Location: Waikoloa
Top Things to do in Waikoloa
What to do and see in Waikoloa, Hawaii (HI): The Best Things to do Good for Kids
The South Kohala coast of the island of Hawaii is home to Waikoloa Beach. Ancient Hawaiian history and culture, including petroglyphs believed to represent the heavens, stands side-by-side with ultra modern full-service resorts. Waikoloa is also home to fine examples of traditional Hawaiian aquaculture. In 1985, the University of Hawaii renovated the Anchialine ponds which today nuture a wide variety of sea life. Nearby Anaeho'omalu Bay has the Ku'uali'i and Kahapapa Fishponds.
Restaurants in Waikoloa
1. HYPR Nalu
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 756 reviews
Our BEACH LOCATION is at 69-275 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa Beach, HI 96738 in Front of the MARRIOTT Hotel Beach Coaching :- Advanced LESSONS on SURFING, SURFSKI / Kayaking, Outrigger Canoes, PADDLEBOARDNG, YOGA, SWIMMING, Strength Training, , Surfskis ( Kayaks ) Bodyboarding. Even as Tourists, we treat all our guests as athletes because believe competition techniques and knowledge is the FASTEST, most Stable and most efficient way to SURF & paddle i.E. DO IT RIGHT THE 1st TIME. We EDUCATE our guests to be able to SELF COACH. World's best Boards - Established in 2002. We make ALL our own Stand Up Paddleboards, Surfboards and Outrigger Canoes. We started out as a maker Hi-Performance Carbon Outrigger Canoes & Paddleboards in Kona, Hawaii. We opened an ocean front store so that paddlers, surfers and tourists could come test our products in a convenient location on the Kona Pier. We sell our unique products by "word of mouth".
2. Essential Hawaii Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 115 reviews
Ready for a truly different vacation experience? Essential Hawaii can take you there! Take the hassle out of navigating the Big Island. Your expert guide will drive and manage the logistics, letting you sit back, relax and enjoying the most incredible sights on our island. What could be better than witnessing an erupting volcano at night or exploring a lush rainforest alive with native birds, incredible foliage and a “walk through” lava tube? Visit historical sites, waterfalls and enjoy local food at our farmers markets. We provide fully narrated cultural experiences. Whichever tour you choose from Essential Hawaii’s roster, it’ll be a life-memorable experience you’ll never forget. Reserve a spot today!
3. Island Wide Family Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 144 reviews
Island Wide Family Tours serving the whole Big Island of Hawaii. Tour the sites you want to see. Private tours and snorkeling excursions now available. We are a small family owned and operated company catering to you from one family to another. So sit back, relax and let us take the wheel!
4. Dolphin Quest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,762 reviews
Dolphin Quest Hawaii, located at the spectacular Hilton Waikoloa Village, brings people and dolphins closer than ever in fun, interactive dolphin encounter programs for all ages. This unique experience is on-of-a-kind on Hawaii's Big Island and is great for kids, adults or the entire family! Reservations can be made a year in advance. Dolphin Quest's Learning Center Lagoon, opened in 1988, was the first of its kind and inspired a new generation of large, natural habitats for marine mammals. A portion of the proceeds from your Dolphin Quest encounter program supports vital marine education, conservation and scientific study. TripAdvisor Certificate Excellence winner for the last 6 years (2012 to 2017)!
5. Anaehoomalu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 745 reviews
Reviewed By christinern - Vancouver, Canada
Go in the morning, before the waves and wind pick up. A long beach to walk, there are loungers close to the Marriott resort. Good for boogie boarding, some snorkeling and swimming. Lots of shade if you get there early. Beautiful sunsets from behind the fish pond looking towards the ocean. Walk down the beach past Lava Lava to spot turtles on the rocks and beach. Many feral and friendly cats live here.
6. Waikoloa Beach Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 303 reviews
Expand your expectations, satisfy your senses with the unbounded experience of a great Big Island resort. Splash, surf, stroll on the sand, or set off on a shopping safari for everything under the sun. Sip and savor delicious food and drink. Relax in luxurious surroundings at four-star hotels and tropical condos. Or, release your inner champion on two unbelievable Big Island golf courses. Celebrate occasions year-round with ethnic customs and cultures, and listen to the music of the moment, the heartbeat of hula, the stories of kumu, crafting lasting memories.Waikoloa Beach Resort at legendary Anaehoomalu surrounds you with a sense of place. Let the place embrace you.
