Tri Travel 5-Night Hawaii Tour
Join the Tri Travel 5-day Hawaii Tour and let our experts help you have the best race possible.
Tri Travel will be celebrating our 25th Hawaii tour in 2026, catering for athletes, friends and family on our classic tours including the 5-Night Tour. The 5-night Mini-Tour is designed for athletes and supporters who have limited time in Kona but still require the expertise and logistical support that Tri Travel provides on all tours. The Mini-Tour offers airport transfers, a run course recce along Alii Drive and swim course update and a Q&A with one of the top professional athletes. Plus race day support for spectators and you also get to join the Tri Travel team for the post-race celebration at the Kona Brewery before attending the race presentation together.
We understand that some athletes cannot make it to Kona for the longer tours but Tri Travel are here to help you with all the logistical issues that a short trip can provide. Tri Travel will make your time in Kona as smooth as possible while looking after your friends and family.
Tour Dates: Wednesday 07 October – Monday 12 October 2026 (5 nights)
The Event
The World Championship held each year in Kailua-Kona will once again be welcoming both the men and women to the Big Island for this festival of triathlon in 2026. On Saturday 10 October, 2026 the world’s best professional and age group women will set off into Kailua Bay to start their personal journey over the 226km journey to the finish line on Alii Drive.
The Tour
The famous Tri Travel Hawaii Tour has been running since 2000. During this time we have helped thousands of athletes complete their Kona journey and when it comes to Kona, experience counts. Race week in Hawaii is unique, and Tri Travel help our athletes navigate the event schedule so they can optimize their race preparations.
This 5-day tour provides support for both first timers and returning athletes to Hawaii. This tour is perfect for athletes and their families to enjoy all the spoils of the Hawaii experience, make new friends and enjoy the best of Hawaii but have limited time.
If the you would prefer more time in Hawaii, we also have a 7 and 10 day tours available. Contact the team at Tri Travel for more details.
When it comes to Kona, we know what works, and our itinerary is designed around our proven winning formula.
We are pleased to offer a 5-night tour and accommodation package, with the following inclusions.
5-night Tour Inclusions
- 5 nights accommodation – October 07 to October 12
- Airport transfers to hotels on October 07 and departures on October 12
- Staff to meet and greet guests at the airport on Friday October 07
- Bike Collection from airport for Friday October 07 arrivals
- Guided by experienced tour leaders
- Swim and Run course orientations and supported training
- Tri Travel Post Race Celebration
- 1 x Grocery shopping trips
- Race Day Spectator Viewing areas
- Tour gifts & merchandise
- Access to massage services – Body by Juliet
- Access to bike mechanics – Bike Works
Throughout the tour, our team of experienced Tour Leaders will be on hand to provide support, advice and assist you with all your race week needs.
Each year Tri Travel book the best accommodation in the best locations for all of our tour members and we have great accommodation available. With the 5-night tour, due to minimum booking requirements set by the apartment owners, we can offer the beautiful Royal Kona Resort for your 5-night stay.
Royal Kona Resort
Situated facing the Pacific Ocean on Kailua Bay and within 600m of the event start/finish area, the Royal Kona Hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, an on-site restaurant and rooms offering mountain and ocean views. Rooms are decorated in soft colours with rich wood accents and offer comfortable verandas.
Event Location
The west coast of Hawaii is known as the “Kona Side” and Kailua-Kona is the lively centre of it all. This historic seaside town sits in the middle of the Kona coast.
Getting there
All visitors to Kona arrive via Hawaiian inter-island flights. The Kona Airport (KOA) is about 30 minutes from the township of Kona, and Tri Travel provide transfers for all of our tour members who are booked not he 10-night arrival and departure dates.
Visa
Australian visitors to the United States, for business or tourism, staying 90 days or less, do not need to obtain a visa. However an online travel authorisation needs to be obtained through ESTA, which is a quick, free internet application with authorisation received within a few minutes.
Location Highlights
Now, because of its central location and tropical weather it has transformed into a lively town that is the activity capital of the Big Island. It is the city on the Big Island that is best equipped for tourism, but still retains the ‘old Hawaii’ feel with none of the high rises or large shopping centres the Waikiki has.
There are many shops and markets selling locally produced items and there is a good offering of restaurants. Relax and look at the waves crashing over the black lava rocks while sipping from a cup of the world-famous Kona coffee, or have some freshly caught ahi (tuna) at one of the seaside restaurants.
Daily Itinerary
Wednesday 07 October 2026 – Arrivals and Run Course Orientation
5-night Tour airport arrivals – Today our 5 night guests arrive. The Tri Travel team will greet the tour group upon arrival at Kona Airport.
Run course orientation – Tonight our team will take you for an easy run along the famous Alii Drive and have stretch in the gardens of the Royal Kona Resort while our pro athletes answer any race questions you may have.
Thursday 08 October 2026 – Swim, Undies Run & Welcome Function
Swim Course – Before the Undies Run we will head down to the Kona Pier for a short swim on the course looking at starting positions and landmarks to site.
Undies Run – This morning we will meet at the Royal Kona Resort and leave at 6:45am to
walk to the start line at the King Kam Hotel and join in the fun of the Undies Run. This one-of-a-kind event is a fundraiser for the Hawaiian community.
Grocery shopping – The Tri Travel team will be available to take you for another grocery
shop.
Official Welcome Function at 6:00pm – Tonight is the traditional welcome function that
welcomes all the athletes to Kona, recognises last years’ champions and inducts this year’s Hall of Fame recipient. This is a great night out and the beginning of the build-up to race day. Race briefing is held after the function.
Friday 09 October 2026 – Bike Check-in
Bike check in – Today is the day to place your bike, helmet and race gear into the transition area. Athletes will ride their bikes to the pier for check in between 11:30am and 6:00pm. There will be a Tri Travel van stationed at Lava Java to shuttle athletes back to accommodation.
For the rest of the day, it’s time to relax.
Saturday 10 October 2026 – Race Day
Race day – Tri Travel team to meet at Royal Kona Resort and walk to the race start in wave
start groups starting at 5:00am. Guests staying out of town will be collected by the TriTravel van.
Race day spectator viewing areas – The Tri Travel team will have spectator viewing areas set-up throughout the day. The Tri Travel team will be at the top of Palani Road where you will have coffee and croissants as you watch your athlete start the bike ride as well as see them climb Palani Road around 20km into the ride. The second position is at the front of the Royal Kona Resort and is available from 11.30am where you can settle in and wait for your athlete on the run.
Sunday 11 October 2026 – Let’s Celebrate!
Post Race Celebrations at 3:30pm – Celebration post race drinks at Kona Brewing featuring guest speakers and presentations. A great way to discuss race day events and celebrate your achievements. First drinks on Tri Travel!
Awards Banquet at 6:00pm – It’s time to enjoy the party. The awards banquet is an incredible night, the pressure is off and it is time to celebrate. So, enjoy the meal, the show and then make your way down to Laverne’s Sports Bar afterwards for a night of dancing and fun.
Monday 12 October 2026 – Departures
Airport departures – Today the Tri Travel team say goodbye to our guests as they leave the island to return home or continue their holiday.
Check out our tour highlights video and see what it's like to be part of our famous Hawaii Tour.
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