hawaii kona coffee plantation tour

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Visiting the big island.

Be sure to come up mauka (toward the mountain) to embark on a tour of Greenwell Farms and sample our award-winning 100% Kona Coffee. From coffee fields to coffee tastings, discover why Greenwell Farms was voted Hawaii's Best Farm Tour in 2021, 2023 and 2024 by Hawaii Magazine and has won the TripAdvisor Traveler's Choice Award 2021-2023.

Greenwell Farms

81-6581 Mamalahoa Highway Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750

Free Guided Farm Tours

Inspired by the Napa Valley Wine Tour, we offer complimentary guided tours of our coffee farm and processing facilities daily from 9:00am-3:00pm. From seed to cup, guests are given an inside look at the history, farming and processing of coffee before sampling Greenwell Farms 100% Kona Coffee. Tours walk over unpaved, uneven terrain, with mild upslope and downslope. Unescorted viewing of the farm is prohibited. Tours last 45-60 minutes and coffee is available for sampling both before and after the tour. If your group is over 15 people, please contact us to arrange a Private Group Tour.

9:00am, 10:00am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 11:30am, 12:00pm, 12:30pm, 1:00pm, 1:30pm, 2:00pm, 2:30pm, 3:00pm No reservations are required for free tours. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your desired tour time.

Meet Expert Farm Tour Guide

Our latest piece of equipment is called a laser optical sorter which uses laser technology to kick out the over-ripe or under-ripe cherries. Then, it will go through a soaking time and dry up on the decks. When this is done perfectly, it helps to assure that you get the best quality coffee that you can.

One of the really cool places on the farm is what we call old trees, or affectionately Grandmas trees. These 2 acres of coffee trees were planted between 1900 and 1903, that makes many of these trees, this year, a hundred and twenty years old.

My favorite spot on the farm is going to have to be right here down at the nursery. At any given moment we have twenty to forty thousand coffee plants getting their first roots, kind of their first steps.

A lot of people ask me, how do you make flavored coffee? It is done after roasting. We use a syrup to flavor the coffee. We mix it here and we put the ground or whole bean coffee here, turn it on, mix it up and then you have flavored coffee of your choice.

My favorite coffee here is the Private Reserve. It comes from a particular section of the farm where I am standing now. This coffee is perfectly balanced and softly flavorful. I love it!

One of my favorite places on the farm is where the coffee trees are, especially when they are in bloom. This is a coffee flower and its starts to grow early winter to spring. It has a very pleasant smell and this a time we call Kona snow.

One of my favorite places on the farm is the retail store. I get to welcome people from all over the world and share our amazing coffee with them and this beautiful background.

One of the most amazing things about the farm here is that we have fruit all year-round including oranges, papaya, apple banana, lychee and so many more things, including our favorite Kona Avocado trees.

Deluxe Tour and Tasting

If you are desirous of an intimate, exclusive farm experience, please consider our very popular Deluxe Tour & Tasting. This tour gives you a small group, seed-to-cup perspective into the world of 100% Kona Coffee with a dedicated guide. You will visit many places the free tour cannot go, including the cupping room (when available) the roasting room, the farm, wet mill, nursery and dry mill. The farm has multiple varieties of fruit trees, flowers and other commercially grown products that guests can experience on a seasonal basis. The farm tour is followed by a guided cupping experience (which is like a wine tasting for coffee) where guests are instructed on the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) protocols for evaluating coffee. This experience will forever change the way you think about coffee and is described by many as a highlight of their stay. The Deluxe Tour & Tasting is semi private and limited to 6 guests. This tour cannot accommodate children under 12. The farm tour takes approximately 1+ hour, cupping about 30 minutes. Please arrange at least 2 hours for your complete experience. The Deluxe Tour & Tasting is offered at 9:30AM and 1:30PM Monday through Friday. $39.95 per person plus tax. (minimum 2 people) These tours sell out quickly and advance reservations are required. Please email [email protected] to secure your reservation.

The Art of Coffee: Manual Brewing Class

What's the point of buying really amazing coffee and not having the skills to get the best flavors from it? Sign up for our Art of Coffee: Manual Brewing Class and our highly trained staff will guide you through a Pour Over, French Press, AeroPress and Moka pot. You will learn the detailed variables, weight ratios and water temperatures to get the best flavors from your coffee. We will explore recipe variations and how each of these methods changes the final cup profile. Now that you are on vacation, take a breath and learn how to make your coffee really, really well. This experience will live with you for the rest of your life! You will also receive a brew manual to take home and continue your coffee journey. This class is limited to 6 participants and cannot accommodate children under 12. The class takes approximately 1 hour, and we will cover four methods of manual brewing. The Art of Coffee: Manual Brewing Class is offered at 9:30AM and 1:30PM Tuesday through Saturday. $39.95 per person plus tax. (minimum 2 people) To book a class please mail: [email protected]

Private Group Tours

Although groups of up to 14 can join our regular free tour as they like, many large families and groups want that deeper more intimate experience. The Private Group Tour is the same extended tour of the farm as the Deluxe Tour without the guided cupping. Guests will however be able to sample many different types of coffee at our tasting station. This tour can accommodate up to 48 people. Children under 5 are not counted in the totals. Tour Drivers and Conductors are also not charged. The Private Group Tour is customizable to your group’s needs so please discuss scheduling and the needs of your specific group by email [email protected] Private Group Tour 1-10 Guests - $120 per group + tax 11-30 Guests - $11 per person + tax 31-48 Guest - $9 per person + tax

Greenwell Farms Commercial Tours Policy

Greenwell Farms, Inc Policy for Commercial Operator’s 

Greenwell Farms, Inc welcomes Commercial Tour Operator’s (PUC Compliant) on to the farm during working hours with the following stipulations:

a) Our free tours are not designed or intended for commercial operators.

