Guidebook for West Hawaii
Beaches
These are our favorite beaches on the west side of the island
This beach is great for swimming, skim boarding or playing volleyball. Great facilities and lifeguards. 5 minute drive from the house.
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Magic Sands Beach Park
Ali'i DriveThis beach is great for swimming, skim boarding or playing volleyball. Great facilities and lifeguards. 5 minute drive from the house.
Great place to see turtles and take a walk. There is even a little history and a hike you can take to see and learn about ancient Hawaii.
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Honokohau Beach
Great place to see turtles and take a walk. There is even a little history and a hike you can take to see and learn about ancient Hawaii.
Puako
Best for snorkeling and diving - world class marine sanctuary.
Best swimming on island. Amazing sunsets. Good facilities including showers, BBQ's and covered picnic areas. Note there is an entrance fee and little to no shade on the beach. The shore break can be harsh at times so mind the lifeguard flags/warnings.
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Hapuna Beach
Best swimming on island. Amazing sunsets. Good facilities including showers, BBQ's and covered picnic areas. Note there is an entrance fee and little to no shade on the beach. The shore break can be harsh at times so mind the lifeguard flags/warnings.
This one makes the beach AND hiking list! Gorgeous and everything Hawaii should be!
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Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 19This one makes the beach AND hiking list! Gorgeous and everything Hawaii should be!
We recommend that you get here by 8:30 to get a spot - they only open up 10 parking spaces to the public daily. But facilities, gentle water entry, shade and beach bar make this worth the early trip!
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Kaunaʻoa (Mauna Kea) Beach
We recommend that you get here by 8:30 to get a spot - they only open up 10 parking spaces to the public daily. But facilities, gentle water entry, shade and beach bar make this worth the early trip!
This is a LONG drive and can be HOT in the summer. But, its a wonder and you almost always share the beach with turtles! Make it a stop on your day trip around to Hilo or the Volcano!
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Punalu‘u Beach
This is a LONG drive and can be HOT in the summer. But, its a wonder and you almost always share the beach with turtles! Make it a stop on your day trip around to Hilo or the Volcano!
Great for snorkeling and surfing when the tides are right. Little sand beach on the north side is a warm place to relax in between snorkeling in the bay and checking out the turtles on the protected south side shore.
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Kahaluu Bay
Ali‘i DriveGreat for snorkeling and surfing when the tides are right. Little sand beach on the north side is a warm place to relax in between snorkeling in the bay and checking out the turtles on the protected south side shore.
Banyans 'beach' is just south of Kona Bali Kai (walking distance from here) - in between the buildings. Consistent good waves with easy step entry at high tide. Great for watching surfers and grabbing a bite at the nearby Poke Shack.
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Banyan Mart
76-6265 Ali‘i DrBanyans 'beach' is just south of Kona Bali Kai (walking distance from here) - in between the buildings. Consistent good waves with easy step entry at high tide. Great for watching surfers and grabbing a bite at the nearby Poke Shack.
This is quite a drive, then a moderate hike, but well worth the work as one of only a handful of green (olivine) sand beaches in the world. The wind helps to modify the heat during summer. Be careful swimming there as the currents are very strong, but it's a must-see beach if you have the time.
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Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
This is quite a drive, then a moderate hike, but well worth the work as one of only a handful of green (olivine) sand beaches in the world. The wind helps to modify the heat during summer. Be careful swimming there as the currents are very strong, but it's a must-see beach if you have the time.
Wonderful, white sand beach with great swimming, body surfing and sunbathing. We recommend getting their early as parking fills quickly at this popular and easy to reach beach.
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Kua Bay
Wonderful, white sand beach with great swimming, body surfing and sunbathing. We recommend getting their early as parking fills quickly at this popular and easy to reach beach.
Neighborhoods
Little artist town right above (via Lako street) with galleries and antique shops. Enjoy 'first friday' every month when they put up kiosks along the road with coffee, food and even live music, while all the studios and stores remain open (5-8).
