DAY 17: KAILUA, KONA

December 6, 2015

This is your 2nd to the last day in Hawaii, so make the most of it and start the morning with a breakfast buffet at the Ocean Terrace, then grab your swimwear and drive to Kailua Beach by 10am.

Ocean Terrace

Overlooking Hapuna Beach and the blue Pacific, this casual open-air breakfast restaurant offers a thoughtful mix of healthy, creative items along with familiar favorites.

Kailua Beach

With a half mile of soft white sand, turquoise water and gentle breezes, Kailua Beach Park located on the Windward Coast is a local favorite. A hub for water sports, Kailua Beach welcomes visitors and locals to windsurf, body board, kayak and parasail. Conveniently, kayak rentals, dive shops and beachwear boutiques are located nearby the beach.

UFO Parasailing Hawaii

Parasailing is conducted year round in Kona .Slowly you’ll rise into the air, above and behind the boat. The silence is breathtaking. The view, awe inspiring! Parasailing is a fun experience you will never forget, and it's one of those things that you can now tick off in your bucketlist! You can spend the rest of the morning swimming in Kailua Beach and then just walk to Splasher's Grill to have your lunch.

Splasher's Grill

Splasher’s Grill is a family friendly restaurant that offers diners breathtaking views of Kailua Kona Bay and a delicious, affordable menu (by Hawaii standards). This welcoming local eatery is open for breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner. Locals and visitors are invited to enjoy cooling ocean breezes and great conversation as they watch the ocean surf roll in and canoes paddle along the bay. Relish live music and take advantage of the fully stocked tiki bar to make your time at Splasher’s Grill truly memorable.

Atlantis Kona Submarine Tour (2:00 to 2:45)

Next activity of the day is an unforgettable 45-minute journey aboard an Atlantis 48-passenger submarine, as featured in National Geographic television specials, where guests explore a 25-acre natural coral reef and its marine inhabitants!

Amy B.H Greenwell EthnoBotanical Garden

Next destination is the very beautiful garden located 30 mins away from the submarine tour HQ. For a $7 fee, you will see over 200 species of plants that grew in the traditional farms and native forests of Kona before Captain Cook arrived in the late 18th century. There are endemic,indigenous, and Polynesian introducedplants. These include the most important plants in Hawaiian culture, such as taro and kukui, and scores of rare and endangered native species such as the beautiful koki‘o.

Keopuka Square

The garden closes at 5pm. It's still too early for dinner, so take a quick detour to Keopuka Square shopping center on your way back to Hapuna.

'Ulu Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge

Since this is your last night in Hawaii, don't hesitate to splurge on a good meal! You have a reservation at Four Season's finest restaurant, the Ulu Ocean Grill and Sushi Lounge.

With open-air seating steps from the surf, the Ocean Grill at 'ULU promises a classic Hawaiian dining experience. Enjoy a stylish blend of Hawaiian architecture and modern flair in a dynamic, informal atmosphere. Casual, friendly and knowledgeable servers guide you through a social dining experience not to be forgotten.

Stargazing at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel

Since this is your last night in Hawaii, take this opportunity to stargaze at the roof deck of the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel! A high-powered telescope is set up for you to view the Hawaiian skies with the guidance of professional astronomers.