Whales!
IT’S WHALE SEASON IN HAWAII
Whale season has officially arrived, and the humpbacks are here!
If you happen to be in Kona during whale season (Dec-Mar), don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the humpbacks during their seasonal migration to our waters.
Witnessing one of the females with her calf, or a male performing a full breach, or listening to the sounds of whale song played over a loud speaker are some of the most awe inspiring experiences Kona has to offer.
BODY GLOVE WHALE WATCH TOUR
The Body Glove Whale Watch tour is considered by many to be the best way to experience the whales here.
Not only will Body Glove whale watch tours get you up close for the best photo and viewing opportunities, but they also have Marine Life Naturalists on board - people who have spent years studying and have extensive knowledge about whales and other marine life - on board to narrate, answer questions and share everything they know with you. You’ll learn so much from our naturalists, you’ll feel like an expert yourself.
I often get asked, “which is better for whale watching, morning or afternoon?” You can see whales throughout the day. However, Body Glove Whale Watch tours take place in the afternoon as this allows us to monitor whale activity throughout the morning and tells us where we’re most likely to find whales in the afternoon, as opposed to going out first thing in the morning without the benefit of having gathered any information as to where the whales are located which is more of a “hit and miss” approach. This method has proven so successful that whale sightings are guaranteed on Body Glove Whale Watch tours. If you join us on one of our whale watch tours and don’t see whales, we’ll take you again for free.
Another question I get asked a lot is, “will we see whales on the Body Glove Deluxe Morning Snorkel and Dolphin Watch or Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay?” Because it is whale season and the whales are out there, there is an excellent chance of seeing them on our other tours, but it is important to note that a whale encounter on either of these options would be brief as they have their own agendas and itineraries to adhere to.
So… If you happen to be in Kona during whale season (Dec-Mar), and whales are a top-of-the-list item for you, check out the Body Glove Whale Watch tour. More info
BODY GLOVE SNORKEL TOUR
If it would be nice to see whales, but you really want to get some snorkeling in, check out the Body Glove Deluxe Morning Snorkel and Dolphin Watch tour. This tour includes breakfast, lunch and all of your gear, including SUPs, floatation toys, and a 20’ water slide. More info
BODY GLOVE DINNER CRUISE
And for those looking for a scenic sunset experience on the water where whales might be seen, there’s the Body Glove Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay - a relaxing evening out on the water, featuring history of the island, live music, good food and beautiful scenery - one of the most popular tours in Kona, this is a cut above other dinner cruises. More info
BODY GLOVE DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE
DON’T FORGET to enter Body Glove promo code danleis to receive a 10% discount when booking online (good for adult fares only on our whale watch tour). More info
HOW TO BOOK THESE TOURS
These tours can be booked by selecting the links on this website, or you can visit bodyglovehawaii.com and make your reservation there.
Mahalo!
Find Art
HAWAII’S MAN MADE WONDERS
Yes, the island of Hawaii has many natural wonders - pristine coastal waters, an active volcano, amazing sunsets, breathtaking waterfalls and so much more. It also boasts many manmade wonders - ancient artifacts, petroglyphs, temples and ruins, as well as the more contemporary creations by painters, photographers and sculptors which are on display in the island’s many art galleries.
THE BIG ISLAND’S BEST ART GALLERY
My favorite art gallery on the big island is the Gupton Gallery which is located on Ali’i Drive in the heart of Downtown Kailua-Kona. Gupton Gallery offers fine art by Walfrido, The Twins, Ruby “Tuesday” Mazur (creator of the iconic Rolling Stones mouth and tongue logo) and others, including many works by the gallery’s owner, Alex Gupton who is known not only for his striking colors and designs, but for hiding his signature three-eyed fish “Bob” in the fine detail of each one of his creations, making his work both beautiful and fun to look at.
Discover worlds within worlds as you try to locate “Bob” who might be hidden on the frond of a palm tree, the petal of a plumeria or on the fin of a puffer fish. If it has Alex Gupton’s signature on it, “Bob” is there somewhere, waiting to be found.
Jay Talada, one of the gallery’s senior consultants, says that finding “Bob” is a popular activity for visitors of all ages, as it tends to put people in a state of focused relaxation. Art, in general, can have that effect, and the work on display at Gupton Gallery is no exception.