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Holualoa
Little artist town right above (via Lako street) with galleries and antique shops. Enjoy 'first friday' every month when they put up kiosks along the road with coffee, food and even live music, while all the studios and stores remain open (5-8).
Amazing farmers market, and great restaurants! Also the heart of the Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) activities including fairs and rodeos. Also home to the HQ for the telescopes.
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Waimea
Amazing farmers market, and great restaurants! Also the heart of the Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) activities including fairs and rodeos. Also home to the HQ for the telescopes.
Kealakekua
Great little town with vintage shops, coffee farms and small bites
Stunning drive up Kohala road to the end of the island through active ranches with horses, goats and cows everywhere. Great hikes along the shore and to Pololu Point. The town itself is a gem with great vintage shopping and a local made food market.
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Hawi
Stunning drive up Kohala road to the end of the island through active ranches with horses, goats and cows everywhere. Great hikes along the shore and to Pololu Point. The town itself is a gem with great vintage shopping and a local made food market.
Food scene
Best pizza around - with great view!
Original in Captain cook - 2nd location in Coconut Grove in Kona.
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Black Rock Pizza
82-6127 Hawaiʻi Belt RoadBest pizza around - with great view!
Original in Captain cook - 2nd location in Coconut Grove in Kona.
Best special occasion restaurant- amazing farm to table. Requires advance reservations!
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Merriman's Big Island
65-1227 Opelo RdBest special occasion restaurant- amazing farm to table. Requires advance reservations!
Best local, no-frills, hole in the wall, bar with reasonable prices and interesting people.
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Sam's Hideaway
75-5729 Ali‘i DrBest local, no-frills, hole in the wall, bar with reasonable prices and interesting people.
Willie's Hot Chicken
74-5599 Pawai PlGreat beer and bar, cool vibe and rockin’ chicken!
During the day, on the back side of the restaurant they have street tacos - 3 for $9 and they are good!
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Oceans Sports Bar & Grill
75-5811 Ali‘i DrDuring the day, on the back side of the restaurant they have street tacos - 3 for $9 and they are good!
Great cocktails with a local flair and stunning views. Likely a wait and on the high side of $$ but, amazing work with local ingredients and an owner who cares about their staff. One of our splurges - close and upscale but not toooo bougie.
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Magics Beach Grill
77-6452 Ali‘i DrGreat cocktails with a local flair and stunning views. Likely a wait and on the high side of $$ but, amazing work with local ingredients and an owner who cares about their staff. One of our splurges - close and upscale but not toooo bougie.
Expansive beer list (cocktails are not the draw here) with a shaded view and ocean breeze! Lots of good food (pizzas and salads are great) as are the starters. Location is key for a relaxed stop along the main drag.
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Kai Eats and Drinks
75-5776 Ali‘i DriveExpansive beer list (cocktails are not the draw here) with a shaded view and ocean breeze! Lots of good food (pizzas and salads are great) as are the starters. Location is key for a relaxed stop along the main drag.
Wonderful food, great view and worth the wait! Farm to table so they frequently run out of menu items. For best service go 1.5 hrs before or after sunset!
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Foster's Kitchen
75-5805 Ali‘i DrWonderful food, great view and worth the wait! Farm to table so they frequently run out of menu items. For best service go 1.5 hrs before or after sunset!
Best Japanese food around. Great happy hour and easy parking in South Kona.
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Kenichi Pacific
6831 Ali‘i DrBest Japanese food around. Great happy hour and easy parking in South Kona.
PHO KIM ANH
Good pho when you want warm, tasty soup!
Sooo good! Local, fresh and consistent, think local secret is among the vintage shops and between the artist town of Hōlualoa and the coffee farms of Captain Cook. Worth the wait and try the sauces! You won’t regret this stop.
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Rebel Kitchen
79-7399 Hawaiʻi Belt RdSooo good! Local, fresh and consistent, think local secret is among the vintage shops and between the artist town of Hōlualoa and the coffee farms of Captain Cook. Worth the wait and try the sauces! You won’t regret this stop.
