DrakePartyof4's Personal Favorites
Things to do
When friends and family come, these are the exact locations that we take them to so that we know they are getting the best experience!
I am a Divemaster here and I cannot recommend this place enough (no, I do not receive any incentives for routing you there. don't even mention my name or your stay if you don't believe me!). They have the benefit of location because they are located so far north, so they get to enjoy a ton of northern sites that aren't feasible for the Kona operations to go to. Plus, they have an amazing crew with a passion for conservation and education.
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Kohala Divers Ltd
613665 Akoni Pule HwyI am a Divemaster here and I cannot recommend this place enough (no, I do not receive any incentives for routing you there. don't even mention my name or your stay if you don't believe me!). They have the benefit of location because they are located so far north, so they get to enjoy a ton of northern sites that aren't feasible for the Kona operations to go to. Plus, they have an amazing crew with a passion for conservation and education.
Just the overlook, if that's all you can swing, is insanely gorgeous. It is a 15-25 minute hike down to a beautiful valley, a black sand beach, and a freshwater stream that meets the ocean. This valley, among several of the valleys on this coast, is very sacred land to native Hawaiians, with a rich history.
140 personas locales recomiendan
Pololu Valley
Just the overlook, if that's all you can swing, is insanely gorgeous. It is a 15-25 minute hike down to a beautiful valley, a black sand beach, and a freshwater stream that meets the ocean. This valley, among several of the valleys on this coast, is very sacred land to native Hawaiians, with a rich history.
Kilauea was flowing for decades, and then after a major eruption in 2017 the lava lake disappeared and the flow stopped. At the end of 2021, the lava lake reappeared, so you are truly here during a magical time. It is a sight that is other worldly, from peering down into the lava lake after the sun goes down (ask for the Keanakako'i overlook), to a mind-blowing hike across an old caldera floor. Do the Kilauea Iki Hike, because it is the closest you are going to get to a walk on the moon! It's a switchback into the crater, a walk across the crater floor, a switchback up back up to the rim on the other side, and then a walk along the rim back to the starting location. It takes about 3 hours (we are hardly active and we did it with toddlers on our backs in that amount of time).
880 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Nacional de los Volcanes de Hawái
Kilauea was flowing for decades, and then after a major eruption in 2017 the lava lake disappeared and the flow stopped. At the end of 2021, the lava lake reappeared, so you are truly here during a magical time. It is a sight that is other worldly, from peering down into the lava lake after the sun goes down (ask for the Keanakako'i overlook), to a mind-blowing hike across an old caldera floor. Do the Kilauea Iki Hike, because it is the closest you are going to get to a walk on the moon! It's a switchback into the crater, a walk across the crater floor, a switchback up back up to the rim on the other side, and then a walk along the rim back to the starting location. It takes about 3 hours (we are hardly active and we did it with toddlers on our backs in that amount of time).
Hands-down, the best luau on the island. The price point might be a little higher than others, but not by much. The difference between this one and many others is the quality of food and beverages (cheap syrupy drink vs. a quality mai tai ), and the quality of the performance. Any time friends or family come to town, we take them here! Warning, book it now because they are always booked!
7 personas locales recomiendan
The Mauna Kea Luau
62-100 Mauna Kea Beach DrHands-down, the best luau on the island. The price point might be a little higher than others, but not by much. The difference between this one and many others is the quality of food and beverages (cheap syrupy drink vs. a quality mai tai ), and the quality of the performance. Any time friends or family come to town, we take them here! Warning, book it now because they are always booked!
These guys made the list again, for a different reason. From December through March (January and February, being peak times) the humpback whales come down from Alaska to breed and give birth to newborns. This shop offers an exceptional sunset whale watch tour!
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Kohala Divers Ltd
613665 Akoni Pule HwyThese guys made the list again, for a different reason. From December through March (January and February, being peak times) the humpback whales come down from Alaska to breed and give birth to newborns. This shop offers an exceptional sunset whale watch tour!
A massive waterfall that is easily accessible for most people, excluding folks that need assistive equipment such as wheelchairs or strollers. It's a relatively easy hike along pavement, with sets of stairs and some decent incline/declines. We would guess it is about a 30 minute "hike" round-trip, and it is a perfect destination to include during your volcano day as a pit-stop to stretch your legs and seek out some lunch. Please view under "our favorite restaurants" to see the local spot we recommend near this waterfall!
341 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Estatal de las Cataratas de Akaka
875 Akaka Falls RdA massive waterfall that is easily accessible for most people, excluding folks that need assistive equipment such as wheelchairs or strollers. It's a relatively easy hike along pavement, with sets of stairs and some decent incline/declines. We would guess it is about a 30 minute "hike" round-trip, and it is a perfect destination to include during your volcano day as a pit-stop to stretch your legs and seek out some lunch. Please view under "our favorite restaurants" to see the local spot we recommend near this waterfall!