Jay is friendly and knowledgeable and believes that the art chooses the buyer and not the other way around, so you won’t get any high pressure sales tactics at Gupton Gallery, just an open invitation to come in, look around and see if anything speaks to the art lover you.
And who knows… you might even find “Bob” while you’re there.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For hours and location, visit: guptongallery.com
BODY GLOVE SNORKEL TOUR
While in Kona, if you want to get some snorkeling in, check out the Body Glove Deluxe Morning Snorkel and Dolphin Watch tour. This tour includes breakfast, lunch and all of your gear, including SUPs, floatation toys, and a 20’ water slide. More info
BODY GLOVE WHALE WATCH TOUR
If you happen to be in Kona during whale season (Dec-Mar), don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these majestic creatures in the wild. Witnessing one of the females with her calf, or a male performing a full breach, or listening to the sounds of whale song played over a loud speaker are some of the most awe inspiring experiences Kona has to offer. More info
BODY GLOVE DINNER CRUISE
And for those looking for a scenic sunset experience on the water, there’s the Body Glove Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay. Enjoy a relaxing evening out on the water, featuring history of the island, live music, good food and beautiful scenery - one of the most popular tours in Kona, this is a cut above other dinner cruises. More info
BODY GLOVE DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE
DON’T FORGET to enter Body Glove promo code danleis to receive a 10% discount when booking online (good for adult fares only on our whale watch tour). More info
HOW TO BOOK THESE TOURS
These tours can be booked by selecting the links on this website, or you can visit bodyglovehawaii.com and make your reservation there.
Mahalo!
Best Dinner Cruise on the Big Island
IS THERE A DINNER CRUISE IN KONA, HI?
Yes, there is a fantastic dinner cruise by Body Glove Hawaii.
BODY GLOVE DINNER CRUISE
Body Glove Hawaii didn’t want to offer “just another dinner cruise,” so a lot of thought went into their Historical Dinner Cruiser to Kealakekua Bay, making it one of the most sought after experiences in Kona.
It begins at 4:00pm and departs from the Kailua/Kona Pier in downtown Kona. A local historian narrates and a musician entertains with live music as the boat makes it way to Kealakekua Bay where Captain Cook’s Monument is located.
Dinner service is done “restaurant style” meaning you sit and relax while the crew brings the food to you. This all takes place as the boat makes its way to the bay and includes a starter salad, main course and dessert. This is not bland buffet food, but a selection of fresh, local ingredients thoughtfully prepared by a chef and his team of culinary experts.
At the bay, the historian will share the details of Captain Cook’s arrival and interaction with the native Hawaiians before the boat begins making its way back to Kona. Enjoy live music and a beautiful sunset aboard the Kanoa II before returning to the Kailua/Kona Pier at 7:00pm.
It all takes place on a state-of-the-art 65 foot, luxury catamaran called Kanoa II. This award-winning vessel has a maximum occupancy of over 150 people but the passenger count for the dinner cruise is capped at 85 to make sure everyone has plenty of elbow room.
Come see why so many say this is one of their favorite ways to spend an evening in Kona. More info
BODY GLOVE SNORKEL TOUR
While in Kona, if you want to get some snorkeling in, check out the Body Glove Deluxe Morning Snorkel and Dolphin Watch tour. This tour includes breakfast, lunch and all of your gear, including SUPs, floatation toys, and a 20’ water slide. More info
BODY GLOVE WHALE WATCH TOUR
If you happen to be in Kona during whale season (Dec-Mar), don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these majestic creatures in the wild. Witnessing one of the females with her calf, or a male performing a full breach, or listening to the sounds of whale song played over a loud speaker are some of the most awe inspiring experiences Kona has to offer. More info
BODY GLOVE DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE
DON’T FORGET to enter Body Glove promo code danleis to receive a 10% discount when booking online (good for adult fares only on our whale watch tour). More info
HOW TO BOOK THESE TOURS
These tours can be booked by selecting the links on this website, or you can visit bodyglovehawaii.com and make your reservation there.
Mahalo!
Snorkeling Hawaii
IS THE BIG ISLAND A GOOD PLACE TO GO SNORKELING?
in a word, yes! Not only is the big island a good place to go snorkeling, it is one of the best places to go snorkeling in all of Hawaii.
