Advise for a 7-day trip in Kona?

Hi, this will be our first time in BI (Kona). We want to avoid the crowds for Ford Ironman World Championship, so we decide to visit there from Oct. 25 to 31 for our 2nd anniversary. We hope to stay one night at VNP. We enjoy hiking (easy to medium), snorkeling, shopping, and relaxing at the beach. What should we expect for the weather? Will it be too cold to swim in the ocean? Should we go there in late Sep. (20-26) instead? Any good but inexpensive restaurants (under $20 per person)? We like Asian and Italian food. Any recommendations for quiet and clean condos/hotels ($250-$300 a night)? Any advice on trip planning will be greatly appreciated!

Advise for a 7-day trip in Kona?

Hi,

I think the ocean temps will be fine. Kona usually has good weather year round. It will me a little more pleasant at the end of October, not so hot.

Not much of a place for Italian food, very good for Asian food.

Under $20, would that include drinks? Yes, you can do if you don%26#39;t mean drinks, but you have to make an effort. You won%26#39;t be eating in the best restaurants, but you can eat. Entrees usually cost more than 20 dollars but you can find some cheaper places.

For sure you can get a nice condo for less money that that (and have more money for food and drink).

Suggest you start reading people%26#39;s trip reports and other people who have asked where to stay in Kona. Lots of answers already here to get you started.

Advise for a 7-day trip in Kona?

Aloha,

Swimming is good year round, the ocean temps do not change that much from season to season. The air temps do change, summer the air is warmer and the breezes not as strong.

I think either dates will be good, I have helped Ironmen and women find accommodations for years and they normally come early and leave within a few days after the event. Since the event is on the 13th of Oct. most are coming @ Oct 5 and leaving by Oct 18.

Restaurants: I find most of the Thai places in and about Kona are all good. All are around your price range not counting drinks and extras. Most restaurants do post the menu for you to review.

Condos, nice oceanfront ones, can be had for $125 - $200.00 per night. This savings may help you with the food budget. Check out TA reviews here:

tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g60872-c3-Kailua_Kona鈥?/a>

I use TA as a starting point for my research for all my travels.

Since I manage one of the oceanfront complexes on Kona it would be unfair for me to suggest one.

Have a super trip.

October will be lovely. I%26#39;m always cold when I snorkel no matter what time of year I go so I always wear a shortie wetsuit. That allows me to stay in for as long as I want to. There are not really any good beaches for hanging out on around Kona, but great snorkeling. You%26#39;ll be able to find a fabulous oceanfront condo in your price range at that time of year. We always stay in a cheap oceanfront condo when visiting the Kona area. IMO, you should start your snorkeling trek by going to Kahalu%26#39;u Beach Park early one morning. Park then snorkel the left side as you are looking at the ocean. There will be tons of reef fish and turtles grazing. Entry requires some kind of water shoes. I wear dive boots with my fins so it%26#39;s no problem for me. This is a beginning snorkeling spot, but fab. Then move on to Disappearing Sands beach which is intermediate. Snorkel out in front of the Magic Sands condo complex (the cheap place we always stay). HD has recommended a place I%26#39;ve seen divers enter at the 4 mile marker, but have never gone myself.

Another day drive south to Place of Refuge. Pack a picnic lunch and your snorkeling gear. After touring, go over and snorkel two step. The guards at the gate can point it out to you. Very difficult entry for most people, but lots of pay off when you get in the water. When you are ready for your picnic, POR has a very nice, shady picnic area. Great place to chill for the afternoon on a sandy (kind of) beach area. There are some neat hiking trails here.

Another must do is take a snorkeling tour out of Keauhou. Sea Paradise is great and will take you to Kaleakakua Bay and one other place. The feed you a nice breakfast and lunch. They slowly make their way back looking for dolphin, whales, mantas or whatever other sea creature might be around. Great outfit.

VNP is full of fun hiking areas. When are you planning your nights stay? Are you flying in and out of the Kona airport home? This is about 3 hours from Kona one way so it is good to plan for this trip. In fact, if you want to venture out of the Kona area, you really need to plan carefully. Otherwise you%26#39;ll find yourself in your car for a big portion of your vacation here. I always stay put in whatever area I am in with maybe a day trip out to see something in another area.

Food, I can%26#39;t help you with. We eat all our meals except maybe one at our condo. Go to konaforum.com and look for the restaurant recommendations. TT, one of the BI local experts has some great recommendations.

If you type various things in the search box while on the Island of Hawaii forum, you%26#39;ll get tons of information. For example, type ';VNP hiking'; or ';Kona snorkeling';. Also type in ';trip report'; and read what other have done while on vacation on the BI.

Aloha, thank you all for your ideas. They help me narrow down my choices for trip-planning.

Restaurants for under $20.00 per person:

Quinn%26#39;s for lunch across from King Kamehameha%26#39;s Kona Beach Hotel

Pine Tree Cafe local kine food north of Hina Lani ';Costco Road'; t on Highway 11

Kona Brewing Company: Great pizza North Kona Shopping Center

Big Island Grill Local style Territorial Building on Kuakini Hwy.

Jackie Rey%26#39;s Pottery Terrace building Kuakini Hwy

Wasabi%26#39;s Coconut Grove Marketplace on Alii Drive

Royal Thai Caf茅 in the Keauhou shopping-center

Los Habaneros in the Keauhou shopping-center