Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa
Overview
Perched on 22 acres of dramatic lava rock cliffs above Keauhou Bay, the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa offers something no other Big Island resort can match — a nightly front-row seat to one of nature's most mesmerizing spectacles. Giant manta rays, some with wingspans exceeding 16 feet, glide through illuminated waters just below the resort's dedicated viewing area, attracted by floodlights that draw the plankton they feed on. It's a free, nightly wildlife encounter that began accidentally in the 1970s when the original hotel installed its exterior lights, and it remains the resort's most unforgettable feature.
The resort completed a transformative $60 million renovation in 2024, reimagining all 511 rooms and suites, the lobby, and public spaces with a flowing ocean-inspired design by Looney & Associates. The overhaul earned the TravelAge West WAVE 2025 Award for Best New Resort/Major Renovation in Hawaii, and the property feels genuinely fresh while honoring its deep roots — this site has been home to a hotel since 1971, and Keauhou Bay itself is the birthplace of King Kamehameha III.
Unlike the white-sand beach resorts further up the Kohala Coast, Outrigger Kona is a cliffside property — there's no beach at the resort itself, but the ocean is ever-present, the pools are excellent, and nearby Kahalu'u Beach Park offers some of the Big Island's best snorkeling. The resort's position just south of Kailua-Kona town gives it a more authentic, less resort-corridor feel than the Kohala Coast properties.
Accommodation Options
The $60 million renovation updated every one of the resort's 511 rooms and suites with a contemporary island design inspired by ocean currents. Standard rooms (approximately 420 square feet) feature king or double beds, furnished private lanais, mini-refrigerators, and premium bedding with blackout drapes. Room categories ascend from Resort View through Partial Ocean View, Ocean View, to Oceanfront — with the latter providing dramatic clifftop Pacific panoramas.
The Voyager 47 Club tier adds a premium layer worth considering. Club rooms include access to the private Voyager 47 Club Lounge with continental breakfast featuring Kona coffee, evening pupus with local craft beer and curated wines — perks valued at over $250 per night. Club suites expand further, and the crown jewel is the Royal Huaka'i Presidential Suite: approximately 2,500 square feet with a bedroom, two bathrooms, three private balconies, and panoramic ocean views.
All rooms feature eco-friendly bath toiletries and the kind of contemporary finishes you'd expect from a 2024 renovation — everything feels new because it is.
Pools, Beaches & Activities
The main pool complex is a lagoon-style affair with a 200-foot twisting waterslide that makes it a hit with families and thrill-seeking adults alike. Positioned oceanfront with Keauhou Bay views, the pool area includes a children's wading pool, two whirlpool hot tubs, and cabana and daybed rentals. The Holua Poolside Bar & Lounge keeps food and tropical cocktails flowing to your lounger.
The adults-only pool (21+) provides a quieter retreat away from the waterslide excitement, though some reviewers note it lacks a dedicated hot tub. Pool hours run 8 AM to 10 PM, with the waterslide operating 9 AM to 6 PM.
While the resort doesn't have a sandy beach, the shoreline access on Keauhou Bay's south shore is suitable for walking and snorkeling. Kahalu'u Beach Park, approximately two miles away, offers the Big Island's most accessible sea turtle snorkeling, and Keauhou Bay itself — a five-minute walk — has a small beach area. The resort provides stand-up paddleboard rentals (included in the resort fee) for exploring the bay.
Spa & Wellness
The Asana Spa replaced the former Ho'ola Spa as part of the resort's renovation, bringing a fresh wellness concept to the property. Treatments include traditional Hawaiian lomilomi massage, facials, and body rituals. Sunrise yoga sessions on the oceanfront lawns ($25-35 per class) and complimentary daily yoga and fitness classes (included in the resort fee) extend the wellness offering beyond the spa.
The spa facility includes a sauna and steam room. A 24-hour fitness center ensures early risers and night owls can maintain their routines. The wellness concierge can arrange personalized experiences tailored to your goals.
Dining
Four dining venues anchor the resort's food program, with the new Feast & Fire Lu'au adding a signature experience.
Piko serves as the full-service restaurant, offering Hawaiian and American cuisine for breakfast buffet and dinner with live music nightly. Locally sourced produce and seafood, including a custom Kona/Ka'u coffee blend from Big Island Coffee Roasters, reflect the resort's commitment to island flavors. Holua Poolside Bar & Lounge provides casual lunch and dinner poolside — fresh catch sandwiches, flatbreads, salads, and frozen cocktails in a swimsuit-friendly setting. The Holoholo Market and Cafe handles grab-and-go needs from 6 AM to 10 PM.
The Feast & Fire Lu'au, billed as Kona's newest luau, is an oceanfront dinner show featuring traditional slow-cooked kalua pork, taro rolls, local fish, and Polynesian fire dancing and music under the stars. Voyager 47 Club guests enjoy their own exclusive lounge with evening pupus and drinks — a premium perk that more than justifies the upgrade.
Golf
The Kona Country Club is directly adjacent to the Outrigger — walkable from the resort — offering an 18-hole oceanfront course designed by William Bell (1966). The par-72, 6,657-yard layout features some of the most dramatic oceanside holes on the Big Island, with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 12th, and 13th holes playing along the coast with crashing surf and a natural blowhole adding to the atmosphere.
The course has been recognized in Golf Digest's Top 100 Public Courses, and green fees ($85-$120) are reasonable by Hawaiian standards. For golfers staying at the Outrigger, the proximity means you can be on the first tee minutes after leaving your room — a convenience the Kohala Coast resorts can't match with their often 20-minute drives between hotel and course.
Nearby Attractions
Keauhou Bay, steps from the resort, is rich in Hawaiian history — it's the birthplace of King Kamehameha III, and the resort offers free 90-minute guided tours of the surrounding historic villages. The bay is also the departure point for manta ray night snorkeling tours, which take you into the water with these gentle giants for an experience that ranks among Hawaii's most extraordinary activities.
Kahalu'u Beach Park, about two miles north, is the Big Island's best spot for beginner snorkeling with sea turtles. Kailua-Kona town, a 10-minute drive north, offers the waterfront Ali'i Drive strip with restaurants, shops, and historic sites including Hulihe'e Palace. The Kona coffee belt stretches south through the hillside villages of Holualoa and Captain Cook, where farm tours and tastings let you experience coffee at the source.
Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (Place of Refuge) is a 30-minute drive south, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about 2.5 hours southeast. The resort's south Kona position gives you easier access to these attractions than the Kohala Coast resorts further north.
Tips & Good to Know
The manta ray viewing is free and happens nightly — just walk to the designated viewing area after dark. Mantas appear most nights but aren't guaranteed. For the full immersion, book the manta ray night snorkeling from Keauhou Bay (ages 8+, around $89-$129). The educational Manta Talk at the Manta Learning Center (6:15 PM) provides excellent context before the evening viewing.
The resort fee ($35/night) covers WiFi, cultural activities, fitness classes, SUP rental, and more. Parking is additional ($30-$40/night depending on self or valet). The Voyager 47 Club upgrade is strong value if you'll use the lounge breakfast and evening drinks — do the math on what you'd spend on breakfast and evening cocktails à la carte.
The resort is on lava rock cliffs, not a beach — if a sandy beach at your doorstep is essential, this isn't the right fit. But if you value dramatic ocean scenery, manta rays, cultural heritage, and a recently renovated property at reasonable rates, the Outrigger delivers an experience the beach resorts can't replicate.
Location
78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
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