Airbnb Kona, Hawaii: 13 Gorgeous Vacation Rentals on the Big Island for 2021

1. Exceptional Oceanview Home

You’ll be stepping into your own private resort when you arrive at this gorgeous ocean view home in Kailua-Kona. This incredible oasis even includes a saltwater pool, conveniently heated for midnight swims and a poolside gazebo to relax with your favorite book.

The large lanai (balcony) is a wonderful space to gather with your friends or family. Fire up the BBQ while you enjoy a backdrop of stunning ocean vistas.

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to spread out too…with three beautiful, large, and comfortable bedrooms as well as expansive living spaces.

While it won’t be easy to leave this sanctuary, you’ll be only a mile away from the beach, fun Kona restaurants, and the best boutiques.

Get ready for an unforgettable getaway with a hot tub, board games, spectacular views, and everything you need in one of the best vacation rentals in Kona, Hawaii.

Check price and availability on this exceptional oceanview home here.

Guest Review: “This house is AMAZING! It has everything you want and need to make your trip and stay in Hawaii an unforgettable one. Lee and Courtney and super hosts filled with great tips on where to go and what to do! I would 100% recommend this lovely home.”

— Andrea

2. Kona Surf Snorkel Paradise

If you’re looking for the perfect spot to discover the magical underwater world here or splash in the waves, there’s no better Kona Airbnb than this surf snorkel paradise.

Kahalu’u beach boasts the best snorkeling and surfing in Kailua-Kona. And you’re just a few steps away from its turquoise waters when you stay at this stunning beach house. (Just grab the bodyboards, umbrellas, snorkeling equipment, and beach chairs from the garage before you head out.)

The four-bedroom house comfortably sleeps up to ten guests and includes everything your group will need for the ultimate beach experience. The ocean view from the living room will mesmerize you. Plus, the hot tub is the perfect way to end a beach day.

Check price and availability on the Kona Surf Snorkel Paradise here.

Guest review: “Fantastic host! Great communication, photos are accurate, the location is as good as it gets! If this home is available, don’t waste time by searching for somewhere else.”

—Christina

3. Tropical Garden Retreat on Organic Mango Farm

For a true taste of the tropical island lifestyle, you can’t go wrong with this cozy tropical garden retreat. The airy and spacious design is an ode to nature, with open-air living spaces immersing you in lush greenery while still providing for luxury modern comforts.

This Indonesian-style unique accommodation on Airbnb on the Big Island, Hawaii is only a mile away from Kealakekua Bay. Here, you’ll find celebrated exotic coral reefs and colorful marine life.

After a day of exploring the reefs, you can hang out on the comfy sofa in the semi-outdoor living room, as the breeze floats through your suite.

Enjoy a relaxed meal in the kitchen or stick with the outdoor theme and fire up the grill. You won’t want to leave this serene paradise spot.

Check price and availability on the cozy tropical garden retreat here.

Guest Review: “Absolutely awesome! I truly loved my stay in every way! It was peaceful, beautiful, and truly unique! I will definitely be back and also recommend friends who travel to the island to stay here! Thank you!”

— Caroline

4. Right-on-Ocean, Renovated Condo

This right-on-the-ocean condo is the ideal oceanside getaway spot in Hawaii for two guests. It’s only a block away from the lively Kailua Village, yet comes with breathtaking ocean views.

The condo is newly renovated, so you can expect modern and stylish furnishings, a massive king bed, and a fully equipped kitchen. You’ll love watching dolphins and whales from your terrace with a morning coffee in hand. Or enjoying the evening sun while grilling dinner on the communal gas barbecue.

This gorgeous ocean view cottages comes complete with snorkel equipment and magical sunsets. What more could you ask?

Check price and availability on the right-on-ocean condo here.

Guest Review: “Everything about this place is perfect if you are looking for an accommodation right on the ocean and in the heart of Kona. Loved the views of the ocean and sunsets from the condo. The beach chairs, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment were an added bonus. Highly recommend this place for your stay on the island.”

— Raunak

5. Watch Rain Fall Inside Your Home

This bucket list four-bedroom Airbnb in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, will literally take your breath away. It’s luxuious…original…and oh so creative.

Of course, it also boasts one of the very best ocean views in Kona and multiple water features, but that is just the begnning.

