Additional Big Island Activities Listings

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AROUND THE ISLAND

Get active. Get discounts with no time share on activities from some of the island’s finest tour providers. Call now for best prices. Activity VIP Services. 982-8772 or toll free 1-877-847-4627. V, MC, AE.

Your ticket to fun. Fast, friendly reservations for fun on the Big Isle and Maui. Heli-tours, luau, parasailing, horseback riding, scuba and more. Open daily. Activity World. Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort. 322-0878. Major credit cards. Map A:E15.

Hit the road. Explore the island from sun-kissed shores to snow-covered mountain top in a convertible or compact. Call 24 hours a day or reserve a car on the internet. Alamo National Rent A Car. Kona and Hilo. 1-800-GO-ALAMO. www.alamo.com.

Choose your adventure. “Hawaii’s Activity Wholesaler” is a state- licensed travel agency and member of Hawaii Visitors Bureau .It has a FREE reservations service. Open 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Big Island Adventures. Kona, 334-1155. Hilo, 935-9063. Waikoloa, 883-0100. V, MC, AE, DIS.

Tune in. Tour Hawaii free 24 hours daily with Big Island Television, Visitor Channel 9. See island sites and activities. Order a copy of the award-winning video, “The Big Island, Hawaii at Its Best.” 322-3672. www.bigislandtv.com. V, MC.

View inacessible areas. Featuring 21st century ECO-Star helicopter, along with a fleet of A-Stars., Blue Hawaiian Helicopters. is called “The cadillac of helicopter tour companies by “Frommer’s Hawaii.” Waikoloa Heliport, 886-1768 and Hilo Airport, 961-5600.V, MC, AE, DIS. Maps C:F9, E:D19.

Do a driving tour. Daily and weekly rentals on vans, sports models or luxury sedans with A/C and unlimited mileage packages at Dollar Rent A Car.. It’s at major airports and in Waikiki on Oahu. 329-2744 or 800-342-7398.V, MC, AE, DIS. Maps B:C1, E:D19.

Hip, hop, over the top with Island Hoppers. Personalized volcano/waterfall flights or Circle Island Tours. Window seats and headsets. Identical flight path/altitudes as helicopters at half the price. Airplane rentals. Hilo and Kona airports. 329-0018, 800-538-7590. Major credit cards. Map E:D16, B:C1.

Tune in to KHNL News 8. Find all of your favorite NBC programming on KHNL News— from “West Wing” to local and national news.

Through Hawaiian eyes. “The only native-Hawaiian, family-owned flight service on the Big Island.” Have a “Hawaiian Encounter” with the volcano aboard a high-winged Cessna with window seats, stereo music and two-way communication. Mokulele Flight Service. 326-7070. V, MC. Map B:B1.

Do the “Island Hop.” Neighbor islands call 1-800-654-4-FUN, 922-1515. Open daily. Fly to Oahu, Kauai or Maui and choose from Pleasant Island Holiday deals or create your own. Enjoy low rates for air, room, car or fly-drive packages. Twenty locations statewide. Major Credit Cards.

It’s a BIG island. Tour it via air-conditioned motor coach with exciting narration. The Grand Circle Island Tour visits landmarks and shopping spots. Also Volcano Special tour. Roberts Hawaii Tours. 329-1688, 800-831-5541. V, MC, AE, DIS. www.robertshawaii.com.

It’s a jungle out there. Fly with Preston Myers, a 30-year aviation veteran. Safari flies the “super” ASTAR 350-B27, offering superior “picture-window” viewing. Multi-camera system records your tour. Kauai tours also available. Safari Helicopter Tours. Hilo: 969-1259/Kona: 331-8883 or 800-326-3356. V, MC, AE, DIS. Maps E:D18, B:C1.

Ride a black beauty. Come fly aboard the Black Beauties. Their reservation staff, friendly customer service crew, experienced pilots and well-trained mechanics make your safety and comfort their number one priority. Sunshine Helicopters. Hapuna Heliport, Mauna Lani Bay Hotel, Hilo Airport. 882-1223.V,MC, AE, DIS. Maps C, D.

EAST: HILO/VOLCANO

Oodles of orchids. See this fully covered display garden with a colorful array of orchids and plants. Plants and cut flowers are already certified and ready to take. Open 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Akatsuka Orchid Gardens. 22-mile marker between Hilo and Volcano. 967-8234.V, MC. Map F:F12.

