Kona / United States

Kona is famous for sportfishing, snorkeling, sunsets and coffee. It means “leeward” in Hawaiian. The northern portion of the Kona side of the Big Island is also known as the Kohala district.    The weather and ocean conditions can be vastly different on each side of the island depending on the time of year and the predominant trade winds.  The Big Island is large and diverse, boasting 11 of the world's 13 climate zones.   Because the mountains block the northeasterly trade winds, the Kona side of the island gets very little rain and enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year.