A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Simons vs. Kailua-Kona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona?

Saint Simons

Located just off the coast of southern Georgia, Saint Simons Island is the largest of the state’s renowned "Golden Isle's." Visitors are drawn to the Island for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and its natural environment. With most of the natural marsh and woodlands to the north and the commercial attractions centralized in the south, Saint Simons has a little taste of everything for all who come to see it.

Kailua-Kona

Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Simons and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Saint Simons much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Simons would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Simons and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Saint Simons.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Simons Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona?

Saint Simons has a larger population, and is about 36% larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Saint Simons and Kailua-Kona, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Simons and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Simons is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

In Saint Simons, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Saint Simons gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Simons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Simons usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint Simons gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Simons as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Saint Simons in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Simons is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Simons in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Simons this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Simons gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Saint Simons gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Simons are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Saint Simons for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Saint Simons is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Saint Simons average around 53°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

Saint Simons usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during winter. Saint Simons gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Saint Simons usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint Simons gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Simons or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Simons during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saint Simons is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Simons averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. In the spring, Saint Simons often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Simons gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.

Saint Simons usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kailua-Kona. Saint Simons gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Saint Simons