The Kona Big Kahuna tour on Hawaii’s Big Island offers an immersive self-guided experience that blends stunning natural landscapes with the island’s rich cultural heritage. Participants can explore the iconic Kealakekua Bay, discover the historic significance of Puuhonua O Honaunau, and explore the renowned Kona coffee legacy. With turn-by-turn GPS directions and engaging audio narration, this 4-6 hour adventure provides flexibility and essential insights for an unforgettable Hawaiian journey. Priced at just €18.03 for up to five people, the Kona Big Kahuna tour promises to be a highlight of any Big Island visit. What secrets and surprises await those who embark on this captivating self-guided adventure?
Key Points
- The Kona Big Kahuna tour is a self-guided audio GPS tour covering the highlights of the Big Island, including snorkeling, cultural sites, and Kona coffee exploration.
- The tour provides turn-by-turn directions and offline navigation, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of the island’s attractions at a flexible pace.
- Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay, visiting the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Site, and learning about the Kona coffee legacy are key highlights of the tour.
- The tour lasts 4-6 hours and is recommended to start before 11 a.m., with the option to extend the experience by visiting additional sites or activities.
- The tour is highly rated, with over 6,000 reviews and 200,000 downloads, making it a popular choice for exploring the Big Island’s natural and cultural wonders.
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Tour Overview and Pricing
The Kona Big Kahuna tour on the Big Island of Hawaii offers a comprehensive audio-guided experience for adventurous travelers.
Priced at €18.03 per group (up to 5 participants), the tour provides free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Customers can also choose the "Reserve now & pay later" option.
The tour is valid for 299 days, ensuring flexibility for travelers. Key highlights include snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay and Two-Step Beach, visiting historic sites, and learning about the Kona coffee legacy.
With turn-by-turn directions and an offline map, the self-guided audio tour allows participants to explore the island at their own pace.
Experience Highlights
The Kona Big Kahuna tour offers a diverse array of experience highlights for adventurous travelers.
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay and Two-Step Beach provides a chance to witness the vibrant marine life of Hawaii’s waters. Visitors can also explore the Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historic Site, a sacred place of refuge for Hawaiians.
The tour includes a stop at a local bee farm, where travelers can sample Kona’s renowned honey. Plus, guests will learn about the Kona Coffee legacy and visit the charming St. Benedict’s Painted Church.
Throughout the tour, audio narration in English provides engaging travel tips and stories, enriching the overall experience.
Tour Details and Features
Kona Big Kahuna offers a self-guided audio GPS tour with turn-by-turn directions, allowing visitors to explore the Big Island at their own pace. Rated #1 for Hawaii, the tour app boasts over 6,000 reviews and 200,000 downloads. The tour duration is 4-6 hours, with a recommended start time before 11 a.m. An offline map is available, ensuring guests can navigate without relying on Wi-Fi or data. The tour highlights key stops, activity recommendations, and restaurant suggestions, providing a comprehensive experience.
| Tour Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Audio Narration | Informative narration in English with travel tips and stories |
| Tour Duration | 4-6 hours, recommended start before 11 a.m. |
| Offline Map | Accessible without Wi-Fi or data connection |
| Highlights | Activity and restaurant recommendations at key stops |
Meeting Point and Route
The tour starts in Waikoloa and follows a counterclockwise loop, ending in Kona.
Key stops along the way include Kiholo Bay, Kua Bay Beach, Huehue Lava Tube, Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Kona Town, Magic Sands Beach, Kamehameha III’s Birthplace, Kuamoo Battlefield, Big Island Bees, Manago Hotel, Kona Living Museum, Greenwell Farm & Museum, Sundried Specialties, Aloha Theatre, and Donkey Balls.
The tour provides turn-by-turn directions and highlights various historical and natural sights, as well as activity and restaurant recommendations to enhance your Big Island experience.