Enter this home by walking under the copper rainfall screen and across a ‘floating’ pathway over a pond. Waterfalls cascade around you throughout the home and brightly-colored koi light up the rooms from their ponds.

The stunning guest house is all about honoring the outdoor lifestyle and water element. It’s luxurious and full of character, and a playground for creative minds.

Enjoy balmy summer evenings from your ocean view pool and hot tub. Gather with friends in spacious living spaces. Relax in the comfy, stylish outdoor patio seats on the expansive, covered lanai. Barbecue on a high-end stainless steel grill.

The sky’s the limit! Kona guests agree that this is one of the most spectacular Big Island vacation rentals.

Check price and availability on this bucket list vacation condo here.

Guest review: “Me and my family’s jaws dropped once we saw this masterpiece in person! With every amenity you can think of, if you’re looking for the perfect vacation destination look no further.”

— Derrick

6.   Hale Kea Relaxing Hideout

This Big Island, Hawaii, Airbnb Plus is a beautiful Hawaiian hideout for two guests. The quiet and private studio-style apartment is simple yet well-outfitted with stunning sea views.

The unique details and quirky touches throughout the space are a beautiful addition to the functionality. You will wake up to the sound of birds every morning and your bed will be bathed in sunset hues in the evening…a blissful spot for losing yourself in your favorite vacation read.

When the warm, tropical rain blows through, cozy up under the covered patio and soak up the smell of the cleansing rain washing over your lush surroundings.

Be sure to grab the complimentary beach chairs, floaties, and fins when you head down to the beach for the day.

Check price and availability on the Hale Kea apartment here.

Guest Review: “Thomas’s place was perfect for our stay in Kona. The location is great and it is the perfect space for a couple with a comfy bed and beautiful scenery and views from the deck. Highly recommend!”

— Justine

Click here to download a printable Hawaii packing list with 31 essential items you don’t want to forget!

7. Deluxe Oceanfront Studio Condo at The Kona Bali Kai

A quiet and private studio in the Kona Bali Kai Resort, this oceanfront condo may be a studio, but it’s also so much more. If you open up the sliding glass wall, you can laze in your Californian King bed enjoying the ocean breeze and the sounds of the sea.

The kitchen is full-sized and fully stocked with appliances and spices. It’s ideal for cooking up a feast to enjoy on your lanai while you soak up this little slice of heaven. You could not be closer to the ocean in this Kailua-Kona vacation rental.

With access to resort amenities—and within walking distance to Kona’s entertainment scene— you’ll enjoy a ton of amazing restaurants on your doorstep. Alii Cove is truly a paradise.

Also, there is a swimming pool onsite, as well as laundry facilities in the unit, so you don’t have to worry about salty or sandy clothes.

Check price and availability on the deluxe oceanfront studio here.

Guest review: “Wonderful space! I hope you like the ocean because you need a boat to get any closer! We had a great stay and I highly recommend it!”

— Steven

8. Absolutely Oceanfront Condo

Stays are highly rated at this lovely apartment in central Kona. The Airbnb location is unbeatable, near Magic Sands Beach. You can spot whales, dolphins, and turtles riding the surf from your breezy oceanview condo.

The design embodies quintessential Hawaii. It’s easy-going and laid-back island aloha at its finest. The studio is on the top floor and has phenomenal views of the sea, sand, and palm trees below.

You can go in search of turtles and yellow tang in the reefs with your snorkeling gear or simply enjoy a dip in the oceanside pool. Either way, you’ll fall asleep with a smile on your face. Air conditioning keeps you cool here while you relax to the calm melody of the waves just outside.

Check price and availability on the absolutely oceanfront condo here.

Guest Review: “Jerry and Alice’s place was nothing short of incredible. They had great recommendations for local things to do. The location at Magic Sands Beach is perfect. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Jerry and Alice’s and will hopefully be able to do it again someday. Mahalo!”

— Alex

9.   Country Cottage

As a spacious country cottage near Magic Sands Beach, this Big Island, Hawaii Airbnb is perfectly suited for two guests. But it can accommodate up to four thanks to the queen-sized fold-out couch. It’s well-designed and the kitchen is fully equipped for your vacation in Hawaii.

