Amazing Day Trips
Volcanos National Park (1 hour drive)
Bring your National Parks Pass! This is the #1 can’t miss activity on island.
Papakōlea (Green Sand) Beach (2.5 hour drive)
One of only four olivine beaches in the world. Getting here is a trek and involves a fairly flat but long and hot 2.5 mile hike over sand dunes. There are no facilities or water here so make sure to bring plenty. Driving directly to the beach is illegal, though this sadly doesn’t seem to stop locals from offering rides for purchase. On the way back stop at Punalu’u Black Sand beach to see the turtles (best seen late morning or early afternoon) and don’t forget to get the best honey on the island at Local Buzz.
Captain Cook (2 hour drive)
Marine reserve with fantastic snorkeling. Take a kayak tour across the bay with Adventures in Paradise Kayak and Snorkel. Combine this with a Manta Ray night snorkel for a fantastic day on Kona-side. We recommend the night snorkel over the manta ray night dive for getting close to the manta rays. The more people on the tour the better for manta ray sightings (larger light board).
Hale Kohola 