Our favs on the Big Island & Captain Cook
Beaches, snorkeling and diving
Widely regarded as the #1 best snorkeling in Hawaii, with whales, dolphins and lots of tropical fish. This is also the spot where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii and his monument stands at the north end of the bay where the best snorkeling is. This spot isn’t easy to get to, but there are 3 ways. 1) Most people reach the bay by boat - you can book tickets for a snorkeling excursion where you can snorkel off the boat. 2) You can rent kayaks from a couple of companies that have permits to launch of the pier into the bay 3) You can hike down to the monument, but it’s a 3.8-mile round trip downhill and uphill with no facilities (so bring water!)
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Kealakekua Bay
Widely regarded as the #1 best snorkeling in Hawaii, with whales, dolphins and lots of tropical fish. This is also the spot where Captain Cook first landed in Hawaii and his monument stands at the north end of the bay where the best snorkeling is. This spot isn’t easy to get to, but there are 3 ways. 1) Most people reach the bay by boat - you can book tickets for a snorkeling excursion where you can snorkel off the boat. 2) You can rent kayaks from a couple of companies that have permits to launch of the pier into the bay 3) You can hike down to the monument, but it’s a 3.8-mile round trip downhill and uphill with no facilities (so bring water!)
AKA "Two Step" Two Step is also a renowned scuba diving and snorkeling spot, good for people who are comfortable swimming in deep water. If you have never snorkeled here before, the easiest way to enter the water is walk down the boat ramp. Most people enter by stepping off the short cliff into the water. There are two ledges or "two steps" that you need to jump off of into the ocean. If you can't find it, ask others around you, or watch others go in.
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Honaunau Bay
AKA "Two Step" Two Step is also a renowned scuba diving and snorkeling spot, good for people who are comfortable swimming in deep water. If you have never snorkeled here before, the easiest way to enter the water is walk down the boat ramp. Most people enter by stepping off the short cliff into the water. There are two ledges or "two steps" that you need to jump off of into the ocean. If you can't find it, ask others around you, or watch others go in.
Ho'okena Beach Park is a local beach that is not frequented by tourists and has a nice sandy beach with snorkeling, boogie boarding and lots of room to lounge. And dolphin sightings! Follow a windy road down to the beach, and turn left near the beach to enter the parking lot (better to go early before the lot fills up). There are solar powered warm showers, restrooms and tables in the shade.
Ho‘okena
Ho'okena Beach Park is a local beach that is not frequented by tourists and has a nice sandy beach with snorkeling, boogie boarding and lots of room to lounge. And dolphin sightings! Follow a windy road down to the beach, and turn left near the beach to enter the parking lot (better to go early before the lot fills up). There are solar powered warm showers, restrooms and tables in the shade.
The most accessible snorkeling spot on the island-- great for all ages and a good spot for first timers to learn how to snorkel. Also some good surf breaks for surfers!
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Kahaluu Beach
The most accessible snorkeling spot on the island-- great for all ages and a good spot for first timers to learn how to snorkel. Also some good surf breaks for surfers!
Farmers Markets & Grocery Stores
"From the land - By our hand" A local farmers and artists market, where you can find tropical fruit, veggies and herbs, artisan creations, baked goods and prepared food. Sometimes there is live music too. A great place to get lunch and wander for a couple of hours to get a taste of the local culture. Every Sunday north of ChoiceMart.
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Pure Kona Green Market
82-6160 Mamalahoa Hwy "From the land - By our hand" A local farmers and artists market, where you can find tropical fruit, veggies and herbs, artisan creations, baked goods and prepared food. Sometimes there is live music too. A great place to get lunch and wander for a couple of hours to get a taste of the local culture. Every Sunday north of ChoiceMart.
Nearby grocery store in Captain Cook that has everything you need, including fresh caught fish and locally grown produce. Our water is drinkable, but if you want to purchase water, you can do so in front of the store. You can also fill the propane tank for the grill at the Ace Hardware next door.
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ChoiceMART
82-6066 Mamalahoa HwyNearby grocery store in Captain Cook that has everything you need, including fresh caught fish and locally grown produce. Our water is drinkable, but if you want to purchase water, you can do so in front of the store. You can also fill the propane tank for the grill at the Ace Hardware next door.
OPEN 24 HRS. Huge, new store near Kona, across from Walmart. If you are looking for a mainland sized grocery store, this is it! Also has freshly made sushi, poke and sandwiches.
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Safeway
75-971 Henry StOPEN 24 HRS. Huge, new store near Kona, across from Walmart. If you are looking for a mainland sized grocery store, this is it! Also has freshly made sushi, poke and sandwiches.
Small grocery store in Kealakekua that has all the basics, plus fresh baked goods.
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KTA Express
81-6602 Hawaiʻi Belt RdSmall grocery store in Kealakekua that has all the basics, plus fresh baked goods.
Have a Costco membership or traveling with a big group? This is close to the airport, so it's convenient to shop there right after you arrive on the way to the bungalow. It's just like Costco on the mainland, but has lots of Hawaiian specialty items.
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Costco Wholesale
73-5600 Maiau StHave a Costco membership or traveling with a big group? This is close to the airport, so it's convenient to shop there right after you arrive on the way to the bungalow. It's just like Costco on the mainland, but has lots of Hawaiian specialty items.
