SHORE EXCURSIONS

Gain an understanding of the Big Island’s history through attractions that highlight the life of the early Hawaiians and the influence of Catholic missionaries. Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park will offer a glimpse into the early culture, as it was a place of refuge for those that had violated the sacred laws known as kapu. There, you will see a temple where criminals could be absolved of their transgressions and safely return to society. To complement the experience, you will visit the 19th-century Painted Church. Its interior features frescoes and murals of biblical scenes that a Belgian priest painted to teach the islanders Catholicism. The missionaries were also instrumental in dismantling the harsh kapu laws. You will also learn how coffee was introduced to Hawaii in the 1820s and how it is processed today at the Royal Kona Coffee Center. It is an excellent setting to enjoy a cup of fresh-brewed Kona coffee.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit one Hawaii’s most sacred sites, where criminals could find safe refuge.
• View the biblical murals and frescoes that adorn the Painted Church.
• Enjoy a cup of Kona coffee and learn about its production at a coffee mill.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Sail on a sleek catamaran to beautiful Kealakekua Bay and snorkel its sheltered waters, which are teeming with colorful marine life. The bay lies off the western shore and holds the Big Island’s only underwater state park, a marine sanctuary renowned for the clarity of its waters. The cruise will be immensely pleasurable as the 50-foot catamaran offers plenty of room to stretch out in the sun and relax in the shaded but open-air cabin. On the way, you will enjoy a light lunch of turkey with Havarti on Hawaiian rolls, served with pasta salad and chips. Hear about the island’s history, especially while passing the spot where legendary British explorer Captain James Cook was killed in 1779. Still, the underwater wonders are the star attractions, including marine life found nowhere else in Hawaii such as lizardfish and flame angelfish, a flashy species often seen grazing on coral reef algae. Feel free to enjoy the open bar on the return cruise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise to Kealakekua Bay on a 50-foot catamaran with spacious sunny and shaded areas.
• Snorkel the bay’s crystal-clear waters, which are teeming with brightly colored marine life.
• Look for species of fish not found anywhere else in Hawaii.
• Enjoy a picnic style lunch and an open bar onboard.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and reef safe sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover Kona’s beaches and shopping on a narrated hop-on, hop-off tour. Step aboard and set out on an unforgettable journey along the scenic Kona Coast, the historic playground and birthplace of Hawaiian kings. This seven-mile beach and shopping adventure offers a seamless blend of history, culture and natural beauty, providing the perfect way to explore this iconic destination at your own pace. Relax on golden sands, snorkel in crystal clear waters, and browse local markets. Your tour begins with a live narration by an expert guide, bringing the stories of ancient Hawaii to life as you follow the Ali’i Trail, once walked by the kings of the islands. Along the way, enjoy the freedom to hop on and off the tour bus at seven incredible stops, each showcasing Kona's stunning landscapes, and a diverse array of shopping experiences, from local markets to boutique treasures. Discounts are offered from various vendors when you show your wristband.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive along the island’s beautiful western coast and stop at attractions that are particularly relevant to Hawaiians. Upon reaching Kealakekua Bay, you will see the statue that marks the spot where early Hawaiians killed British explorer Captain James Cook in 1779 following a dispute. A bit south lies Pu’uhonua, a spiritual site where criminals once sought refuge and absolution from Hawaiian priests. The temple platforms and other structures that you will see were intact in Captain Cook’s time. Continuing on, you will stop for a sandwich or poke bowl at a popular lunch spot and then a cup of Kona coffee at Caffe Florian, another favorite among locals. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Kona Coffee Center will reveal how those special beans are harvested and brewed. The focus will turn to natural attractions at the nearby lava tubes and at Turtle Cove, where sea turtles are abundant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive along the island’s western shore and visit attractions of great cultural significance.
• Stop at a seaside site that was sacred to the early Hawaiians and still is today.
• Enjoy favorite local foods and drinks such as a poke bowl and Kona coffee.