Reviewed By ZMMom
We have stayed in many different condos and at both the Hilton itself and the Grand Vacations time share apartments in Waikoloa. In the Waikoloa Beach Resort - we have FINALLY found the perfect place! As they say: “location, location, location.” This condo property is directly across the street from the Queens Marketplace, which includes the Gourmet Island Market, a Starbucks, a mid scale sit down cafe, a luxury movie theatre and various clothing and decorative/gift shops. It is also approximately one block from the Kings Shops, with a Macy’s, an all day affordable outdoor restaurant, another small market, and various jewelry and clothing shops. It is a 15 minute walk to the Hilton Waikoloa, as well as to a wonderful beach and the Lava Lava on the sand restaurant. The condo units are mostly 2 bedrooms and range in size from just over 1000 square feet to a full 1500. Some are 2 floors. We loved our unit (C23) which included a POOL PASS to the Hilton Waikoloa. We booked this unit through Resortica Hawaii and were very happy with their communication. This unit had both a master bedroom and a double bed 2nd room as well as a full bathroom, living room, kitchen and lanai on the first floor and then stairs up to an open area that had 2 twin beds. If you have children who sleep through anything, this 2nd floor is an OK option, however, you can hear and see everything going on in the downstairs area from there. So if anyone needs darkness or quiet to sleep - maybe just use the 2 bedrooms for sleeping. The kitchen is nice and open to the living room area. The lanai includes a grill and table and chairs for 4. On the property, there is a small workout room and 2 pools. From each pool area, users can access bathrooms in a small building, which is a nice touch. The pools are large enough for kids to play games, but not so big to swim laps. There’s also a hot tub with each pool. Anyone (with or without the pool pass) can walk over to either the Hilton and use the beach there or the closer beach where the Lava Lava Club restaurant is located. ALL BEACHES IN HAWAII are PUBLIC PROPERTY! The pool pass allows you to swim in all of the pools, park for free, use the slides (great for the kiddos), and get discounts on rentals at the beach. It’s a nice perk, especially if you have young children with you, but not a necessity. We liked having our condo on the 2nd floor, as when you stay in a first floor condo, you hear everything going on above you from other units. That means when people first arrive and are off-time, you hear kids jumping, crying, laughing, etc. at all hours. If you don’t want to walk up the extra set of stairs to get to the 2nd floor, you could find a unit on the first floor.
7. Te 'E'a O Te Turama Hula Halau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Looking for classic Hawaiian entertainment? Come see one of the most exciting Polynesian hula shows on the Big Island! The Shops at Mauna Lani, located near the Mauna Lani Resort, is the place for fire dancing, culture, music and traditional Polynesian dances performed by the Te 'E'a O Te Turama Hula Halau. This hula show is fun for the entire family and it's free! Shows are from 7-8 pm every Monday and Thursday evenings. Fun, festive, and a night you won't forget!
8. Ocean Sports Whale Watch Adventure
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Join the friendly Ocean Sports crew for an award-winning ocean adventure you’ll remember forever! Step aboard one of our 3 legendary sailing and power catamarans for a fun Snorkel Adventure Cruise, romantic Pau Hana Sunset Cruise, or exciting Guaranteed Seasonal Whale Watch Cruise ( December 15 – April 15th)...or design your own itinerary on an exclusive catamaran charter. If the beach is more your style, visit our Beach Hut at Anaeho’omalu Bay at the Waikoloa Beach Resort for kayak, stand-up-paddleboard, hydrobike, snorkel and boogie board rentals…or choose to relax under the swaying palms in one of our shaded cabanas. Tour the reef without getting wet on our daily Glass Bottom Boat Cruises. And for an old-fashioned day of play on the beach, be sure to ask us about our Aloha Days Beach Packages! Recognized in 2019 as one of the 10 Best Tour Operators in all of Hawaii by USA Today, we provide exceptional service with aloha.
9. 49 Black Sand Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 678 reviews
Reviewed By Michael_WorldWanders - Waikoloa, United States
Great black (more like salt and pepper) sand beach within an exclusive gated community of multimillion dollar mansions. A limited number of beach passes are available to the publix each day. Early weekdays are the best time to go.
10. Waikoloa Beach Marriott Sunset Luau
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 245 reviews
Gather as the sun sets over 'Anaeho'omalu Bay and delight in classic Polynesian entertainment featuring live music, imu ceremony (the unveiling of our main course from our underground oven), traditional dances of the South Pacific and a delectable selection of contemporary and Hawaiian fare with a full open bar. Held every Saturday and Wednesday. The festivities begin at 5pm.
Reviewed By 527suzyb - Nashua, United States
If you are staying at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, there is no reason to leave the property to experience a amazing luau. The food was high-quality, the setting was beautiful and the pride in the local culture shone through in the entertainment. The Marriott delivered on the luau experience we were seeking for a special night on the Big Island.
