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One of the toughest choices to make when planning a vacation to the Big Island is choosing where to stay. Even if you’ve picked the leeward side over the windward side near Hilo, you’re still tasked with deciding exactly where you want to stay along the coast.
Kona and Waikoloa are two of the most popular places on the Big Island. And although they’re just a 30 miles away from each other, these two places are surprisingly different from one another.
Waikoloa is a laid-back resort area with stunning beaches, otherworldly lava fields, and upscale accommodations. On the other hand, the Kona Coast has excellent snorkling and tons of fun activities. Plus, it has the advantage of a small and walkable town (Kailua-Kona).
If you’re still unsure where to stay, don’t worry! We’ll break down the pros and cons of Kona vs Waikoloa so you can get a better idea of what they offer.
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Where are Kona and Waikoloa?
Kona and Waikoloa are both located on the leeward side of the Big Island. When most people refer to Kona, they’re actually talking about the town of Kailua-Kona, which is the second-largest town on the island after Hilo. It’s located roughly 15 minutes south of the Kona International Airport.
However, the town of Kailua-Kona is located within the Kona District. This region takes up almost two-thirds of the Big Island’s western coast, starting at Manukā Park in the south and extending up to the southern part of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay. For this article, we’ll be sharing accommodation options and activities within Kailua-Kona as well as in the entire region of Kona.
Waikoloa is located on the Kohala Coast, which sits at the northeastern point of the Big Island. From the Kona Airport, it’s about a 30-minute drive north to reach Waikoloa. Most of the resorts are on the coast, although there’s also a residential community (Waikoloa Village) further inland.
Why stay in Kona?
Kailua-Kona is a decent-sized town with various types of accommodations. In town, you’ll find a mix of mid-range hotels, hostels, and condo buildings, while some of the larger hotels are located a bit further down the coast. The only downside is that there aren’t any luxury resorts in the area, so keep that in mind if that’s a priority for your vacation.
However, prices in Kailua-Kona are generally cheaper than they are in Waikoloa. Condo units close to the ocean are relatively affordable (although not many are beachfront, so be prepared to walk a bit for beach days).
Another good reason to stay in Kona is its central location. You can easily make day trips to the Kohala Coast, Hilo, or even to Hawaii Volcanos National Park. However, there are tons of fun activities in Kona itself, including snorkeling, hiking, and whale watching! Plus, being close to the town of Kailua-Kona also means you’ll have lots of shops, restaurants, and bars at your doorstep.
If you prefer to be out of the bustle, then there are plenty of other places to stay outside of town but still in the Kona District. The Kona Coffee Belt (where you’ll find all the coffee farms) has quite a few inns, guesthouses, and vacation rental properties. Located on the slopes of the Hualalai Volcano, the area is exceptionally lush and serene, which is great if you want a quiet escape with beautiful natural surroundings.
Check out our favorite places to stay in Kona.
Why stay in Waikoloa?
If you prefer a more traditional beach getaway, Waikoloa is an excellent choice. This area is famous for its picturesque beaches (including the longest white-sand beach on the island) and upscale, family-friendly resorts.
Unlike Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa feels very much like a resort destination. This can be a big perk if you’re looking to relax, but it might be a disadvantage if you want to experience local life.
Further inland from the beach is the residential community of Waikoloa Village. We recommend staying here if you like golf or if you’re looking for an apartment or vacation rental. It’s a 15-minute drive from the beach, so make sure you have a car.
Waikoloa is located on the Kohala Coast, which is arguably one of the most stunning regions of the Big Island. In addition to the beautiful beaches, it’s also a good spot for rugged natural beauty, as you can drive to the Mauna Kea, Waipiʻo Valley, and Pololu Valley in an hour.
Find an awesome place to stay in Waikoloa:
Waikoloa Beach Villas: central and walkable
Westin Hapuna Beach: wake up on the best beach on the Big Island
The Colony Villas at Waikoloa
The Shores at Waikoloa
Breaking down the Kona vs Waikoloa Debate:
A lot of people are divided as to which area is better – Kona or Waikoloa. In our opinion, Waikoloa is better for a beach vacation. There are lots of great hotels and resorts to choose from, as well as miles of white sandy coastlines to explore. However, there’s much more to do in Kona, and its central location makes it easy to reach other parts of the island as well.
But that’s just scratching the surface of what both places have to offer. Let’s dive in a bit deeper so you can choose which place is better suited for your trip.
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Kona vs Waikoloa: Beaches
The entire leeward side of the island is dotted with beautiful beaches. However, Waikoloa is the clear winner.Half of the best beaches on the Big Island are on the Kohala Coast.
We especially love the calm, clear waters around ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay for swimming and snorkeling. Surrounded by swaying palms, it’s very family-friendly, with lots of room to lay out. And if you’re lucky, you might also get to see green sea turtles swimming in the waters!
And we can’t talk about beaches without mentioning the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. As the largest white-sand beach on the island, it’s one of the best (and prettiest!) places for swimming, snorkeling, bodyboarding, and even whale watching!
It’s important to note that Waikoloa (and the entire Kohala Coast) can be unsuitable for swimming at times in the winter due to the strong current and ocean swells. If you are traveling during these months, we recommend going to the beaches in Kona, as the waters are much calmer.
Kona does have some pretty beaches too, but they aren’t as big compared to the ones in Waikoloa. If you drive north of the airport (about a 30-minute drive north of Kailua-Kona), you’ll find more beaches where you can swim, sunbathe, and snorkel.
