This realistic Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Guide helps you plan your next adventure on the Big Island.

Kailua-Kona is one of the main gateways to Hawaii for the visitors from the mainland. You can visit the sights around Kailua-Kona year round.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Kailua-Kona is a great starting point to explore the west coast of the Big Island. Many of the great beaches and historic sites are a short drive away from the town.

But you should not overlook the more remote parts of the island. The northern part is home to the natural reserves and scenic valleys. The southern part is a destination for green sand beaches and whale watching.

This Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Guide will walk you through the best stops on the west coast of the Big Island. It follows the path from the north to the south.

1. Pololu Valley Lookout

Pololu Valley is the first stop you would not want to miss on the Big Island. This lookout is quite remote.

• It is near the northernmost point of the island.
• You would need about 1.5 hours to reach this viewpoint from Kailua-Kona.

But the long drive is worth a chance to see the scenic valley. It is part of Kohala Forest Reserve.

The parking at the lookout is free. But the lot can only fit about a dozen cars. It is best to arrive early to secure a spot. Do not park on the road shoulder or block the way.

Once you park, you can enjoy the viewpoint and a short hiking trail. There is a 1-mi (1.6-km) out-and-back trail from the viewpoint to the valley and the black sand beach.

• The path to the beach is easy. You will be hiking downhill during the entire way to the beach.
• The return way is far more challenging. It involves 430 ft (131 m) in elevation gain.

There is a bit of exercise involved in hiking down to the valley and back. But the views you get on the Pololu trail make the hike well worth the effort.

Budget about an hour to complete the return hike and enjoy the views.

2. Waipi’o Valley Lookout

The Waipi’o Valley Lookout is the second place to explore in the northern part of the island. This viewpoint is just on the other side of Kohala Forest Reserve and Pu’u O Umi Natural Area Reserve.

But there is no direct way between the Pololu Valley and Waipi’o Valley Lookouts along the coast. Instead, you need to drive around the reserves via the towns of Waimea and Honokaa.

It takes almost 1.5 hours to reach Waipi’o from Pololu. You might be better off exploring Waipi’o on the way to or from Hilo, Hawaii. A drive to this viewpoint from the rainiest place in the US takes about an hour.

The viewpoint has a small parking lot. It fits about ten cars. Wait for a spot to open up and do not park on the road shoulder.

Many local residents have issues with the overtourism. You risk getting towed at your expense if you break any parking rules.

You used to be able to access the Waipi’o Valley Road beyond the lookout.

• The steep unpaved road was open for 4×4 vehicles, horse riders, and hikers.
• A few companies used to offer shuttle rides to the Waipi’o Black Sand Beach.

Nowadays, both the valley and the beach are closed. But there is still an option to enjoy them on a helicopter ride.

Until there is a long-term resolution, it is best to spend more time at Pololu Valley. You can get to this viewpoint easier. And its black sand beach is a good alternative to Waipi’o.

3. Hapuna Beach

If you are looking for a great white sand beach on the Big Island, you should drive back towards Kailua-Kona. The area between Puako and Kawaihae is home to a few white sand beaches.

But you should look no further than Hapuna Beach. It is one of the best beaches on the Big Island. You can get to this beach in about 45 minutes from either Kailua-Kona or Pololu Valley.

You will pay $10 per car and $5 per person as a non resident. But this fee is worth it. You will enjoy a pristine beach with well kept amenities.

High fees do not deter tourists. The crowds will be present at Hapuna Beach no matter when you visit.

4. Kahalu’u Beach Park

Kahalu’u Beach Park is the next great stop on the Big Island. This park is the closest place to Kailua-Kona listed in this Hawaii Guide.

But it is an hour south of Hapuna Beach. You can take Highways HI-19 and HI-11 to reach this beach.

This park is very popular with tourists. It is easy to see why.

• This beach is free to visit.
• It has a spacious parking lot.
• You will also find restrooms and food stands there.

But snorkeling is what made Kahalu’u Beach Park a tourist magnet. The beach is quite shallow. As a result, you could start snorkeling just a few feet (meters) after entering the water.

