Our adventure on the Big Island of Hawaii began with a late arrival at Kona International Airport, where we landed at around 7:30 PM. After a quick stop at Walmart to pick up some essentials and grabbing a pizza for a late dinner, we made our way to our Kona Bali Kai condo. This Kailua-Kona vacation rental was the perfect home base for exploring the Big Island. Here are photos of our oceanfront condo with beautiful views?
Day 1: Stepping Back in Time and Snorkeling in Paradise
We began our Big Island adventure by heading south to the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, located about 20 miles from Kailua-Kona. This sacred site, once a place of refuge for ancient Hawaiians, is rich in history and cultural significance. We spent over an hour exploring the grounds, learning about the fascinating traditions and laws of old Hawaii.
After visiting the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, we had our picnic lunch and went to Two Step Beach, a nearby popular spot for snorkeling. The crystal-clear waters were full of tropical fish.
On our way back to Kailua-Kona, we couldn’t resist stopping at Kealia Ranch Store for some refreshing shaved ice—a perfect treat after a day in the sun.
A friend had recommended Ho’okena Beach State Park as a great place to spot dolphins, so we decided to check it out. While we didn’t see any dolphins, the beach was beautiful and worth the visit.
We rounded out our first day by relaxing and enjoying the stunning view from our condo, soaking in the sunset.
Day 2: Catching Waves and Experiencing Hawaiian Culture
The next day, my family was eager to try surfing, so they signed up for lessons with Kona Town Surf Adventures. I enjoyed watching from the comfort of my beach chair.
In the evening, we put on our Hawaiian shirts and attended the Royal Kona Resort Luau. We enjoyed the traditional music, a delicious feast, hula, and fire dancing.
Day 3: Snorkeling at Captain Cook and a Sunset by the Beach
On Day 3, we set off on a snorkeling adventure at the Captain Cook Monument, one of the best spots on the island. Since this location is only accessible by a challenging hike or boat, we opted for a boat tour. The underwater scenery was spectacular.
After our snorkeling excursion, we spent a relaxing evening on the beach at Kekaha Kai State Park.
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Day 4: Exploring Volcanoes and a Magical Night Snorkel
Our fourth day included a day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a hike through a lava tube. I love the out-of-this-world landscapes of this park!
On our way back, we stopped at Punalu’u Black Sand Beach State Park, famous for its unique black sand and frequent sea turtle sightings.
We returned to our condo and grilled dinner, enjoying a quiet meal with an ocean view.
The day ended on a high note with a Manta Ray Night Snorkel, an unforgettable experience where we swam with these gentle giants at night.
Day 5: Waterfalls, Gelato, and a Sunset at Mauna Kea
On Day 5, we ventured across to the Hilo side of the island to see Akaka Falls State Park. Here, we took a short walk to see the breathtaking 442-foot waterfall.
For lunch, we headed to the Hilo Town Tavern and afterward treated ourselves to some gelato at Nicoco Hawaiian Gelato.
As the day exploring the Big Island drew to a close, we made our way to Mauna Kea, where we witnessed a stunning sunset from the tallest mountain in the world (33,481 feet from the ocean floor.)
Day 6: A Day of Relaxation at Ho’okena Beach
After several days exploring the Big Island, we spent Day 6 relaxing at Ho’okena Beach State Park. This peaceful beach was perfect for unwinding, swimming, and soaking up the sun.
Day 7: Coffee, Pizza, and a Final Stroll Before Departure
With our evening flight back home, we had a few more hours to enjoy the Big Island. We started the day with a tour of the Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Plantation, where we learned about the coffee-making process and sampled some of the island’s finest brews.
For lunch, we headed to Big Island Pizza, where we enjoyed a delicious meal.
Before making our way to the airport, we took a leisurely walk along the beach at Kiholo State Park to soak up our last moments on the Pacific Ocean.
Finally, we returned to Kona Airport, ready to head home with unforgettable memories of exploring the Big Island from Kona.
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