Hawaii’s climate and volcanic soil create a great environment to grow unique crops that don’t typically grow on the US mainland. The climate diversity of Hawaii (Big) Island, in particular, provides the conditions to grow these special foods. As you are making your sightseeing and activity plans for your Big Island vacation, you might want to consider including a tasty food tour. Let’s take a look at these top food and farm tours.
Coffee Farm Tours (free)
If you like coffee, you’ll enjoy a touring and tasting one of the of the world-famous Kona coffee farms. We recommend the Greenwell Farms coffee tour because the guided tours are interesting and the price is free. They also offer free coffee tastings.
Chocolate Farm Tour (paid)
We had no idea how cacao grew or how much time and processing is required to create a chocolate bar from a cacao pod until we toured the Original Hawaiian Chocolate Farm. The tour costs $15 and includes chocolate samples.
Honey Farm Tour (free)
Learn about bees and beekeeping via tour at Big Island Bees. They have a museum and honey tasting room
Macadamia Nut Farm/Factory Tours (free)
Hawaii is well known for producing macadamia nuts and the Big Island offers a couple of easy and options to visit mac nut farms and factories.
- On the Hilo side of Hawaii Island, you can drive through a macadamia nut orchard on the way to the Mauna Loa Visitor Center where you learn more about processing and if you time it right, see the actual processing via their self-guided tour. There is no charge to visit and last time we were there, we got to try a free samples.
- On the Kona side of Hawaii Island, the Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory located in Kawaihae offers a free, self-guided tour of their macadamia nut factory. They also offer free samples of many different flavored macadamia nuts.
Vanilla Farm Tour (paid)
Did you know that the vanilla plant is an orchid and blooms only open for a day? We learned that and a whole lot more at the delicious Hawaiian Vanilla Farm Tour and Lunch on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii Island.
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Itinerary Planning Notes:
- The chocolate, Greenwell Coffee and honey farms are located near each other, so it would be convenient to visit them all on the same day. They’re also somewhat near Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Park, which is more commonly known as the Place of Refuge, which we highly recommend you include on your Hawaii Island vacation itinerary. If you’re up for a snorkel, Kealakekua Bay is also nearby, but you should plan for an early morning activity, in our opinion.
- A stop at Hamakua Macadamia Nut Factory could easily be incorporated in this Kohala Coast scenic drive plan and the Puukohola Heiau National Park is nearby.
- Need more ideas beyond foodie tours for your vacation? See our list of the top things to see and do on the Big Island.
Have you visited a farm or food tour on the Island of Hawaii?
Sheila Beal
