Kailua Pier
Kailua Pier
4
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4.0
332 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
124
Average
69
Poor
8
Terrible
4
RSMGuy
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA129 contributions
The pier is located in front of and/or adjacent to the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel. There's no parking area for the pier so your best bet for close parking is at the King Kam. Park around the backside of the hotel and you can cut thru and come out close to the pier but on the street side of the hotel near the pier.
At the pier you've got a number of water sports options including kayak and jetski/personal watercraft rental. The jetski's go for $95/hour which isn't eactly cheap but it was alot of fun. I think the kayaks were around $25/hour. The rental desk for the jetskis is here at the pier but when your turn comes they take you on a boat out to a floating "island" in the harbor area and that's where you get your rental. They also have a 'dry box" for you to leave anything you've brought along that could get damaged or lost (camera, hat, sunglasses....?) out there.
The pier is also the central "off loading" point for the cruise ships which come pretty much every day into the Kailua-Kona area. As such, extremely long lines form on the pier in the afternoon. This can really jam the place up, since now the passengers apparently have go to thru both a USDA screening and security check (I watched them "wanding" people as they went thru).
The pier is also the loading area for the submarine tour (Atlantis) and a sunset dinner cruise as well. The submarine booking office is located just across the street from the pier.
At the pier you've got a number of water sports options including kayak and jetski/personal watercraft rental. The jetski's go for $95/hour which isn't eactly cheap but it was alot of fun. I think the kayaks were around $25/hour. The rental desk for the jetskis is here at the pier but when your turn comes they take you on a boat out to a floating "island" in the harbor area and that's where you get your rental. They also have a 'dry box" for you to leave anything you've brought along that could get damaged or lost (camera, hat, sunglasses....?) out there.
The pier is also the central "off loading" point for the cruise ships which come pretty much every day into the Kailua-Kona area. As such, extremely long lines form on the pier in the afternoon. This can really jam the place up, since now the passengers apparently have go to thru both a USDA screening and security check (I watched them "wanding" people as they went thru).
The pier is also the loading area for the submarine tour (Atlantis) and a sunset dinner cruise as well. The submarine booking office is located just across the street from the pier.
Written 11 October 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fishpro1
6 contributions
Nov 2011 • Family
Watch the locals catch all sorts of fish, they will even give you great tips on how to catch the fish. Go to any number of places buy your own pole, lures, and start catching. Land some bait fish, and hook them up to catch even bigger fish. GREAT FUN!
Written 1 December 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gary E
Pacifica, CA68 contributions
Dec 2016
Kailua Bay is the center of the universe for the legendary Ironman Triathlon Championship. Thus, it's fun to get into the open water here and swim the course or just part of it. I swam the 1500 meter course several times during the course of my one-week stay. There's an area to store your stuff while you're out swimming - it's unsecured so leave the family heirlooms back at the hotel or condo. The water is generally fairly calm and never more than about 25 feet deep which means that you normally see quite a few fish. I saw a sea turtle 2 of the 4 times I swam. You enter from the beach and head out along the line of cigarette buoys. Once you're past them, sight on the tip of the long peninsula that's about 3/4-1 mile away. Right before you hit the 1500 meter turnaround buoy, you'll see a half-dozen PVC pipes sticking out of the water and the turnaround buoy is another 100 yards away. Then just reverse and swim back. There are showers and restroom facilities. There's always plenty of people out swimming but no lifeguards. Water temp in December was 78-79 degrees.
Written 18 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALLENT7V
Hinton, Canada237 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
a great view of the bay and area , the cruise ship was in and the tenders were bringing hundreds of visitors to the little port . It is very picturesque with the King Kamehameha Luau grounds at the base of the pier
Written 13 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennlucas
Powell River, Canada15 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
There are always people fishing here, willing to tell you all about what kind of fish they catch.what kind of fish you see. There is usually a turtle swimming around. We are down there every morning when we are in Kona. That is our walk. In season you can also see whales and dolphins. You see people swimming with the dolphines a lot.
