Banyans Beach
SurfingReef BreakYear-Round Intermediate to Advanced
Right below the Banyan Tree condo, Banyans is one of Kona’s best-known surf breaks. An A-frame reef break that produces both lefts and rights, it can barrel on bigger swells. Surfable year-round: south swells bring summer waves, while west and northwest swells light it up in winter (January is peak season). Mornings are typically glassy thanks to Kona’s light offshore winds. Best at medium-to-high tide — the reef is shallow. On smaller days the wave is great for longboarding and intermediate surfers. When it gets bigger, it’s for experienced surfers only — the reef is sharp and the waves are fast.
Tip Watch out for reef and sea urchins, and always respect the local surfers by practicing good lineup etiquette. No board rentals on-site — see rental shops below.
76-6268 Aliʻi Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Kahaluʻu Beach Park — Surfing
SurfingBeginner-FriendlyLessons Available Beginner
About five minutes south of the Banyan Tree on Aliʻi Drive, Kahaluʻu is the go-to spot for beginners. Gentle waves with sandy entry make it perfect for first-timers. Surf schools and board rentals are available right at the beach through Kahaluʻu Bay Surf & Sea.
Tip Kahaluʻu Bay Surf & Sea rents boards and offers lessons for all levels right at the beach. A great place to catch your first wave.
78-6702 Aliʻi Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Board & Equipment Rentals
RentalsSurfboardsSUP
No need to travel with gear — several Kona shops rent surfboards, bodyboards, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks by the day or the week. Both shops listed below also offer lessons for all levels.
Kealakekua Bay Kayaking & Snorkeling
KayakingSnorkelingMarine Reserve
Paddle across one of Hawaiʻi’s most pristine marine reserves to the Captain Cook monument, where the reef is so healthy and the water so clear that even first-time snorkelers see spinner dolphins, eagle rays, and clouds of tropical fish.
Tip Guided tours are recommended — the bay is a state marine life conservation district with specific access rules.
Kohala Zipline
ZiplineCanopy TourScenic
Nine lines strung across the canopy of a former sugar plantation in North Kohala, with views of deep gulches, waterfalls, and the distant ocean. The guides are knowledgeable, the safety standards are excellent, and the longest line stretches over 1,200 feet.
Tip Open Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Check in 30 minutes before your tour. About 1 hour 15 minutes from the condo.
Mauna Kea Stargazing
StargazingSummitNight Activity
At nearly 14,000 feet, above 40% of the Earth’s atmosphere and far from any light pollution, Mauna Kea offers some of the clearest night skies on the planet. Several outfitters run sunset-and-stars tours that include telescopic viewing, hot chocolate, and parkas.
Tip Book 2–3 weeks ahead — tours sell out. Dress warmly; summit temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