• See natural wonders such as lava tubes and observe sea turtles resting on a beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain a deeper understanding of how volcanoes have shaped Hawaii’s dramatic landscape and continue to express their often unpredictable power. After a brief stop at America’s southernmost bake shop, you will behold the beauty of Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. Its jet-black sand is volcanic in origin and extraordinarily photogenic, especially if green sea turtles are basking on the beach. The island’s volcanic soil is ideal for growing coffee as you will discover at Ka’u Coffee Mill. After dining on a bento box lunch, you will travel to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that contains two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kilauea. While gazing out over this otherworldly terrain from Steaming Bluff, you will feel the hot water vapor as it rises from steam vents in the ground. You will also pause at the Thurston Lava Tube, a cavernous tunnel that was filled with molten lava 500 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Snap photos of a volcanically formed black-sand beach that sea turtles often frequent.
• Tour Ku’a Coffee Mill and sample a cup of its uniquely flavored coffee.
• Behold the eerie, somewhat hellish landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
• See – and feel – hot water vapor rising out of the ground from vents known as fumaroles.
• Stop at the Thurston Lava Tube, through which a river of hot lava flowed centuries ago.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy a walk-through Kailua-Kona with an emphasis on its rich history and tastings that reflect the locally sourced produce & seafood. Many of the venues for the samplings will be on coastal Ali’i Drive, so the views will be as spectacular as the foods. You can expect to stop at restaurants that overlook the ocean, a farmers market and a gelateria where the flavors tend to be tropically inspired. The exact tastings will depend on the season and what is freshest, but the seafood will likely feature freshly caught fish such as ahi tuna or perhaps mahi-mahi. Some of the offerings will be thoughtfully paired with local beers or cocktails. To make the experience even more relevant, the guide will elaborate on the history of the venues and on King Kamehameha, who spent the last years of his life in Kailua-Kona after unifying the Hawaiian islands into a single kingdom in 1812.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through historical Kailua-Kona and stop along the way for tastings of local products.
• Sample items such as fresh seafood, tropical fruits and refreshing gelato.
• Enjoy Hawaiian beers, wines and cocktails paired with the samples.
• Learn about Kailua-Kona’s history and the kings and queens that once lived there.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and reef safe sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore some of the Big Island’s most dramatic landscapes and come away with a deep appreciation of its volcanic formation. After pausing at America’s southernmost bake shop, where you might try a mango malasada treat, you will travel to the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. The jet-black sand is made of volcanic materials and lava fragments and is quite the sight, especially if you spot a green sea turtle basking on the beach. Symbols of wisdom and good luck, they are the only sea turtles known to sunbathe. The wonders of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be even more extraordinary. The terrain and natural diversity there are so unique that UNESCO deemed the park both a World Biosphere site and a World Heritage site. You will see volcanic craters, the active volcano Kilauea and hot water vapor rising from countless steam vents.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Admire the volcanically formed black sand beach at Punalu’u and perhaps see a green sea turtle.
• Drive through stunning Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• View an active volcano, craters and steam vents releasing hot water vapor into the air.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Hear spine-tingling tales of murder and mayhem while walking through the heart of Kailua-Kona, a city with a long history of hauntings and horrors. Not for the squeamish or faint-hearted, this supernatural stroll is sure to raise eyebrows and goosebumps, even in broad daylight. You will learn about the bloodcurdling curse of King Kamehameha’s burial cave, the ghosts of the monarchs that haunt Hulihe’e Palace and the malevolent spirits lurking in the shadows to choke the living. Even non-believers tend to fear the Hawaiian demigods known as kupra, who are evil shape-shifters that can transform themselves into seemingly harmless humans – like your tour guide – before pouncing. You can’t escape the ghosts and goblins as Kailua-Kona was built over blood-soaked battle grounds and sacred sites. But don’t despair, there is hope. Certain Hawaiian tribal tattoos, especially those depicting sea turtles or sharks, are said to offer protection. You do have one, right?

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through downtown as the guide regales you with chilling tales of the supernatural.
• Pass by haunted hotels, ancient burial grounds and sites known for paranormal activities.