Bring your mask and fins. You can see an amazing variety of fish and sea creatures at Kahalu’u Beach Park.

5. Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau

The next place on this Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Guide is more than a beach or a valley. This park is a sacred site and a spiritual sanctuary.

Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau is a place to go to learn more about Hawaiian customs and beliefs. It is also a short drive from other places on this list. You can reach it from Kahulu’u Beach Park in under 30 minutes.

There are restrictions on the dress code and activities you can do in the park. It is critical to respect this place and follow all of the rules.

This park charges a hefty fee of $20 per car. But you are in luck since the National Park Service manages this site.

As a result, America the Beautiful annual pass covers the admission fees. This pass continues to deliver an incredible value in the most unusual places.

Beyond the cultural and historic heritage, Puʻuhonua is a very picturesque site. You could choose to explore its different areas.

The Royal Grounds is a small walled part of the park. It is closest to the parking lot. You can easily catch a reflection of palm trees in a pond right next to the Great Wall.

The park also offers a couple of longer hiking trails. You could hike on the Coastal and 1871 Trails. This way, you could reach an abandoned village while admiring the rugged shoreline.

6. Two Step Beach

Once you finish hiking the trails at Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau, you might want to stop by another beach. You are in luck. The Two Step Beach is just minutes away from the National Historic Park.

But you might not like Two Step at the first glance. It might pale in comparison to Kahalu’u Beach Park.

• This beach lacks amenities outside of a couple picnic tables.
• There is a fee to park on a small gravel lot.
• The beach has little sand and almost no shade.
• There is a strong current and lots of slippery rocks.

But there is a reason why this beach is on the list of the best places to visit near Kailua-Kona. It is one of the best destinations for snorkeling and diving on the entire Big Island.

Therefore, you should not let the limitations of this beach get in the way of your visit. You can enjoy fantastic views of the corral reefs, fish, and turtles there.

This experience more than offsets the shortcomings of this park.

7. Papakōlea Green Sand Beach

The next noteworthy stop on the Island of Hawaii is far more remote. Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is near the South Point of the Island.

It will take you over 1.5 hours to drive to the beach from Kailua-Kona. A trip from the Two Step Beach will save you about 20 minutes. But the drive is still well over an hour.

But driving is only part of the challenge to get to this green sand beach. You can only reach it if you have a 4×4 high clearance vehicle.

Path to the Beach

If you rented a sedan, you could hike or take a shuttle ride. There are questions about the legality of driving a car on this road. The same applies to a shuttle ride.

If you would like to stay on the right side of the law, hike to the beach. The 2.7-mi (4.3-km) out-and-back hike has little elevation gain.

But there is no shade on this trail. This hike could be challenging in the Hawaiian sun.

On the bright side, you can enjoy great views of the ocean. The trail path goes near the cliff edge and volcanic formations.

You need to budget at least an hour to hike to the beach. Add another hour for the return hike.

You will know that you are close once the terrain becomes hilly. The sand caves will appear in sight. This is the time to celebrate since the beach is right around the corner.

Green Sand Beach

The beach is a lagoon. It has green and grey volcanic sand. The colorful sand gave Papakōlea its name. It also attracts countless visitors every day.

The beach will present you with one final challenge. You would need to hike a steep downhill path from the cliff edge to the beach.

A long unshaded trail and a steep ascend are not the only downsides of this beach. There are also no restrooms or changing rooms at the beach.

While you can let your clothes dry on the return hike, the lack of restrooms makes a visit less enjoyable.

Whale Watching from the Beach

But there is a reason Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is worth a trouble. This beach gives you more than just a chance to bathe in the Pacific Ocean or enjoy the colorful sand.

Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is a great whale watching spot. Whales migrate to Hawaii from Alaska in the winter. If you visit Kailua-Kona during this season, you can enjoy whale watching.

Long hike, drive, and flight to Hawaii aside, it could be the easiest whale watching experience in your life.

In fact, you do not even need a boat to see whales at Papakōlea. You can watch the humpback whales right from the beach.

It could be difficult to see whales go for a fluke dive or spout at this distance. But you will see it clearly if a whale decides to jump out of the water.

