Kona is a district on the western side of the Big Island in the state of Hawaii, but the word Kona can also refer to Kailua-Kona, the largest town in the district. In the Hawaiian language the word kona is used to refer to the leeward, or dry side of the island. The Kona district is known for its specialty export, Kona coffee, which is considered one of the premium specialty coffees in the world.
The Kona coastline is out of the wind and away from many of the heavy rainstorms and thunderstorms that affect the opposite island coastline, making the water temperature fairly stable. The summer water temperatures off Kona reach an average high of 82 degrees Fahrenheit at the height of summer in August.
Ocean temperatures begin to drop in October, reaching an average low of 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Even with the drop, the Kona coastal waters are still warmer than the waters on the windward side of the island, which average 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter.
Kailua-Kona and the Kona district are popular scuba diving destinations. With comfortable water temperatures year-round, divers find that average visibility ranges from 75 to more than 100 feet every month of the year. By diving from a boat, divers can access the coral reefs, lava tubes, and caverns found off the coast of the Big Island.
The Kona coast is generally calm and offers snorkeling and boat tours year-round. The Hawaiian green sea turtle, a protected species, is found off the coast, as are schools of manta rays. Tours are available that take divers and snorkelers to swim with these creatures. Kona also hosts the International Billfish Tournament and is renowned for its deep-sea fishing opportunities.
