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Activities Guide
Ocean adventures, dining, and everything you need to know
Written by a Local Expert
Kalani MillerOcean Adventures from the Pier
As the afternoon heat settles in, the bay offers a new set of adventures, both on and off the water. The pier remains the launchpad for some of Kona's most exciting excursions.
🚤 Atlantis Submarine
For a truly unique perspective, the Atlantis Submarine offers an unforgettable journey 100 feet below the surface. Perfect for families with young children or anyone who prefers to stay dry, this 48-passenger submarine provides front-row seats to a vibrant underwater world.
What You'll See:
- • 25-acre natural coral reef
- • Tropical fish through large portholes
- • Possible manta rays or reef sharks
- • Sunken shipwrecks
Perfect For:
- • Families with young children
- • Non-swimmers
- • Educational experiences
- • "Once in a lifetime" adventure
🪂 UFO Parasail
If you'd rather soar above the waves, UFO Parasail offers breathtaking flights from the pier. You can choose to fly 800 or even 1200 feet high, harnessed to a parachute that lifts you gently into the sky.
Views Include:
- • Panoramic Kona coastline
- • Turquoise bay below
- • Green slopes of Hualālai volcano
- • Unparalleled aerial perspective
Experience:
- • Experienced, professional crew
- • Safe for all ages
- • Choice of heights (800-1200 ft)
- • Gentle takeoff and landing
⛵ Body Glove Cruises
For a more traditional ocean outing, Body Glove Cruises operates large, comfortable catamarans that depart from the pier for snorkel and dinner cruises.
Vessel Features:
- • Spacious, comfortable catamarans
- • Family-friendly atmosphere
- • Fully wheelchair-accessible
- • Professional crew and guides
Destinations:
- • Historic Kealakekua Bay
- • Prime snorkel locations
- • Sunset dinner cruises
- • Coastal sightseeing
Strolling and Shopping on Aliʻi Drive
A late-afternoon stroll along Aliʻi Drive, the main artery that hugs the coastline, is a quintessential Kona experience. This is where you'll find a vibrant mix of shops, galleries, and markets.
Must-Visit Spots
- • Kona Inn Shopping Village: Historic oceanfront complex with wooden boardwalk feel
- • Kona Farmers Market: Fresh tropical fruits, Kona coffee, and handmade crafts
- • Boutiques & Art Galleries: Local and international shopping
Hidden Gems
- • The Mystic Closet: Eclectic spiritual goods and crystals
- • Kailua Village Artists Gallery: Oldest artist co-op in the state
- • Local Crafts: Authentic Hawaiian souvenirs and art
To feel like a real insider, seek out the hidden gems. The Kailua Village Artists Gallery holds the distinction of being the oldest artist co-op in the state of Hawaiʻi, showcasing a wonderful collection of local art.
Evening: Sunsets, Sips, and Stories
As the day winds down, the bay prepares for its final, spectacular show: the Kona sunset. The Kailua Pier becomes a communal gathering place, a front-row seat where locals and visitors alike stand in quiet awe as the sky erupts in fiery shades of orange, pink, and purple.
Oceanfront Dining
Casual Dining
- • Huggo's on the Rocks: "Toes-in-the-sand" experience with live music
- • Kai Eats + Drinks: Modern, hip vibe with largest tap list on island
- • Wood-fired Pizza: Unbeatable oceanfront location
Fine Dining & Classics
- • Fish Hopper Seafood and Steak: Classic seafood in restored historic building
- • Don the Beachcomber Mai Tai Bar: Legendary Mai Tais and tiki history
- • Royal Kona Resort: Historic location with panoramic bay views
Kona Nightlife
🍺 Humpy's Big Island Alehouse
After the sun disappears, Aliʻi Drive stays alive with a relaxed, island-style nightlife. A great spot to soak it all in is Humpy's Big Island Alehouse.
Features:
- • Two stories of patio seating
- • 36 beers on tap
- • Late-night menu available
- • Beach volleyball court next door
Perfect For:
- • People-watching
- • Catching a game
- • Beach volleyball matches
- • Relaxed island atmosphere
Your Kailua Bay Field Guide: Practical Tips & Recommendations
Ready to explore? Here's what you need to know to make the most of your visit.
🚗 Getting There & Parking
Kailua Bay is in the heart of Kailua-Kona, just a 15-minute drive south of the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA). If you're staying along Aliʻi Drive, most everything is within easy walking distance.
Parking Tips:
- • Parking directly at the pier can be very limited
- • Especially crowded during fishing tournaments or Ironman season
- • Several public parking lots nearby
- • Arriving early is always your best bet
🎒 What to Pack
Sun Protection:
- • Reef-safe sunscreen (non-negotiable)
- • Hat and sunglasses
- • Plenty of water to stay hydrated
Activities:
- • Comfortable walking shoes
- • Swimsuit and snorkel gear
- • Or plan to rent on-site
🌺 Kuleana: Respecting the ʻĀina (Land) and Kai (Sea)
When you visit Hawaiʻi, you take on a kuleana, a responsibility, to care for the place. Please be mindful and respectful, especially when viewing sacred sites like Ahuʻena Heiau and Huliheʻe Palace.
On Land:
- • Always stay on designated paths
- • Respect sacred and historic sites
- • Leave no trace principles
- • Support local businesses
In the Ocean:
- • Never touch or stand on coral reef
- • Give honu (green sea turtles) plenty of space
- • Practice marine conservation
- • Use reef-safe sunscreen only
🗺️ Kailua Bay Guide
Overview
The heart of Kona
Ironman SwimmingChampionship waters
Royal HistoryHawaiian monarchy legacy
Activities Guide
You are here
🎯 Activity Directory
Snorkel/Dinner Cruise
Body Glove Cruises | Kailua Pier
Families, sunset views, wheelchair accessible
Submarine Tour
Atlantis Submarines | Kailua Pier
Non-swimmers, families with young children
Parasailing
UFO Parasail | Kailua Pier
Thrill-seekers, incredible aerial views
SUP/Kayak Rentals
Kona Boys | Kamakahonu Beach
Beginners, calm water fun, lessons
🌋 Big Island Adventures
Kohala Zipline
Just a scenic drive north of Kona, you'll find heart-pumping zipline and ATV adventures.
- • Soar through lush forest canopy
- • Cross suspension bridges
- • Rappel down trees
- • Incredible eco-adventure
💡 Local Insider Tips
- Early morning offers the calmest waters and best light
- Fishing boats return around 3-4 PM for the weigh-in
- Sunset at the pier is a local tradition
- Always respect sacred spaces and marine life
The Enduring Aloha of Kailua Bay
Kailua Bay is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is a living, breathing place where the echoes of ancient chants mingle with the roar of the crowd on Ironman day, where the sacred and the recreational share the same crystalline water. It is a place where history is not confined to a museum but is written on the landscape itself.
So when you come to Kailua Bay, I hope you'll do more than just see the sights. I hope you'll feel its rhythm. Wake up early and watch the bay come to life. Swim in the same waters as kings and queens. Listen to the stories the stones have to tell. Stay for the sunset and let its beauty wash over you. When you do, you'll begin to understand why for us, this isn't just a bay. It's the piko of our world. And we're so happy to share it with you. Aloha.
Mahalo for visiting the heart of Kona. May your time here connect you to the mana (spiritual power) of this sacred place, and may you carry its aloha with you wherever your journey takes you.
