Things to Do in Kona for Adventure Seekers
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Are you an adventurous person looking for things to do in Kona? From exploding volcanos to zip-lining over waterfalls to fishing or surfing there’s something for everyone. We’ve taken many Big Island tours over the years. We’ve combed through them to find only the best available on the island. You can browse below by activity or by tour operator name.
Tours By Activity
Ocean
Hawaiian Canoe Paddle to Captain Cook
Open Ocean Large Animal Safari
Land
Air
List of Tour Providers (Click to Jump)
Blue Wilderness Dive Adventures
Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors
UmaUma Falls & Zipline Experience
Kona Snorkel Trips
One of the Top Things to do in Kona for families and snorkelers. Kona Snorkel Trips is Hawaii’s highest rated and most reviewed snorkel company.
- Deluxe AM Snorkel
- Offered Mon, Wed, Sat
- Restrictions: +3yo, good swimmers, snorkel experience, no back/neck conditions, no pregnant women
- Kealakekua Bay Snorkel
- The best snorkeling spot on the Big Island
- Restrictions: +3 years and up, good swimmers, snorkel experience, no back/neck conditions, no pregnant women
- Afternoon Seafari & Pawai Reef Snorkel
- Offered daily @ 1:30p; 2 hour tour
- Restrictions: +3yo, good swimmers, snorkel experience, no back/neck conditions, no pregnant women
- The world-famous Manta Ray Snorkel
- Offered twice nightly
- Restrictions: +5yo, good swimmers, snorkel experience, no back/neck or shoulder conditions, no pregnant women
Kona’s manta ray night snorkel is by far one of the most popular activities on the Big Island. Kona Snorkel Trips offers two trips nightly. The sunset tour allows you to watch the sun set on the way to the manta snorkel site while the later moonlight tour is good for beating the crowds especially during the busier times of year.
Aquatic Life Divers
The second best Kona diving company (after us of course) offering daily morning and manta charters.
Blue Wilderness Dive Adventures
- 2-Tank Morning Dive ($175 SCUBA)
- $45 for full SCUBA gear rental package
- 1-Tank Manta Dive or Snorkel ($165 SCUBA, $150 Snorkel)
Body Glove
Kona’s largest tour boat is like having a party on the ocean with spacious decks and lots of fun water toys. There’s also a bar! One of the most relaxing and great for anyone activities is the sunset dinner cruise.
- Morning Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch ($158 Adult, $94 accompanied minor, $94 ride-along only)
- Offered daily, 8am-12:30
- Call 48 hours in advance for dietary restrictions
- Afternoon Snorkel ($118 Adult, $88 minor, $88 ride-along)
- Offered Tuesday & Friday, 1pm – 3:30pm
- Whale Watching Tour (seasonal December – May)
- Historical Dinner Cruise ($158 Adults, $94 children)
- Offered every day EXCEPT Mondays
- Call 48 hours in advance for dietary restrictions
Ehu & Kai
Paddle out from gorgeous Kealakekua Bay to the Historic Captain Cook monument on this 3-hour canoe adventure. The canoe is double hulled and can accommodate up to 8 guests. It’s great for a large family or friends. You’ll get to paddle with your group out to the Captain Cook Monument obelisk located 1 mile across the bay. The beautiful scenery of the dramatic cliffside and the fantastic snorkeling make of a one-of-a-kind experience.
Historical Hawaiian Adventure Includes:
- One of a kind experience on a traditional outrigger canoe
- History of Kealakekua Bay
- Snorkel with Dolphins
- Snorkel at the Captain Cook Monument.
- Snorkel Gear
- Complimentary snacks
- Refreshments
Hawaii Forest & Trail
See Hawaii’s wild side from craters to volcanos get into our natural world with an interactive guided adventure.
- Volcano Unveiled ($245 adult, $220 Child)
- NOT offered Sunday/Wednesday; tour is 10-12hrs
- Kohala Waterfall Adventure ($200 Adult, $175 child)
- NOT offered Sundays; tour is 6-7hrs
- Hidden Craters Hike ($160 Adult, $135 child)
- Offered Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat; tour is 5hrs
- Mauna Kea Summit & Stars ($255)
- Due to the high altitude, this tour is not advised for those with respiratory, circulatory or heart conditions, pregnancy, or poor health. Do not go to the summit within 24 hours after you SCUBA. No children under 13.
Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors
One of the most popular things to do in Kona for adventure seekers is the activity that was invented here . . . surfing! Confident surfers can rent a board and hit the beaches while those newer to the sport and jump in on a private or group lesson. Kahalu’u beach park is the perfect spot to learn to surf in Kona. Their experienced instructors will get you up and going so you can develop the confidence necessary to enjoy the Hawaiian sport of surfing.
Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm
A gorgeous coffee farm located Mauna in the little town of Holualoa offering Kona coffee tours and experiences on the gorgeous coffee farm in Holualoa.
- Coffee Tour
- Brew Your Best Cup Workshop!
- Paniolo Roasting
- Paint & Sip
- Luxury Picnic in the Coffee Trees
Kohala Zipline
Like Ewoks in the Endor forest in Star Wars; experience life in the massive forest trees on the Big Island’s northern Kohala Coast.
- Kohala Canopy Adventures ($215 Adult, $190 child 8-12yo)
- NOT offered sundays; 3hrs total
- At least 8yo, weigh between 70-270lbs
- Zip & Dip ($299 adult, $275 children)
- Check FH for availability
- Zipline above the forest floor, picnic on the rim of Pololu Valley & swim under a private waterfall.
Kona Cowboy Sportfishing
Kona is one of the best places in the world for big game fishing and marlin fishing. Kona fishing charters come in 2 varieties. Try your luck for a half-day or increase your odds with a full-day charter.
Full Day Sportfishing Charter Boat
Half-Day Sportfishing Charter Boat
Kona Shore Divers
- Refresher Dive ($179 Adult)
- Additional fees for rentals; +$79 for second tank; +$12 per nitrox
- Offered daily, but check FH for availability
- PADI Discover SCUBA Dive ($249)
- Additional rental fees & trip protection offered
- Will need to pass medical waiver
- Offered daily, but check FH for availability
- Guided Shore Dive ($99)
- Offered daily @ 8:15am & 1:30pm
- Additional fees for rental gear; +$79 for second tank; +$12 per nitrox
- Require at least 20dives and dove within 4years
Helicopter Tours
View whales underwater, lava flows from the big picture or even just discover the world’s only penis shaped pool. The Big Island has many surprises in store for the adventurous explorer. Seeing the Big Island from the air is one of the best ways to view all of its variety. Fly around the island or just cruise the coast.
Big Island Waterfall Experience – The Big Island has so much variety between lava, waterfalls, and ocean there’s a lot to see in one tour. This is the best way to see the whole thing without the long drive.
Kona Coast Tour – Kona’s rugged coastline is frequented by whales, dolphins, and massive surf that can reach 100 feet in the air. Soar over remote beaches and zoom past the remote and beautiful places hard to reach by land.
Pink Limo Kona
Go Holoholo in a pink stretch limo. You decide where the adventure begins and ends. Call us for the latest recommendations on which hot spots to take your limo around Kona town.
Sea Paradise
Kona’s largest sailing catamaran is great for people that are more prone to seasickness. It’s also suitable for larger groups. The spacious deck, food, and party like atmosphere make for a fun ocean experience.
- MORNING SAILING & SNORKELING TOUR ($132 adult, $77 child)
- Offered daily; 8:30am – 1pm
- Lunch and snack included; booze available for purchase
- AFTERNOON SAILING & SNORKELING TOUR ($77 adult, $55 children)
- Offered daily, 2pm-5pm
- No food provided
- MANTA RAY NIGHT SNORKELING TOUR ($117 adult, $105 child)
- Offered twice daily; 6:30pm & 9pm; 1.5 hour tour
- light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages after your snorkel tour.
TopShot Spearfishing
Are you looking for a challenge? Wearing a camouflage wetsuit and holding a speargun you’ll see just how the sport of spearfishing is here in Hawaii. With a savvy instructor to show you how to spearfish correctly a kill is not certain, but within reach. Diving from shore you can join a group or private lesson. Equipment is provided.
A focus on conservation means only sustainable or invasive species are targeted. Spearfishing is THE most sustainable way to catch fish. Educational materials provided.
UmaUma Falls & Zipline Experience
One of the best Zipline experiences in the world with the longest double zipline. Soar over waterfalls and hike across rope bridges in this one-of-a-kind world-class experience. The zip-n-dip is the best bang for the buck option. We love it so much we’ve done it 4 times!
This experience is great for youngsters and is a great friends and family outing.
