Hello,
I am going to be visiting the Kona area in the middle of February 2006 for 9 days. It is out first visit to the Big Island. We are staying at the ResortQuest Kona By The Sea which got good reviews on TA. As far as activities go I have a few questions if I may. My friend has her heart set on riding a Paniolo Pony. Has anyone else done this? Which ranch or company can you recommend? The one she looked at ( I forget the name ) charges like 100 bucks for a few hours ride. Seems steep to me but maybe it is reasonable. Has anyone taken the Atlantis submarine ';ride'; in Kailua? Do you recommend it? If there is anything other than Volcanoes NP which I did not mention and seem to be something we might be interested in please let me know. I , myself, will be quite happy to lay on a sunny beach in mid Feb whilst Philadelphia will probably be snowed in! Oh one more thing, she wants to rent a convertible. Recommended or stick with a standard car. Thanks.
Kona Visit in Mid Feb 06
There are some people up in Waimea and Hawi who do this.... and there is a horse ride into Waipio valley on Horseback , Not a pony. and yes it is expensive 100 for 3 hours sounds about right.... Try Kohala ranch.
The sub is ok if you have never done it,ask folks getting off how the visability was.
Consider: visiting Hawi and the North coast;
Taking a circle island flight to see the waterfalls and volcano;
Driving to see the rain-forests around Volcano;
Spending a day on the groung in the volcano NP....( note you wont see the lava fountains and flows shown in pictures... or stand next to floowiing lava..... that is all in the past years ago)
Taking a boat tour to see Capt Cook, the whales and dolphins;
Visit the place of Refuge;
a convertable will be fine from any company.. and they have no stick shifts to rent only autos
Kona Visit in Mid Feb 06
I%26#39;ve been on the Alantis submarine and I wouldn%26#39;t recommend it for anyone that can swim. The only reason that we went (with my husband and my parents) was because my parents can%26#39;t swim but would like to see the fish and the sting rays. It wasn%26#39;t that great, everything lost its colour when you%26#39;re deep in the ocean, they became all blue. The actual submarine ride was quite short and I didn%26#39;t think it was quite worth the money. I would use the money to go on a snokeling tour for sure if you both can swim.
I appreciate all of your input! I have never been to BI - Honolulu and Oahu a few times but never BI and am really , really looking forward to this.
Oh and as far as snorkeling....you mention it is better as long as you both swim. I am not a swimmer at all - total big city landlubber. Is snorkeling something I can not enjoy unless I am a good swimmer? I am not knowledgeable at all about snorkeling. I thought the water was knee deep whe you snorkel. ( don%26#39;t laugh )
Oh fear not you of little ocean and swimming skill. The ocean here is like cool bath water... close to 80. And being salt water gives you great flotation. if you rent gear get a snorkel vest( read life jacket)
and head out. At Kahalulu beach snorkel park, ( 2 miles south on Alli drive) you will find warm, very clear, fish filled water not over 8 feet deep... and lots of fellow beginners....
This is a place to get your feet wet so to speak. It is very safe and a good place to learn.
If you like it then join one of the fine snorkel tours to Capt Cook bay which you can only reach by boat. Here warm clear water fish and coral coombine to make it thee finest snorkel site in the entire state....and as good as Tahiti...( I was there last month so take it from me) Actualy,Tahiti and Kona are at the same position north and south of the equator...
I did a horseback ride once several years ago -- b/c I had a child with me who wanted to do it. I was skeptical, but it was GREAT! Well worth the $$. We went up in Waimea -- amazing being up in the pastures and looking out and seeing the ocean. Wish I could remember who we went with -- but at that point we paid a little more than $80, so $100 is probably good. I would definitely recommend it.
Try Kahaluu beach park like Hawaii Dan said for snorkeling. You%26#39;ll feel quite comfortable b/c it is extremely calm and mostly shallow, and the fish and turtles are all over the place. GREAT snorkel spot!! I take everyone there!
The convertible will be fun if you%26#39;re driving around the island...not sure it%26#39;s worth the extra $$, but if you%26#39;ve never done it before, I%26#39;d do it just for the heck of it.
Definitely spend a day driving around and seeing the island -- akaka falls, waipio valley, black sand beach, a coffee farm ... there is lots to see and it is a diverse island.
Have a great time!
Thank you everyone for your information....
I did a snokel boat tour with Ocean Sports at the Marriott. They will give you a ski belt and you will float. No hard swimming. I saw turtles and loads of fish. Oh, we saw 8 pods of whales that day! I%26#39;d find out which vendors are near your hotel or will pick you up. I was surprised how big this island is. Traffic can be a bear at peak times too.
I recommend getting a regular car. My friend got a convertible and someone broke in it and took his wallet %26amp; camera whilst at view point for a few minutes! I guess they have a theft problem but no violent crime.
There is a ranch called Parker Ranch. I think they had pony rides but you can%26#39;t drive a rental car on Saddle road where they are? You may want to call them a setup prior.
You can go to the local walmart and get some local wine, coffee, nuts and chocolate for cheap. There is also a costco on the island.
Thank you. I have read conflicting information on the Saddle Road. One story said there have been improvements and it is not so bad, others said avoid it. The rental company told me they have no restrictions on this road just to be forewarned that if you run out of gas or whatever you are on your own. I assume if you are prudent enought to top up the tank before beginning the drive you should not run out of gas by the time you are finished, right? It is like 100 miles in length I thought.
Hi!
We just returned from a 3 week vacation in Kona. my 2 daughters and I did the 4 hour Paniolo ride w/lunch. We Loved it. Amber was our guide. She was so sweet. The ride is across open country side with sweeping views of the ocean. If you are an experienced rider you are allowed to cantor across any of the fields that are safe for the horses. You are encouraged not to ride ';nose to tail';. The horses were great. We loved it. I encourage the longer ride because you just have more time. The lunch was ok. Nothing spectacular, sandwich, banana and a cookie. The price is average. No on the Atlantis, we were not interested. Definitely do the Volcano. Definitely rent a Kayak from Kona Boys and Kayak over to Captain Cooks monument and snorkel. Awesome. If you like Burritos/mexican food- Killer Taco in the industrial section- and Adriannas (on the way to Captain Cooks monument)Both small places but awesome. Rent a 4 wheel drive. Some beaches are a beach to get to.
Mauna Kea beach if you can get in.
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