Kona, Hawaii

Kona is a tender port which means bring your patience. Today the swells were slowing down the tender process. In spite of being anchored by 7:00 am the all clear for not needing tender tickets didn’t happen until after 11:00 am

My sister has a place in Kona so I have had the good fortune of spending quite a bit of time on the big island. If it weren’t for the significant increase in whale numbers in the Maui Nui Basin, the Big Island would probably be my favorite. The only bad thing to note is that Kona can get socked in with Vog when the Pele’ wakes up so I always caution those with breathing difficulties to be aware. Of course, Vog in the air does make for spectacular sunsets.

If this is your first time to Kona, I would recommend heading to the National Volcano park unless your ship is also docking in Hilo. If you are docking in both Hilo and Kona, visit the park from Hilo as it is much closer.

If you are in reasonably good shape, want some exercise, and have a car, the Polol’u hike is pretty spectacular.  It’s a short (but steep) hike to a very secluded black sand beach.

There  are amazing golf courses here that are more cost friendly than those on other islands. The Kona Country Club has the famous Lorax tree and a really nice happy hour.

There were lots of taxis to hire for the day if you choose not to rent a car, but renting a car is the best way to see the Hawaiian islands. All the signs are in English and they drive on the “right” side of the road. HAL tours are getting outrageously expensive and you will have so much freedom with a car.

For those of you who just want to get off the ship and walk to a beach, there are three choices VERY close to the tender.

The first beach is so small it is unnamed on google maps, but it is literally at the end of the pier where the tenders let you off. The second beach is just up Ali’i drive a tiny way (less than 1/4 mile) and is called niumalu/kailua beach.

Both of these beaches are very small with no amenities, but as such, you will find them MUCH less crowded than Kamakahonu Beach which is located just behind the bathrooms immediately to the left of getting off at the tender pier. This beach is full service but it gets super crowded when ships are in.

I would caution you to check for a brown water advisory before using any of these beaches. When it rains heavily, the sewer system can be problematic in town. General rule, if you don’t see locals, don’t bother.

Of course, there is shopping galore along Ali’I Drive. Easily walkable. My personal favorite happy hour spot is “On The Rocks” at the end of the bay. They have great food, excellent authentic entertainment, and you can spot both dolphins and whales.

A few random shots I took waking down Ali’i Drive

Here are some of the tours you can purchase right at the end of the pier

This is a sto.for the bus/trolly. I have never had much luck with either in Kona, but I know others that did fine. IMO Kona is totally walkable- or uber if no car.

Walk up this ho to get to Walmart or Safeway

Ship shopping map-

This is also a fun place located basically across the street the tenders

Beautiful Banyon Tree