James & Anna’s guidebook
Food scene
Shaka Tacoz
82-6167 Mamalahoa HighwayFood truck tacos with indoor seating. Ocean view patio.
The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyIsland-style breakfast and lunch. Best views around!
Black Rock Pizza
82-6127 Hawaiʻi Belt RoadAmazing pizza and views!
Modest, family-run restaurant known for its laulaus and other authentic Hawaiian dishes. Reasonably priced. Dine in or takeout.
Dining area is very cozy.
35 paikallista suosittelee
Kaaloa's Super J's
83-5409 Mamalahoa HwyModest, family-run restaurant known for its laulaus and other authentic Hawaiian dishes. Reasonably priced. Dine in or takeout.
Dining area is very cozy.
Relaxed roadside stop serving barbecued ribs & other staples with outdoor seating. Owned by one of our neighbors.
20 paikallista suosittelee
Big Jake's Island B-B-Q
83-5308 Mamalahoa HwyRelaxed roadside stop serving barbecued ribs & other staples with outdoor seating. Owned by one of our neighbors.
Menehune Coffee Co
84-5227 Mamalahoa HwyQuaint coffee shop with reasonably priced food.
Sundays from 9:00am-2:00pm. Our favorite nearby farmers market with food, fresh fruits and vegetables, wares, and live music.
30 paikallista suosittelee
Pure Kona Green Market
82-6160 Mamalahoa HwySundays from 9:00am-2:00pm. Our favorite nearby farmers market with food, fresh fruits and vegetables, wares, and live music.
Gypsea Gelato
79-7491 Hawaiʻi Belt RdGreat spot for gelato!
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrCoffee shop and cafe/bar with beach views
Kona Coffee & Tea
74-5588 Palani RdFamily-run shop providing locally grown coffee.
Amazing poke bowls! There is a dine in option with a full menu, as well as a take-out area with limited menu at the rear of the building.
154 paikallista suosittelee
Umekes Fish Market Bar & Grill
74-5599 Pawai PlAmazing poke bowls! There is a dine in option with a full menu, as well as a take-out area with limited menu at the rear of the building.
Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlLocal brews with pub fare.
Ola Brew
74-5598 Luhia StLocal brews and pub fare
HiCO - Hawaiian Coffee
74-5599 Pawai PlAmazing coffee! They have good musubi as well.
Foster's Kitchen
75-5805 Ali‘i DrRelaxed bar/eatery with great food and outdoor seating.
Great Poke bowls! Come here for take-out, too small to dine in.
8 paikallista suosittelee
Pau Hana Poke
73-5617 Maiau StreetGreat Poke bowls! Come here for take-out, too small to dine in.
Great Thai restaurant to visit on the way to or from Volcanoes national park. In Ocean View (30 minutes south of our Airbnb)
14 paikallista suosittelee
Ka Lae Garden Thai Food
92-8395 Hawaiʻi Belt RdGreat Thai restaurant to visit on the way to or from Volcanoes national park. In Ocean View (30 minutes south of our Airbnb)
Great pit stop on the way to volcanoes national park. Immaculate restrooms. Southernmost bakery in the US!
185 paikallista suosittelee
Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Great pit stop on the way to volcanoes national park. Immaculate restrooms. Southernmost bakery in the US!
Big Island Brewhaus
64-1066 Mamalahoa HwyExcellent pup/brewhouse in Waimea
The Fish And The Hog
64-957 Hawaiʻi Belt RdLocal and tourist favorite.
Open Thursday/Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm only. Amazing chicken and ribs!
10 paikallista suosittelee
Randy's Huli Chicken and Ribs
79-7552 Hawaiʻi Belt RdOpen Thursday/Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm only. Amazing chicken and ribs!
GREAT views and fruit smoothies. Excellent way to cool down after hiking polulu valley.
Kohala Farmstand-Fresh off the grid
52-4877 Akoni Pule HighwayGREAT views and fruit smoothies. Excellent way to cool down after hiking polulu valley.
Our favorite market on the island! Amazing selection of fruits and veggies. Open air market. Good prices.
246 paikallista suosittelee
Hilo Farmers Market
Mamo StreetOur favorite market on the island! Amazing selection of fruits and veggies. Open air market. Good prices.
AWESOME Thai food stop if you are in Volcano National park. Sometimes they open a little later than advertised, but their food is top-notch.
39 paikallista suosittelee
Tuk-Tuk Thai Food Truck
19-3820 Old Volcano RoadAWESOME Thai food stop if you are in Volcano National park. Sometimes they open a little later than advertised, but their food is top-notch.
