Location: Captain Cook
Top Things to do in Captain Cook
10 Hidden Gems Things to do in Captain Cook That You Shouldn't Miss
Captain Cook is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiʻi, in the United States, located in the District of South Kona. The community, within the land division of Kealakekua, is so named because the post office for the area was located in the Captain Cook Coffee Co. during the early 1900s. As of the 2010 census the CDP population was 3,429, up from 3,206 at the 2000 census.
Restaurants in Captain Cook
1. Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 277 reviews
Kona Historical Society's Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook is a "must see" Hawaii attraction and the only living history coffee farm in the nation. Stroll through this Smithsonian-affiliated, outdoor museum that tells the story of Kona's Japanese immigrants that became Kona's coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. A self-guided experience, you're free to walk among the coffee trees, meet a "Kona Nightingale", or watch how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry their world-famous coffee. Visit the original 1920's farmhouse where you may find the homemaker starting the fire to cook rice or making musubi for the farmer's lunch. "Talk story" along the way with living history interpreters and discover the story behind Kona's gourmet crop.
Reviewed By X7222OQstephenr
Coming to the end of our vacation in Hawaii, we wanted to do something different than go to the beach again (don’t get me wrong, the beaches are awesome). I (Dad) had suggested going to a coffee farm, and with a bit of searching, came up with this place. So, we wandered down the road for a visit. It was fantastic. The docents (I’m not sure if that’s really the right word to use here) were so knowledgeable, and the stories they told were fantastic. We really hope someone records all those stories for the future! The farm itself was fantastic, and gave new insights into some of the history of Hawai’i and of the Japanese immigrants who lived and worked there. My spouse and I have both been to Hawai’i before, and have both done coffee farm tours elsewhere, but by and large they’ve been showing how modern coffee growing is done and are ready to just push you along to the gift shop where you can (of course) buy their coffee. But this place was completely different — interesting, educational, and fun. Loved it. And, importantly, my 8-year old loved it too! We spent about 2 hours there, and were all really happy that we did!
2. Bay Side Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 451 reviews
Permitted no time limit no hauling kayak rentals ready on the beach in Kealakekua Bay. Great Snorkeling and Dolphin Encounters Super Flexible easy reservations. Also offering guided kayak and snorkel tours at Captain Cooks Monument 2-3 hours.
3. Kuaiwi Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Please call for directions and to make a reservation. Kuaiwi Farm has the most diverse coffee farm tour in Kona. We are a certified organic farm which grows Award winning Kona Coffee, macadamia nuts, cacao (chocolate beans), citrus, bananas, avocados, pineapples, figs, vegetables and more. Tour our beautiful farm, and then sit back on our lovely lanai(deck) sipping coffee, and tasting our jellies, chocolate candy, mac butter etc. We love children, and offer kid friendly tours too!
4. Sacred Grounds Coffee Farm
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
A great place to enjoy 100% Kona coffee from Sacred Grounds Coffee Farm. A Peaceful visitor center offers an amazing view of Kealakekua Bay. Try our Branch to Bar chocolate made here at Sacred Grounds, Macadamia nuts too.
Reviewed By S7176KPjillp
Annie, who works at Sacred Grounds, gave us the most personal and informative experience at Sacred Grounds. We learned about the coffee, the cacao, the fruit, the gorgeous pottery created by the owner, and a view of the ocean and surrounding land that was absolutely magnificent. Not to mention, to me the best Kona Coffee anywhere!!! I recommend it to everyone - best kept secret in Kona!! Thank you Annie - the owners are so blessed to have you in their beautiful place! ❤️
5. Big Island Bees
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 369 reviews
Expand your knowledge of our environment and go on an exploration of bees! TOURS: Join our beekeeper for a fun & educational exploration about bees, beekeeping, & honey. During this open beehive demonstration, you will see a live beehive opened & learn where the queen resides, how honey is made, & what makes bees so special--all from a safe, screened area, Tours are 1 hour & include a video about our beekeeping operation, an open beehive demonstration & a sampling of our raw, organic honeys. Monday-Friday 10am, 12pm, 2pm Saturday 10am & 12pm, FREE for children under 18 *Space is limited* Reserve your spot by calling or go to our website. MUSEUM: Visit our museum & see tools, pictures & displays about beekeeping & honey production. Admission is free! SHOP: Our honey shop is full of beeswax body products, honey, honeycomb, candles, tea, and food products made with our raw honey. Our museum & shop are free and open to the public Monday-Friday 10am-4pm & Sat. 10am-2pm. PLEASE NOTE: Our tours are open to people of all ages and is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Both the indoor and outdoor portion of the tour is under cover. Minimal walking is required.