Best snorkeling and scuba diving that you can do from shore. Easy entry and exit for all ages (literally called two-step because there are two lava-rock steps into the water). Get here from 7A-10A, and it is almost guaranteed to see the resident dolphins
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Two Step
Best snorkeling and scuba diving that you can do from shore. Easy entry and exit for all ages (literally called two-step because there are two lava-rock steps into the water). Get here from 7A-10A, and it is almost guaranteed to see the resident dolphins
Perfect for the kids, and any cephalopod fan. Book in advance!
12 personas locales recomiendan
Granja de Pulpo Kanaloa
73-4460 Queen Ka'ahumanu HighwayPerfect for the kids, and any cephalopod fan. Book in advance!
Another great spot for the kids. Book in advance though as they seem to always be booked out.
27 personas locales recomiendan
Ocean Rider Inc
73-4388 Ilikai PlaceAnother great spot for the kids. Book in advance though as they seem to always be booked out.
Greg owns the sister-company to Kohala Divers, and he is an exemplary fisherman and provides great company. The crew here offer exceptional fishing expertise, and a quality atmosphere. This boat accommodates 6 guests, which provides a very personal experience.
Siren Sportfishing
61-3665 Akoni Pule HighwayGreg owns the sister-company to Kohala Divers, and he is an exemplary fisherman and provides great company. The crew here offer exceptional fishing expertise, and a quality atmosphere. This boat accommodates 6 guests, which provides a very personal experience.
Our Favorite Beaches
Depending on the interests of our family and friends, we take them to one or several of these beaches.
"Beach 69" is what it is best known as. Our favorite thing about this beach is the scenery leading up to it. It is wooded all the way to the water line, which provides some shaded relief and a very zen atmosphere. Also, this is a good spot to break out some snorkel gear.
109 personas locales recomiendan
Waialea Beach
Old Puako Road"Beach 69" is what it is best known as. Our favorite thing about this beach is the scenery leading up to it. It is wooded all the way to the water line, which provides some shaded relief and a very zen atmosphere. Also, this is a good spot to break out some snorkel gear.
We like this beach because it is beautiful, large, and spread out. This spot can get some waves that are perfect for some casual bodyboarding.
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Hapuna Beach
We like this beach because it is beautiful, large, and spread out. This spot can get some waves that are perfect for some casual bodyboarding.
This spot is our favorite for taking the keiki (children) to. It is smaller, protected so the water conditions are always calm, and has some added outdoor entertainment like basketball and tennis courts.
64 personas locales recomiendan
Spencer Beach Park
62-3461 Kawaihae RoadThis spot is our favorite for taking the keiki (children) to. It is smaller, protected so the water conditions are always calm, and has some added outdoor entertainment like basketball and tennis courts.
This is more of an activity and a favorite beach because it is a hike to get to but the reward is fantastic. Ask us about this place if you are interested, because there are a couple of ways to get to it, and we disagree with what Google recommends.
17 personas locales recomiendan
Kiholo Bay
71-1890 Queen Ka'ahumanu HwyThis is more of an activity and a favorite beach because it is a hike to get to but the reward is fantastic. Ask us about this place if you are interested, because there are a couple of ways to get to it, and we disagree with what Google recommends.
Very nice beach, but it doesn't have a lifeguard and on a rough day, the water can be treacherous if you aren't familiar with the ocean. This is actually the cover photo of our guidebook!
159 personas locales recomiendan
Kua Bay
Very nice beach, but it doesn't have a lifeguard and on a rough day, the water can be treacherous if you aren't familiar with the ocean. This is actually the cover photo of our guidebook!
Our Favorite Restaurants
Corey is a Kansas City native so he believes he is the BBQ savant, and he swears this place is some of the best BBQ he has ever had. Just be prepared because they do not take reservations or call aheads, and the line to get a table can be lengthy. Your best bet when all else fails is to call far enough in advance and to place a to-go order.
53 personas locales recomiendan
The Fish And The Hog
64-957 Hawaiʻi Belt RdCorey is a Kansas City native so he believes he is the BBQ savant, and he swears this place is some of the best BBQ he has ever had. Just be prepared because they do not take reservations or call aheads, and the line to get a table can be lengthy. Your best bet when all else fails is to call far enough in advance and to place a to-go order.
Our FAVORITE restaurant on the island. It's Mediterranean cuisine with a beautiful aesthetic and absolutely mouthwatering. Plus, the ambiance and the sunset are hard to beat. The price tag is worth it at this place!
Meridia
62-100 Kaunaʻoa DrOur FAVORITE restaurant on the island. It's Mediterranean cuisine with a beautiful aesthetic and absolutely mouthwatering. Plus, the ambiance and the sunset are hard to beat. The price tag is worth it at this place!