Written 4 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristi V
Hawaii48 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
This is where the swim portion of the Ironman is held every Oct. I'm giving it 5 stars because I love to swim here, but there is limited parking and steps down to the ocean along an old sea wall that some might not like. Once your down the steps, the beach entry is easy and there are buoys along the swim course such as the 1/2 mile marker, .9, 3/4 mile marker, 1.2 mile, and the coast guard buoy. Swimmers on the left, boaters to the far right. There are shelves at the pier to put your gear on but no lockers; bathroom facilities are fair at best. Don't leave valuables on shelf. This is a great place to swim for workouts, lots of colorful fish and sometimes we encounter pods of dolphins (that will make your day:-). Also, there is a nice white sand beach next to this swim course for family members who want to hang out while you do a swim. Nice coffee shops in the area too as well as Kamehameha Hotel.
Written 27 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobb L
Captain Cook, HI734 contributions
July 2014 • Friends
Most Cruise ships dock here when they Visit Kailua-Kona which is often just called Kona. Kona is two districts. North is the airport and resorts plus town. south is Captain Cook and the best of Kona Coffee. both are great to visit and each has their own appeal. Kona has the surf spots which are OK and most of the better dining places. The best B and B's are down south and are far more relaxing and local style. For good deals on ocean sports like surf boards try the Second Wave just inland of Target Store where they have slightly used surf boards, boogie, snorkle and such. Check out the old churches in the area. The food in town is pretty good, prices fair, and you get that old town flair. The resorts is for the fancy shirts but does have fine dining at its best and higher prices.
It is often best to call and talk to a local such as a B and B owner for the best deals and places to visit since a lot of great stuff is hiding and off the pathways. It is hard not to have a relaxing visit with plenty of interesting views and events. do your homework. the place is very friendly as long as you are so back... aloha is real here.
It is often best to call and talk to a local such as a B and B owner for the best deals and places to visit since a lot of great stuff is hiding and off the pathways. It is hard not to have a relaxing visit with plenty of interesting views and events. do your homework. the place is very friendly as long as you are so back... aloha is real here.
Written 12 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuzyQ62
Benalmadena, Spain58 contributions
Apr 2014 • Couples
If I had known how run down, dirty and just plain gross this area was, I would not have bothered to go down there. You can find some good happy hour deals around but not worth it to me. All I could think about was the cruise ship in the bay and all those people being dumped off into this slum. Not a very picturesque place for a Hawaiian cruise. Hope they all booked tours to somewhere else. My advice: Skip it.
Written 17 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoulderBayandSantaFe
Boulder, CO65 contributions
Jan 2014 • Family
There is a reason the cruise ships dock here(besides that they can). A fun filled day to be had in one place. People watching, sea life watching, hanging out, drinks in the sun (or shade of the banyan tree). Very good snorkeling. Another one of Kamehameha's palaces (that dude had it covered). And Paul Allan's yacht.
What more could you ask for in Hawaii. Come and see.
What more could you ask for in Hawaii. Come and see.
Written 4 January 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rae
103 contributions
Jan 2021
A busy little pier with people swimming, and sunning, and enjoying the sun shine. Parking is about non existential so park else where and explore the area on foot.
Written 27 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are coming for one day on a cruise. Is there enough to do that is walkable? We will want to see more than shopping. Maybe a beach, some snorkeling, some culture/history?
Written 7 August 2017
Robin C did an excellent job answering your question. Take a cab to Kahaluu'u Beach Park (aka Turtle Beach) which is SUPER snorkeling. There are vendors there for supplies and food and excellent water. Easy in and out if you stay off the rocks. Have fun. About 4 miles from pier.
Written 7 August 2017
Hi.....We did not take a trolley so I don't know about it at all. We just walked around once we got off the ship at the pier.
Written 24 February 2017
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