10 Things to do in Kealakekua and Captain Cook (Kona’s Coffee Belt & Nearby)

Drive south from Kailua-Kona and you’ll discover a string of small towns nestled along the western slopes of the Hualālai volcano, overlooking the turquoise blue ocean.

South Kona—which includes Kealakekua, Captain Cook, and the world-famous Kona Coffee Belt—is one of the most charming parts of the Big Island, with so much to do, see and taste!

👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛

Best Things to do in South Kona

I recently visited the Big Island for the first time and I feel in love with this part of the island. Nearly everywhere you go has a view of the ocean below, or the mountain above (or both!)

And driving along the Kona Coffee Belt felt like a mini foodie tour with indulgent baked goods, fresh poke, refreshing acai, and, of course, plenty of Kona coffee straight from the source!

In this article I’m sharing all my favorite places to see and things to do in Kealakekua and Captain Cook, Hawaii. Whether you’re heading to a Kona coffee farm, the Captain Cook monument at Kealakekua Bay, or Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, I’m sharing some spots you’ll want to stop along the way!

All of these spots are pinned on my free Big Island map!

1. Snorkel at Kealakekua Bay (home to the Captain Cook Monument)

This secluded bay is home to the Captain Cook monument, which marks where the infamous explorer was killed. It’s also one of the most popular snorkel spots on the Big Island, and for good reason!

There are shallow, calm areas around the shoreline teeming with vibrant coral and a diversity of tropical fish. From there the water gets deeper gradually, with a drop-off.

When we snorkeled here, enjoyed seeing the giant brain coral and freediving beside the big drop-off. Although there were a lot of people in the water, we still saw a lot of fish and the visibility was amazing!

A few snaps from our snorkeling at Kealakekua Bay!

There are three ways to get to Kealakekua Bay: hike 2 miles (I’ve heard the hike is rough!), kayak a mile to the bay (also sounds a little tricky), or take a boat tour to the bay.

I’ll be honest—we opted for a catamaran boat tour because the hike sounds brutal and I didn’t like the idea of trying to snorkel with a kayak tied to my foot. We had an excellent time on this tour, and I’d definitely recommend it if it’s in your budget! If you decide to do the hike, make sure to leave early, wear good hiking shoes, and pack plenty of drinking water!

Scenes from Greenwell Farms, a historic Kona Coffee farm!

2. Tour a Kona Coffee Farm

Most people exploring Kealakekua and Captain Cook as going on a coffee tour along the Kona Coffee Belt! This is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the area, and on the island as a whole. After all, the rich coffee grown along the Kona Coffee Belt has a reputation for being some of the best coffee in the world!

On my recent Big Island trip, we went on the free Greenwell Farms tour and learned so much—and of course, tasted plenty of coffee! They offer free tours every 30 minutes between 9am and 3pm daily, which last around 45-60 minutes.

I’ve also heard lovely things about Heavenly Hawaiian, another coffee farm along the Kona Coffee Belt. Their one-hour farm tours are offered every 30 minutes between 8:30am and 3:30pm, and cost $20 per person. They also offer a coffee brewing experience and several other unique tours.

Exploring Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

3. Visit Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park

Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park on the southern edge of Captain Cook is the best Hawaiian archeological site I’ve seen anywhere in Hawaii!

Exploring this 180-acre property is like taking a step back in time. It was once home to the Royal Grounds for Hawaiian royalty (aliʻi), and a place of refuge where lawbreakers could flee to—and have a chance to be absolved of their crimes.

Today, you can go on a self-guided tour through the park to see reconstructions of historic Hawaiian buildings, with details about each structure’s significance in the free visitor’s booklets.

The park is a part of the National Park system, so you can enter with an annual America The Beautiful Pass, or pay for a day pass. And if you like snorkeling, be sure to check out nearby Honaunau Bay (Two Step Beach), which is adjacent to the national park!

Also Read: How to Visit Waipi’o Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii

Snorkeling at Honaunau Bay (Two Step Beach) on the south Kona Coast

4. Snorkel at Honaunau Bay (Two Step Beach)

Just steps from Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, you’ll find Honaunau Bay, also called Two Step Beach. It’s one of the most popular snorkel spots on the island, with clear water, an abundance of fish, vibrant coral, and sea turtles.

