Cheap flights to Kona
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Quick summary
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Airport
KOA
Currency
US dollar (USD)
Time zone
UTC-10 (no daylight saving time)
Deals already spotted to Kona
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and getting into town
KOA, Kona airport, north of Kailua-Kona
Kona International Airport (KOA)
Kona International Airport at Keahole is the commercial airport for the west coast of the Big Island according to Wikivoyage (EN). It lies north of Kailua-Kona according to Wikipedia (EN, DE) and also serves the Kohala resorts further north according to Wikivoyage (EN). It is reached by Highway 19 according to Wikipedia (DE). We give no exact driving times or fares: traffic varies.
General information based on Wikivoyage (EN, DE) and Wikipedia (EN, FR, DE, ES); routes and schedules change, so check before you travel. We do not quote fares.
Kailua-Kona, simply called Kona, had 19,713 residents in the 2020 census according to Wikipedia (EN, DE); it is the island's second-largest settlement after Hilo and the commercial and tourism centre of the west side according to Wikipedia (EN). It lies along the bay and up the slope of Hualalai volcano, which shelters it from wind and rain according to Wikipedia (EN). Kamehameha I made it his seat of government before the islands were united according to Wikipedia (EN, FR, ES).
To cross the island, the drive from Kona to Hilo takes about two and a quarter hours according to Wikivoyage (EN). This page focuses on the Kona coast; for waterfalls and the east side, see the Hilo page, which has its own airport (ITO).
Landmarks and sights
Lava bays, a historic waterfront and wild beaches
The Kona coast is best explored along Ali'i Drive on the waterfront, then towards the northern resorts, the southern bays and the slopes of Hualalai. Five images illustrate the scenery; historic and cultural sites are described in text.
A coast of lava and golf greens
North of Kailua-Kona, the coast alternates black lava fields, pale sandy beaches and resorts with green fairways. These contrasts are typical of the leeward coast, sheltered by the mountains according to Wikivoyage (EN).
A turquoise bay
Along the coast, sheltered bays host dive and fishing boats. The Kona coast is the hub of sport fishing on the Big Island and has its main marina according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Lava shores south of Kona
Further south, the coast becomes wilder: black lava, small coves and deep blue water. The reefs offer good snorkelling, as at Kahaluu according to Wikivoyage (EN); check sea conditions before you swim.
The Kailua-Kona waterfront
Ali'i Drive runs along the waterfront. It has Mokuaikaua Church, completed in 1837 and considered the oldest Christian church in the islands according to Wikipedia (DE), and opposite it Hulihee Palace, a former summer residence of the kings according to Wikipedia (DE).
Waves on lava
Waves break on black lava rocks above clear water. Follow lifeguard advice: some beaches have a strong shorebreak, such as Kekaha Kai according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Kona coffee and historic parks, in text
The slopes above Kailua-Kona produce the famous Kona coffee according to Wikipedia (DE); some farms offer tours and tastings according to Wikivoyage (EN). Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park preserves royal fishponds according to Wikipedia (EN) and Wikivoyage (EN). The island's volcanoes are active to varying degrees: before visiting any park or summit, check conditions and possible closures on the official website of the park concerned.
Museums and culture
Royal palace, historic church and coffee culture
Hulihee Palace
Hulihee Palace, built in 1838 for the royal family, is now a museum of Victorian-era objects according to Wikivoyage (EN). It stands on Ali'i Drive, opposite Mokuaikaua Church according to Wikipedia (DE).
Mokuaikaua Church
Completed in 1837, it is the oldest Christian church in Hawaii according to Wikipedia (DE); Wikivoyage (EN) says it can be visited freely. It recalls the arrival of the missionaries in 1820 according to Wikipedia (EN).
Kaloko-Honokohau and gardens
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, a few kilometres north, protects royal fishponds according to Wikipedia (EN), and green sea turtles often rest on its beach according to Wikivoyage (EN). The Sadie Seymour Botanical Gardens add to the offer according to the same source. We give no prices, as they change.
Food and drink
Kona coffee, fresh fish and sushi
Coffee
Kona coffee is recognised as one of the world's great coffees according to Wikivoyage (EN); look for "100% Kona", as many products are blends according to the same source. The plantations can be visited on the upper slopes.
Fish and local food
Poke, bowls of marinated raw fish, fish tacos and sushi are common on the coast according to Wikivoyage (EN). Local "plate lunch" meals are found in the town's small restaurants.