Ka Lae Coffee (Air Bnb doesn't have the business available for adding to guidebook yet). Family owned coffee shop that serves local coffee. They make awesome drinks and are a great place to stop on the way to the volcano or Hilo
95-5656 Mamalahoa Hwy
95-5656 Hawaiʻi Belt RoadKa Lae Coffee (Air Bnb doesn't have the business available for adding to guidebook yet). Family owned coffee shop that serves local coffee. They make awesome drinks and are a great place to stop on the way to the volcano or Hilo
Casual dining, reasonable prices. Great local spot with outdoor seating. They have water/soda for purchase, and will let you bring your own alcohol if you prefer.
10 paikallista suosittelee
Keoki's South Kona Grindz
83-5315 Mamalahoa HwyCasual dining, reasonable prices. Great local spot with outdoor seating. They have water/soda for purchase, and will let you bring your own alcohol if you prefer.
HiCO - Hawaiian Coffee
Great Coffee with a convenient drive-thru.
Tours
Great dive shop, they offer tours and gear rental. Excellent service.
9 paikallista suosittelee
Kona Honu Divers
74-5583 Luhia StGreat dive shop, they offer tours and gear rental. Excellent service.
Sea quest offers day time guided snorkel tours, as well as a night time manta ray experience! Anna works with them on the night time manta ray experiences, highly recommend!
15 paikallista suosittelee
Sea Quest Hawaii
78-7138 Kaleiopapa StSea quest offers day time guided snorkel tours, as well as a night time manta ray experience! Anna works with them on the night time manta ray experiences, highly recommend!
Sightseeing
Here are some suggestions on places to go, things to see, and hikes to complete.
Check out the Kilauea crater, and drive the entire Chain of Craters road. Some great hikes as well. Lots of information at the visitors center.
880 paikallista suosittelee
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Check out the Kilauea crater, and drive the entire Chain of Craters road. Some great hikes as well. Lots of information at the visitors center.
Best snorkeling spot on the island. 20 minute drive from our house. If you arrive after 9:00am, you can park on the main road before the national historic park.
Take a right at Honaunau beach road (before the national historic park entrance).
Be careful of slippery rocks. Enter the water from the lava rocks, we like to enter at the very end of the beach. Lots of coral and fish, and the occasional dolphins/turtles.
114 paikallista suosittelee
Two Step
Best snorkeling spot on the island. 20 minute drive from our house. If you arrive after 9:00am, you can park on the main road before the national historic park.
Take a right at Honaunau beach road (before the national historic park entrance).
Be careful of slippery rocks. Enter the water from the lava rocks, we like to enter at the very end of the beach. Lots of coral and fish, and the occasional dolphins/turtles.
Grey sand beach about 15-20 minute drive from our house. Dolphins congregate in the bay.
84 paikallista suosittelee
Ho'okena Beach Park
86-4322 Mamalahoa HwyGrey sand beach about 15-20 minute drive from our house. Dolphins congregate in the bay.
Our absolute favorite picnic spot. Nice and cool on the grass. Also a great spot to snorkel at Kealakekua bay. There is a path leading to the western shoreline as well.
Parking can be limited, if the lot is full then you can park on Kahauloa road near Puuhonua road.
27 paikallista suosittelee
Manini Beach
Manini Beach RoadOur absolute favorite picnic spot. Nice and cool on the grass. Also a great spot to snorkel at Kealakekua bay. There is a path leading to the western shoreline as well.
Parking can be limited, if the lot is full then you can park on Kahauloa road near Puuhonua road.
Wonderful sandy beach, the starting point for the hike may have changed recently, used to be able to park at the trailhead but you may be asked to park a few miles up the road...
How we get there: Park at Miloli'i beach park (this may have changed) . Walk south, following signs to stay on the trail. Private property on either side of trail, but access to beach and trail is public.
22 paikallista suosittelee
Honomalino Beach
89 Milolii RdWonderful sandy beach, the starting point for the hike may have changed recently, used to be able to park at the trailhead but you may be asked to park a few miles up the road...
How we get there: Park at Miloli'i beach park (this may have changed) . Walk south, following signs to stay on the trail. Private property on either side of trail, but access to beach and trail is public.
Great beach park in town. Good snorkeling, can spot turtles here as well.
239 paikallista suosittelee
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveGreat beach park in town. Good snorkeling, can spot turtles here as well.
From late spring-fall the sandy beach here is really fun to play in. Good waves for boogie boards. In the winter, the sand will disappear after a high surf event. It will reappear weeks later (like "magic").
