Alii Adventures @ Saltwater Soul

Surf shop in Kailua Kona, HI

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4.8 (124 reviews)

Kailua Kona, HI

About Alii Adventures @ Saltwater Soul

Alii Adventures @ Saltwater Soul in Kailua-Kona offers a wide range of watersports rentals and beach gear right across from Kamakahonu Beach. Customers consistently praise the friendly, welcoming small business service, noting the best prices in town and staff who prioritize safety and local knowledge. This shop is ideal for experienced adventurers or those seeking robust rental equipment, though beginners should seek more detailed onboarding assistance elsewhere.

The Good

Customers consistently praise the exceptional friendliness, welcoming nature, and high level of customer service provided by the staff (including specific mentions of Chris, Dana, Tom, Shari, Mohaila, Jacob, Jeff, and Kaia). The shop is frequently cited as having the best or lowest prices in town. Equipment quality is noted as robust and well-maintained, often superior to competitors. The location across from Kamakahonu Beach is convenient for testing gear and launching, and many renters enjoyed seeing dolphins and whales nearby. Staff are commended for prioritizing customer safety over sales, providing detailed safety briefings, and offering valuable local knowledge.

Things to Consider

Several negative experiences centered around inadequate instruction, particularly for beginners renting paddleboards or kayaks. Some customers felt instructions were too fast, condescending, or lacked necessary details on usage, balancing, or launching from the rocky shore, leading to minor injuries or stress. One review mentioned receiving dirty/unfitted snorkel gear and an employee making an inappropriate comment to children. Another noted that the immediate launch area might be rocky, requiring water shoes, which staff failed to mention to unfamiliar visitors.