3-Day Kona Island Kayak Experience – USA

If you’re coming from one of the other Hawaiian Islands you’ll land at Kona, where you’ll pick up your rental car and head to your beachside hotel that has a great swimming pool to cool off in. If you have previously visited the Volcanoes National Park, make a detour to Black Sand Beach Punalu’u and spot the sea turtles that come ashore to rest there. On the way to Kona, you will also pass Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park that is beautifully situated on the tropical beach and is a spiritual place where you can learn about the Hawaiian religion.

The following morning you will be up early, as it is time to explore the tropical waters by kayak. You will paddle your way through Keauhou Bay with a guide in a small group, the route being determined by the weather and the waves.  If you are lucky, you may even get to see dolphins, sea turtles or manta rays and will hopefully have time to head into the stillness and darkness of one of the many caves. In the afternoon, head to Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park, located right on the sea. In this heiau (holy place) you will find ancient fishponds. Alternatively, you can take a short tour at Mountain Thunder to learn how the coffee is grown, harvested and processed on the fertile volcanic soil.

Today you say goodbye to the Big Island. Depending on your route, you will drive to the airport of Kona or Hilo, where you will return the rental car. If you go to Hilo, you can make a few nice stops along the way, such as at the Waipi’o Valley lookout, where King Kamehameha spent the early years of his childhood.