We believe this is the most authentic Italian cuisine on the island. Also, their location is a bonus since it is right across the street from the condo!
40 personas locales recomiendan
Pueo's Osteria, LLC
68-1820 Waikoloa RdWe believe this is the most authentic Italian cuisine on the island. Also, their location is a bonus since it is right across the street from the condo!
Great beer, and great food! The beer here is ACTUALLY local, not a bunch of mainland beers with a Hawaiian label. Also, they easily have some of the best burgers on the island!
88 personas locales recomiendan
Big Island Brewhaus
64-1066 Mamalahoa HwyGreat beer, and great food! The beer here is ACTUALLY local, not a bunch of mainland beers with a Hawaiian label. Also, they easily have some of the best burgers on the island!
The food here is decent, but the ambiance is the real attraction. It is right on the water, and is a perfect place for families. They have a ton of yard games and good ol' fashioned fun right outside the restaurant. This place can get quite busy, and you can't make a reservation. Luckily, there is plenty of entertainment while you wait.
171 personas locales recomiendan
Lava Lava Beach Club
69-1081 Ku'uali'i PlThe food here is decent, but the ambiance is the real attraction. It is right on the water, and is a perfect place for families. They have a ton of yard games and good ol' fashioned fun right outside the restaurant. This place can get quite busy, and you can't make a reservation. Luckily, there is plenty of entertainment while you wait.
If you are going to Akaka Falls, this restaurant is a must. It is a cute cafe with tasty food, and really fantastic smoothies. Corey likes their breakfast burritos (The Grom, specifically), and Amanda likes the Spinach Artichoke sandwich. All of us are fans of the Green Flash smoothie.
8 personas locales recomiendan
Surf Break Cafe
28-1690 Old Mamalahoa HighwayIf you are going to Akaka Falls, this restaurant is a must. It is a cute cafe with tasty food, and really fantastic smoothies. Corey likes their breakfast burritos (The Grom, specifically), and Amanda likes the Spinach Artichoke sandwich. All of us are fans of the Green Flash smoothie.
Malasadas! If you don't know, a malasada is the Hawaiian sugar coated donut, similar to the New Orleans beignets. They come with various fillings too. What makes this place exceptional is the tastiness of their dough, but also the Krispy Kreme-like environment where you can watch the whole production take place from behind a plexiglass window.
72 personas locales recomiendan
Tex Drive-In
45-690 Pakalana StMalasadas! If you don't know, a malasada is the Hawaiian sugar coated donut, similar to the New Orleans beignets. They come with various fillings too. What makes this place exceptional is the tastiness of their dough, but also the Krispy Kreme-like environment where you can watch the whole production take place from behind a plexiglass window.
Best fresh fish and poke on the island. We know that the fish is fresh, because Corey occasionally crews the Siren sport fishing boat that supplies the fish from their daily catch. We recommend the fish bento box which comes with their fresh catch of the day, rice, and two side items.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Hale I'a Da Fish House
613665 Kawaihae-Mahukona RdBest fresh fish and poke on the island. We know that the fish is fresh, because Corey occasionally crews the Siren sport fishing boat that supplies the fish from their daily catch. We recommend the fish bento box which comes with their fresh catch of the day, rice, and two side items.
Best shave ice and ice cream on the island. The crew at this place have contagiously positive personalities as well.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Anuenue Ice Cream & Shave Ice
61-3665 Akoni Pule HwyBest shave ice and ice cream on the island. The crew at this place have contagiously positive personalities as well.
The prices here might raise your eyebrows, but their sourdough crust is to die for. Additionally, just next door is Taco Rosa, under the same ownership, and they hand grind the corn and press their own tortillas. They are exceptional at what they do!
23 personas locales recomiendan
Pau
65-1227 Opelo RdThe prices here might raise your eyebrows, but their sourdough crust is to die for. Additionally, just next door is Taco Rosa, under the same ownership, and they hand grind the corn and press their own tortillas. They are exceptional at what they do!
Fine dining + farm-to-table + traditional Hawaiian plates. You can't go wrong with this spot. Also, their deserts are exceptional!
102 personas locales recomiendan
Merriman's Big Island
65-1227 Opelo RdFine dining + farm-to-table + traditional Hawaiian plates. You can't go wrong with this spot. Also, their deserts are exceptional!
Moa Kitchen
65-1298 Kawaihae RdBest noodles and ramen on the island.
Another fine dining setting that is worth the price tag. We recommend their braised short ribs and their Maui onion rings!
Kamuela Provision Company
69-425 Waikōloa Beach DrAnother fine dining setting that is worth the price tag. We recommend their braised short ribs and their Maui onion rings!