Location: Captain Cook
Top Things to do in Captain Cook
Top 10 Things to do in Captain Cook, United States
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 based on 197 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 Phil S - Charlottesville, Virginia
This place is just a few acres but packed with history and has an excellent staff, both on the historical side (e.g. the fact that pre-WWII "coffee cooperatives" were anything but...) and also lots of information about local agriculture. We spent a couple of hours there and could have spent more. People apparently balk at the $15 fee: come'on, in Hawai'i that's the price of a couple cocktails (if that) -- these folks are doing a great job (they have lots of outreach to local schools, hence the limited public hours) and give them some help.
2. Greenwell Farms
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Kona coffee plantation.
Reviewed By jgluv2travel - Regina,Sask.
We didn’t take the tour this time because we had been on the tour a few years ago. It is only a half hour tour, which is just enough to learn about the entire process. We came for the tasting and to purchase some coffee.There...MoreMahalo for coming back to visit us again, we love seeing familiar faces! We are glad you were able to sample our coffee again and pick some up to bring home with you. We are looking forward to seeing you again on your next visit!
3. Honaunau Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Reviewed By Ashlee R - Fort Worth, Texas
Less of a beach, more of a snorkel/cultural site, and still a great excuse to get in the water. 20 miles south of Kailua-Kona. I stumbled upon this place after parking at the Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, also known as the Place of Refuge. For $5 a car you can park and tour the partially restored and beautifully preserved site once a major religious site for the ancient Hawaiians. Definitely don’t miss this. Very informative and beautiful. But as an added bonus…only a short walking distance away…you will find Two Step. I admit - it didn’t look especially inviting. It was only after a more in-the-know visitor told me I was at the famous snorkeling site did I decide to go back to the car for my snorkel gear. (And seeing dolphins off shore didn’t hurt either) Carefully walk over the lava rock to the ocean’s edge to a perfect decent of two steps into the water. Two steps, and you are swimming with schools of Yellow Tangs, and a whole lot of other fish I can’t pronounce much less spell. Pack your fins and snorkel, save a whole lotta money by not booking a tour, and pat yourself on the back for being a “in-the-know” traveler.
4. Aloha Kayak Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 447 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 the Lava tube caves of Keauhou bay, and snorkel with turtles in the City of Refuge, Honaunau 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! Any car, convertibles too. ATT: Permits are required for some areas please call us for more info! We are open from 7:30 am to 5pm daily. Please call our office for more info about any of our services! We are Located 9 miles south of Kailua-Kona on Hwy 11 just south of the 114 mile marker. Call for further assistance.
Reviewed By Vanessa L
Super happy with our tour! Jason was our guide and he was great! Every other kayak tour company must have canceled their tours for the day because we were the only tour out there. So glad Jason was willing to take us out in the rain! Down in the water it wasn’t raining and kayak part was great, we even saw some dolphins on the way back. The snorkel was fantastic as well, Jason actually found a couple white tip sharks and helped me to swim down to see them and he took a video with my go pro. Moreover, since every other tour company canceled we were the only two out snorkeling in an area that usually is crowded. Fantastic experience, would definitely use them again!
5. King Kayak Hawaii
Overall Ratings
5 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By samsea05 - Edmonton, Canada
Our little one had motion sickness so we had to return halfway but during our trip o can tell Kevin is a very patient guide and he is doing his best to leave you great memory. Besides he took pictures for you with no charge so enjoy the trip without worries to get your camera wet
6. Anelakai Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 263 reviews
Anelakai Adventures is a Big Island, Hawaii adventure company. Our Night Manta Ray Canoe Snorkel off the Kona Coast is a once in a lifetime experience. Skip the big crowds and go for a local Hawaiian experience — there’s no better way to meet mantas than by traditional canoe! Our double hull canoes let you snorkel with manta rays in a whole different way — in a small group, and at your own pace. You’ll feel more relaxed and safe, which will let you concentrate more on the beautiful wonder of nature that you can only see in Hawaii. Rays can live 50 + years and grow to 15 feet across and weigh more than 3000 pounds. Snorkel with the Manta, or stay on the canoe and watch from above with a close-up view you cannot see from a large motorized boat. Mantas love our quiet, Eco-friendly canoe! Let us share our passion and love for the ocean with you and learn a little Hawaiian history. Kayak Tours, Daytime Ocean Tours are also available. Book now and explore Kona the way our ancestors did!
Reviewed By jmc112018
A friend was visiting from Seattle and swimming with the Mantas was a bucket list item for him. I had already heard from many others that the experience with Anelakai Adventures was truly unique. So 3 adults and 3 kids decided to give it a try. It was amazing!! To begin with the experience of paddling your own vessel was incredible! The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable. We loved the small personalized group sizes. I was surprised that both of my daughters got into the water. One liked it so much that she keeps asking when we can do it again. It also inspired her to join a local canoe club. Thank you so much for the remarkable and memorable experience.
7. Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
This 182-acre park contains the Puuhonua, a sacred place of refuge, as well as other temples and coastal sites.
Reviewed By Susie P - Palmetto
This park is very interesting with many displays of island life. Beautiful setting. We saw the most beautiful sea turtle on the beach. You can spend some time there wandering the paths and reading and learning about the history. We were on a tour so we could not spend as much time as we wanted there. If you are the type to take everything in and enjoy, then going by your own car is recommended.
8. Kealakekua Bay
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 688 reviews
Reviewed By wvlivingston - Brevard, North Carolina
Because we didn't have time to kayak or hike to the snorkeling location and weren't going to try to swim to it, we limited our visit to watching the sunset. It was truly spectacular and even included seeing some spinner dolphins. Although we never felt unsafe, this is a gathering location for locals of young adults to much older and mostly males: by the smell clearly the self-rolled items being smoked were not Prince Albert and the money exchanges going on were not for candy.
9. Heavenly Hawaiian Farm
Overall Ratings
5 based on 61 reviews
Reviewed By pharmandaz - Portland, Oregon
Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee is perfectly perched in the hills south of Kona so that growing conditions are ideal and views are spectacular. Chase was very knowledgeable and personable and provided an informative and fun tour. We then had the opportunity to relax on the Lanai and enjoy a cup (or two) of their amazing brew while snacking on coffee brittle and taking in the glorious view of the Pacific. And of course we visited the gift shop and stocked up on treats, don't miss out on a bag or two of that delicious brittle!
10. Eka Canoe Adventures
Overall Ratings
5 based on 214 reviews
Eka Canoe Adventures is the most unique way to experience Hawaiian waters along the Kona Coastline. Onboard a recreated historically accurate Hawaiian double-hulled sailing canoe, your experienced crew shares generations of knowledge in an old Hawaiian way, “story telling”. Guests are invited to paddle, sail or just kick back and enjoy their journey through History.
Reviewed By greenmonkeyfever - Seattle, Washington
What a great time! The mantas were so beautiful and the guides were friendly and knowledgeable. We saw 3 rays and they came super close to us. The guide even took video for me so I could relax and enjoy the encounter. Highly recommend this experience and this organization.
