Staff Picks – Our Local Favorites for Activities, Beaches and Restaurants

Aloha! Frequently after their flight, guests will ask us, “What should we do now?” So we’ve assembled a list of staff favorites for what we personally think our guests might enjoy in terms of Activities, Beaches or Parks, and Restaurants near each of our Paradise Helicopters bases. You can find more information about each of our suggestions, such as open hours and offerings, at the link for each below.

BIG ISLAND / ISLAND OF HAWAI'I

Big Island: Kona Base Staff Picks

Activities

• Manta Ray Snorkel
• Ehu and Kai adventures
• Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Park (City of Refuge)
• Vanillerie

Beaches / Parks

• Kua Bay beach
• Mauna Kea Beach
• 69’s Puako
• Hapuna Beach

Restaurants

• Big Island Grill
• Broke da Mouth Grindz
• Fosters Kitchen
• Kona Brew Co
• Kona Coffee & Tea Company
• Lava Lava Beach Club
• Magic’s Beach Grill
• Ola Brew Co
• Papa Kona Restaurant
• Napua Restaurant at Mauna Lani Beach Club
• Umeke’s (Try the Fish Taco!)
• Island Ono Loa Grill – Best Burger in Kona!

Big Island: Hilo Base Staff Picks

Activities

• Extreme Exposure Photography Gallery
• Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Farm & Factory
• Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Garden
• ‘Akaka Falls
• Onomea Bay/Scenic route
• Mokupāpapa Discovery Center
• ‘Imiloa

Beaches / Parks

• Carlsmith Beach Park
• Pohoiki Beach Park (Isaac Hale Beach Park)
• Rainbow Falls (Waiānuenue) Lookout

Restaurants

• Pineapples Island Fresh Cuisine Restaurant
• Lucy’s Taqueria
• Ruben’s Mexican Food 
• Liko Lehua Cafe
• Two Ladies Kitchen (mochi!)
• Hawaiian Style Cafe
• Big Island Candies
• Puka Puka Kitchen
• Vibe Cafe
• Sweet Cane Cafe

Big Island: Waimea Base Staff Picks

Activities

• Waimea Farmers Markets 
• Hamakua Mushroom
• Parker Ranch Historic Home tour

Beaches / Parks

• Spencer Beach Park
• Pololu Valley
• Mahukona Beach Park 
• Kapa’a Beach Park

Restaurants

• Merriman’s – Happy Hour Fri, Sat, Sun 3-5pm
• Red Water Cafe
• Luna Restaurant 
• Kamuela Kitchen
• Honoka’a Public House
• Tex Drive Inn (must try the malasada!)
• Fish and the Hog
• Village Burger

ISLAND OF O'AHU

O’ahu: Turtle Bay Base Staff Picks

Activities

• Climbworks Keana Farms Ziplining
• Tours at Kualoa Ranch
• Horseback riding & Eco Tours at Gunstock Ranch
• Shark diving in Haleiwa
• Dole Plantation in Wahiawa
• Surf lessons at Turtle Bay Resort
• Waimea Valley Botanical Garden
• Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie

Beaches / Parks

• Turtle Bay beaches
• Kawela
• Haleiwa
• Malaekahana Beach Campground
• Hukilau
• Ehukai
• Sunset Beach

Restaurants

• Roy’s Beach House
• Lei Lei’s (Turtle Bay Resort)
• Shrimp trucks in Kahuku
• Kahuku Farms
• Pounders Restaurant
• Seven Brothers in Kahuku & Laie
• Papa Ole’s
• Haleiwa Joe’s
• Kono’s
• Cholo’s
• Teddy’s Bigger Burgers
• Ted’s Bakery

O’ahu: Kapolei Base Staff Picks

Activities

• Ka Makana Ali’i Mall
• Kapolei Golf Course/Club
• Coral Creek Golf Course
• Paradise Cove Luau

Beaches / Parks

• Ko Olina Lagoons
• Wet & Wild Water Park
• Ka’ena Point State Park

Restaurants

• Plantation Tavern
• Monkeypod Kitchen
• Roy’s Beach House
• Kalapawai Market
• Merriman’s
• da Cove Health Bar & Cafe