Hello Fellow Fodorites,
Just got back from a week on the Big Island, and some quick musings. We had a fabulous swim with the dolphins on a Dolphin Discoveries trip. We did the four hour morning trip with Captain Steve- checked out sea caves, snorkeled at Capt. Cook Monument and Place of Refuge. At P of R he put us in the water and pointed us in a direction- said to swim over there and look down. As we were swimming over toward the site, we saw spinner dolphins jumping out of the water. When we got to the site, we looked down and saw at least 35 spinner and bottle-nose dolphins all around us. My daughter counted- gave up at 35; there were so many she couldn't keep track of who she had already counted. It was really amazing. We swam with turtles at Kahluu Beach- what the BI lacks in beaches, it makes up for in accessible ocean life.

We stayed at a fabulous condo at Kanaloa at Kona. We loved the location- just a short jaunt into Kona. We had stayed before at the Hilton Waikoloa, and that was fun, but this was much more relaxing. Had a great dinner at Huggo's - despite a storm blowing in. Waited at least an hour for a table at Bubba Gump's. They were having problems with wait staff not showing up. We did Flumin' da Ditch- which would have been more fun without the downpour. It was a little expensive for what it was. Saw a couple whales on a whale- trip; also saw some out of the condo lanai. Husband drove up Mauna Kea and said it was awesome.

The end. Can't wait to go back!

Thanks for the short but sweet trip report!!
Yes, aren't the Kanaloa at Kona condos great? We had a 2 bedroom--enormous!! Great rate on Orbitz, for any interested Fodorites.
Lke you, I preferred Keauhou area to Waikoloa. Yes, mnore relaxing less commercialized feel. Did you get a chance to drive down to some of the little towns south of there? We had a yummy breakfast on the lanai at the Aloha Theater cafe in the small just south of Keauhou.
Aloha, and thanks again for the report.

I'm glad you liked the condo. I is a nice spot to just watch the waves.

I too, had problems at Bubba Gump. In fact I swear I will never return. The service has always been terrible.

I swam with the turtles...i actually almost drowned in that bay...long story but can you say, "panic attack"? Thank goodness for Kona's life guards. I owe a strawberry blonde life guard dinner at Huggo's on the beach for saving my behind.

That's great about the dolphins!!! How cool. Did your daughters get to hang out at the local clubs? I think I mentioned "LuLu's" before.

Glad your trip went well!

My daughters were all set to hit Lulu's and Huggo's on the Rocks on New Year's Eve. We went to a luau first, went back to the condo for a bit, and then one of them got violently ill. I think she ate something at the luau that did not agree with her. So they decided to hit the nightspots the next night- and a huge storm blew in. We did a lot of family bonding; that was okay with them. One's in law school and one's a senior in college, so they have plenty of opportunities for socializing- but not many to hang out with the parents. Everyone was happy!

That's too bad she got sick. Overall, it sounds like you had a great family vacation. I see Kona as a place we will go back to more than once. I just like the laid back feeling there, and the Hawaiian spirit.

aloha!

Thanks for the report and great news about the dolphins! We almost booked a trip with Dolphin Discoveries in Nov but didn't manage to squeeze it in and now I'm kicking myself!

Still...we're looking into going back in Nov or late Dec this year and definitely looking for a condo this time. Is Kanaloa far from the beach?
Thanks,
V

Kahaluu Beach (sp?) is about one mile from the Kanaloa, towards Kona. Quick to get to, and the snorkeling was really good. We swam with 3 big turtles, and the fish were nearly as good as at Captain Cook Monument- if not as good. I really liked the Kanaloa- looking out our lanai all you could see was the ocean; it was well-situated so the other units were very inobtrusive. I would definitely stay there again.

shhhish...it's our secret!
ha.