Hey dreamers, doers, and those just here for the photos – welcome back – I’m thrilled you’re here again. Last time, we braved the chilly beauty of the Rocky Mountains, exploring snow, ice, and winter activities. Today, we’re swapping the cold for the sun-soaked beaches of Hawaii’s Big Island, specifically Kailua-Kona.
It’s April 2021, and with a long weekend is ahead of us my host family offered to take me along to Hawaii. Who would’ve said no?? So we’re off to Denver International Airport and with a quick stop in Phoenix we’re over the pacific and on our way to Hawaii.
We left chilly Colorado, bundled up, only to step off the plane at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport into a warm, sunny embrace. It was the perfect start to our Hawaiian getaway.
After arriving, we waited briefly for my host dad to return with the rental car—it turned out the rental station was a bit of a trek from arrivals.
When he finally did though we scrambled into the car and off we were. We had rented a spacious guest house in a gated community on Kona Bay Drive. With 10 people in our group, the extra space was a necessity.
You can technically get it through Vrbo but it comes with a hefty price tag roughly around the $2000 per night looking at dates in April (it is december as I write this). If you are looking for something special though you can look the house up here. We were lucky to have plenty of space, a gorgeous Queen’s Bath right out back, and an amazingly stunning view of the Pacific Ocean.
During our three-day stay, I only have a few small recommendations, but I’d like to start with my favorite activity: surfing.
I had booked a spot with Kahaluu Surf & Sea in advance, but I should’ve researched it more thoroughly. On the day of my lesson, I almost had to back out when I realized that Hawaii is a fairly large island. Although a 15-minute drive didn’t seem too bad, compared to Colorado, it was almost a 2-hour walk or a 45-minute trip by public transport. Luckily, my host dad offered to drive me. Anyways.
The lesson began at the surf school, where they had me practice standing on the board in a small room and taught me some tricks to get up more easily. Then it was off to the beach and into the water. Long story short: it was a lot of fun! I got super sunburned, seasick, and a bit miserable, but I had the time of my life! “Pro” Tip: Make sure to lather up on (reef friendly) sunscreen AND wear protective clothing like a wetsuit. I thought I was well prepared and I still ended up with a severe sunburn. The next few days, especially the flight back home to Denver, were rough. My swimsuit did help, though! If you’re looking for a long-sleeved, comfy, and fun swimsuit, check out this. It’s a good idea to protect your skin from the start! .
If you’re interested in booking a lesson, check out their Website. They offer surfing and stand-up paddling lessons, rentals, and tips on the best snorkeling spots. Here’s a breakdown of their offerings. Just to give you an idea: the surf lessons are separated into group lessons, semi-private – so 2 or 3 people and private, they range from $139 to $225 per person. I think I booked a group but got super lucky as we were out of season and it turned into a private lesson. Booking itself is super easy, just click one of the links on this page, choose a timeslot and you’re good to go.
You’ll get two hours time (unless you’re like me and can only last for 1.5) and are provided with a board, water shoes and if needed a rashguard. To get an idea of their gorgeous location I recommend having a look at their promo video, it’s almost as pretty as in real life!
If you are experienced and just want to catch waves you can also rent a variety of boards from them. The rentals vary a little depending on if you’re choosing a soft-top or epoxy surfboard but offers are starting at $20 for 2 hours, with options for daily and weekly rates. Weekly rentals come with a free roof rack, making it easier to explore the island’s best spots. The most you’ll have to pay for this is $125, but I would recommend checking out their Website here as well.
At a Glance: Kahuluu Surf School
Kahaluu Surf & Sea offers a variety of surf lessons for all skill levels at the beautiful Kahaluu Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii, including a surfboard, water shoes, and a rashguard if needed. Group lessons are $139 per person, semi-private lessons (for 2–3 people) are $199 per person, and private lessons are $225 per person. Lessons typically last around two hours.
They are open Monday – Sunday 8:30am – 5pm, Surf lessons and rentals are available daily, but it’s highly recommended to book in advance through their website.
If you’re already experienced, you can rent soft-top and epoxy surfboards starting at $20 for two hours or $125 for a week, with roof racks and wax included in weekly rentals.
Additionally they offer rentals and Lessons on Stand Up Paddle Boards, starting at $99 per Person in a group lesson, $129 p.P. in a semi-private lesson and $175 for a private lesson.
The rentals are available for 2 hours, 4 hours, daily, 3 days and weekly rates ranging from $35-$250. The website also offers tips on the best spots around Big Island.
To top it off you can also rent snorkeling equipment, mask, snorkel, fins, a bag, rashguard and booties will total to $32 for a day and $80 for a week but are each available as a single item as well, starting at $9 each for the mask/snorkel/fins a day, or $18 for a week. The website again offers tips on the best spots.
Last but not least they offer rentals for a fun day at the beach as well, boogie boards start at $18 and chairs and umbrellas will cost you $10 each a day. Make sure to bring I.D. and a security deposit. For more info check here.
Since you can’t carry much on a surfboard, renting a car is probably the best way to get around the island, as things are quite spread out. I also rented bikes and walked a lot, which was enjoyable, but if you’re short on time, make sure you’re using it efficiently. Public transport is available, but being in the US, don’t expect buses to run frequently – they might only come once an hour. However, I found Kona to be quite walkable. For example, I ventured out to Kailua Bay and spent time at Kona Inn Shopping Village, which was about a 25-minute walk away. They serve a mean Hawaiian shaved ice there!
Complete with amazing views, a farmers market across the street and the gorgeous Hale Halawai Park next to it. The Mall and the market alike are great places to stock up on souvenirs!
There are a few more cultural stops you might want to check out while exploring the Big Island! Did you know King Kamehameha II. was born in Hilo, located on the other side of the island? Under his reign, many traditional Hawaiian practices were outlawed, and the arrival of outsiders tragically led to the loss of a large portion of the island’s population. Interestingly, the name “Kamehameha” wasn’t unique to him – it was also borne by his predecessor and six successors, making for a total of eight Kamehamehas! (That would be a killer attack in Dragon Ball!)
If you’re craving even more history and tradition, head north to explore the Lapakahi State Historical Park. Or, drive south to experience the stunning Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, which I’ll dive into more next time.
Stay tuned for more on Big Island’s treasures—what spot would you explore first?
