Kona: Sea Turtles, Painted Church & Kona Coffee Shore Excursion

Summary

Walk volcanic trails, meet sea turtles and taste real Kona coffee with a local

You’ll wander volcanic beaches near Kona with a local guide who actually knows every shortcut and story—spotting green sea turtles up close, tasting fresh Kona coffee right where it’s grown (it really is better here), stepping inside St. Benedict’s Painted Church with its wild colors, and grabbing lunch from wherever locals eat that day. Expect small surprises—and maybe sand in your shoes.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that?” our guide Kimo said, pointing down at a patch of lava rock that looked like every other one—except it wasn’t. There were these faint lines carved in, almost hidden by the morning glare. He grinned when I squinted at them. “Old fish trap,” he explained, and suddenly the whole beach at Honokohau felt different—like you could almost hear the old stories under the wind. The air smelled salty but also a little sweet from the kiawe trees, and honestly, I was still thinking about the coffee we’d tried earlier (I’m not even a big coffee person but that first sip was…well, way smoother than what I make back home).

The day trip from Kailua-Kona started right off the ship—no stress about finding anyone; Kimo was there with his sign and an easy laugh. We drove up into the hills where everything gets greener and cooler (I wasn’t ready for how fast the weather shifts here). At the coffee farm, they handed us tiny cups—no sugar or cream needed—and told us how every bean is picked by hand. There was this earthy smell everywhere, kind of nutty? It stuck to my shirt for hours after. Someone asked if we could buy beans to take home; turns out you can, so yeah, my backpack’s heavier now.

St. Benedict’s Painted Church surprised me—the outside is just this simple white chapel but inside it’s wild with color. All these painted scenes cover every wall and ceiling; I caught myself staring up so long my neck hurt. Lunch was casual—poke or plate lunch from a local stand if it’s open (ours was), nothing fancy but real filling. You eat outside if you want, watching chickens strut around like they own the place.

Later at Kaloko-Honokohau Park we walked through crunchy grass to reach the sand—shoes off felt best. That’s where we saw two sea turtles sunning themselves right on the beach, totally unbothered by us gawking. One lifted its head just enough to give us side-eye before dozing again. I still think about that slow moment—the quiet except for waves and someone’s kid giggling nearby. If you’re after something loud or polished this isn’t it…but if you want to feel Hawaii for a few hours before your ship leaves, well…you’ll remember this too.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kona coffee, historic sites, and turtles

• Meet guide at Kailua Kona Pier
• Learn about Kona coffee and sample
• Visit St. Benedict's Painted Church
• Purchase lunch at local vendor
• Explore Kaloko-Honokohau National Park
• Walk Honokohau Turtle Trail
• Lunch at Honaunau Poke Shop or vendor

Top questions

How long is the Kona shore excursion?

The tour lasts about 5 hours and is designed to fit cruise ship schedules.

Is port pickup included in this Kona day trip?

Yes, pickup and drop-off at Kailua Pier are included with your booking.

Will I see sea turtles on this tour?

You have a good chance of seeing Hawaiian green sea turtles at Honokohau Harbor beach during the turtle trail walk.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

You stop to purchase lunch from a local vendor; it's not included in the price but options are suggested by your guide.

What kind of coffee will I try?

You’ll sample hand-picked Kona coffee at a local farm near Kailua-Kona during your visit.

Are there any physical requirements for this tour?

The turtle trail walk has uneven ground but is considered easy; suitable for most fitness levels.

What happens if my cruise ship doesn’t dock due to weather?

If your ship cannot arrive because of weather conditions, you will receive a full refund for your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes port pickup and drop-off right at Kailua Pier, bottled water along the way, guidance from a local who knows these roads by heart, plus time to sample real Kona coffee on an authentic farm before heading back toward town—all without rushing or worrying about missing your ship.