Big Island Activities
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There
are so many things to see and do in Hawaii, it seems impossible to list them all! |
From those on the go 24/7 in search of adventure to
those wanting to kick back in total relaxation, everyone is bound to find something to
love on the Big Island. From volcanoes to whale watching to golf or spas or just relaxing
on the beach, you will find so much to do!
Fishing
Sport fishing or deep sea fishing is a very popular attraction on
Hawaiis Big Island. The Kona Coast draws sport fishermen from around the globe with
the lure of some of the worlds largest game fish.
With a wide range of fishing boats available for charter out of
Honokohau Harbor, you are sure to find the boat that suites you. Fishing charters are
available for various durations lasting from 4 to 8 hours, up to overnight trips. If you
are looking for solitude or an individual retreat, private fishing charters book the whole
boat for the exclusive use of you and your group. Or you may choose to hire a share
boat with a group of people.
Golf
The Big Island offers a wide variety of championship golf courses
complete with pristine, lava lined fairways and palm tree-speckled greens, crystal blue
waters and the rhythmic crash of waves just beyond the bunker. With numerous magnificent
courses to choose from, some crafted by the biggest names in course design, Hawaiis
Big Island offers more than its fair share of the worlds most scenic holes. Discover
courses along the golden Kohala coastline and play in the midst of striking contrasts of
lush green fairways, pure white bunkers, jet black lava flows, and turquoise Pacific
waters or enjoy upcountry playing with spectacular views.
Kohala Coast Golf Courses
- Big Island Country Club: (808) 325-5044
- Hapuna Golf Course: (808) 882-5400
- Makalei Golf: (808) 325-6625
- Mauna Kea Golf: (808) 882-5400
- Mauna Lani Resorts Francis H. Ii Brown North and South
Courses: (808) 885-6655
- Waikoloa Resort Beach Course or Kings Course: (808)
886-7888 or 1-877-WAIKOLOA
- Waikoloa Village Course: (808) 883-9621
- Waimea Country Club: (808) 885-8777
Luaus
The Luau is a Hawaiian tradition, not to be missed. Entertainment,
music and food all come together for a great night of fun.
The entertainment consists of a variety of Polynesian dance, from
fire dancers to traditional hula. Enjoy the beauty and splendor of the Hawaiian sunset
while entranced by dance and music. The staple of the Hawaiian Luau is the kalua pork, or
pig. The pig is prepared early in the morning and slow roasted in an imu all
day. Usually, you can watch as finished pork is brought out of the imu. This main dish
typically comes accompanied by other local favorites including lomi lomi salmon, chicken
long rice, haupia and poi. But dont worry, there will be plenty of traditional
dishes for those who are less adventurous when it comes to cuisine.
Luaus are offered at King Kamehameha Hotel, Fairmont Orchid at Mauna
Lani, Royal Kona Resort and the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, and Hilton Waikoloa Village.
Pampering Yourself
Five mountains; Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Kohala and Haleakala
on Maui across the channel form a healing vortex and center of awareness.
Thus, Hawaiis Big Island is known as a healing, spiritual place where many come
seeking the ultimate in rest, relaxation and rejuvenation.
Here on the Big Island the ancient techniques join with todays
spa innovations to create places of pampering. Many settings, from simple to luxurious and
sophisticated, are here to provide a wide variety of soothing spa experiences.
Island products such as Lehua honey, coconut, mango, orchids,
vanilla and Kona coffee each add in their own way to the rejuvenation process.
Enjoy a massage serenaded by splashing surf or let a hot rock
treatment melt away stress and worries. Hawaiis Big Island spas are renowned the
world over.
Scuba/Snorkeling
The Big Island offers various opportunities for snorkeling and scuba
diving. Many of the beaches feature beautiful coral reefs with exotic local ocean life,
great for snorkeling with the family. Puako, located on the Kohala Coast, is considered by
many to be one of the most spectacular reefs in state. Located north of the Mauna Lani
Resort and south of Hapuna Beach, the reef spans several kilometers of low lying areas
easily accessible from where many of our Puako vacation rental properties are located.
Corals are abundant on the reef flat, which extends from the shore
to about 200 meters offshore where Hawaii charter fishing flourishes. The reef flat is an
area of relatively high wave energy characterized by highly variable coral cover,
primarily lobe coral and cauliflower coral. The diversity of fish will astonish you
including yellow tangs and even an occasional spotted puffer or triggerfish.
Following the reef flat is a vertical drop off of 3-6 meters which
leads to the main Puako reef. This is an area of caves and crevices filled with encrusting
corals and sponges. Green sea turtles are commonly found sleeping in caves and depressions
on the main reef or gracefully swimming over the bottom. Schools of small fish may
occasionally be seen feeding. Other places to find spectacular snorkeling and shore diving
are Kahaluu Beach Park on Alii Drive or Kealakekua Bay and Honaunau Place of Refuge, about
20 minutes south of Kailua-Kona.
If you are feeling adventurous, rent a kayak along the way to
Kealakekua at one of the road side rentals, they will mount it to your car and supply life
jackets if needed. You can kayak from the Kealakekua Bay to the Captain Cook monument.
There you can snorkel, and spend the day in the sun, dont forget your picnic lunch.
Volcanoes
Kilauea Volcano
Kilauea is the only active volcano on the Big Island and one of the
most popular visitor attractions in the state. Where else on earth can you see flowing
lava from only a few feet away? If there is a surface flow, the hike can be long, hot and
exhausting. Dont forget your hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, water and flashlight if
staying after dark. For updates, directions and information, please call Volcanoes
National park at 808-985-6000 or the Lava Hotline at 808-961-8093.
Kilauea is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. The
caldera was the site of nearly continuous activity during the 19th century and the early
part of this century. Since 1952 there have been 34 eruptions, and since January 1983
eruptive activity has been continuous along the east rift zone. All told, Kilauea ranks
among the worlds most active volcanoes and may even top the list.
Mauna Kea Volcano
Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain in the Hawaiian chain. Its summit
rises to an elevation of 4205m above sea level. The summit is now home to a dozen powerful
telescopes in the world, including Keck and Canada-France-Hawaii and Subaru. Guided tours
of the summit are available. For more information contact the Mauna Kea Visitors Center at
808-961-2180.
Mauna Loa, or Long Mountain in Hawaiian, rises 13,680
ft. above sea level. Since 1832, Mauna Loa has erupted 39 times; its last eruption was in
1984.
The lava flow of 1855-1856 is said to be one of the greatest flows
ever seen by modern observers. Much of the lava flow can be observed along Highway 19 as
you travel north from the Kona Airport.
Whale Watching
Humpback whales visit the coastline of the Big Island during the
winter months. Usually the first sighting is in early December and by late March most have
already headed back north. You can whale watch along the shore anytime or take
a whale watching tour.
Sometimes you may just see a spray of water blast up into the air as
the whales take a breath. Other times whales lift their tails or flukes out of the water
or slap their flippers on the surface. Whales also just pop their heads out of the water
called an eye spy. On occasion, if you are really lucky, a whale will
breach, actually jump clear out of the water and land on its side! What a
sight! You may see a mother with her new calf or you could catch sight of a whole pod of
whales enjoying the warm waters off the Big Island.
Lots of whale watching excursions are available during the winter
months check directly with the tour operators for details.
Article by MacArthur
and Company Sotheby's International Realty.
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