Hiking
Amazing, moderate hike to a must-see beach. Pack water and sun protection!
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Papakōlea Green Sand Beach
Amazing, moderate hike to a must-see beach. Pack water and sun protection!
Amazing trails through jungle and desert terrain of the crater.
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Kīlauea Iki Crater
Amazing trails through jungle and desert terrain of the crater.
Pololu Trail
Pololū TrailStunning views of rugged wilderness with a windy black sand beach below
3.2 mile round trip with 1200 feet elevation change. If you went as far as Pololu, why not go to the next valley!
Honokane Nui Lookout
ʻĀwini Trail3.2 mile round trip with 1200 feet elevation change. If you went as far as Pololu, why not go to the next valley!
Very tropical, 100-acre park at 2000 foot elevation. Various trails of varying distance in the best rain forest on the island
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Kalōpā State Recreation Area
44-3480 Kalaniai RdVery tropical, 100-acre park at 2000 foot elevation. Various trails of varying distance in the best rain forest on the island
4 mile round trip to breathtaking beach. No facilities and touch lava trail, but worth it!
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Makalawena Beach
Hawaii 194 mile round trip to breathtaking beach. No facilities and touch lava trail, but worth it!
Great views and various cut-backs to chunk the hike to whatever you feel like. Almost always afternoon rain - beware!
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Pu'u Wa'awa'a Cinder Cone State Park
71-1645 Hawaiʻi Belt RdGreat views and various cut-backs to chunk the hike to whatever you feel like. Almost always afternoon rain - beware!
Sightseeing
Two Step
Great snorkeling and close to the Place of Refuge - make it a two-fer!
Beautiful and well presented slice of history between the palms and ocean. Must see.
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Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park
State Highway 160Beautiful and well presented slice of history between the palms and ocean. Must see.
Worth the drive if you've ever wondered what a lava tube looks like. Go with the LONG tour to really get into the variety of the geology and an awesome tour with really knowledgeable guides!
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Kula Kai Caverns
92-8864 Lauhala DrWorth the drive if you've ever wondered what a lava tube looks like. Go with the LONG tour to really get into the variety of the geology and an awesome tour with really knowledgeable guides!
Neat little sanctuary with a variety of local fauna, glorious views and even a lava tube with petroglyphs.
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Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary
83-5401 Painted Church RdNeat little sanctuary with a variety of local fauna, glorious views and even a lava tube with petroglyphs.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park
Turtles, history and trails
Wonderful guided forest walk in high elevation away from heat. Must make reservations!
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Kona Cloud Forest
73-1865 Hao StWonderful guided forest walk in high elevation away from heat. Must make reservations!
Happy Hour
Great view, local vibe, reasonable prices and good happy hour.
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Laverne's Sports Bar
75-5819 Ali‘i DrGreat view, local vibe, reasonable prices and good happy hour.
Best Happy Hour in town with the most amazing view. Get there BEFORE dinner or be prepared to wait over an hour!
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Don's Mai Tai Bar
75-5852 Ali‘i DrBest Happy Hour in town with the most amazing view. Get there BEFORE dinner or be prepared to wait over an hour!
Island Lava Java
75-5801 Ali‘i DrGreat Happy Hour, amazing food and a view!
Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlGreat happy hour ON THE BEACH. Get there early.
Groceries and Supplies
Best choice for local fresh veggies and reasonable prices. Believe it or not, also the best for Poke bowls!
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Sack N Save Kona
75-5595 Palani RdBest choice for local fresh veggies and reasonable prices. Believe it or not, also the best for Poke bowls!
Home to KTA (groceries), CVS, Regal cinema, Kenichi's, Tap House, Bianelli's, Sam Choi, and lovely book store.
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Keauhou Shopping Center
78-6831 Ali‘i DrHome to KTA (groceries), CVS, Regal cinema, Kenichi's, Tap House, Bianelli's, Sam Choi, and lovely book store.
Safeway
75-971 Henry StTraditional safeway for familiar shopping.