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Shaka Guide's Kona Big Kahuna Tour Itinerary

Shaka Guide's Kona Big Kahuna Tour Itinerary

Shaka Guide

The Kona Big Kahuna Tour is a half-day loop tour that begins in Waikoloa and takes you to Pu'uhonua, a sacred historic site, before working your way up through coffee country, back to Kona Town.

Along the way, you’ll hear stories about King Kamehameha, Captain Cook, and the sacred rituals of ancient Hawaii.

You’ll stop at amazing snorkel spots, a National Park, an ancient battlefield, a bee farm, and much more!

Our Kona “Big Kahuna” Tour has over 80 narration points so you can expect to speak about 5-6 hours exploring.

Note: You can start the tour directly in Kona if you wish by joining the tour in progress.

kona big kahuna tour map

Kona Big Kahuna Itinerary

MORNING

Get an early start to visit all the attractions before they close. We recommend starting before 11:00 a.m.

Hit the Beach at Kiholo Bay and Queens Bath 

Approximate time: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Brace yourself for beautiful turquoise waters, tidepools, and sunbathing sea turtles.

The first stop on the tour gives you the chance to get moving!

There are two entrances to this area depending on where you want to go first.

Both entrances involve a little hiking but the ocean views are worth it!

Stop by just for the view or stick around for a swim. Keep in mind that Queens Bath is a tide pool with changing ocean conditions.

We only recommend swimming if the surf is calm.

OR

Visit Kua Bay Beach

white sand beachVisit the white sands of Kua Bay in Kona | Photo by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wiki Commons

Approximate time: 30 minutes - 1 hour

This white sand beach along the Kona Coast is perfect for the whole family.

As you look around you’ll notice large black rocks, these lava rocks provide a deep contrast to the soft sand under your toes.

Just another example of the Big Island’s unique geology right in front of your eyes!

This beach tends to get crowded so weekdays and mornings are the best time to visit.

Pro Tip! We recommend choosing either Kiholo Bay and Queens Bath OR Kua Bay Beach. There are a lot of cool things to see on this tour that you won’t want to miss.

Look for Huehue Lava Tube

The Huehue lava tube is an enormous and ancient lava tube formed from Hualalai Volcano.

Have a look for it on your left-hand side as you’re driving down Mamalahoa Highway.

Please note, that this lava tube used to be accessible to the public but has recently been closed off to visitors. So drive-by only.

Hike to the beach at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park

bay with coconut tree in big island, HawaiiKaloko-Honokohau Bay Park | Photo by dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wiki Commons

Approximate time: 45 minutes

Here you can see an ancient fishpond and a traditional thatched Hawaiian building.

The cultural significance of this park lies in the way it has preserved the ancient Hawaiian methods of utilizing the land, the stones, and the sea.

There are goat pens made out of stones, fishponds and fish traps, petroglyphs, altars, and even a heiau!

There’s a short hike to the beach, and it’s one of the few hikes on this tour.

Note: The tour will guide you to a side entrance closest to the beach to avoid a long hot walk. Once at the beach find some shade and see if you can spot any turtles that frequent this beach. If you’re looking for a chance to stretch your legs jump out of the car and explore this quiet National Park.

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Drive through Kona Town

Approximate time: 10 - 30 minutes

We will pass through Kona Town on Ali’i Drive. You are welcome to stop here for a bite to eat, walk around this quaint seaside town, or grab snacks for the road.

If you don’t feel like exploring Kona now, no worries, this tour ends in Kona Town and you can swing by for a late lunch or some dinner.

Pull over for a view of Magic Sands Beach

Approximate time: 5 minutes

The beach is also known as “La’aloa”, white sands, or disappearing sands, and it got the name from the sand that is pulled off from the beach during the winter or early spring, leaving the lava rock exposed.

If you’re pressed for time, feel free to keep driving down the road, there are plenty more beaches ahead.

Please note: there’s usually a pretty strong, potentially dangerous shorebreak here.

Kahaluu Beach

beach with peopleImage from Flickr by Jason

Approximate time: 30-45 minutes (depending if you’re snorkeling)

Have you ever seen a church on the beach? Well, here you can!

Look out for a small white church and you’ll see the beach right beside it.

This beach is a popular surf spot and also a great place to snorkel. Notice the rock structure to the right of the church.

This is a one-of-a-kind heiau thought to be dedicated to surfing.

Go for a Short History Walk at Kamehameha III’s Birthplace

Approximate time: 15 minutes

Take a walk to learn a bit about Hawaii’s history and the story of one of its most famous kings, Kamehameha III.

The walking area has historical signs and markers along the way explaining how Kona has been home to important royal sites since the 1600s.

kona big kahuna tour

Learn about Kuamoo Battlefield

Approximate time: 10 minutes (pull over and listen to the story of this site)

Pull over for a look at an ancient battlefield and burial ground.

While you’re stopped, we’ll tell you the story of this historic spot.

From your car, if you look over the lava field here, you will notice the terraced piles of rocks.

These are the burial mounds of the fallen warriors, still visible today.

Try local honey at Big Island Bees

Approximate time: 20 minutes-1 hour (depending if you do the guided tour)

Big Island Bees makes honey from all sorts of flowers that are grown on the island.

With over 2,500 hives and 125 million bees, they know their stuff.

Stop by to walk through the museum, look at the shop (which has body care products too!), and try some of their locally-produced honey -- for free!

You can also do a guided tour of the facility.

