One of my passions is traveling and if you’ve been reading TSL, you might have noticed I’m always on the go! My boyfriend wanted to see an artist who was playing in Kona, Hawaii so we decided to make a trip out of it.
These are the kind of trips I look forward to, the most spontaneous ones. It was our first time visiting the Big Island. We flew on Delta which isn’t a surprise since we love this airline.
Transportation
We rented a car, which was made our trip easier since we could explore the island at our leisure. We got a great deal using Priceline. It was amazing having a car and having the opportunity to go around the island.
Hotel
We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. We were steps from the beach with a huge pool and a nice jacuzzi. We even got complimentary coupons for drinks, chairs and scuba/snorkeling gear. The hotel had a washer and dryer which was a bonus. The concierge were friendly and helpful. I would definitely stay here again.
Dining
Menehune Coffee Company is located in the hotel and is great for breakfast. They serve 100% Kona local coffee (yummy), many baked goods, bagels, tasty guava, and orange juice. The perfect quick breakfast. Another plus is you can use the coupons you receive upon arrival which get you 2$ off.
Billfish Poolside Bar & Grille
This is perfect for snacks if you are by the pool or want to hangout by the beach which is only a few steps down. We used our free drink coupons here. We kept it tropical with Mai Tais and Pina Coladas. One night we were craving sweets and had a slice of cake from here which was super delish.
Scandinavian Shave Ice
The best refreshments! So many flavors and options and you can put any toppings you want. I had gummies on mine, so delicious. I love that we were able to walk from our hotel to this spot. It’s only a few blocks down.
Kona Cofee and Tea
Kona coffee and tea is a great spot for tasty local Kona coffee. I had espresso and I also got a latte to try the difference. This cafe is only a few minutes of walking from the hotel. They only serve 100% Kona grown coffee. If you are a coffee lover, I highly recommend getting it here.
Umekes
On our first night we wanted some good Hawaiian food and saw this place was relatively close to our hotel. The fish is super fresh and the pork nachos were amazing. The service was great and we got seated right away.
Paradise Brewing Company Tap and Grill
We sat upstairs which had a beautiful view of the ocean. We even encountered a lizard who was missing his tail, poor thing. The breakfast here is quick with great service. Get in, get out. We ate breakfast here twice. Our hotel was right across the street so it was perfect.
Island Fish And Chips
Island fish and chips is such a cute little eatery. We ordered fish and chips which were amazing. We also ordered crab cake sliders along with some volcano shrimp. Both epically flavorful. This is worth a stop for lunch.
Sushi Shiono
We had to have sushi at least one night while we were here. We made sure to make reservations since it’s a smaller restaurant. I’m a fan of oysters and these were absolutely the best. Every piece of sushi was just as delicious. They are open from 5:30 – 9:00 pm. It says they are permanently closed but if you go on their website it says they are open.
Da Poke Shack
The best poke in town! Seriously, you must check this place out when you’re here. This really is one of the best poke spots I have been to! It also wasn’t too far from our hotel, another bonus. They have so many options and the fish is very fresh. Make sure you go early because they sell out! They’re open from 10am – 4pm.
Punalu’u Bake Shop
You must try the famous Malasadas! We got all the flavors since we wanted to try them all out. The Guava was our favorite. Even if you’re not much a sweet tooth person, I suggest coming here to try at least one. It’s worth it.
Activities
Kona Boys Beach Shack
They have all the chairs you need to sit at the beach and relax. They also have scuba gear which you can use complimentary with the coupons you receive when you check into the Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
Ola Brew
The main reason for our trip to Kona was to see a Hawaiian singer. At Ola Brew is where this singer was performing. The concert was very low key. There’s also food trucks parked all over with the best tacos and eloté (corn in a cup) so bomb. Even though it happen to be raining the night of the show, we still stayed to watch. We were drenched.
KÄ«lauea Overlook – HawaiÊ»i Volcanoes National Park
This is a magical lookout point. If you are dying to see volcanos this is a must-see place to visit. We couldn’t believe how close we were to an actual volcano.
Rainbow Falls Lookout
This viewpoint features a beautiful waterfall. If you are on the Big Island of Hawaii, I say make time to come here and take in all the beauty.
Hilo
Hilo is about 2 hours from Kona and worth a drive there for the day. It’s a quaint small town with dining and shops. There are some breathtaking waterfalls here and lush rainforests. I say visit for a day but don’t stay overnight.
Volcano Winery
Who would have thought Hawaii had their grown wine? If you like wine this is the spot for you. They have a few varietals to try and tend to be on the sweeter side. The wines were all unique, I had never tried anything like it. They even had one infused with tea. It’s a very small winery, so don’t expect something you’d visit in Napa Valley. They’re open from 10am – 5:30pm.
Mauna Lani
Manua Lani features a few great resorts. This is a beautiful place to check out with amazing beaches. If you are looking for accommodations that are more relaxing and secluded, this is the place to do it.
Punalu’u Black Sand Beach
Also known as black sand beach, is one of the most popular and most visited beaches on the big island. The sand is created of basalt and is created by the lava that flows into the ocean and then cools off. If you are in Kona, breakout your sunscreen and spend a few hours at this beach. You might get lucky and see some turtles.
Fruit Stand
While exploring the Island we came across this fruit stand with the best coconuts and coconut water. We even made some duck friends and gave them some coconuts, they loved it. This was on our way to Waipio Valley.
Waipio Valley
We couldn’t resist yet another magnificent viewing spot on the island. It was truly magical. You definitely will regret not visiting this breathtaking view.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t been to the Big Island of Hawaii, I hope my travel post inspires you to visit. I highly recommend renting a car so you can travel and explore the island. Hawaii has so much to offer from mini adventures to relaxation. It’s truly the best of both worlds.