This is due in part to the fact that the big island, as the youngest of the Hawaiian Islands, has long stretches of coastline that are free from sand and sediment that can negatively impact visibility.
In fact, the conditions here are so revered that Disney/Pixar did much of their research for the movie ‘Finding Nemo’ right here on the big island.
IS IT BETTER TO GO SNORKELING IN THE MORNING OR IN THE AFTERNOON?
Most people prefer the morning to the afternoon because we tend to get more sunlight in the morning and more cloud cover in the afternoon.
Sunlight allows the colors below the surface to pop whereas cloud cover results in a less vibrant, more muted palette of colors.
If you want ideal conditions for snorkeling, mornings are your best bet. If you’re looking to avoid too much sun exposure, however, afternoons may be a better option for you.
WHAT KIND OF FISH WILL I SEE?
Mother Nature puts on a different show for us every day, so we’re never really sure what kind of fish you will see.
What we do know is that our coastal waters are home to a wide variety of reef fish including the state fish - humuhumunuknukuapua’a, eels, eagle rays, manta rays, sea turtles, bottle nose and spinner dolphin, and more.
If you’re lucky, you might even find Nemo!
BODY GLOVE SNORKEL TOUR
While in Kona, if you want to get some snorkeling in, check out the Body Glove Deluxe Morning Snorkel and Dolphin Watch tour. This tour includes breakfast, lunch and all of your gear, including SUPs, floatation toys, and a 20’ water slide. More info
BODY GLOVE DINNER CRUISE
For those not interested in getting in the water there’s the Body Glove Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay. Enjoy a relaxing evening out on the water, featuring history of the island, live music, good food and beautiful scenery - one of the most popular tours in Kona, this is a cut above other dinner cruises. More info
HOW TO BOOK THESE TOURS
These tours can be booked by selecting the links on this website, or you can visit bodyglovehawaii.com and make your reservation there.
BODY GLOVE DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE
DON’T FORGET to enter Body Glove promo code danleis to receive a 10% discount when booking online (good for adult fares only on our whale watch tour).
Mahalo!
The Whales Are Coming!
HUMPBACK WHALES IN HAWAII
Every year, humpback whales migrate from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm waters of Kona. The journey is more than 3000 miles long and takes about 6-8 weeks to complete.
The first humpback sightings in Hawaii generally occur during the month of October, which means that for many humpbacks, that journey has already begun.
WHEN IS WHALE SEASON IN HAWAII?
Humpbacks are solitary animals. Rather than travel in pods or herds, they prefer to travel alone, which means they don’t all begin the migration at the same time. So while the first sightings typically occur in October, the humpbacks won’t be here en masse until mid-December which is when whale season officially begins.
In March, they will begin their journey back to their feeding grounds in Alaska and whale season officially comes to an end.
BODY GLOVE WHALE WATCH TOUR
If you happen to be in Kona during whale season, don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these majestic creatures in the wild. Witnessing one of the females with her calf, or a male performing a full breach, or listening to the sounds of whale song played over a loud speaker are some of the most awe inspiring experiences Kona has to offer.
The Body Glove Whale Watch tour is Kona’s most popular and for good reason. In addition to getting you a front row view of these amazing mammals, a marine life naturalist is on board as your narrator/guide sharing an incredible amount of information about the humpbacks and the manyother types of marine life that you may encounter while on tour. In addition, light snacks and beverages are included and whale sightings are guaranteed. More info
BODY GLOVE SNORKEL TOUR
While in Kona, if you want to get some snorkeling in, check out the Body Glove Deluxe Morning Snorkel and Dolphin Watch tour. This tour includes breakfast, lunch and all of your gear, including SUPs, floatation toys, and a 20’ water slide. More info
BODY GLOVE DINNER CRUISE
And for those looking for a scenic sunset experience on the water, there’s the Body Glove Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay. Enjoy a relaxing evening out on the water, featuring history of the island, live music, good food and beautiful scenery - one of the most popular tours in Kona, this is a cut above other dinner cruises. More info
BODY GLOVE DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE
DON’T FORGET to enter Body Glove promo code danleis to receive a 10% discount when booking online (good for adult fares only on our whale watch tour). More info
HOW TO BOOK THESE TOURS
These tours can be booked by selecting the links on this website, or you can visit bodyglovehawaii.com and make your reservation there.
