Stoffee's Big Island Guide

Everything you need for an amazing stay on the Kohala Coast

💡 Pro Tip: First Stop After the Airport

Hit Costco first! It's right off the highway between the airport and Waikoloa. Stock up on groceries, drinks, and snacks before heading to the house. It's the cheapest grocery option and you'll drive right past it. Trust us on this one.

Costco Kailua-Kona — 73-5600 Maiau St, Kailua-Kona (~15 min from airport)

Driving Distances from Waikoloa

Destination Distance Drive Time
Kona Airport (KOA)24 mi25 min
Hapuna Beach12 mi15 min
Mauna Kea Beach14 mi18 min
A-Bay (Anaehoomalu)5 mi8 min
Spencer Beach Park16 mi20 min
Kailua-Kona Town26 mi30 min
Hilo85 mi1 hr 45 min
Volcano Nat'l Park97 mi2 hrs
Hawi (North Kohala)33 mi40 min
Pololu Valley Lookout38 mi50 min

Grocery Stores

Waikoloa Village

  • Waikoloa Village KTA Grocery Store — 5 min. Small grocery store, but has essentials
  • Island Gourmet Market (Kings' Shops) — 10 min. Upscale, resort prices

Kona (South)

  • Costco — 20 min. Best prices, bulk everything
  • Target — 20 min. Near Costco, good for sundries
  • KTA Super Stores — 25 min. Local chain, great poke
  • Safeway — 25 min. Standard mainland grocery

Waimea / Kamuela (East)

  • Foodland Farms — 20 min. Great deli and local products
  • KTA — 20 min. Another solid local option

Pro Tips

  • Everything costs more in Hawaii — budget 30-50% more than mainland
  • Farmers markets are great for local fruit (check Saturday mornings)
  • Get poke from KTA or Foodland — it's the best

Beaches

Hapuna Beach State Park

15 min

Consistently rated one of the best beaches in the US. Wide, white sand, great for swimming and boogie boarding. Gets crowded by noon — arrive early! Parking is $5. Restrooms and shade available.

Safety: Can have strong shore break. Watch for red flag days.

Mauna Kea Beach (Kauna'oa)

18 min

Gorgeous crescent-shaped beach with calm water perfect for families. Limited public parking (only ~30 spots) — arrive before 9am or try after 3pm. Amazing snorkeling on the left side of the bay.

A-Bay (Anaehoomalu Bay)

8 min

The closest beach! Protected bay great for SUP, kayaking, and windsurfing. Calmer water, good for kids. Rental shacks on the beach for water sports. Beautiful sunset spot. Sea turtles often rest on the sand.

Spencer Beach Park

20 min

Very calm, shallow water — perfect for small kids and timid swimmers. Picnic tables, restrooms, shade trees. Right next to Pu'ukohola Heiau (historic Hawaiian temple). Free parking.

Beach 69 (Waialea Bay)

15 min

Hidden gem! Small, shady beach with great snorkeling. Less crowded than Hapuna. The name is from the old telephone pole marker. Short walk from parking area.

Water Adventures

Dolphin Encounters

Spinner dolphins are frequently spotted along the Kohala Coast. Kayak or boat tours from A-Bay or Honokohau Harbor. Remember: Federal law requires staying 50+ yards from dolphins and not swimming directly toward them.

Snorkeling

Best spots: Two Step (Honaunau), Captain Cook Monument (kayak in), Mauna Kea Beach (left side). Bring or use our gear from the garage. Morning = best visibility.

Manta Ray Night Dive

A truly bucket-list experience! Manta rays with 12-foot wingspans feed on plankton attracted by lights. Book through any dive shop in Kona. Snorkel or scuba options available.

Kayaking & SUP

Rent at A-Bay beach shack. Paddle along the coast and look for turtles, dolphins, and tropical fish. Mornings are calmest. Great for all skill levels.

Restaurants

Waikoloa Village & Resorts

Lava Lava Beach Club

Beachfront at A-Bay. Toes-in-the-sand dining. Great cocktails and sunset vibes. Reservations recommended.

Sansei Seafood

Queens' Shops. Excellent sushi and Asian fusion. Get the panko-crusted ahi roll.

Mai Grille

Waikoloa Beach Golf Club. Good lunch spot with views of the course. Solid burgers.

Kings' Shops Food Court

Multiple quick-serve options. Good for a casual lunch between activities.

Kona

Umeke's Fish Market Bar & Grill

Amazing poke bowls. Some of the best on the island. Casual, quick, fresh.

Da Poke Shack

Hole-in-the-wall with incredible poke. Usually a line but it moves fast. Worth it.

Huggo's on the Rocks

Waterfront bar and grill in Kailua-Kona. Casual vibe, live music, good drinks.

Waimea / Kamuela

The Butcher Shop

Legit steaks and burgers in Waimea. Great meat counter too if you want to grab cuts for grilling at the house.

Foodland Farms — Salt & Vinegar Fried Chicken

Seriously — the salt & vinegar fried chicken from the Foodland deli is a must-try. Grab some poke while you're there too.

Kawaihae

Hale I'a Da Fish House

Fresh fish in Kawaihae harbor. About 20 min from the house. Worth the drive.

Day Trips

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

~2 hours drive | Full day trip

An absolute must-do. See Kilauea caldera, steam vents, lava tubes, and (if active) flowing lava. Start at the Visitor Center, drive Crater Rim Drive, hike the Devastation Trail, and explore Thurston Lava Tube. Pack layers — it's cooler and often rainy at elevation. Bring flashlights for the lava tube.

Hilo Town

~1 hr 45 min drive | Half or full day

The "rainy side" but charming! Visit Rainbow Falls (5 min from downtown), explore the farmers market (Wed & Sat mornings), and check out the old town shops. Pair with a Volcano trip — Hilo is on the way.

North Kohala & Pololu Valley

~50 min drive | Half day

Drive through Hawi town (cute shops, art galleries) and continue to the Pololu Valley Lookout for breathtaking views. The hike down to the black sand beach is steep but worth it (20 min each way). Stop at the Original King Kamehameha Statue in Kapaau on the way.

Mauna Kea Summit

~1.5 hr drive (with 4WD) | Half day / sunset

Drive to nearly 14,000 feet for sunset above the clouds. 4WD vehicle required past the Visitor Station. Dress warmly (near freezing at summit!). The stargazing from the Visitor Station at 9,000 ft is incredible. Not recommended for those with heart/lung conditions due to altitude.

Beach Safety Tips

  • When in doubt, don't go out. Hawaiian ocean can be deceptively powerful.
  • Never turn your back on the ocean. Rogue waves are real, especially on rocky shorelines.
  • Check surf reports before heading out. Surf can change quickly.
  • Reef shoes recommended for rocky entries (Two Step, Captain Cook).
  • Sunscreen: Use reef-safe! Hawaii banned non-reef-safe sunscreen. Look for mineral/zinc-based.
  • Sea turtles (honu): Amazing to see but stay 10+ feet away. It's federal law. No touching!
  • Jellyfish: Box jellyfish arrive ~10 days after full moon on leeward beaches. Check the calendar!
  • Stay hydrated. The sun is intense at this latitude. Drink way more water than you think you need.