15 Things to Do in Kona, Hawaii for Free
Are you looking for some fun and free activities to do in Kona, Hawaii? I recently took my blended family of six on a trip to the beautiful Hawaiian island and discovered a lot of free things to do that kept us all entertained. From exploring stunning beaches to hiking on the lava flows, there’s something for everyone in Kona without breaking the bank.
Top 15 Things to Do on Kailua-Kona for Free
1. Visit Magic Sands Beach
One of the best free things to do in Kona is go to the beach, and just 3 miles down from the main shopping area of Kailua-Kona’s downtown is Magic Sands Beach. This beach is called Magic Sands because, during high surf, the ocean undercuts the sand and reveals the dark lava rock below.
This was my kids’ (ages 9-12) favorite beach, mostly because of the choppy surf and waves they could play in and do some boogie boarding. The one warning I would give is that the waves can get strong here, and there are parts of the beach that have sharp lava hidden by the water, so we were pretty careful with the kids where they swam.
There are lifeguards on the beach who will warn you where the lava rocks are, so you can avoid that area. We went here twice, and on the second day, there were high surf warnings, so we avoided swimming but had a lot of fun watching the local pros bodyboarding in the waves.
2. Punaluu Black Sand Beach
The Punaluu Black Sand Beach is worth a stop and is free to visit. The black sand is really cool, but be warned, it’s rough on your feet! We stopped here on the way back from our road trip to Hilo. It’s located on the southeastern Kaʻu coast between the towns of Pahala and Naalehu. The kids had a great time on this beach, and it was our first sighting of green sea turtles. The beach isn’t great for swimming with the kids, but it’s a lot of fun to explore.
Bring sturdy shoes or water shoes for walking on the sand and lava. There was also a gift stand where we could buy T-shirts and souvenirs, as well as bathrooms and a large parking area.
3. Explore Downtown Kailua-Kona and Kona Inn Shopping Village
The downtown area of Kona is charming and fun to stroll through. This is, of course, free to do, but there are lots of great shops to pick up souvenirs and places to get shaved ice or a bite to eat. The street runs right along the coast and offers great views.
4. Kekaha Kai (Kona Coast) State Park
Kekaha Kai State Park is a beautiful natural area known for its stunning white sand beaches, clear water, and lava rocks. The park features coastal hiking trails where you can hike through lava fields and enjoy amazing views of the ocean. There are also picnic tables available if you want to enjoy snacks or a meal (low cost) while here. The water here is an amazing blue, making it a great spot for snorkeling. The park has four beaches, all pristine (three white sand and one black sand), and is worth visiting.
You will see in the reviews that the road to the parking area is a bit rough (it’s dirt with lots of potholes), so a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. We had rented an SUV and didn’t have any problems; it was just a bit bouncy
5. Mahai’ula Beach
Mahai’ula Beach is one of the beautiful beaches at Kekaha Kai State Park, and I highly recommend a visit. The sand is soft white, and the water here is crystal blue. This beach is also great for wildlife viewing, as we encountered endangered Monk seals here, which was so much fun to see (it looked like a momma and a baby). Getting to this beach requires a bit of a hike from the parking lot. Bring good shoes, a sunhat, and sunscreen, as the sun can be intense while walking. Once you reach what they call the red house, you’ve reached the beach.
6. Two-Step Beach
Two Step Beach, also known as Honaunau Bay, is a popular snorkeling and diving spot located on the Big Island of Hawaii, near the historic Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park. This is a fun place to snorkel due to the calm waters protected by the bay, which is sheltered from the open ocean. Two Step Beach is also a really beautiful area with lush vegetation and cool lava rocks.
7. Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is a great free stop located right near Two Step and is approximately 20 miles from Kailua-Kona. The park is a great place for kids to see more about the Hawaiian culture. This area served as a place of refuge for ancient Hawaiians who had violated sacred laws. One of the highlights of the park is its collection of historic structures, including temple platforms, fishponds, and statues. Additionally, visitors can download a self-guided audio tour for free on the NPS app.
8. Kamakahonu Beach
Located right at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort, this beach lagoon with shallow waters is a great spot for younger kids. This spot is ideal for learning to snorkel or paddleboard. While access to the beach is free, there is the Kona-boys Rental Shack on site where you can rent paddleboards, kayaks, or canoes. Additionally, they offer paddleboard lessons.
9. The Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
If you love Kona Coffee, then a coffee plantation tour should be on your list. While Kona has many coffee farms you can tour, Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation offers free guided educational tours seven days a week in Kona. This is a great opportunity to learn how coffee is grown, see the coffee trees, and observe how the fruit is milled and dried to produce green coffee. You can also purchase authentic Kona coffee at their gift shop.
10. Kikaua Point Park
Just about 6 miles south of Kailua-Kona is Kikaua Point Park which is an oceanfront park that is one of the best places to enjoy the breathtaking Hawaiian sunsets and maybe spot some Hawaiian green sea turtles. The park has walking paths where you can take a stroll along the coastline or walk on the sandy beach.
Hilo
It wouldn’t be a trip to the Big Island without making a stop in Hilo. Hilo is known for its amazing waterfalls, some of which are free to visit while others are very inexpensive. It’s a great town to stop in on the way to Volcanoes National Park.
For my last 5 free things to do in Kona, we will venture to Hilo!
11. Saddle Road
Saddle Road runs between Kailua-Kona and Hilo, earning its nickname as the middle route across the island. On the journey from Kona to Hilo, travelers encounter a diverse range of landscapes, from the volcanic terrain with sparse vegetation to lush rainforests as they approach Hilo. Historically, Saddle Road holds significance as a military route dating back to World War II. Originally constructed as a rough dirt road by the U.S. Army, it provided access to military installations and training areas on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
12. Honomu Goat Dairy Farm
After visiting Akaka Falls State Park, we stumbled upon the Honomu Goat Dairy Farm. I’m so glad I asked my husband to pull off the road to check it out! This was a gem of a place. I mean, who doesn’t love a free opportunity to play with goats? As stated on its website, this dairy farm ‘has the only herd of registered, purebred Nubian goats producing specialty cheeses in the state of Hawaii.’ When you stop at their gift shop, you won’t be disappointed; the goat cheese is amazing!
13. Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls is located just a few minutes from downtown Hilo and is an easy, accessible, free, and quick stop. The waterfall is known for creating rainbows in the mist if you visit at the right time and under the right lighting conditions. It’s situated in a really pretty park area and is perfect for a quick stop to view the falls and capture some great photos.
14. Pana’ewa Zoo
The Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens, located in Hilo, is an amazing zoological park that offers free admission! The zoo is particularly focused on kids and maintains a family-friendly atmosphere. Visitors can explore educational exhibits, enjoy a petting zoo, stroll through botanical gardens, and watch scheduled animal encounters.
15. Liliuokalani Gardens
Liliʻuokalani Gardens is located on Banyan Drive in downtown Hilo and is a beautiful Japanese-style garden and one of the great historic sites on the island. The gardens are named after Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Established in the early 1900s as a tribute to Hawaii’s Japanese immigrants, the Liliʻuokalani Gardens feature stunning Japanese garden elements such as winding paths, tranquil ponds, wooden bridges, and stone lanterns. This is an amazing stop in Hilo for a relaxing walk and great pictures.
Looking for more things to do that may not be free in Kona (like Hawaii Volcanoes National Park)?
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