Vamoose is a terrific resource for those looking for Kona vacation rentals, Big Island vacation rentals, Kona condo rentals, and Big Island condo rentals. Snow-covered peaks on the sunswept Big Island? Guests of Kona vacation rentals and Kona condo rentals, may find themselves double-checking if they've mistakenly signed up for a package tour to Aspen instead of the tropical paradise in the South Pacific, but truth be told, fine, white powder from the sky does descend on the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa in the winter. Blessed with a diverse climate and terrain, the Big Island of Hawaii offers recreational pursuits that will please its guests. Two active volcanoes, tropical rainforests, fern groves, waterfalls, ravines, beaches of black, green and white sand, and the sea -- the Big Island leaves little doubt as to why it bears the name of the world-famous archipelago. Visitors may have to get used to the sound of their breath being taken away by the tropical island's mesmerizing beauty.
Hawaii Geographic InformationNearly double the size of all the other islands combined, the Big Island claims 4,028 square miles of heterogeneous terrain. Formed approximately a million years ago by five mighty volcanoes that spewed cascades of lava, ash and tuff, Kona is the youngest and least populated of the Hawaiian islands. Kona vacation rentals guests might be fascinated to know that two of the island's five volcanoes remain active today; Kilauea Caldera has been erupting intermittently since 1983, while Mauna Loa last demonstrated its fury in March 1984.
Visitors staying in Kona vacation rentals will be astounded by the sheer variety of the Big Island's natural wonders. The island's western, leeward side is the driest in the region, owing to mountains that block the northeasterly trade winds. This side is a perennial favorite among Kona vacation rentals guests because of its perfect sandy beaches and warm coastal waters. On the other hand, trade winds and plenty of rain leave the island's eastern side wet, lush, and rugged. Big Island Vacation rentals guests will feel as if they've stepped into a magical garden when they explore the east coast's tropical rainforests, cascading waterfalls, emerald valleys, and pounding surf.
Hawaii Weather OverviewIf guests of Kona vacation rentals drove across the entire length and width of the Big Island of Hawaii, they would experience the variety of microclimates that exist throughout the island. Year-round sunshine greets Big Island vacation rentals visitors coming to island's coastal regions, where temperatures average 71 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual rainfall near the westward Kohala Coast is a mere 10 inches, but in the eastern town of Hilo, Kona vacation rentals guests will find that average annual rainfall can rise up to 128 inches. Winter rewards visitors with glimpses of the snow-capped peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Kona Vacation Rentals & Kona Condo RentalsAlthough the towns of Kona, Waikoloa, and Hilo are considered the island's main hubs for Big Island vacation rentals and dining, a smattering of luxurious Kona vacation rentals can be found throughout the island. Guests will find a variety of rentals that cater to every taste and price range. From comfortable hotel suites to cozy two-room Kona vacation rentals, the Big Island has lodging choices that match the tropical paradise's natural diversity. Guests longing for rustic splendor can opt for a Kona condo rentals tucked near a mountain rainforest, while those who wish to be lulled to sleep by the sound of ocean waves may book rooms in hotels that front the Pacific. Big Island vacation rentals set in quaint villages give guests the most authentic, down-to-earth Aloha experience, while grand Kona condo rentals offer world-class service and luxury amenities.
Events for Big Island Vacation Rentals GuestsWhen visiting the Big Island in April, guests should not miss the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo. Considered the world's most prestigious hula competition, the event honors King David Kalakaua, the Hawaiian king who revived public performances of hula. Guests of Big Island vacation rentals & Kona condo rentals will be treated to week-long cultural extravaganza that features hula competitions, art exhibits, crafts fairs, demonstrations, performances, and a grand parade. If visitors ever wondered about the limits of the human body, they may want to become spectators of the Ironman Triathlon World Championships. Each October, the world's top triathletes meet in Kona for the endurance event that starts with a 2.4-mile ocean swim, followed by a 112-mile bicycle race, and finishes with a 26.2-mile marathon run. Kona vacation rentals guests may even find inspiration to train for their own marathon.
Witnessing the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in November, visitors will discover that nowhere else in the world does coffee get the respect it deserves than on the Big Island's Kona Coast. Guests will learn about economic, social, and cultural significance of the world-famous Kona coffee, through more than 30 community events that include coffee plantation tours, a beauty pageant, a coffee cooking contest, and spectacular parades.
Dining Options for Kona Condo Rentals GuestsFor dishes that reflect the ethnic diversity of the island, visitors should make reservations at Cafe Pesto. Guests can choose between the restaurant's locations in Kawaihae and Hilo. Both offer fresh local seafood, Asian-fusion pastas, and exotic pizzas.
For those who want to go the dinner-and-a-movie route, they may want to drop by Aloha Angel Cafe. Located in the grand Aloha Theater & Performing Arts Center, the restaurant offers guests sumptuous dishes served in an airy dining room tastefully appointed with handcrafted island furniture and decor.
Guests of Big Island vacation rentals & Kona condo rentals looking for a swanky nightspot may want to spend some after-dinner hours at Honu Bar along Kohala Coast. Visitors can choose from an array of fine cognacs and imported cigars to go with the bar's exotic appetizers.
Big Island AttractionsRare flora and native birds await guests who visit Kipuka Puaulu, a 100-acre forest tucked inside the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Visitors may obtain a written guide to the forest's unique ecology at the national park's Kilauea Visitor Center.
Acres of ancient rock carvings etched in black lava offer guests a glimpse of primitive life on the Big Island, when they visit the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological District near Mauna Lani Resort. Visitors will have a fascinating time spotting the more than 3,000 etchings of people, canoes, and animals found in this archaeological site.
Big Island vacation rentals & Kona vacation rentals guests who are traveling with children may want to visit the Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center, located 7 miles north of Kailua-Kona. Named after Hawaii's first astronaut, who perished in the 1986 Challenger disaster, the space center will keep guests and their children enthralled with interactive exhibits, hands-on science activities, and educational film showings.
Overview of Big Island ActivitiesA dizzying array of recreation options entices guests of Kona vacation rentals to wade in the surf, witness marine life up close, explore areas around a volcanic crater and more. Visitors will also love the pleasant white-sand beaches that spread along the Kohala Coastline. Mahukona Beach Park and Spencer Beach Park are only two of the popular seashore destinations on the Big Island. Whether you are a guest of Kona condo rentals or Big Island vacation rentals, you will appreciate Mahukona's old docks and buildings, picnic spot, and camping area, although rough surf may often restrict water activities. Those looking for a refreshing dip will be more than satisfied with Spencer. Its gentle-sloping beach is safe for swimming year-round, and cooking and camping facilities sit nearby.
The Big Island has spectacular snorkeling and scuba-diving sites that offer guests of Kona vacation rentals the unforgettable experience of floating in turquoise waters among schools of rainbow-colored marine life and coral reefs. Visitors are encouraged to try the magnificent diving spots in the Kona Coast, where the mile-wide marine preserve Kealakekua Bay is located, or in the southern waters of Puuhonua O Honaunau.
No trip to the Big Island would be complete without a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If it's their lucky day, visitors may even get to see molten lava spewing out of the active Kilauea Caldera. Otherwise, they can view an informative and entertaining film on Kilauea's eruptions at the Kilauea Visitor Center. Still, there are many natural and manmade wonders to discover at the park. Guests will have the thrill of their lifetime going on an 11-mile crater rim drive around the Kilauea Caldera, exploring the park's lush trails, or wandering around the frozen-in-time Volcano Village. So when you are looking for Kona vacation rentals, Big Island vacation rentals, Kona condo rentals, and Big Island condo rentlas, come to Vamoose!