Convenient accomodations. Make your island tour leisurely with an overnite Hilo stay. Cozy, European-style hotel with a kitchen in each unit. AAA approved. Dolphin Bay Hotel. 935-1466. 333 Iliahi St., Hilo.dolphinbayhotel.com. V, MC. Map E:G3.

Golf on a volcano. Built in 1922, this 18-hole, par 72 course has a pro shop/driving range. Volcano Golf & Country Club. Course 967-7331, Restaurant 967-8228. Two miles south of Volcanoes Park on Hwy. 11. Open daily. Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch. V, MC, AE, DIS. Map F:B16.

NORTH: WAIMEA/HONOKAA/HAMAKUA

A garden in a rainforest. This preserve has been proclaimed “the most beautiful area in Hawaii.” Find a waterfall, lily pond, ocean overlook, aviary and orchid area. Open 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. On the four-mile scenic route, Onomea Bay. 964-5233. www.hawaiigarden.com. V, MC, AE. Map D:F17.

The little train museum that could. Straight out of the 1930s, this beautifully restored railroad home highlights Big Isle train history. A community labor of love, it offers a glimpse back in time. Laupahoehoe Train Museum. Near mile marker 25 on Hwy. 19, Laupahoehoe. Look for the brown Hamakua Heritage Coast sign. 962-6300. Map D:E10.

Tee off on Scottish-style links at Waimea Country Club. This rolling golf course borders Waipio Valley. Enjoy vistas of Mauna Kea and coastline among eucalyptus trees. Hwy. 19 just outside of Waimea on the way to Hilo. 885-8777. www.waimeagolf.com. All major credit cards. Map D:C5.

WEST: KONA/KOHALA

Reel in a big one! Modern, clean, fast, comfy, 42-foot tournament-equipped boats are at Action Sport Fishing on Start Me Up. Honokohau Marina Slip C-01, Kailua-Kona. 327-1265, toll free 877-329-3013. Log on at www.startmeup sportfishing.com. V, MC, AE, DIS. Map C:C19.

Fast and furious! Meet at Kailua Pier and shuttle takes you to offshore jet ski island. Lesson and life jacket included for fun on a Yamaha XL700 that accommodates up to 3 persons. In business since 1985. Aloha Jet Ski. Departs Kailua Pier 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Call for reservation, 329-2SKI.V, MC, AE, DIS. Map A:B8.

Be Capt. Nemo. Discover a mysterious new world as you descend 120 feet below the sea with one of the world’s most experienced submarine fleets. Atlantis Submarines. 1-800-548-6262. V, MC, AE, DIS. Map A:B7.

Alternative accommodations. Long and short-term vacation and residential rentals for every budget. Homes and condominiums available from the Kona Airport area south to Honaunau. ATR Properties, Inc. Kopiko Plaza, Kailua-Kona. 329-6020. V, MC. Map A:F5.

Cool-clime golfing. Upcountry golfing only 25-30 minutes from Waikoloa and Kohala Coast resorts, 20 minutes from Kona. Big Island Country Club. Hwy. 190 at mile marker 20, Puuanahulu. 325-5044.V, MC, AE. Map G:D7.

Family fun. Float with tropical fish along coral reef gardens at Pawai Bay. Body Glove Cruises departs Kailua Pier daily. Snorkel/dolphin sail includes meals, snorkel gear, instruction, flotation toys, water slide, fresh water showers, no-host bar. 326-7122.V, MC, AE, DIS, Map A:B7.

Zip into sea caves. Naturalist captains guide intimate groups on a 14-mile journey to Kealakekua Bay aboard Captain Zodiac. Flotation, snorkel gear, tropical snacks provided. Discover sea caves and lava tubes on the return trip. Whale watching in season. 329-3199. V, MC, AE, DIS. Map B:B3.

Come to Keauhou. Ten minutes south of Kailua-Kona, the Keauhou Resort offers shopping, dining, water sports, golf, tennis, accommodations, real estate sales and Hawaiian historical sites. Get there via Alii Drive or follow signs on Hwy. 11. Destination Keauhou. 322-0088. Map B:inset.