• Hear about some of the notorious events behind these terrifying tales.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Learn to roast your own coffee hands-on at Kona Joe, the first trellised coffee farm in the world. As an introduction to the world of coffee beans, you will first tour the 20-acre property and discover the benefits of innovatively growing coffee on trellises, much like wine grapes are grown. In essence, trellises allow for more uniform sunlight exposure, which results in more even ripening of the coffee cherry – the fruit that holds the beans inside. You will learn how Kona Joe roasts its coffee and then try your hand at roasting 10 ounces of premium beans. Just tell the guide how you like your coffee – whether lightly roasted, medium or dark for a bold flavor – and follow the guide’s instruction regarding how to control the roaster’s temperature, drum speed and air flow. You will come away with your own bag of coffee and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee compliments of Kona Joe.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy an enlightening tour of Kona Joe, the world’s first trellised coffee farm.
• Gain an understanding of why growing coffee on trellises results in better tasting beans.
• Follow the guide’s instructions and roast some coffee beans just the way you like them.
• Take home your bag of freshly roasted beans and enjoy a cup of Kona Joe coffee.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable closed toe walking shoes.

Enjoy tastings of two classic Hawaiian products – coffee and chocolate – and see how both are produced to maximize their unique flavors. At Kona Joe Coffee, you will learn about the patented cultivation process that allows the trellised Arabica coffee trees to grow upright like grapevines, which ensures uniform sun exposure. The result is a superior organic coffee bean with an enhanced taste and body, as you will discover by sampling a fresh-brewed cup. You will be treated to another sampling at Kokoleka Lani Farms, an actual working farm where you will view cacao (chocolate) on the tree and see the raw beans utilized in the making of their award-winning chocolate. After touring this biodiverse farm, you will enjoy the best part--a chocolate tasting! In addition to coffee and cacao, learn how farm products are integrated into Kona Natural Soap which is also made here. Afterward, enjoy free time to browse their chocolate selections, Kona coffee and vegan soaps in the gift shop.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how a patented process for growing coffee produces a uniquely flavored cup of coffee.
• Tour a cacao farm and watch each step of the cacao bean production.
• Sample a selection of coffees and chocolates that are pure Hawaiian..

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Zip along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii on a 41-foot Super-Raft and enjoy an extended stop to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. The powerful, twin-engine vessel is open-air with plenty of shaded bench seating so you should be comfortable as you race along the gorgeous Kona coast. After assessing the wind and water conditions, the captain will select the most suitable spot for your snorkeling adventure. The Big Island boasts the highest percentage of live coral in the Hawaiian Islands and where there’s coral, there’s fish. You can expect to see an ever-changing parade of marine life that may include fluorescent-colored tangs, oddly shaped trumpet fish, graceful manta rays and green sea turtles, known locally as honu. Triggerfish are also found here and are considered the unofficial Hawaiian state fish. They’re rather unusual looking as indicated by their 21-letter Hawaiian name, which means “fish with a snout like a pig.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise off the naturally beautiful Kona coast of Hawaii in a powerful 41-foot Super-Raft.
• Snorkel a coral reef or another spot that should be teeming with colorful marine life.
• Keep an eye out for showstoppers like green sea turtles and Hawaiian spinner dolphin.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Become immersed in the island’s natural beauty by walking through a cloud forest that blankets the slopes of Hualalai volcano and along the sun-soaked Gold Coast. Low-level clouds usually waft through the forest, a botanical sanctuary of rare and endangered species. Expect to see giant fern trees, towering bamboo, and endemic ohia evergreens with fiery-red flowers. Another leisurely walk will present the charms of Kaoloko Honokohau National Historic Park, a protected coastal environment with the remains of an early Hawaiian settlement built on an ancient lava field. Highlights include temples, petroglyphs, and fishponds that attest to the ingenuity of the former residents. Hawaiian green sea turtles are commonly spotted along the shore, some weighing more than 300 pounds. The volcanic activity that shaped Hawaii left behind mineral-rich soil that is ideal for growing coffee as you will visit a local coffee plantation for a tour, and of course, a taste of their special brew.