Hi all. My wife and I are planning a trip to Kona this fall. We're looking for a cool B&B or INN as well as some great beaches to visit (clothing optional) and good snorkeling. Also, places to eat. Happy Travelin'!

Not sure about B&B's but Hapuna Beach (about 40 minutes N of Kona) is the best public beach on the island. As for snorkeling, I'd recommend the Fairwinds snorkel/scuba/snuba cruise to Keakakua Bay (they're located in S. Kona). Enjoy!

Just a word of warning -- there are _no_ clothing-optional beaches in the state of Hawai`i, and law enforcement is being far more deligent than in years past.

well, while snorkeling at Hapuna beach last fall, there was a 20ish woman who was openly sunbathing topless....
there are tucked away areas with less people ....and the beach was almost deserted. Didn't see any Nekked Police!

I've stayed at the Holualoa Inn a couple of times, and love it. It is not beachfront--it's up in the mountains, on a coffee plantation, with a stunning view of the Kona coast from most of the rooms. The building is lovely, open air, with a nice pool and hot tub, a pretty rooftop gazebo, as well as a kitchen and grill area the guests can use. It's about a 10-minute drive down to Kailua. The owners are not on the premises in the evening, so the guests have the run of the place.

I've got (have heard of.......) just the place for you! www.dragonflyranch.com.......... It's a very interesting-sounding place, and for the not-up-tight. Check out their website.......... it's a beautiful website, if nothing else!

I am nothing if not annoyingly helpful.........

Here is a link for an article on nude beaches on the Big Island:

http://gohawaii.about.com/cs/beaches/a/nude_beaches.htm