Yourself nestled on the tropical shores of Kealakekua Bay at Dolphin Bay House or Cottage
Located in South Kona, Hawaii, you’re on a unique part of the island—an area blessed with unparalleled beauty and like no other place on Earth.
Whale Watching On Hawaii’s Big Island - Whales In Hawaii Humpback Whales are some of the earth’s most majestic creatures, with thousands of people traveling to Hawaii from all over the world to catch glimpses of their gigantic bodies breaching the surface and splashing back down into the ocean. The warm waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands are an important destination for the […]
6 Packing Tips for Our Guests - Traveling light is a great way to start your kicked back Hawaiian vacation. These 6 packing tips have been tried and tested during our numerous trips to the islands over the years. The best part is you can easily fit everything in a carry on, you may even have room to spare. Good news: […]
Visit The Place of Refuge – Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park Hawaii - The Place Of Refuge One of the most interesting things to see on the Big Island is known as the Place of Refuge or Pu’uhonua O Honaunau, now a Nationational Historic Park located just a few miles away on Honaunau Bay. In ancient times, the local people believed in a set of laws, called “Kupa,” […]
Warm up and get healthy on the Big Island - When winter storms are freezing much of the country, we invite you to warm up with a dip in the balmy waters of the Pacific! Water temperatures on the west side of Hawaii average 77 degrees in the winter to 82 degrees in the summer. We are located 300′ from Kealakekua Bay and guarantee that […]
Mele Kalikimaka is the thing to say… - …on a bright Hawaiian Christmas day…this familiar tune is heard in Hawaii every year and shared and enjoyed by those of us who love Hawaii. It’s been performed by Jimmy Buffet, Bette Midler, the Andrews Sisters with Bing Crosby and Don Ho among many others. This song was written by composer R. Alex Anderson […]
Kona Coffee Harvest ~ 2018 - From grain to grapes, many farmers and growers celebrate the fall harvest. In our beautiful 50th State, fall (August through December, depending on weather conditions) is harvest season for Kona Coffee. Coffee is connection, conversation and the original flavorful and aromatic energy drink. On the practical side, it’s also an economic mainstay of Kona, where […]
Sustainable Tourism Hawaiian Style - Sustainable Tourism has been a popular concept in the travel media lately. We are glad to see this, as it is important to many travelers. At Dolphin Bay Vacation Rentals, we are committed to protecting and caring for the environment through the use of earth-friendly materials and best practices. We believe it is especially important to […]
Ohi’a Lehua – Flower of the Big Isle - Unlike the more familiar Hawaiian flowers such as Ginger, Bird of Paradise, Anthurium, Hibiscus, and Plumeria (all either introduced or cultivated) the official flower of the Big Island is a native – the red Ohi’a Lehua. Legend has it that one day Pele met a handsome warrior named Ohi’a and she asked him to marry […]
Madame Pele – Goddess of Fire - Because of the recent activity of Kilauea Volcano we wanted to share the following article from the Coffee Times blog, written by Betty Fullard-Leo, that tells the story of Madame Pele. Mahalo to the Coffee Times. Described as “She-Who-Shapes-The-Sacred-Land” in ancient Hawaiian chants, the volcano goddess, Pele, was passionate, volatile, and capricious. In modern times, Pele […]
The Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and Cultural Event - The Merrie Monarch Festival is a week-long cultural event held in Hilo, Hawai’i each spring. It features an internationally acclaimed hula competition, arts fair, hula shows and parade in Hilo town. The Merrie Monarch Festival endeavors to maintain and perpetuate the history and culture of Hawai’i to ensure that their unique traditions will continue to flourish. […]
Rainbow Falls - The Rainbow Falls, called Waiānuenue (rainbow in water) in the Hawaiian language, is a waterfall in the Wailuku river, in Hilo town. The waterfall gets its name from the many rainbows you can see if you view it in the early morning. It cascades over a lava cave and according to legend, is home to […]
Kona’s Tropical Fruit Markets - We’ve had several guests ask us about where to buy the delicious tropical fruits Hawaii is famous for, so for all you foodies – this list is created especially for you! There are farmers markets and fruit stands throughout the Big Island. The Kona side has plenty of them that you’ll want to visit during […]
Valley of the Gods - Waipiʻo Valley is located in the Hamakua District. It was the capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian aliʻi (kings) up until the time of King ʻUmi. Known as the Valley of the Gods, this lush valley is home to ancient sacred temples, tropical rainforests, waterfalls and tall sea cliffs. Few places on the island can match the mystical beauty of […]
Getting to Know Our Nai’a, or Hawaiian Dolphins - Hawaii is a special place to observe dolphins in their natural surroundings. “Nai’a” is the Hawaiian name for dolphins. It refers to any species of dolphins found in the Hawaiian waters, which can mean one of the following four: Pacific Bottlenose dolphin, Rough-toothed dolphin., Spotted dolphin and Spinner dolphin. Of these, Spinner dolphins are the […]
Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary - Experience the tranquil beauty of Paleaku Gardens Peace Sanctuary. Walkways lead to incredible vistas of the Kealakekua Bay, as well as private sitting spaces, bordered with a variety of tropical plants and orchids. Don’t miss the world’s first ‘Galaxy Garden,’ a scale model of the Milky Way – in plants! This remarkable 7-acre paradise hosts a collection […]
Dolphin Bay Cottage Gets Awesome Remodel & A/C! - If it’s been awhile since you’ve spent time at Dolphin Bay Cottage you are in for a sweet surprise. The cottage got a full makeover last November. It looks awesome and is even more comfortable. The totally new kitchen has gorgeous granite counter tops along with many new appliances – it is so fun to […]
Big Island Bees - After fun in the bay here’s a different fun and fascinating activity: Make a visit to Big Island Bees, only 7 minutes from Dolphin Bay Vacation Rentals. They offer a free tour that includes seeing the inside of an active hive, honey tasting in their museum and more. They are the largest provider of organic […]
Kealakekua Bay: a Marine Life Conservation District - It’s only a two-minute walk, and is famous for its premier snorkeling and coral formations and its native Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins and Whales in season. It is home to Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park where in 1779 Captain Cook was killed after a contentious chain of events. Today, a monument stands in this marine life […]
The Hawaiian Coffee Belt - Today, there are a multitude of coffee farms in South Kona, which harvest the uniquely Hawaiian Kona coffee bean. Many coffee farms provide tours and free tastings. The “coffee belt” in Kona is approximately two miles wide from 700 feet (210 m) to 2,000 feet (610 m) elevation. Other districts on the island where coffee is grown […]