Close encounter of the marine kind. Experience an unforgettable dolphin encounter that will touch your heart and mind with Dolphin Quest. A naturalist personally guides each small group step-by-step through the process. Hilton Waikoloa Village. 886-2875. V, MC, AE. Map C:E9.

Convert digital camera photos to CDs at Epitopia. It’s a business internet center with high-speed access for workstations, laptop and wireless. Also fax, copying, color laser printouts and digital scanning services. Oceanfront at Royal Kona Resort. Open Mon.-Sat., 331-8999. www.epitopia.com and info@epitopia.com. Major credit cards. Map A:D16.

Come to Keauhou. Ten minutes south of Kailua-Kona, the Keauhou Resort offers shopping, dining, water sports, golf, tennis, accommodations, real estate sales and Hawaiian historical sites. Get there via Alii Drive or follow signs on Hwy. 11. Destination Keauhou. 322-0088. Map B:inset.

Get Into Nature. See the real Hawaii on eight half- or full-day small group adventures that include birding with Hawaii Forest & Trail. Explore unique, natural areas. Honokohau Plaza, Hwy. 19, Kailua-Kona. 331-8505. Daily tours. hawaii-forest.com. V, MC, AE. Map B:C2.
Barefoot sail. Three-and-a-half hour sail/snorkel on 36-foot catamaran with Kamanu Charters. Non-swimmers, experienced. Four-guest min., 24 max. Departs Honokohau Marina daily. 329-2021.V, MC, DIS. kamanucharters.com, Map B:B3.

Blazing Paddles. Take a three-and-a-half-hour kayak/snorkel in coral gardens. Two stops; no experience necessary. Flotation, snorkel gear, snacks provided; whale watch in season. Departing daily from Puako Harbor just north of Waikoloa resorts. Kayak Kohala. 882-4678. V, MC. Map C:E7.

From bean to cup. This 100% Kona coffee is grown and roasted exclusively on the Twigg-Smith Estate. Guided tour and samples. Kona Blue Sky Coffee. Toll free 1-877-322-1700. Visitor Center in Holualoa open 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mon.-Sat. Major credit cards. konablueskycoffee.com. Map B:E9.

Scuba, snorkel and manta ray dives with Kona Honu Divers. Instructor-led, small-group dives aboard 46-foot, custom craft. Snack, drinks. Intro dives and snuba; ride-alongs welcome. Honokohau Marina Slip 32.5, Kailua-Kona. 324-4668. www.kona honudivers.com. V, MC, AE, DIS. Map B:B2.

Whale watch and sportfish. Capt. Tom Bottrell is a marine ecologist with 27 years of experience in Kona waters. His 31-foot Bertram takes six passengers max for a fun and very personalized excursion with Living Ocean Adventures. 325-5556. Honokohau Harbor, south side. Map B:B2.

Action-packed. Explore waters between Keauhou Bay and Place of Refuge by rigid-hull raft, snorkel. Beverages, snacks and gear. Six people max. Whale watch in season. Sea Quest Raft & Snorkel Adventure. Departs from Keauhou Boat Pier, Keauhou Bay. 329-RAFT. V, MC. Map B:C13.

Calling all anglers. Enjoy four hours of fishing; keep your catch. Tackle included; riders welcome. Departs Honokohau Harbor 7:30 a.m. and noon Mon.-Sat. Sea Wife II” Fishing Charters. Kailua-Kona. 329-1806 or Mainland toll-free 1-888-329-1806. V, MC. Map B:B3.

Voted “Best Place to Get Snorkel Gear”-WHT. Snorkel Bob Brand masks are the choice of Maui and Kauai Water Rescue Squads. Get Rx fast. The big and kid Bubba Snorkels drain quickly, clear easily. Boogies, chairs and 24-hr InterIsle Gear Return. Open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Kailua, 329-0770. Major credit cards. snorkelbob.com. Map A:E15.

Tee off! Both the Kings’ and Beach Courses were ranked “Places to Play 2002-2003” by “Golf Digest.” Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf Courses. Kings’ Course, 886-7888; Beach Course, 886-6060V, MC, AE, DIS. Map C:E9.

Go where the locals do. The Village Course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Also find a restaurant and lounge, pool and tennis courts. Waikoloa Village Golf Club. Go six miles up Waikoloa Rd. from Kohala Coast Resorts. 883-9621.V, MC, AE, DIS. Map C:G8.