Once the home of ancient, Hawaiian kings, Kona has never lost its sought after status even to this day. Protected by mountains and rarely seeing poor weather, this city on the Big Island of Hawaii is full of adventure, experience and an ideal way of life for people who have come to live and travel here over the years. More of a tiny sea port than a city; Kona has a laid back atmosphere and is well known for snorkeling, coffee plantations, sport fishing and soaking up the sun rays. If you plan on visiting Kona on your next trip to the Big Island, here are some of the top things to do.
Manta Ray Diving
Manta Rays; they are one of the sea's most friendly creatures with their cute underbelly faces, playful nature and what seems to be a willingness to be around people. With a tendency to come out at night, one of the most popular ways to see Manta Rays is on a night dive. Big Island Divers has been operating in Kona since 1984 and has been offering tourists the chance to get up close and personal with these gentle giants after dark. Using light beams in the water to attract the Manta Rays to plankton, the experience allows divers to watch these creatures in their element without having to search too hard for them.
Whale Watching
Surrounded by sea, Kona is one of the top places to see marine life on the island. Aside from the Manta Rays, another popular sea life encounter involves the much bigger and harder to spot whale. Humpback whales are frequently spotted along the Big Island coast as they migrate through the Hawaiian Islands during the Winter months and Dan McSweeney's whale watching tours allows visitors to not only view these giants but also to learn about them. This personalized tour is led by McSweeney himself who has worked as a dedicated whale researcher for many years and uses part of his profits to actually help the whales in the process.
Sport Fishing
Kona is renowned as one of the top sport fishing destinations in the world, so heading out on a trip dedicated to the sport is highly recommended for all of the budding fishermen out there. A Kona fishing trip is a very popular activity that can make your trip to the Big Island memorable and may be the perfect activity for couples, family or individuals who just want to get out on their own and experience the adventure of reeling in a big one off the coast of Hawaii. Family owned and operated for more than 40 years, Humdinger Sportfishing is a great option for first timers or seasoned anglers who want to connect with a giant Blue Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna or Wahoo. TripAdvisor shows off their excellent reviews and the company has earned a Certificate of Excellence in 2016 as a top provider of Kona fishing charters.
Helicopter Tours
Kona and the Big Island itself are absolutely stunning both on the ground and in the air. The Big Island of Hawaii is rare in that 13 of the 15 climate zones on earth can be found here, and due to its size and diverse topography, it's hard to take in all the island has to offer from the ground. For a way to see the sights a little bit differently, a helicopter tour is a great way to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time. With a bird's eye view, you can check out the waterfalls, volcanoes and tropical forests during a thrilling journey through the clear blue skies. Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours is a reputable company who has been showing their guests a different side of Hawaii for over 25 years. Get the best views of Waipio Valley, Mauna Kea and the spectacular Hamakua Coast.