What to do in Kona?

Question

I am going there by cruise ship and will be there for one day. Any recommendations on great sights or must dos on Kona? We're also going to HIlo. If we hike the vocanoes (In Hilo) anyone know if we need special hiking boots or thick sole shoes (to prevent melting) or are tennis shoes good enough?

Answer 1

I walked around town because there wasn't much to do. There are restaurants and alot of shops but that is about it. Have fun on the cruise. That is my next choice.

Answer 2

I have been to Hawaii about 5 times, stayed on the big island where Hilo and Kona are a few nights and have been all around the island.  These port stops are on opposite sides of the island so you can actually do about the same things in either port if you are there all day, like 8:00AM until maybe 6:00PM.

If you are going to Volcanoes National Park you will not be near the lava flows.  However if you go to the place where the lava flows into the ocean you do need to be careful but Park Rangers will be nearby to give you guidance.   No need for special shoes, sneakers, or closed in shoes .... not sandals, will be fine.

The things that I found to do on the big island were:

-go see Akaka Falls (its actually on the Hilo side of the island

-go to the Parker Ranch and go for a guided horseback ride (its about 25 miles north of town.)

-Drive to the south end of the island and see a black sand beach.

Below is a link for the big island which will describe tours and attractions.  For information about tours and things to do, click on the link below for Roberts Hawaii.

When you arrive in Hawaii look for the free booklets in the airport which describe the activities on the islands and have coupons for tours and gifts.  The booklets also contain maps and guides, lists of attractions, bus routes and fares, and lists of restaurants and shopping establishments.  If you cannot find them in the airport, they will also be available in news racks on the street, in hotel lobbies and in some shops. There will be a booklet for each island with the title Maui Today, or Oahu Today, etc.

Answer 3

go on a tour of the coffee fields

Answer 4

Oh lucky you :)   I loved crusing the Hawaiian Islands!!!

I looked back through my itinerary and in Kona we just walked around the town, it's really cute and right there where the ship tenders. I do recall taking a free bus to Hilo Hatties, which is just a big souviner shop and I probably would skip that the next time and spend more time walking around the town. I do think they have some excursions to coffee plantations but that didn't interest me.....

Have a Great Time!!

Answer 5

You won't be in Kona long, so my advice is to just get off the cruise ship and wander around the business district right there at the port.  Hiking the volcanoes at Hilo is a good tour, and you should be fine with tennis shoes because they'll warn you well in advance about the "hot" areas.