maps with directions, distance and drive time.

 

The beaches on the Kohala Coast on the west side of the island are the best on the Big island for swimming and snorkelling - accessed from the port in Kailua Kona. Hilo (on the east side of the island) has a lava rock shoreline ... there are beaches where you can swim and snorkel but not what most people would consider 'good' beaches ... Richardson and Carlsmith are two that might work.

 

Here's a link to Mary Lou's website.

[punkincc]

[quote name='CruisingSince2012']How long is the drive from Hilo to HVNP?

Are there any good beaches in that area?

Does Mary Lou specialize in private tours?[/QUOTE]

Mary Lou will do private tours on request. The fee may be higher for this depending on the number of people in your party. But keep in mind these are not big tour buses but small passenger vans and I have never seen more than 6 passengers mentioned for each of their 3 tour vehicles, so what you get on a regular tour is very close to being a private one. Just let them know what you want to see when you book and they will work out an itinerary with you. We used Mary Lou in Hilo for VNP and we thought she was great. Her son Kyle and husband Ken do the other tours.