- Deluxe ATV ($212 1-seater, $323 2-seater, $547 4-seater)
- A LOT of restrictions, please see FH or website for details
- Offered Monday-Friday; 9am & 1pm
- Umauma Falls 9-line Zipline Tours ($209 adult, $199 child)
- Restrictions: Ages 4 yrs. and up; Weight 35lbs – 275 lbs. max; Pregnant women, those with serious medical conditions, and persons with prior back/neck injuries are not permitted
- NOT offered Sundays; 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm
- Zip & Dip Combo ($294 adult, $274 child)
- Restrictions: same as above
- Offered Monday-Friday @ 10am
Wild Hawaii Ocean Adventures
One of our favorite ocean tours that is not found anywhere else. Hop aboard a large jet powered navy seal boat for one of the wildest rides in Hawaii. The Offshore blue water adventure is one of the greatest Kona snorkel tours around. Soar over the open ocean in search of large marine life. Snorkel with pilot whales and see some of the local and visiting marine life. Among other critters it’s possible to see dolphins, manta rays, whales, porpoises, marlin, and even whale sharks! For the most adventurous among us.
- Coastal Marine Life and Snorkel
- Restrictions: MUST be over 4 feet tall, MUST be under 280lbs, MUST NOT have any neck or back injuries, MUST NOT have any pre-existing heart issues, MUST NOT have had any major surgery in the past 6 months, MUST NOT be pregnant
- Offered Wednesday-Sunday, 9am
- Offshore BlueWater Adventure (Our Favorite)
- Restrictions: same as above
- Offered daily, 9am-1pm
- Captain Cook Snorkel Tour
- Restrictions: same as above
- Offered daily @ 2pm
- Manta Ray Night Snorkel
- Restrictions: same as above
- Offered daily @ 6:30pm
Kona Honu Divers has selected from among the many tours and activities available on the Big island of Hawaii to bring you the best available things to do in Kona for adventure seekers. There are many Kona tours but we have chosen only the best. If you are considering adding more activities to your trip give us a call at (808)324-4668.
There’s so many things to do on Big Island this list will help you narrow down among all of the options but for more tailored recommendations our friendly staff is on hand to help guide you towards the best tours on Big Island for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kona so expensive?
Hawaii is expensive in general because housing and shipping are all heavily regulated. It’s difficult to ship things here inexpensively and it’s difficult and expensive to build here. The demand for housing and accomodation create a great deal of pricing pressure on the real estate market. All of these costs coupled with the high demand snowball into making everything more costly.
What is Kona best known for?
Kona Coffee is known around the world, but it is also the home of the world famous Manta Ray Night Dive & Snorkel. It is also the final resting place of Captain James Cook, world explorer and circumnavigator.
Where can I see sea turtles in Kona?
There are a few beaches in the Kona area to see Sea Turtles:
- Kaloko National Park
- Kukio/The Four Seasons
- Kahalu’u Beach Park
For more detail on the best sea turtle beaches check out this article.
How many days do you need in Kona?
3 Days – 1 Week will give you a taste but there is much to see and do in Kona let alone the surrounding area. It depends on how much you are willing to experience and what you like to do. The main points of interest are the ocean, farms, beaches, and hiking. Kona’s downtown isn’t much to write home about. The cuisine is not a highlight.
The Big Island is very large and has plenty to do outside of Kona as well. It would take a whole day just to visit Volcano National Park (a must see) from Kona.
What activities are available on the Big Island in Hawaii?
- Boat Diving
- Shore Diving
- Hawaiian Canoe Paddle to Captain Cook
- Daytime & Manta Snorkeling
- Snorkel & Sail
- Dinner Cruise
- Whale Watching
- Surfing Lessons
- Fishing Charter
- Spearfishing Lessons
- Open Ocean Large Animal Safari
- Zipline
- Coffee Farm
- Atv off Road
- Waterfall Hike
- Volcanos Road trip
- Crater hike
- Rent a buggy
- Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tours
Just to name a few.
How long does it take to drive around the island of Kona?
It takes 5 hours and you would miss Puna/Kalapana as well as Hawi and the Kohala Coast (no through roads). Kona is not an island but a district on an Island. Kona is on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. To learn more about driving around the island from Kona to Hilo check out this guide.
What is the best month to go to Kona?
September is slower and less expensive tourism wise. The ocean is warmer then too. January and February are also great because it’s cooler outside and the whales are in town.
Is it better to stay in Kona or Hilo?
Kona is less rainy (more sunny) and has most of the hotels and tourist attractions. Hilo is where more people live and there are more waterfalls because it rains very often. More people end up staying in Kona for the weather and ocean activities, but it’s worth visiting Hilo for a few days.