Keoki's is a cute little place next to the main highway, with a sign that says they serve the best fish & chips on the island.  Keoki’s has the freshest fish. They give you big portions and offer a  special that’s perfect for 2 people. They also have kids’ meals, sweet potato fries, and a baked fish taco that’s to die for.

83-5315 Mamalahoa Hwy, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704

(808) 328-9000

Well-known for their pulled pork and pulled chicken sandwiches, half-rack ribs, baked beans, and tangy coleslaw. There might be a line but it’s worth the wait.

83-5308 Mamalahoa Hwy # B, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704

(808) 328-1227

https://www.facebook.com/Big-Jakes-Island-B-B-Q-189247791108226/

For authentic hawaiian food, head to They’ve been featured on the food network’s best thing I ever ate. Pork laulau’s are made daily, and you’ll feel like you’re eating at a hawaiian aunty’s house. They’re closed on sundays. The coffee shack has an island-style breakfast and lunch menu, pizzas, salads, and desserts. If you eat out on their lanai, you’ll have a beautiful 26-mile view along the kona coastline.

83-5409 Mamalahoa Hwy A, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704

(808) 328-9566

If you haven’t eaten at any of the previous stops on the tour, we’ll guide you to Sundried Specialties where you can try some ono poke, fresh from the ocean. If nothing else stop by to try their salted dried fish. It’s different but yummy!

Pull over for a look at an ancient battlefield and burial ground. While you’re stopped, we’ll tell you the story of this historic spot. From your car, if you look over the lava field here, you will notice the terraced piles of rocks. These are the burial mounds of the fallen warriors, still visible today.

This historic church was built in 1899 by Father John Velghe of Belgium. Unlike the typical stained glass windows that you’ll find in churches, this religious site is completely painted on the inside. We highly recommend going inside for a peak!

Pay close attention to the Hawaiian details -- have you ever seen palm trees painted in a church? -- and the vaulted ceilings. It’s truly a sight to see!

Take a walk to learn a bit about Hawaii’s history and the story of one of its most famous kings, Kamehameha III. The walking area has historical signs and markers along the way explaining how Kona has been home to important royal sites since the 1600’s.

In ancient times, Pu'uhonua was known as the city of refuge, and offered a sanctuary to lawbreakers. Within the park are a number of historical landmarks like the grounds where the Ali’i (royalty) lived within the Pu'uhonua.

While you’re there try the guided audio tour of the park and check out the carved tiki statues. Please keep in mind that this is a very sacred spot for Hawaiians and should be treated with respect. There is a nominal entrance fee per vehicle.

Here you can see an ancient fishpond and a traditional thatched Hawaiian building. The cultural significance of this park lies in the way it has preserved the ancient Hawaiian methods of utilizing the land, the stones, and the sea. There are goat pens made out of stones, fishponds and fish traps, petroglyphs, altars, and even a heiau!

There’s a short hike to the beach, and it’s one of the few hikes on this tour.

Note: The tour will guide you to a side entrance closest to the beach to avoid a long hot walk. Once at the beach find some shade and see if you can spot any turtles that frequent this beach. If you’re looking for a chance to stretch your legs jump out of the car and explore this quiet National Park.

Kealakekua Bay is a marine life conservation district. Since the water at the bay is usually calm, underwater life thrives, along with the coral reef, making it a wonderful spot for scuba diving and snorkeling. Hawaiian spinner dolphins often come into the bay, especially in the morning.  Kealakekua is also a wonderful place for kayaking - you can rent Kayaks here and paddle over to the Captain Cook Monument. At the bay you can also find restrooms, showers, a few picnic tables, and barbecue grills.

Have you ever seen a church on the beach? Well, here you can! Look out for a small white church and you’ll see the beach right beside it. This beach is a popular surf spot and also a great place to snorkel.

Notice the rock structure to the right of the church. This is a one-of-a-kind heiau thought to be dedicated to surfing.

Two-step is immediately after the turn for Pu'uhonua park. The beach got its name for the lava rock steps you can use to enter the bay. This beach is usually crowded but worth a visit if you plan to snorkel. Otherwise you can skip it.

Brace yourself for beautiful turquoise waters, tide pools, and sunbathing sea turtles. The first stop on the tour gives you the chance to get moving! There are two entrances to this area depending on where you want to go first. Both entrances involve a little hiking but the ocean views are worth it! Stop by just for the view or stick around for a swim. Keep in mind that Queens Bath is a tide pool with changing ocean conditions. We only recommend swimming if the surf is calm.

This white sand beach along the Kona Coast is perfect for the whole family. As you look around you’ll notice large black rock, these lava rocks provide a deep contrast to the soft sand under your toes. Just another example of the Big Island’s unique geology right in front of your eyes! This beach tends to get crowded so weekdays and mornings are the best time to visit.

Big Island Bees makes honey from all sorts of flowers that are grown on the island. With over 2,500 hives and 125 million bees they know their stuff. Stop by to walk through the museum, look at the shop (which has body care products too!), and try some of their locally-produced honey -- for free! You can also do a guided tour of the facility.

As you drive down the road, you’ll see the Aloha Theatre -- a historic site that was once the place to go in the 1930’s for live shows and entertainment. Fortunately, the community has helped to preserve it and today they still have live performances. Nearby the theatre is a unique store that sells artisanal chocolate delicacies, including chocolate covered mac nuts in a variety of flavors.

Manta rays are the ocean creatures that look like b2 stealth bombers. Mild-mannered and graceful as they glide through ocean waters, they usually avoid contact with humans. These huge fish eat plankton and other marine organisms, swimming around with their mouths open as they filter their prey from the water. The reef manta rays that live in kona waters have wingspans up to 12 feet across with a large tail and can live to be 50 years old. Night snorkeling tours cost from $80 per person, and the night scuba dive begins at $100 per person, but prices are always changing so ask first.

https://www.mantaraydiveshawaii.com/

74-380 KEALAKEHE PARKWAY,

KAILUA-KONA, HI, 96740

(808) 325-1687

At the Kona Coffee Farm you can take a self-guided tour through the orchard, farmhouse, and coffee mill. There are also costumed interpreters that bring the past to life by demonstrating traditional crafts, agricultural tasks and the daily duties of people back then. Outdoors, you’ll see the family donkeys and free-range chickens. In the farmhouse, explore a traditional japanese home built in 1925, complete with dish towels made from rice bags and large wooden tubs used to pickle vegetables.

82-6199 Mamalahoa Hwy, 

Captain Cook, HI 96704

(808) 323-3222

http://www.konahistorical.org/

Another great spot to learn about coffee and its importance to this region of Big Island is the Greenwell Farm and Museum is a multi-faceted agribusiness using modern farming practices. In addition to growing their own, they also buy and process coffee beans from over 300 farmers in the Kona district. They give free farm tours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.

The Huehue lava tube is an enormous and ancient lava tube formed from Hualalai Volcano. Have a look for it on your left-hand side as you’re driving down Mamalahoa Highway. Please note, this lava tube used to be accessible to the public but has recently been closed off to visitors. So drive-by only.