Most mainland flights arrive in Hawaiʻi hours before hotel check-in. Once you’ve picked up your rental car and loaded your luggage, head to the Kona Salt Farm—the perfect first stop before making your way to the hotel.
Make Your First Day Part of the Vacation
Don’t waste your first day by simply waiting for their room. Instead, treat your arrival day as the first chapter of your Hawaiian adventure. Traveling with luggage? No problem. You'll park just steps from the foot soak area, where your vehicle remains within sight while you relax.
A Relaxing First Stop Near the Airport
Just a few minutes from KOA Airport, the Kona Salt Farm sits on a beautiful oceanfront site and offers an easy, relaxing way to ease into island time. Get Directions
Instead of rushing from the airport to your hotel, you can:
- Enjoy a complimentary Hawaiian salt tasting of our 14 different flavored and smoked salts with fruits and veggies
- Relax with a refreshing 47-degree cold deep ocean magnesium foot soak overlooking the ocean. Reserve your foot soak online or simply stop in. We are only minutes from the airport and happy to welcome walk-ins when space is available.
- Take a guided tour of Hawaiʻi Island's only working salt farm and earn how Hawaiian sea salt is naturally harvested using deep ocean water drawn from 2,200 feet below the Kona Coast and our unique site, the Hawaii Ocean Science Technology Park.
- Browse the farm store for our deep ocean magnesium and electrolytes that are wonderful to get over long distance travel and our hand harvested salts and salt gifts
- Pop into our breezy and ocean-view Moku Nui room where we show a beautiful informational video on the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and its stunning beauty and marine life.
Coming to the Kona Salt Farm is an experience that's educational, peaceful, and unlike anywhere else in Hawaiʻi and our ocean views are stunning.
No Need to Worry About Your Luggage
One of the biggest concerns travelers have is what to do with their bags. Your luggage will be completely safe in your car parked on our site.
Great for Your Last Day, Too
The same idea works in reverse. If your hotel checkout is at 11:00 a.m. but your flight doesn't leave until later in the afternoon or evening, you don't have to spend hours waiting at the airport. A relaxing tour, oceanfront foot soak, or a little shopping makes for a memorable final stop before heading home. On Sundays and Mondays we even have sunset tours. Book Tours
Start Your Vacation Feeling Refreshed
Instead of watching the clock, spend those first few hours discovering something uniquely Hawaiian, enjoying the ocean breeze, and easing into island life.
Location
- 📍 Kona Salt Farm
- 73-907 Makako Bay Drive
- Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
- 8 minutes from KOA Airport
- Free parking available
- Open daily 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Other Great Arrival-Day Ideas Near Kona Airport
If you have extra time, consider combining your visit with other nearby attractions:
Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park: This 1,600-acre cultural and historical site preserves an ancient Hawaiian settlement and offers a window into traditional Hawaiian life. Explore historic fishponds, petroglyphs and scenic coastal trails while watching for native seabirds, honu (green sea turtles) and the occasional Hawaiian monk seal. Visitor Center: 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; access road: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Public parking is available, though luggage should not be left visible in your vehicle.
The Vanillerie: Visit this charming, family-owned vanilla farm operated by Guy and Jeannie Cellier. Learn how vanilla is grown, sample its distinctive flavors and browse the farm shop for locally made gifts. Open Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 808-331-8535. Public parking; luggage safety is very good.
Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm: This conservation-minded aquaculture farm raises seahorses for home aquariums, helping reduce demand for animals collected from Hawaiʻi’s reefs. During the fun and educational tour, you’ll see thousands of seahorses and sea dragons—and may even have the opportunity to hold one. 808-329-6840. Public parking; luggage safety is good.
Hawaiian Star Compass and Canoe House at Kohanaiki Beach Park: Known locally as Pine Trees, Kohanaiki is a scenic stretch of coastline popular for surfing, picnics and sunset watching. Follow the coastal trail to the park’s cultural area, where you’ll find a traditional canoe house, fishponds, petroglyphs, a native-plant garden and a Hawaiian Star Compass illustrating the celestial knowledge used in traditional Polynesian wayfinding. Gates are open 5:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Beachfront parking; never leave luggage or valuables in your vehicle.
Big Island Abalone Farm Tour: Tour the largest abalone farm in the United States and learn how these prized shellfish are sustainably raised and harvested. The experience covers the farm’s history and the abalone life cycle and includes an opportunity to taste the product. A self-cook barbecue venue is also available to rent. Tours are offered Monday–Saturday by reservation only. Public parking; luggage safety is generally good.
Hungry?
Patricio’s Taqueria: Just minutes from Kona International Airport, this relaxed local taqueria serves Mexican favorites made with fresh, natural ingredients. Open daily, 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m. 808-334-1008. Public parking; luggage safety is generally good.
Pine Tree Café: A local favorite for generous plate lunches, breakfast dishes and other Hawaiʻi comfort-food classics—all just minutes from Kona International Airport. Open daily, 6 a.m.–7 p.m. 808-327-1234. Public parking; luggage safety is generally good.
Pine Tree Cafe
Remember, your vacation begins the moment you land, not when your hotel room is ready.
Whether you're arriving early, waiting for check-in, or looking for the perfect final stop before your flight home, Kona's airport area offers much more than most visitors realize.