Reviewed By louisjohnf - Jupiter, United States
Learned a lot about bees today. The beekeepers were very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It was very cool seeing the hives and learning about the queen bee and how honey is made. The honey was excellent!
6. Alice Tobin Gong Bath
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 89 reviews
The best way to start your Hawaiian vacation! Come Join the group Gong Bath and experience the most unique combination of healing and relaxation, release of emotional blockage, jet lag or pain. Or book a private session with Alice to alleviate any type of allergy or simply bring your energies back into balance and optimal flow. 2000+ have experienced Alice's healing sessions, combining Energy Medicine and Sound Healing. Gong Bath is also known as Gong Meditation or Sonic Massage. Alice will play two gongs of 40" plus other sound instruments for an hour, while you sit back or lie down to relax or meditate. Relaxed, joyful, calm, vibrant, peaceful, radiant... are some of the feelings expressed at the end by the participants. Alice Tobin, Eden Method Certified Practitioner and Sound Healer, had a private holistic practice on Hilton Head Island since 2008 before she relocated in 2017 to Kealakekua Bay (Captain Cook) 30 minutes South of Kona. Gong Bath resumed in November 2017.
7. The Painted Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 707 reviews
Reviewed By chimayred - Durham, United States
an interesting middle ground between something to make a destination and something to stop at as you drive by. A beautiful little whitewashed church, with a beautiful interior painted with biblical scenes; nice setting, interesting history. I would recommend this.
8. Aloha Kayak Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 785 reviews
Aloha Kayak Co. is a Hawaiian owned and operated full service kayak outfit based on the Kona coast of Big Island of Hawaii. We offer award winning kayak and snorkel tours to multiple areas of the island and are permitted by the State of Hawaii to operate in Kealakekua bay out to the Captain Cook monument. We also operate Kayak tours to see the Night time Manta Rays at Keauhou bay, We offer kayak rentals and paddle board lessons and rentals too. All rentals include all proper gear and car racks for mounting on your car! ATT: Permits are required for some areas please call us for more info! We are open from 8:00 am to 5pm daily. Please call our office for more info about any of our services! We have tour permits to access areas that others can’t access, We are Located 1 mile above Kealakekua Bay on the corner of Napoopoo Road and Kahau Place. at 82-5674 Kahau Place Captain Cook Hawaii 96704 Call for further assistance.
9. Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
We are a non profit 501 3(c) educational and cultural facility set within a 7 acre Botanical Garden. We recently added a lovely gift shop and free coffee tasting. We offer self guided tours with an affordable admission and discounts for seniors, military and Kama'aina. Gently slopping land,mature shade trees, and expansive views from Kealakekua Bay to Place of Refuge allow one to wander through beautiful tropical displays and manicured foliage.Unique statuary, petroglyphs and the worlds only Galaxy Garden done in rare hibiscus provide great photo opts!
Reviewed By Tom-Heather - Seattle, United States
We were looking for a little hike and this was a fun way to meander through trees filled with nuts, fruits and flowers. If you take time to stop and look down there are some of those tiny fern plants that close their leaves when touched. Beautiful ocean views and plenty of little benches to stop and enjoy the scenery. We stopped and bought a loaf of banana bread on the way out. There are several roadside fruit stands along the route. Mahalo for the experience.
10. The Captain Cook Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 572 reviews
A monument dedicated to Captain James Cook, who discovered the Hawaiian Islands and ended Hawaiian royalty.
Reviewed By Underwateredd - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We opted to hike down to the monument to snorkel and the walk down is not difficult but strongly advise wearing hiking boots or sneakers. A pair of long trousers might be preferred by some as the grass can be overgrown in some places and may scratch. It's approx 45-60mins down to the water from the parking area. The path down is 200m from the main junction. Parking is available on the opposite side of the road from the path. (Try to park perpendicularly and off the road - some selfish people took up 3 car spaces by parking parallel to the kerb). As you get down to the water, you'll see a bay infront of you, follow the path to the left and it brings you to the monument and the best entry point to the water which is via a semi submerged wall. It doesnt take a genius to work out that if people sit on the wall then no one can enter nor exit the water...but people still do it! DOH!! The reef extends out to a steep drop but also in both directions left and right and the whole area is worth exploring. Stay away from the large day trip boats with the 100+ snorkelers clinging to the noodles as they will definitely scare away the more interesting things. We saw, green turtles, a hawksbill turtle, white tip reef sharks, moray eels, box fish, needle fish, tangs, different wrasse and dolphins further out. The walk up is not as hard as Waipio road. It's a longer uphill but the gradient is not so severe as Waipio and is mostly shaded. It took 65 mins to walk back up. (Make sure you have sufficient water for the walk up)