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Find the Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay

Approximate time: 15 minutes (plan to spend more if you’re snorkeling or kayaking)

Kealakekua Bay is a marine life conservation district. Because the water here is usually calm, underwater life thrives making it a great spot for snorkeling.

While you’re there, look out in the distance for a white structure -- that’s the Captain Cook monument commemorating his death.

You can kayak there if you want to spend a few hours on the water. Be advised: there are no lifeguards on duty here.

Discover a sacred place of refuge at Pu'uhonua Historic Park

Pu'uhonua National Historical Park signboardLearn about ancient Hawaii History in Pu'uhonua National Historical Park | Photo by Ken Lund, CC BY SA 2.0, via Wiki Commons

Approximate time: 30-45 minutes

In ancient times, Pu'uhonua was known as the city of refuge and offered a sanctuary to lawbreakers.

Within the park are several historical landmarks like the grounds where the Ali’i (royalty) lived within the Pu'uhonua.

While you’re there try the guided audio tour of the park and check out the carved tiki statues.

Please keep in mind that this is a very sacred spot for Hawaiians and should be treated with respect. There is a nominal entrance fee per vehicle.

Snorkel at Two Step Beach

Approximate time: 1+ hour (if you’re snorkeling, if not, skip this spot)

Two-step is immediately after the turn for Pu'uhonua Park.

The beach got its name from the lava rock steps you can use to enter the bay.

This beach is usually crowded but worth a visit if you plan to snorkel. Otherwise, you can skip it.

Marvel at St. Benedict’s Painted Church

church with colorful interiors in big island hawaii

Approximate time: 15 minutes

This historic church was built in 1899 by Father John Velghe of Belgium.

Unlike the typical stained glass windows that you’ll find in churches, this religious site is completely painted on the inside.

We highly recommend going inside for a peak! Pay close attention to the Hawaiian details -- have you ever seen palm trees painted in a church? -- and the vaulted ceilings. It’s truly a sight to see!

Please note, that the painted church is open from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays. 

Stop for Lunch OR Wait to Eat at Sundried Specialties or back in Kona

Approximate time: 30 minutes

At this point in the tour, you might be feeling a little hungry.

As we drive down South Kona Belt Road we’ll mention some great lunch options along the route. Try the:

  • Manago Hotel (also the next stop on our tour)
  • Keoke’s Fish and Chips
  • Big Jake’s Island BBQ
  • Kaaloa Super J’s (Best thing I ever ate), or
  • The Coffee Shack (amazing view).

Not hungry yet, no worries there are more places to stop for a bite later in the tour.

Grab Lunch at the Manago Hotel

empty restaurant with lots of chairs and tables in big islandManago Hotel

Approximate time: 30 minutes

This historic, boutique hotel was founded by Kinzo and Osame Manago in 1917 and members of the Manago family still run the property today.

The hotel has an eatery that dubs itself “Hawaii’s oldest restaurant.”

Their speciality is their pan-fried pork chops which seriously is the best thing I ever had.

Explore Kona Living Museum

Approximate time: 45 minutes

Kona Coffee is one of the most renowned java in the world. Here’s your chance to learn about the famous brew and what it takes to fill a mug.

At this coffee farm living museum you can take a self-guided tour through the orchard, farmhouse, and coffee mill.

Here you will find costumed interpreters that bring the past to life by demonstrating traditional crafts, agricultural tasks, and the daily duties of people back then.

Outdoors, you’ll see the family donkeys and free-range chickens.

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Learn about Coffee at Greenwell Farm & Museum

Approximate time: 45 minutes

Another great spot to learn about coffee and its importance to this region of Big Island is the Greenwell Farm and Museum is a multi-faceted agribusiness using modern farming practices.

In addition to growing their own, they also buy and process coffee beans from over 300 farmers in the Kona district.

They give free farm tours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

Have lunch at Sundried Specialties

Approximate time: 30 minutes

If you haven’t eaten at any of the previous stops on the tour, we’ll guide you to Sundried Specialties where you can try some ono poke, fresh from the ocean.

If nothing else stop by to try their salted dried fish. It’s different but yummy!

Pass the Aloha Theatre and Stop for Donkey Balls

aloha theatreThe historic Aloha Theatre opened in 1832 and is still operating today | Photo by W Nowicki, CC BY SA 3.0, via Wiki Commons

Approximate time: 10 minutes

As you drive down the road, you’ll see the Aloha Theatre -- a historic site that was once the place to go in the 1930s for live shows and entertainment.

Fortunately, the community has helped to preserve it and today they still have live performances.

Nearby the theatre is a unique store that sells artisanal chocolate delicacies, including chocolate-covered mac nuts in a variety of flavors.

Return Drive to Kailua-Kona

Approximate time: 20 minutes

After you’ve picked up some dessert at Donkey Balls, we’ll guide you back to Kailua-Kona with some of our favorite activity recommendations -- did you know you can swim with mantas in Kona or the first Iron Man race was on the Big Island?

We’ll also tell you some more stories to keep you entertained the whole way back.

Once you arrive back in Kona Town, we suggest you hang out for a bit. Stop for a bite to eat overlooking the ocean.

Watch as the sun sets and reminisce on all the cool sites you saw!

When you’re in Hawaii, we ask that you act respectfully toward the locals, land, and wildlife. 

Please pick up your trash; never touch any marine life, plants, or other animals; and avoid unsafe spots.

Hawaii’s natural resources are precious, it’s up to all of us to help preserve these resources.

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Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's Kona Big Kahuna Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

Ready to take the Kona Big Kahuna Tour? Here's everything you need to know before you go.

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