Mahalo!
Ono Grindz
small “Banyan” bowl w/ extra peanut butter
WHERE DO I EAT IN KONA?
When vacationing anywhere, there are a lot of choices one must make… where do I stay, where do I go, what do I do, where do I eat? This last one is particularly important because if one does nothing else, one has to eat.
And the food in many travel destinations, Kona included, can be hit or miss. So my aim is to help you find the hits and avoid the misses so you can enjoy not only the beauty of the ‘āina and the many exciting things there are to do here, but the ono grindz, as well.
WHAT DOES ONO GRINDZ MEAN?
The term ono grindz is Hawaiian Pidgin slang for tasty or delicious food. And the big island has plenty of it!
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATION IN KONA, HAWAII
First up… Açaí Hawai’i
Not exactly a restaurant - more of a grab ‘n go - but this is one of my favorite places to eat in Kona.
As the name implies, they serve up açaí bowls. Not just any açaí bowls, but some of the best in all of Hawai’i. When you want something tasty, refreshing, and - added bonus - good for you, Açaí Hawai’i is the place to go. Their açaí bowls are amazing.
They have a great selection with super fresh ingredients, a nice array of add-ons, and the service there is fantastic. I love the “Islander” and “Puna” bowls, but my favorite - my go-to - is a small “Banyan” with extra peanut butter. Think, peanut butter banana with granola, honey, bee pollen and hemp hearts, all on a delicious açaí blend. The small size is plenty and gives me the energy I need to face the day.
Expect there to be a line, as Açaí Hawai’i is a popular place. Locals and visitors alike love it for their fresh, flavorful creations.
LOCATION AND HOURS
Located at 75-5831 Kahakai Rd in Kailua-Kona, HI, they are on the south end of Kona’s downtown district on the second floor of a building that sits in the parking lot adjacent to Huggo’s restaurant, and they are open 8:00am - 2:00pm (hours subject to change).
Give them a try, and you’ll find yourself wanting to come back for more.
More recommendations to come…
SNORKEL AND DINNER CRUISE
And while in Kona, if you want to get some snorkeling in, check out the Body Glove Deluxe Morning Snorkel and Dolphin Watch tour. This tour includes breakfast, lunch and all of your gear, including SUPs, floatation toys, and a 20’ water slide.
And for those not interested in getting in the water there’s the Body Glove Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay. Enjoy a relaxing evening out on the water, featuring history of the island, live music, good food and beautiful scenery - one of the most popular tours in Kona, this is a cut above other dinner cruises.
HOW TO BOOK THESE TOURS
These tours can be booked by selecting the links on this website, or you can visit bodyglovehawaii.com and make your selection there.
BODY GLOVE DISCOUNT/PROMO CODE
DON’T FORGET to enter Body Glove promo code danleis to receive a 10% discount when booking online
Mahalo!
Aloha!
Things to do in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Thank you for visiting mykonatrip.com, a website for anyone planning a trip to the big island of Hawaii.
I’ve been a tour and activity specialist on the big island since 2017 and my goal is to help visitors understand the many options available to them when it comes to all there is to see and do here.
I guess you could say that what I do is help people have fun! And I understand that means different things to different people. So, whether you are looking for a snorkel tour or a dinner cruise, or you’d like to soar over breathtaking waterfalls or visit the world’s most active volcano, you will find it all here, and I can help make it happen.
Overall, my aim is to help you better understand not just the many things there are to see and do here, but also the power and beauty of the island and its people so that you can have a meaningful, memorable and mutually beneficial experience - one that truly embodies the spirit of Aloha!
Body Glove cruises, manta ray snorkel tours and more…
Please, explore the site and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Many Body Glove cruises can be booked using the links provided. Alternatively, these and other Body Glove cruises can be booked by calling the phone number below. Other tours and activities such as manta ray snorkel tours, helicopter tours, luaus and more can also be booked by calling the phone number below.
Discount available on Body Glove cruises…
And don’t forget to use promo code: danleis when booking eligible Body Glove catamaran cruises online to receive a 10% discount.
Mahalo!