Area Description: Kona is the sunny town that is so popular for the diversity of activities. It is known for its year round sunny weather daily temperatures ranging from 81 to 86 degrees, World class beaches and dining. Attractions such as swimming with dolphins, body glove snorkel tours, volcano helicopter tours, submarine and glass bottom boat tours are only a few to mention. This is a marine preserve and you can swim with sea turtles, and almost all the other tropical fish found in Hawaii's waters. Ocean kayaking and snorkeling are favorite activities at this spot. Coffee farms offer tours and samples of famous Kona coffee throughout the rural areas. Puuhonau O Honaunau National Historic Park, or the City of Refuge (highly recommended) gives you the feel for the former way of life in a partially restored 16th century village. You will see thatched huts, canoes, idols, and a temple that has the bones of several Hawaiian chiefs ... [Read More]

Area Description: Kona is the sunny town that is so popular for the diversity of activities. It is known for its year round sunny weather daily temperatures ranging from 81 to 86 degrees, World class beaches and dining. Attractions such as swimming with dolphins, body glove snorkel tours, volcano helicopter tours, submarine and glass bottom boat tours are only a few to mention. This is a marine preserve and you can swim with sea turtles, and almost all the other tropical fish found in Hawaii's waters. Ocean kayaking and snorkeling are favorite activities at this spot. Coffee farms offer tours and samples of famous Kona coffee throughout the rural areas. Puuhonau O Honaunau National Historic Park, or the City of Refuge (highly recommended) gives you the feel for the former way of life in a partially restored 16th century village. You will see thatched huts, canoes, idols, and a temple that has the bones of several Hawaiian chiefs. Set on a peaceful white sand beach. Two Step, nicknamed such because of the land formation underwater, is right in this area, about a hundred yards north of the City of Refuge. It's another fantastic place for either snorkeling or diving. Kaahaluu Beach Park. This has got to be one of the best snorkeling places in the world. It is a pretty, but unpretentious setting. One of the things that makes it good, in addition to the variety of fish you will see, is the fact that it is a really safe place to snorkel. It is good for children, older people, or those who can't swim. traditional Hawaiian Luaus are offered at several locations, and well worth the cost. Everyone should visit the hilton waikoloa village for a full day trip. Free transport to galleries, dolphin quest, restaurants and shops. The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii has a number of ongoing experiments and applications of ocean technology, all very interesting. Hapuna Beach is a bit of a drive (30 min) but probably as close to a "perfect" beach as you'll find in the state with fine, golden white sand maybe half a mile long and a couple hundred feet wide. It's a fine place for building sand castles and boogie boarding. There's seldom much of an undertow. It has a small snack bar, and showers. Conde Nast Traveler magazine has declared this the best beach in the nation. The beach is about a half an hour's drive north of Kailua-Kona near the 69 mile marker off Highway 19. With abundant marine and wildlife, Kona remains unspoiled and has much diversity to explore. Activities include Catamaran rides, golf, wildlife viewing, tennis, diving, snorkeling, surfing, parasailing, sport fishing, beaches, tropical garden tours, real submarine tours (highly recommended), hiking, biking, horseback riding, local outdoor markets, world class shopping, sunset dinner cruises, fabulous restaurants, cinemas, museums, boating, sailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, helicopter tours, volcanic exploration, dolphin shows, and finding sea turtles on Kealakekua Bay.