Kona USA
Country: USA · Region: Hawaii · Arrival: tender · Currency: US Dollar
Kona is the main town on Hawaii's Big Island's western coast, known for sport fishing, snorkeling, world-class sunsets, and Kona coffee grown on nearby slopes. Home to the Ironman World Championship and Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, it offers excellent weather with over 300 days of sunshine annually.
Top sights
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, Hulihe'e Palace, Mokuaikaua Church, Kahaluu Beach, Kekaha Kai State Park, Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens
Things to do
- Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
- Features Honokohau Beach with Hawaiian green sea turtles, snorkeling in historic fishtrap sites, petroglyphs, and walking trails; free entry.
- Hulihee Palace
- Built in 1838 as a vacation residence for Hawaiian royals, now a museum displaying Victorian artifacts; $10 admission.
- Mokuaikaua
- Hawaii's first Christian church located on Alii Drive; free entry daily 7:30AM-5:30PM.
- Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tours
- Offers close encounters with manta ray inhabitants of the Hawaiian coastline.
Beaches
- Kahaluu Beach
- Popular beach park with excellent snorkeling, equipment rentals available, and a nearby bar; $5 secure storage lockers available 10AM-3:30PM.
- Kekaha Kai State Park
- Beautiful white sand beach north of Kona (also called Kua Bay) with bathrooms, fresh water fountains and showers; primarily used for body boarding due to steep shorebreak.
Where to eat
- Kona Brewing Company
- Pub serving hand-spun pizzas, local organic salads and fresh beers on draft with live entertainment Sunday evenings; happy hour M-F 3-5PM.
- The Coffee Shack
- Tiny restaurant on Highway 11 in Captain Cook overlooking Kealakekua Bay, serving breakfast and lunch items with awesome views.
Bars and nightlife
- Huggo's on the Rocks
- Waterfront bar next to Huggo's restaurant with great sunsets and frequent live band performances.
Forecast for Kona
Loading the live forecast.
Weather in Kona by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 77°F | 67°F | 3.7 in | 14 |
| February | 77°F | 67°F | 4.4 in | 14 |
| March | 78°F | 68°F | 4.1 in | 15 |
| April | 78°F | 69°F | 7.8 in | 21 |
| May | 79°F | 70°F | 7.9 in | 22 |
| June | 80°F | 72°F | 10.8 in | 27 |
| July | 81°F | 73°F | 10.4 in | 26 |
| August | 82°F | 73°F | 10.2 in | 24 |
| September | 82°F | 74°F | 7.5 in | 20 |
| October | 82°F | 72°F | 4.5 in | 18 |
| November | 80°F | 70°F | 3.4 in | 14 |
| December | 79°F | 68°F | 4.9 in | 15 |
Getting around
Walking is manageable in town, but renting a car is recommended to reach resorts, beaches, and cultural sites; the Kona Trolley ($2) travels from Sheraton Keauhou along Alii Drive 9AM-9:15PM.
What to eat
Ali'i Drive features numerous restaurants and bars; local specialties include authentic Mexican at Pancho and Lefty's, poke bowls at Da Poke Shack, and hand-spun pizzas at Kona Brewing Company.
Tips
Book Manta Ray Night Dives early as they are the most reliable place in the world to see giant manta rays up close, and morning helicopter tours have the least cloud cover.
Best for
Snorkeling, diving, sport fishing, sunsets