Kailua-Kona sits on the dry, sun-drenched western flank of Hawaii's Big Island, sheltered from trade winds by the bulk of Mauna Loa behind it. The result is more than 300 sunny days a year, a coastline that feels almost Mediterranean in its calm, and a town small enough to walk end to end in an afternoon. Ancient kings chose this stretch of coast for exactly these reasons.
The town's Ali'i Drive traces the waterfront past a 19th-century royal palace and Hawaii's oldest Christian church, giving way to snorkel beaches, dive boats, and surf schools. The Ironman Triathlon World Championship finishes here every year, which says something about the conditions. The manta ray night dive — one of the most reliable wildlife encounters on the planet — leaves from the harbor at dusk.
Up on the slopes of Hualalai, Kona coffee grows in volcanic soil with afternoon cloud cover that keeps the beans slow and sweet. Plantation tours lead to tastings and a sense that this corner of the island takes its agriculture as seriously as its sunsets.
Real places in Kailua-Kona, pulled from the public library. Tap Add on anything that appeals — it lands in your list, no account needed.
Waterfront, grilled fish, classics.
Fresh poke, locals' favourite.
Bay views, breakfast and lunch.
Estate-grown single-origin beans.
Oceanfront seating, strong coffee.
Open-air, sea breeze, local coffee.
Hawaiian royal retreat, 1838.
Hawaii's first Christian church.
Petroglyphs, sea turtles, fishponds.
Victorian-era royal artifacts.
City of Refuge, sacred Hawaiian site.
Tropical plants, quiet walks.
Local fruit, coffee, crafts.
Best local groceries, poke counter.
Sunday mornings, artisan produce.
White sand, bodyboarding waves.
Top snorkel spot, reef fish.
Sacred royal grounds, coastal trail.
Lava-edge pools, very private.
Restored bungalows, barefoot luxury.
Manta rays visit the pool deck.
The experiences worth planning a day around — not a restaurant list, a way to eat the place.
Ahi tuna marinated in soy and sesame, over rice with pickled ginger. The version here, sourced locally, is a different thing entirely.
Buy a bag from a small plantation on the Hualalai slopes and drink it the morning it's roasted. Rich, smooth, no bitterness.
Two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and a protein of choice — a Hawaiian institution eaten from a styrofoam container at a picnic table.
Finely shaved ice packed with tropical syrups and condensed milk, eaten on Ali'i Drive while the light turns orange over the Pacific.
Curated routes through Kailua-Kona from Sunday's editors and well-travelled members. Open one to see every place — or save the whole list at once.
The high-impact first-timer route — nothing padded.
Neighbourhood tables, no tourist traps. Built over three trips.
Cafés, parks and a market — the unhurried half of town.
Wine rooms, viewpoints at dusk, the last tram home.
A starter itinerary built from the city's most-saved places. Make it yours, then reshape it however you like.
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