Additional Information
Important items to bring on the Kona Big Kahuna tour include snacks, hiking shoes, sunscreen, water, headphones, water shoes, and a charged smartphone. A guided tour of Big Island Bees costs €30 for adults, €20 for youth (13-18), and €10 for children (12 & under). The Painted Church has free admission, with donations welcome, and is open Tuesday to Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Puuhonua Honaunau National Park charges €20 per car and €10 per motorcycle, valid for 7 days. The Kona Coffee Living Museum costs €20 for adults and €10 for children, and is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking fees apply at Kahaluu Beach, and snorkel and swim gear are required for Kealakekua Bay and Two-Steps.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Big Island Bees (Adult) | €30 |
| Big Island Bees (Youth) | €20 |
| Big Island Bees (Child) | €10 |
| Puuhonua Honaunau National Park (Car) | €20 |
| Puuhonua Honaunau National Park (Motorcycle) | €10 |
| Kona Coffee Living Museum (Adult) | €20 |
| Kona Coffee Living Museum (Child) | €10 |
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay
One of the highlights of the Kona Big Kahuna tour is the opportunity to snorkel at Kealakekua Bay.
This protected marine sanctuary offers crystal-clear waters and a chance to spot diverse marine life, including tropical fish, sea turtles, and possibly even dolphins. The snorkeling conditions are generally calm and ideal for both experienced and novice snorkelers.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own snorkeling gear, but it’s also possible to rent equipment locally.
Snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay allows travelers to enjoy the natural beauty of Hawaii’s underwater world and create lasting memories of their Kona adventure.
Visiting Puuhonua O Honaunau
Puuhonua O Honaunau, or the "Place of Refuge," is a national historic site that holds deep cultural significance in Hawaii. It was a sanctuary where Hawaiians could seek asylum and be absolved of their crimes.
Visitors can explore this ancient sacred grounds and learn about its rich history. The site features well-preserved structures, including temples, royal fishponds, and the Hale o Keawe mausoleum.
Strolling through the peaceful grounds, one can imagine the dramatic stories of refuge and redemption that took place here centuries ago. This site offers a fascinating glimpse into Hawaii’s past and the importance of traditional Hawaiian values and practices.
Exploring Kona Coffee Legacy
The Kona region on the Big Island of Hawaii is renowned for its world-class coffee. Participants on the Kona Big Kahuna tour will have the chance to learn about the Kona Coffee legacy.
They’ll visit a local bee farm to sample fresh, local honey and then explore the Kona Coffee Living Museum. At the museum, they’ll discover the history and process of growing and roasting Kona’s celebrated coffee beans.
The tour also includes free coffee samples, allowing visitors to appreciate the unique flavors of this Hawaiian specialty.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do the Tours Operate During Inclement Weather?
The tours generally operate during inclement weather, though some outdoor activities may be adjusted or canceled for safety. Customers should check for weather updates and be prepared with proper gear for the conditions.
Are the Audio Guides Available in Other Languages Besides English?
The audio tour guides are only available in English. However, the tour provides detailed narration with travel tips and stories that can be enjoyed by both English-speaking and non-English-speaking visitors.
Are There Any Age Restrictions or Requirements for the Tour?
There are no age restrictions for the tour. It’s suitable for all ages, though children under 12 receive a discounted admission rate for the guided tour of the Big Island Bees farm. Families can enjoy the tour together.
Can Participants Bring Their Own Snorkeling Equipment or Is It Provided?
Participants can bring their own snorkel gear for the tour. The tour doesn’t provide snorkel equipment, so it’s recommended to pack snorkel and swim gear for the Kealakekua Bay and Two-Steps snorkel stops.
Does the Tour Include Any Optional Add-On Activities or Upgrades?
The tour includes an optional guided tour of Big Island Bees for an additional fee. There are also separate admission costs for the Puuhonua Honaunau National Park and the Kona Coffee Living Museum that participants can choose to visit.
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Recap
The Kona Big Kahuna tour offers an engaging self-guided audio experience to explore Hawaii’s Big Island. With GPS guidance, travelers can snorkel at Kealakekua Bay, visit historic sites like Puuhonua O Honaunau, and learn about the renowned Kona coffee legacy. Priced at €18.03 for up to five participants, this 4-6 hour adventure provides flexibility, enriching narration, and essential insights for an unforgettable Hawaiian journey.