May 24 2010

Kona Travel Guide

Kona, Hawaii is home to a remarkable array of travel opportunities. Located on the leeward coast of the Big Island, the Kona region covers roughly 3/4 of the western par

The Kona region makes for marvelous recreation activities. With exceptionally serene waters and typically sunlit days, the district makes for a water recreation lover’s heaven. The scuba diver charters go out over 30 days a year and take divers on an underwater expedition that includes up to 10 meters of visibility and more than 400 Hawaii-only species. There is also the world-famous manta nighttime dive, a spectacular dive amongst feeding manta rays at night.

For those who adore fishing, the Kona coast is home to some of the world’s finest billfishing, and is home to the Hawaiian International Billfish tournament each summer. Each year there are a number of granders—billfish weighing more than 1,000 pounds caught in the Kona waters.

For land lovers, the leeward region is home to a rich array of out of the ordinary places and activities. One essential Kona experience activity is a to go a Kona coffee farm. With a ideal combination of growing circumstances, Kona gourmet coffee is some of the world’s premium coffee, and the only coffee that is grown in sizeable amounts in the United States. To try out some medium-dark roast Kona coffee coffee, look at any one of the online Kona coffee retailers.

Shoppers will adore the variety of products on hand in Kailua-Kona. While not a mecca of high end goods, there are many superb locally-made products. Home to one of the pioneers in the design and manufacture of unique titanium rings, the Titanium Ring Shop in Kailua-Kona is a spledid place to shop for a handcrafted ring to observe a special occasion or to add to your souvenir jewelry collection.

If you’re looking for a piece of fine Hawaiian jewelry, check out Royal Gold Jewelry also in the center of Kailua-Kona.

If you are searching for some great restaurants, look at the large selection of ethnic restaurants in Kailua-Kona. With 8 Thai restaurants for a little city and a great selection of other non-franchise restaurants, it is easy to spend a week or more and stay away from fast food while sampling the wonderful collection of family-owned and operated restaurants.

Where to stay? There are, of course, numerous huge resorts, but don’t rule out the home rentals and bed and breakfasts in the Kona region. These distinctive experiences are able to offer more space and services, and in the case of a B&B, invaluable community awareness. There are, of course, options for those who desire to be sea side and those who prefer the exquisite beauty of our mountainside areas.

The choice to visit Kona, Hawaii is an straightforward one; deciding what to experience, where to shop, what to eat and where to stay are the difficult parts. With something for everyone, Kona, Hawaii is justly a heaven in a heaven.