Drinks and atmosphere
A local brewery and several seaside bars have sunset views according to Wikivoyage (EN). Ali'i Drive concentrates bars, restaurants and craft shops according to the same source.
Getting around
A car is essential, a trolley in town, few buses
By car
You need to rent a car to reach resorts, beaches and cultural sites according to Wikivoyage (EN). Traffic can be heavy in tourist areas.
On foot and by trolley
The centre can be walked according to Wikivoyage (EN); a trolley serves Ali'i Drive between Keauhou and the centre according to the same source.
Buses and crossing the island
A bus links Kona and Hilo with very few runs a day according to Wikivoyage (EN); most visitors prefer to drive. Allow time: roads on the island are slow.
Budget and precautions
A high price level in high season
Price level
The Kona coast is a tourist destination, with lodging from simple hotels to luxury resorts according to Wikivoyage (EN). The currency is the US dollar (USD). We do not publish figures: sources are dated or disagree.
Flights and alerts
KOA receives direct flights from Honolulu and Kahului according to Wikivoyage (EN). SniperAir tracks prices of flights to Kona (KOA) and compares them with the route's history, but it does not sell or book tickets.
Precautions
Volcanic haze, known as vog, can sometimes cover the Kona coast depending on Kilauea's activity according to Wikipedia (EN); it can bother sensitive people. Respect the ocean and wildlife (turtles, rays), and check US entry requirements for your nationality.
When to go
Hot, dry weather all year
Winter (December to February)
Kailua-Kona is one of the warmest places in the United States in January according to Wikipedia (EN); minimum temperatures rarely fall below 18 degrees C according to Wikipedia (DE).
Spring (March to May)
Clear mornings and cloudier afternoons are common according to Wikipedia (EN); it is a good time for walks on coastal trails.
Summer (June to August)
August is the hottest month, with average highs of about 30 degrees C according to Wikipedia (EN); the sea stays pleasant for snorkelling.
Autumn (September to November)
September and October are still very warm; rain returns from November according to Wikipedia (DE).
Kailua-Kona has a tropical semi-arid climate, warm all year according to Wikipedia (EN). February is the coolest month, with average highs of about 27 degrees C, and August the warmest, around 30 degrees C according to the same source. The town sits on the leeward side of Hualalai and stays dry; sources disagree on the yearly rainfall total, so we do not publish it. Mornings are clear and clouds build in the afternoon according to Wikipedia (EN).
By length of stay
What to do on the Kona coast by length of stay
The essentials
Stroll Ali'i Drive, visit Mokuaikaua Church and Hulihee Palace, then watch a sunset over the sea.
Sea and coffee
Add a snorkelling trip at Kahaluu, a coffee farm on the slopes and, if conditions allow, a night dive with manta rays according to Wikivoyage (EN).
Going further
Plan an excursion to the volcanic parks or to Hilo, about two and a quarter hours by road according to Wikivoyage (EN), after checking conditions on official websites.
In pictures
Kona in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Kona
How do I get from KOA airport to Kailua-Kona?
The airport is north of town according to Wikipedia (EN, DE); Highway 19 leads to it according to Wikipedia (DE). A rental car is the most practical option according to Wikivoyage (EN).
When is the best time to visit Kona?
The climate is warm and dry all year according to Wikipedia (EN). Winter months stay mild; rain mostly falls from November to March according to Wikipedia (DE).
What is there to see and do in Kona?
Ali'i Drive, Mokuaikaua Church, Hulihee Palace, snorkelling, coffee farms and diving with manta rays according to Wikivoyage (EN) and Wikipedia (DE).
Can I visit the volcanoes from Kona?
Yes, but the trip is long: Kona is twice as far from the volcano as Hilo according to Wikivoyage (EN). Activity and park access change; check conditions and possible closures on the park's official website.
What is vog?
It is a haze caused by volcanic emissions that can sometimes cover the Kona coast depending on Kilauea's activity and the winds according to Wikipedia (EN).
How long should I stay in Kona?
Three to five days let you combine sea, coffee and culture on the coast; add a day or two for the volcanic parks and the east side.
How much does a flight to Kona usually cost?
The price depends mostly on your departure city, the season and how early you book. The opportunities section above shows real examples of fares SniperAir has already detected to this destination.
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