Nightlife · Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · United States
Big Island (Hawaiʻi) nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Big Island (Hawaiʻi), from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Big Island (Hawaiʻi) · Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Nightlife is low-key: sunset bars, live Hawaiian music and brewpubs, mostly in Kailua-Kona. Most of the island goes to bed early. The main areas are Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, Kohala resorts and Downtown Hilo.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Kailua-Kona
- Local drink
- Kona coffee
Plan a trip to Big Island (Hawaiʻi)
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Where to go out
Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona
Oceanfront bars and restaurants with sunset views and live music.
Kohala resorts
Resort lounges with Hawaiian music and cocktails.
Downtown Hilo
A few bars and brewpubs around Kamehameha Avenue.
Nightlife tips
- Arrive at oceanfront bars before sunset to get a table facing the water.
- Plan a driver or rideshare in advance; taxis are scarce late at night outside Kona.
Evening sights
Nature · Volcano
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
Visit the caldera overlooks after dark if there is an active eruption, when any glow is most visible, and bring a warm layer because the summit is cool at night.
- Time needed
- A full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Nature
- Kids
- After dark
- Photo spot
Nature · Maunakea
Maunakea
Stop at the visitor station for at least 30 minutes to acclimatise before going higher, and do not go to the summit with children under 13, if pregnant, or with heart or lung conditions.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- After dark
- Nature
- Free
Experience · Kailua-Kona
Manta ray night snorkel
Choose a small-group operator that follows the manta-viewing guidelines, and take seasickness tablets if you are prone to it.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- After dark
- Nature
- Couples
- Active
What to drink
- Kona coffee — Grown only on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona districts, Kona coffee is smooth and low in acidity.
- Kaʻū coffee — A less-known coffee from the southern Kaʻū district, grown on former sugar land and increasingly award-winning.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. August has the warmest evenings, with lows around 22°C (72°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 18:03 | 19°C (66°F) | 7 |
| April | About 18:40 | 20°C (68°F) | 9 |
| July | About 19:04 | 22°C (72°F) | 10 |
| October | About 17:59 | 22°C (72°F) | 9 |
Getting home late
- Bus — The county's Hele-On bus runs a limited network between towns, useful for budget travellers but not for reaching most sights.
- Ride-hailing — Uber and Lyft operate around Kailua-Kona and Hilo, but are scarce elsewhere and impractical for sightseeing.
Late-night bites
- Macadamia nuts — Farm visitor centres near Hilo, markets and supermarkets.
- Spam musubi — Convenience stores, delis and supermarkets island-wide.
Staying safe at night
The main risks are natural: strong currents and shorebreak, especially in winter; volcanic gases (vog) that can affect people with breathing conditions; altitude sickness on Maunakea; and flash floods in streams after rain. Follow park closures and lifeguard advice, and do not leave valuables in parked cars.
- Emergency number
- 911 (police, fire, ambulance)
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget, families and nightlife
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona stretches along Aliʻi Drive from the historic Huliheʻe Palace and Mokuʻaikaua Church past seawall restaurants, condos and beach parks such as Kahaluʻu. Snorkel boats, fishing charters and manta ray tours leave from Honokōhau Harbor and Keauhou Bay, and the airport is about 15 minutes north.
- Good
- Widest choice of condos and mid-range hotels; Restaurants and shops within walking distance; Close to snorkelling and manta tours
- Watch out
- About 2.5 hours' drive to the volcano; Few sandy swimming beaches in town
- Nearby
- Huliheʻe Palace, Kahaluʻu Beach Park, Keauhou Bay, Honokōhau Harbor
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Big Island (Hawaiʻi)?
Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, Kohala resorts and Downtown Hilo. Oceanfront bars and restaurants with sunset views and live music.
+Which area of Big Island (Hawaiʻi) is best for nightlife?
Kailua-Kona: The west side's main town with Aliʻi Drive, snorkel beaches and harbour tours.