The surroundings are tranquil and green with plenty of tropical birds singing in the trees. Highly rated for location, it’s within walking distance from the local beaches and just 30 minutes from the airport.

In the morning, you can whip up a breakfast of fresh eggs and oranges from the chickens and orchards on the property. You’ll have a hard time leaving the massive pool which offers dreamy ocean views and a front-row seat to stunning sunsets.

After a sandy and salty day on the beach, you can rinse off in the outside shower among the greenery and birds. This is one of the top-rated holiday rentals in Kailua-Kona for a reason.

Check price and availability on the spacious country cottage here.

Guest Review: “The location is absolutely gorgeous, and the hosts were extremely friendly. It was like getting all the benefits and hospitality of an AirBnB while still having the privacy of a hotel. I would absolutely stay here again.”

— Tim

10. Romantic Sunset Retreat

Only moments away from Kahalu’u beach park, one of the best spots in Hawaii for surfing and snorkeling, is this incredible one bedroom ‘penthouse’ condo.

One of the top vacation rentals for a romantic getaway, you and your partner will love the mornings together on the sun-drenched patio. Not to mention sunset dinners.

While you’ll enjoy access to the pool in the complex here, you might be bouncing between the sandy shores nearby, too. The beach is just across the road. Plus, your penthouse condo comes with complimentary lounge chairs and bodyboards.

Check price and availability on the romantic sunset retreat here.

Guest Review:“What a great place! Amazing view. King size bed very comfortable. Communication was very prompt and accurate. We will definitely be booking here again!”

— Shannon

11. Magic Sands Studio Condo

This is a wonderful private studio near Magic Sands Beach… Or rather, right across the street from the beach. The location doesn’t get much better than this; you can pretty much just roll out of your comfortable bed and into the sea.

There’s free parking on premises outside this newly renovated condo, but you’ll barely need to drive anywhere. While there is no air conditioning, you will have ceiling and floor fans alongside that beautiful ocean breeze to keep you cool.

This sweet little studio has everything you need for a Hawaiian holiday: An outdoor shower, a fully-equipped kitchen, a stunning patio, and an awesome location.

Check price and availability on the Magic Sands studio condo here.

Guest Review: “We love to actually cook in the places we stay so it was a treat to find Robert’s kitchen so dialed in. Everything worked, the refrigerator is cavernous with a great freezer drawer and the pots and pans were top notch. We got to fall asleep to the waves pounding Magic Beach then wake up, skip across the street and jump in. Just what we needed.”

— John and Angela

12. Remodeled Waterfront Condo with Sunset Views

Picture yourself watching wales covort at sunset from your expansive wrap-around lanai. Yes, please!

This waterfront two-bedroom condo is an absolute gem for four guests. It offers some of the most incredible ocean views in Kona, too.

Enjoy a barbecue area and ocean views from both of the bedrooms here and a central cooling system for warm days. Stocked with all the essentials, and sporting a lovely interior and furnishings, you can’t go wrong booking this spot.

Check price and availability on the waterfront condo here.

Guest review: “The condo was wonderful, the location is amazing. The most relaxing spot on the island. The lanai and couch are spot on, all the little amenities were so nice. I would stay here again!”

— Frank

13. Kealakekua Bay Bali Cottage

Be prepared to be enchanted by this whimsical garden cottage with Indonesian style. If you’re in search of something unique from the standard vacation rentals in Kailua-Kona, this is a real treasure.

Hidden under a large ficus tree, the cottage is only moments away from Kealakekua Bay where you can snorkel, swim, and kayak. It’s a peaceful place with uique character…like the tree branch growing through the ceiling!

Park your car and leave it for the duration of your trip; Everything is within walking distance here. Enjoy cooking under the stars in the outdoor kitchen as flickering tiki torches bring the ambiance.

This place is unconventional, playful, and eclectic. It’s also tranquil and gorgeous!

Check price and availability on the Kealakekua Bay Bali cottage here.

Guest review: “A perfect morning is a morning at the Bali Cottage: Roll out of bed, grind up some of the delicious coffee that was provided for a quick cup, grab masks and fins from the selection there (maybe a beach chair and cooler too) and 10 minutes later I’m swimming with the dolphins. An enchanting place created by delightful hosts.”

— Shannon