It sets this green sand beach apart from other whale watching spots. You have to take a tour to see whales in Alaska, Channel Islands, Boston, and Iceland.

Continue with our Kailua-Kona Hawaii Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Kailua-Kona is a town on the west coast of the Hawaii Island. Most people refer to the Island of Hawaii as the Big Island.

The options to reach the Big Island are quite similar to the other islands of the state of Hawaii.

• You can only get to Kailua-Kona from other US states via a plane or a cruise ship.
• All major US airlines and a handful of international ones fly to Kona International Airport.

Once on the island, you could rent a car or get a rideshare to your final destination. As the nickname suggests, the Big Island is large enough to warrant a car rental.

• A rental car could empower you to explore the sights of the Island on your own schedule.
• It also gives you more freedom. You can alternate between the sights on the east and west coast.
• This way, you could try to beat the rainy weather.

High gas prices are the only downside for renting a car in Hawaii. The state has some of the most expensive gas in the nation.

Where to Stay near Kailua-Kona

Hawaii is a remote place. Yet, the state is a tourist magnet. Most of its destinations attract a lot of visitors. The Island of Hawaii and Kailua-Kona are no exception.

It is quite challenging to get an affordable place to stay on the Big Island. A lot of visitors choose a resort vacation while visiting Hawaii.

Resorts have a few advantages.

• Resorts are often in the most beautiful parts of the island.
• You get easy ocean access.
• You can choose from versatile dining options.

A few resorts are next to Hapuna Beach, one of the best white sand beaches on the Big Island. But this location comes with a premium.

Most resorts charge fees of $400+ per night. This is hardly an affordable price for most travelers.

There are other disadvantages when staying at a resort. You will be tied to one place during your entire vacation.

If a resort vacation is not your cup of tea, you could look into independent hotels and vacation rentals.

It helps to set the right expectations ahead of your Hawaii vacation. Decide on the key requirements. It will be easier to find a place to stay on the Big Island once you know your preferences.

There are a lot of places to stay along Highway HI-11. You can find most places to stay between Kona and Keokea. These options would work best for visiting central sights and Papakōlea Green Sand Beach.

Look into the town of Waimea when visiting the northern part of the island.

• This town borders a few natural reserves.
• It is a good basecamp for exploring the scenic valleys of the island.
• It is also a short drive from Hapuna Beach.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Kailua-Kona is a great destination to visit during any season.

The west coast of the Big Island receives more sunshine and less rainfall than its east coast. It means that you could find great weather around Kailua-Kona almost every day.

Kailua-Kona is home to the scenic beaches and picturesque valleys. But the sights of the Big Island differ a lot in their operating hours and entrance requirements.

• Some sights are only open between the sunrise and sunset.
• Others are open 24 hours a day.
• A few places charge parking fees.
• But many are free to visit.

There is not a comprehensive list that documents all of these requirements. In this way, the sights near Kailua-Kona are similar to the sights on the Freedom Trail in Boston.

This Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Guide documents entry requirements to the main sights on the Big Island’s west coast.

• Hapuna Beach: open from 7 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.; $10 per car and $5 per person for non residents
• Pololu Valley Lookout: open 24 hours; free
• Waipi’o Valley Lookout: open 24 hours; free if you hike or have a 4×4 vehicle
• Magic Sands Beach Park: open from sunrise to sunset; free
• Kahulu’u Beach Park: open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; free
• Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park: from 8:15 a.m. to sunset; $20 per car
• Two Step Beach: open 24 hours; $5 parking fee
• Papakōlea Green Sand Beach: open 24 hours; free if you hike or have a 4×4 vehicle

Takeaways: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

This goal of this Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Guide is to help you plan a memorable trip to the Big Island.

The Big Island and its area around Kailua-Kona is worth a visit. It has a great variety of natural and historic wonders. The sights range from valleys and rivers, to white, black, and green sand beaches.

• Pololu Valley is the best place for a short hike.
• Two Step and Kahalu’u Beach Park are amazing spots for snorkeling.
• Hapuna Beach and Magic Sands Beach Park are perfect for catching waves.
• Papakōlea Green Sand Beach is a great whale watching spot right from the beach.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!