Two Step gets its name from the natural ‘steps’ formed in the lava rock that leads directly into the water. The lava rock is really rough, so you may want to wear water shoes!

The snorkeling is excellent, but the parking lot quickly fills up (and its a paid lot), so consider parking on the road near Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park and walking down to the bay. Also, keep in mind that it’s not much of a beach, it’s just lava rock, so plan to snorkel here, but not sunbathe on the shore!

Around The Kava Bowl in Captain Cook, Hawaii

5. Try kava at Around The Kava Bowl

Kava is a traditional Polynesian tea with a distinct calming effect. Before European contact, it was one of only three drinks in Hawaii: kava, water, and coconut water. Eventually, kava was replaced with alcohol, but today there’s a resurgence of kava drinking, especially as an alcohol alternative.

There are only a few kava bars in Hawaii, and the best one we’ve visited is Around The Kava Bowl in Captain Cook. The owner has been drinking and serving kava in Hawaii for over 20 years, and he even has a few kava plants for you to look at!

If you’re at all curious, I highly recommend stopping by and ordering a coconut shell full of kava, or perhaps a whole bowl to share with a group of friends. It’s worth mentioning that kava shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol, and for some people (myself included) kava can intensify to effects of caffeine.

6. Soak under the stars at Mamalahoa Hot Tubs & Massage

Soaking in the tubs at Mamalahoa Hot Tubs & Massage is one of the best lesser known things to do in Kealakekua. There are a few ways to enjoy this secluded jungle oasis.

You can soak in one of the private hot tubs in the daytime, surrounded by tropical foliage, or come after dark to stargaze from the hot tub! Or, get a massage, they offer Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massages, as well as traditional Hawaiian massage (Lomi Lomi).

I haven’t been able to try out this place myself, but I imagine soaking in the tubs is quite a romantic, tranquil experience. Be sure to book an appointment as the tubs and massages are only available with an advanced reservation.

The view from The Coffee Shop in Captain Cook, Hawaii!

7. Coffee or brunch with a view The Coffee Shack

Perched on the slopes of Hualālai, this cafe boasts one of the best views on the island! The Coffee Shack serves coffee and pastries as well as a full breakfast and lunch menu.

We stopped in for a coffee and were lucky to get a seat on the open-air deck overlooking the turquoise ocean and verdant foliage below. Whether you grab a drink like we did, or stay for a full meal, this picturesque coffeeshop is a place you must visit if you’re in the area!

8. Try local poke at Honaunau Poke Shop

Honaunau Poke Shop is another essential stop on our mini food and drink tour of south Kona—even if you don’t eat fish!

I won’t lie—I’m vegan, so I did not try any of the fish here, but TripAdvisor reviewers rave about the poke. That said, veggie dishes I enjoyed here included some of the best food I tried on the island! Hijiki quinoa, edamame corn salad, brown rice, and sweet potato poi made for a filling and delicious lunch!

Regardless of your food preferences, there are tons of options and everything on the menu can be ordered by weight, so you can try a small portion of everything that piques your interest!

9. Try local baked goods at Kaya’s Kawanui pastries

For a sweet treat on the Kona Coffee Belt, head straight to Kaya’s Kawanui in Kealakekua.

Their wide array of homemade organic pastries include plenty of vegan and gluten-free options, and they also serve coffee, acai, and some delicious food, too! I loved their samoas and scones, and wish I had come back on another day to try more.

This is also a great place to get local Kona coffee, and buy other locally made goods to bring home as a souvenir!

10. Go thrift shopping

If you’re an avid thrifter like me, you’ll immediately notice the high concentration of thrift stores along Hawaii Belt Road as you drive through Kealakekua and Captain Cook!

I love thrifting while I’m traveling—it’s a fun way to find unique souvenirs! A few thrift shops to check out in south Kona include Treasure Island Thrift Store, Second Wind, and any other places you spot while exploring the area.