We’ve got some non-racing friends coming this year, and wondered what is everyone’s favorite thing (besides Ironman) to do/see in Kona, or anywhere on the Big Island. Any suggestions on good restaurants? We’ve always enjoyed Merrimans in Waimea, for example. We’ve told them to do the Volcano, and to see the Polulu Valley past Hawi, plus visit the Parker Ranch. For us, with everything surrounding the race, most of our focus has been in and around Kailua. Any other ideas/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Uncle Billy’s Park ‘n’ Pork in Captain Cook is a must do if you like BBQ. On Sundays, you can get a whole mess of vittles for $9.95 and prolly go home with a doggy bag (unless you have just finished IMH). For those with SCUBA certification, Place of Refuge (or is it City of Refuge?) offers some darn good diving. Heck, the snorkling there is good too. I can’t remember the name, but the observatory is cool. The Waipio Valley is something to see. There is a huge rainforest there. Geez, there is a ton of cool stuff on the Big Island.
Well, it is a shame that most people never make it out of Kailua. There is so much to see and do on the Big Island. Did you know that of the 32 recognized Climate Zones on the planet, the big Island has 30 zones.
You have mentioned three obvious things to do. Enroute to the Volcano park a nice side trip is down to South Point - a huge wind-swept point of land( the southern most point of land in the US) that juts out into the ocean. I have been there twice. Spectacular scenery and if you catch a big southern swell coming in, you will see huge 25 foot waves crashing into the cliffs around the point.
Up above Kailua there are a number of coffee plantations that have tours and tasting of coffee. If you love the magic bean it’s really great to see where the most popular drink in the world actually comes from.
I have not done this, but the drive up to Mauna Kea is spectatcular. I will definatley be doing this on my next trip. Bring your skis, there may be snow!!
I am sure that other people will chime in with other things to see/do.
Personally I like the Sanctuary. It’s south of Kona/Captain Cook. It’s a sacred place where fighting was not allowed. There are some wonderful parks just north of Hilo. Great waterfalls and beautiful (if wet) hiking. Also Sam Choy’s by the Kona Costco is supposed to be a good place to eat (lots of food). If they like to swim, swim off of the Kailua-Kona pier about 6:30. Last time I was there I swam with some spinner dolphins (it’s about .5 mile to where they pass, 1 mile roundtrip). They come by most mornings. And I like the nature beach by the Keauhou Hotel just outside Kona. Usually has some turtles to look at and it’s usually not too crowded.