By: Nicole Rosania, travel content creator and writer at The Abroad Blog

Life in Kona moves at a different rhythm — one that blends slow mornings, adventurous days, and evenings filled with sunsets and stars. When I stayed at the Mango Sunset B&B for a week last year, I got into the most incredible routine that was both relaxing and invigorating. This guide is going to give you a glimpse into what a typical day feels like when staying at this Hawaiian bed and breakfast to help you prepare for your own trip! 

Morning: Farm-to-Table Breakfast

Whether you are traveling from the west coast, east coast, or somewhere else further, you will need time to adjust to the time zone in Hawaii. I was traveling from Boston, so despite my efforts to sleep in, I started every morning around 6 or 7 am in Hawaii — which felt like 1pm on the east coast. 

The mornings in Kona, Hawaii are extremely peaceful! Surrounded by the sounds of birds and the occasional rooster, we had a true island wake-up call every morning.

We started our days with a two-course, farm-to-table breakfast on the outdoor terrace overlooking a lush tropical garden with native plants, flowers, and trees. 

Every dish was made with fresh, seasonal ingredients, many of them locally sourced — grown right here on the island. The innkeepers explained where the produce came from and even shared stories about how they created the recipes themselves. The hospitality was heartfelt, the flavors unforgettable, and the endless refills of rich Kona coffee made it the perfect slow morning, every morning!

Pro-tip: Each evening, you can tell the innkeepers what time you’d like to get up and they will prepare your breakfast accordingly! If you have to leave early on an adventure or to get to the airport, they will even pack you something to bring with you!

Daytime: Island Adventures

After a slow morning, most guests set out to explore the Big Island. After breakfast, we’d hop in our rental car and set out for the day. We did something different everyday on the Big Island. Some choose the ocean — kayaking, snorkeling with sea turtles, or basking on nearby beaches. 

Others venture further to the dramatic landscapes of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, spending the day hiking among lava fields and rainforest trails. If you want to stay local to the Kona coast, here’s a guide to the best things to do around Kona. If you’re interested in visiting Hilo for a day, which is on the opposite coast, I wrote this guide for you as well!

Lunch often becomes part of the adventure, whether it’s a fresh poke bowl from a seaside café or a stop at a local food truck. By afternoon, many guests return to the inn to refresh and prepare for the evening ahead.

Evening: Sunsets & Island Flavors

No matter how far our adventures took us, we always made it back in time for Kona’s nightly show: the sunset. 

Kona’s sunsets are legendary, and watching sunset each evening was always the highlight of the day. Around 6:30 p.m., we gathered with other guests on the lawn with a glass of wine to watch the sky transform into a canvas of pinks, oranges, and purples as the sun dipped below the ocean before us.

Pro-tip: Sunrises and sunsets are at pretty much the same time everyday in Hawaii. It rises around 6/6:30am and sets around 6/6:30pm, making it pretty easy to plan! I recommend waking up with the sun (should be pretty easy if you’re on east coast time) to maximize your adventures. We didn’t want to be too far away from Kona in the dark!

After sunset we would refresh and head to dinner. Breakfast is included with your stay at the BnB but you’ll have to journey into downtown Kona for dinner each night. Luckily, there are tons of options and dinner is just a short drive away — only 10 to 15 minutes into downtown. Here, you’ll find a plethora of restaurants that serve everything from fresh-caught seafood to casual island favorites. Some ice cream shops, bars, and stores will stay open later for tourists, so it was a good way to enjoy the downtown without having to spend a full day exploring.

Pro-tip: We recommend some of the best local restaurants in this guide!

Back at the inn, the night ended quietly, with the sounds of the island lulling us to sleep and the anticipation of another perfect Kona morning ahead.

What makes a stay here special is the balance it offers: leisurely mornings, days filled with adventure, and evenings anchored by unforgettable sunsets. It’s the rhythm of Kona — unhurried, welcoming, and unforgettable.

Ready to book your stay at the Mango Sunset BnB? Head to the website to secure your reservation — P.S., you’ll save $$$ by booking direct!