Local convenience store that has been here since 1915! Cold beer, Kona coffee, snacks, hot foods, and local treats (like Musubi) that you won't find on the mainland.
Fujihara Store
85-4524 Mamalahoa HwyLocal convenience store that has been here since 1915! Cold beer, Kona coffee, snacks, hot foods, and local treats (like Musubi) that you won't find on the mainland.
Cafes, restaurants and brew pubs
Here are a few local eateries that have become favorites of our guests. Have feedback or other places you'd like to add to the list? Please let us know!
Cute rustic cafe near the bungalow (15 min drive) with milkshakes and burgers. Locals love the freshly caught fish and chips and anything with kalua pork. The locally grown coffee is delicious, and they also sell coffee beans and ground coffee. Open 6am-3pm.
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Menehune Coffee Co
84-5227 Mamalahoa HwyCute rustic cafe near the bungalow (15 min drive) with milkshakes and burgers. Locals love the freshly caught fish and chips and anything with kalua pork. The locally grown coffee is delicious, and they also sell coffee beans and ground coffee. Open 6am-3pm.
Popular brunch spot with views of the Kona coast. Homemade breads and desserts, and hand squeezed orange juice made with oranges from the orange grove right next to the bungalow! There is usually a line, and parking can be hard to find. Open 7am to Sunset.
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The Coffee Shack
83-5799 Mamalahoa HwyPopular brunch spot with views of the Kona coast. Homemade breads and desserts, and hand squeezed orange juice made with oranges from the orange grove right next to the bungalow! There is usually a line, and parking can be hard to find. Open 7am to Sunset.
This simple roadside eatery is our go to when we are craving poke. Always fresh, always fast and lots of varieties to try. We love the Spicy Avocado, and really anything with avocado :) Poke is a must try if you have not had it before (if you like sushi, you will probably love poke).
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Honaunau Poke Shop
83-5308 Mamalahoa HighwayThis simple roadside eatery is our go to when we are craving poke. Always fresh, always fast and lots of varieties to try. We love the Spicy Avocado, and really anything with avocado :) Poke is a must try if you have not had it before (if you like sushi, you will probably love poke).
Simple roadside eatery with local BBQ, which was featured by Bobby Flay. Great BBQ, but hard to predict when it will be open (usually on the weekends). Call ahead if you plan to go, and don’t trust the hours posted online.
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Big Jake's Island B-B-Q
83-5308 Mamalahoa HwySimple roadside eatery with local BBQ, which was featured by Bobby Flay. Great BBQ, but hard to predict when it will be open (usually on the weekends). Call ahead if you plan to go, and don’t trust the hours posted online.
A hole in the wall roadside restaurant with a simple menu of authentic Hawaiian eats that feels like your auntie is cooking for you. Worth a try if you want to sample some local flavors and get away from the touristy resort experience. The lau lau is a local favorite, as are the deserts!
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Kaaloa's Super J's
83-5409 Mamalahoa HwyA hole in the wall roadside restaurant with a simple menu of authentic Hawaiian eats that feels like your auntie is cooking for you. Worth a try if you want to sample some local flavors and get away from the touristy resort experience. The lau lau is a local favorite, as are the deserts!
Kaya’s is a cute cafe with a hippie/hipster vibe, featuring local coffees salads and sandwiches that are all organic/vegetarian/vegan.
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Kaya's Kawanui Inc
79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt RdKaya’s is a cute cafe with a hippie/hipster vibe, featuring local coffees salads and sandwiches that are all organic/vegetarian/vegan.
Popular spot with lots of varieties of tacos from fish to meat, to vegetarian and vegan options.
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Shaka Tacoz
82-6167 Mamalahoa HighwayPopular spot with lots of varieties of tacos from fish to meat, to vegetarian and vegan options.
Yummy pizza! Dine in on the back lanai with views, or pick up a pizza to bake at home in the bungalow. So many varieties to choose from and customize, including gluten free crust options.
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Black Rock Pizza
82-6127 Hawaiʻi Belt RoadYummy pizza! Dine in on the back lanai with views, or pick up a pizza to bake at home in the bungalow. So many varieties to choose from and customize, including gluten free crust options.
Try some local beers and great food on the patio with friendly service. A favorite of locals and tourists alike.
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Kona Brewing Company
74-5612 Pawai PlTry some local beers and great food on the patio with friendly service. A favorite of locals and tourists alike.
Tasty local brews, hard seltzers and hard teas, plus a small menu of salads, flatbreads and sandwiches.
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Ola Brew
74-5598 Luhia StTasty local brews, hard seltzers and hard teas, plus a small menu of salads, flatbreads and sandwiches.
Famous for their baked goods, this is a great stop for breakfast or lunch on the way to the volcano or Black Sands Beach. There's a counter to order food and fresh baked treats, and you can eat outside in the beautiful culinary gardens and visit the gift shop. Try the malasadas (doughnuts)!
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Punalu'u Bake Shop
95-5642 HI-11Famous for their baked goods, this is a great stop for breakfast or lunch on the way to the volcano or Black Sands Beach. There's a counter to order food and fresh baked treats, and you can eat outside in the beautiful culinary gardens and visit the gift shop. Try the malasadas (doughnuts)!