Kona vs Waikoloa: Accommodations
There are lots of places to stay in both Kona and Waikoloa. While the decision ultimately depends on your travel style, we would say that Waikoloa has a slight edge since it has more types of lodging options.
Kailua-Kona has a lot of small vacation rental complexes, which is great if you’re craving the comforts of home (it’s always nice to have the option to cook meals!).
There are a couple of hotels in town, like the Marriott Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, but no big flashy resorts like what you’d find in Waikoloa. And places tend to be a little older and somewhat dated style-wish. Located in greater Kona district there are some luxury accommodations like the Four Seasons Hualalai, but it’s located quite far north in Kona.
On the plus side, lodging in Kailua-Kona is relatively affordable. You can find a place within walking distance to the beach at a much cheaper price than you would up north.
If you don’t need to be near the water, you can also choose to stay on the hillside of Kona. This is where you’ll find a lot of the Kona coffee farms. There are some cute bed and breakfasts (the Holualoa Inn), guesthouses, and vacation rentals here where you can enjoy a quiet, more rustic side of Hawaii.
As we mentioned earlier, Waikoloa is better suited for those who want a more traditional beach vacation experience. There are lots of hotels and resorts – the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and the Hilton Waikoloa Village being two of the largest. You’ll also find some nice vacation rental properties here, like the Waikoloa Beach Villas, the Colony Villas, and the Shores.
Ten minutes north of Waikoloa sits Mauna Lani, another beautiful resort area. With a 5-star resort (Mauna Lani Auberge Resort), upscale condo rentals (Palm Villas Mauna Lani), and pristine beaches, it’s another one of the best places to stay along the Kohala Coast.
Kona vs Waikoloa: Snorkeling
A lot of people come to the Big Island to snorkel – and for a good reason. With clear waters and abundant marine life, it has some of the best snorkeling in all of Hawaii.
If you’re in Waikoloa, we recommend going to Wailea Beach (Beach 69) in the Hapuna Recreation Area. The waters are shallow, and there’s a little reef where you might be able to see green sea turtles. ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay and Spencer Beach Park are two other good spots to snorkel around Waikoloa.
But remember that the waves and currents along the Kohala Coast can get very strong in the winter. Pay attention to the weather and surf report, and don’t go in the water if it’s too dangerous.
However, the snorkeling in Waikoloa just can’t compare to the Kona Coast! Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay is our favorite spot on the island. This bay is a protected marine life reserve, so the sheer variety of colorful corals and tropical fish here is amazing. You can even see moray eels and white-tipped reef sharks!
Two Step at Honaunau Bay is another fabulous snorkeling location due to the coral outcroppings and vibrant marine life. It’s better for intermediate or advanced snorkelers, as it can be a little tricky to enter the water (it’s down steps of lava rocks instead of a beach). If you’re traveling with kids or inexperienced swimmers, you can swim in the tide pools or at the small beach near the boat launch.
Because the waters are calmer here than in the north, Kona is the best option for year-round snorkeling.
Kona vs Waikoloa: Activities
Besides beach-going and snorkeling, you’ll find a ton of other fantastic activities on the Big Island. And when it comes to adventure, Kona wins hands down. There’s just so much to do along the coast and within driving distance!
One of the coolest things you can do in Kona is go night snorkeling with Manta rays. Kona is one of the only places in the world where you can do this, making this once-in-a-lifetime experience a must during your visit. And if you’re looking for some water activities to do during the day, you can also book an outrigger canoe ride, a scuba dive tour, or a surf lesson.
We also suggest a hike up the Hualalai volcano, which is the third largest after Kilauea and Mauna Loa. It’s located just outside of Kailua-Kona, which is ideal for those who don’t have time to make the 2-hour drive to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Kona is also good for more low-key activities. There are lots of coffee farms in the hillside where you can do a tasting or production tour. For a more unique farm tour, stop by the Vanillerie to see the vanilla orchids or the Kona Sea Salt farm to see how salt is made.
Other activities in Kona include:
- Touring Hulihe’e Palace
- Visiting Kekaha Kai State Park
- Holding seahorses at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
- Honey tasting at Big Island Bees
But don’t get us wrong – Waikoloa still has plenty to offer in terms of activities. You can stroll through the lava fields at Kalahuipua’a Historic Park, see ancient rock carvings at the Petroglyph Preserve, or take a glass-bottom boat cruise out into the ocean.
Waikoloa is also just 1.5 hours away from Mauna Kea, which has the tallest peak in the entire state of Hawaii. This inactive volcano is one of the best places to go stargazing (there’s an observatory at the top). However, many people also come here during the day for hiking. The view from the top is beautiful any time of the day, although it’s especially stunning during sunrise or sunset!
Here are a couple of other activities to enjoy in Waikoloa:
- Walk through the Anchialine Ponds
- Take in the Sunset at Lava Lava Beach Club
- Get a Pool Pass to the Hilton Waikoloa Village
- Shopping at Queen’s Marketplace
Related reads:
The 21 Best Things to do in Kona (+ tips to know before you go)
Big Island Whale Watching: The 6 Best Tours and Viewing From the Shore
The 10 Best Big Island Waterfalls (+ ones you can swim in!)
The 10 Best Big Island Farm Tours You Won’t Want to Miss
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