181 paikallista suosittelee
Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveFrom late spring-fall the sandy beach here is really fun to play in. Good waves for boogie boards. In the winter, the sand will disappear after a high surf event. It will reappear weeks later (like "magic").
Great picnic spot in Kona. Shaded during the day. There is a small sandy spot in the spring-fall that is OK for getting in the water, though not the best swimming spot overall. Lots of rocks. Beautiful spot for a picnic or just to relax in a chair and read a book by the sea.
13 paikallista suosittelee
Pahoehoe Beach Park
77-6434 Ali‘i DrGreat picnic spot in Kona. Shaded during the day. There is a small sandy spot in the spring-fall that is OK for getting in the water, though not the best swimming spot overall. Lots of rocks. Beautiful spot for a picnic or just to relax in a chair and read a book by the sea.
Wonderful spot for kids to play in. Bring an umbrella for shade. Water is sheltered from ocean waves, lots of sand. The pools will rise with the tide so set up your stuff away from the water line.
Park by the aquatic center. Walk to the back left side of the fields (near the left baseball field facing the ocean) and you'll see a small path that goes through a private community. It is not well marked until you see the entrance into the community. Follow the path to the ocean and you'll find the beach there.
10 paikallista suosittelee
Keike Beach (Queen's Bath)
Wonderful spot for kids to play in. Bring an umbrella for shade. Water is sheltered from ocean waves, lots of sand. The pools will rise with the tide so set up your stuff away from the water line.
Park by the aquatic center. Walk to the back left side of the fields (near the left baseball field facing the ocean) and you'll see a small path that goes through a private community. It is not well marked until you see the entrance into the community. Follow the path to the ocean and you'll find the beach there.
Almost always a great spot to see sea turtles! Park at the harbor on the right side towards the back. You'll see a trail that heads to the beach (and the Aiopio fish trap). It is an easy walk along an uneven trail. You can also walk along the harbor for a flatter trail.
We do not recommend swimming there unless you are comfortable swimming with the local tiger shark population.
‘Alula Beach
Almost always a great spot to see sea turtles! Park at the harbor on the right side towards the back. You'll see a trail that heads to the beach (and the Aiopio fish trap). It is an easy walk along an uneven trail. You can also walk along the harbor for a flatter trail.
We do not recommend swimming there unless you are comfortable swimming with the local tiger shark population.
Kua Bay
Great sandy beach with great boogie boarding!
Great sandy beach. Usually a lot of sea turtles as well. Go to the four seasons hotel, tell the guard you are going to Kukio beach and they will provide a free parking pass and driving directions through the resort if there is room.
26 paikallista suosittelee
Kukio Beach
72-197 Waiulu StGreat sandy beach. Usually a lot of sea turtles as well. Go to the four seasons hotel, tell the guard you are going to Kukio beach and they will provide a free parking pass and driving directions through the resort if there is room.
Hapuna Beachin osavaltion puisto
Old Puako RoadOne of the best beaches in the USA!
A great view on the northern coast. The steep hike down is best done earlier in the day. Great places to rest and watch the ocean in the valley.
140 paikallista suosittelee
Pololu Valley
A great view on the northern coast. The steep hike down is best done earlier in the day. Great places to rest and watch the ocean in the valley.
Pebble beach is a 2 minute walk from our home. Bring your water shoes and an umbrella! Great spot for swimming, snorkeling (lots of reef to the right), kayaking, walk-in diving.
The King's trail can be accessed here as well. To the south there is a littoral cone, and about 10 minutes north there is a nice little black sand beach.
7 paikallista suosittelee
Pebbles Beach
Pebble beach is a 2 minute walk from our home. Bring your water shoes and an umbrella! Great spot for swimming, snorkeling (lots of reef to the right), kayaking, walk-in diving.
The King's trail can be accessed here as well. To the south there is a littoral cone, and about 10 minutes north there is a nice little black sand beach.
Great spot for an introduction to surfing, about 35 minutes from our house. Protected shallow snorkeling area, might see turtles as well.
239 paikallista suosittelee
Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveGreat spot for an introduction to surfing, about 35 minutes from our house. Protected shallow snorkeling area, might see turtles as well.
Kona Surf Company
78-6702 Ali‘i DrivePlace to rent surfboards if surfing in town.
Akaka Fallsin osavaltionpuisto
875 Akaka Falls RdHawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
27-717 Mamalahoa HwyGreat spot for surfing/boogie boarding, or just watching the waves!
25 paikallista suosittelee
Pine Trees Surfing Beach
Great spot for surfing/boogie boarding, or just watching the waves!