Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [158]
Fishing
Kona has hundreds of charter fishing boats; many are listed in the Fishing freebie available around town. The standard cost to join an existing party starts at $100 per person for a four-hour (half-day) trip. Otherwise, a charter for up to six people runs between $450 and $600 for a half-day, and $700 and $3000 for a full day, depending on the boat. Prices include equipment.
Next to the weigh station at Honokohau Marina, the Charter Desk (329-5735, 888-566-2487; www.charterdesk.com) is the main booking service; it can match you with 50 or more boats. Another matching service is Charter Services Hawaii (800-567-2650; www.konazone.com), with about a dozen boats in its ‘fleet.’
Surfing
What little surf there is on the Leeward Coast is not in Kailua-Kona. Banyans, near the banyan tree north of White Sands Beach (Click here), has some waves. The best wave for beginners, and those who want to try stand up paddle surfing, is at Kahalu′u Beach (Click here), while getting to Pine Trees (Click here) requires a hike or 4WD. Right in Kailua, friendly and family-run Pacific Vibrations (329-4140; pacvibe@hawaii.rr.com; 75-5702 Likana Lane; board per day $15-20; 10am-5:30pm Mon-Fri, to 3:30pm Sat) has board rentals, clothes, and tips.
Across the road from Kahalu′u Bay, Kona Surf School (Map; 217-5329; www.konasurfschool.com; 78-6685 Ali′i Dr; board rental $25/day, surf lessons $100-130; 8:30am-5pm) offers board rentals and regular lessons daily (reservations required), including stand up paddle surfing ($75). Another outfit for lessons is Ocean Eco Tours (324-7873; www.oceanecotours.com; Honokohau Harbor; surf lessons $95), the only operator permited to surf within the boundaries of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.
Yoga
In a private home, Yoga Hale (938-9980; www.yogahale.com; 77-6530 Naniloa Dr; drop-in class $15) offers a variety of yoga classes and styles, such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga and hot yoga. Kona Yoga (331-1310; www.konayoga.com; Sunset Shopping Plaza, 77-6425 Hwy 11, D202; drop-in class $15) is a no-frills studio with a limited schedule, but owner Barbara Uechi teaches Iyengar-inspired classes with lots of care and humor.
For more of a workout, stop by Pilates & Movement Center of Kona (329-3211; www.konapilates.com; 75-5995 Kuakini Hwy; drop-in class $20), which offers ‘yoga in motion’ (or Gyrokinesis) and Pilates classes in an attractive studio.
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TOURS
Atlantis Submarines (329-6626, 800-548-6262; www.atlantisadventures.com; adult/child $89/45; submarine rides 10am, 11:30am & 1pm) Rides last 35 minutes and descend 100ft into a coral crevice in front of the Royal Kona Resort. The sub has 26 portholes and carries 48 passengers.
Kailua Bay Charter Company (324-1749; www.konaglassbottomboat.com; 50min tour adult/child $30/15; tours hourly from 10:30am) See Kailua’S coastline, and its underwater reef and sea life, from a 36ft glass-bottom boat with a pleasant crew and onboard naturalist. Easy boarding for elderly or mobility-impaired passengers.
Kona Brewing Company (334-2739; North Kona Shopping Center, 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy; www.konabrewingco.com; admission free; tours 10:30am & 3pm Mon-Fri) Founded in 1995, the Big Island’S first microbrewery now ships its handcrafted brews throughout the islands and beyond. Tours of this family-run Kona icon are free, and include sampling.
Kona Historical Society (323-3222, 938-8825; www.konahistorical.org; 75min tour $15) This worthwhile and informational walking tour covers historical sites in downtown Kailua-Kona, and includes a book.