If you would like to visit the farm, there are three options:

1)    You may guide your own group after a one-time brief orientation for each driver from our gift shop/tour manager. Please arrange this in advance and when you are not with a group of guests. (no-charge)

2)    You may visit the shop, sample coffee, use the facilities with no tour of the farm. (no-charge)

3)    You may pre-arrange a Private Group Tour for your group no later than 48 hours in advance, subject to availability and paid for on the day of the tour by Credit Card.

Private Group Tour Cost 1-10 Guests - $120 per group + tax 11-30 Guests - $11 per person + tax 31-48 Guest - $9 per person + tax

  b) Loading, unloading and parking needs to be orderly and considerate to the operation of the farm.

1)   Please do not pull over by the avocado trees to load/unload.

2)   Please do not stop in the middle of the road to load/unload.

3)   If you see a tour in progress, please do not pull up next to it.

4)   Please inform all guests/drivers that the paved road is a thoroughfare and must remain clear so that we may comply with fire/emergency access, delivery and farm vehicle flow, and for general safety of guests.

Please Park your vehicles in one of the designated spaces, and then guide your guests to the shop.

When you are ready to leave, please instruct your group to meet you back at the vehicle.

14 Passenger vans may use the parking stalls on the pavement in front of the gift shop, or either of the gravel parking areas. No restrictions.  Backing in is probably your best option but not required.

24 Passenger vans should park on the grass (completely off the road) by the orange trees, facing uphill so that guests are unloading/loading on the safe side of the bus.

Motor Coaches and any vehicle larger that 24 passengers must park at the top of the property on the mauka side of the white building and instruct guests to walk up and down the hill.  Large motor coaches are not allowed down the hill under any circumstance.

c) Instructions for Guests on your Tours are vital!

Greenwell Farms is a real working coffee farm, as such there are restrictions that we need to impose for safety and liability.

1)    Please inform all guests that walking around the actual farm (wet mill/trees/warehouse) is not allowed unless they are with their guide.

2)    The only place they can walk around is the grassy area by the gift shop with the orange trees.  As long as they are on the grass, they are good.

Please be clear about this as this is private property with residents and we have had people walk down to the owner’s house, by the housing units, and right into the mills.  

3)    Please inform all guests that this is a no-smoking property and know that chemicals, gas, and other flammables are regularly transported through the farm. Additionally, we are a farm stand/retail store and state law prohibit smoking at retail stores and recreational/cultural facilities.

d) Compliance

Any Greenwell Farms employee is authorized to ask for compliance with these and any other issue.

As a Commercial Operator, your only answer is “yes” and immediate compliance is required.  Violator’s will be asked not to return to the farm.

Greenwell Farms, Inc has grown significantly in recent years and managing the larger numbers of guests, maintaining the quality of the tour, and being vigilant about safety and protective of the actual workings of the farm are important as we move forward. 

 Your understanding of this is greatly appreciated. 

The Best Part of Greenwell Farms Tours?

The Retail Store! Before or after your tour, you can browse products from Greenwell Farms, including 100% Kona Coffee, souvenirs & gifts, specialty food & beverage, coffee accessories and fresh, seasonal produce from the farm. RETAIL HOURS: 8:30am-5:00pm daily COFFEE TASTING HOURS: 8:30am-3:30pm daily

What Our Guests Are Saying

This was by far our favorite coffee tour on the island. Matt was an incredibly knowledgeable and friendly tour guide around the field. It was also free which was really cool. We learned about the history of Greenwell, and coffee cultivation in general. We were able to taste test a number of delicious blends and took a bunch home. Highly recommend visiting this farm!

If you love coffee and want to learn what makes Kona Coffee special, then this is the place to come. This coffee farm began in 1850 and they provide a wonderful, informative tour. Tastings of their coffees are available. The kona coffee belt area is a unique mixture of ocean breezes and cool mountain mist that makes this coffee one of a kind. We have tasted many different Kona coffees and Greenwell’s is our favorite! Enjoy the tour of this outstanding coffee farm and don’t forget to pick up a bag or two for home!

We visited the farm earlier this week & the staff was very friendly. They greet everyone & make sure that you are aware of all of the coffee samples and when the next tour will start. I would definitely recommend visiting their farm. They were very pleasant & the coffee was good. You will learn a lot during the tour.

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Don’t Miss the 7 Best Coffee Tours on the Big Island

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Looking for a more caffeinated taste of the Big Island? We waded through its more than 630 coffee farms to bring you the seven best tours the Big Island has to offer. This world-renowned coffee can be an elusive find outside of the island chain, so be sure to follow your coffee bean bliss to one (or more!) of the plantation destinations below.

Not a coffee connoisseur? No problem. These farm tours offer plenty of aloha for coffee aficionados, coffee-prohibited kiddos, and everyone in between!

Map of the Best Big Island Coffee Farm Tours

Hala Tree Coffee

This farm offers free one-hour tours of its coffee tree plantation (certified USDA organic!) and surrounding acreage on the sunny hills of Kona.

Hala Tree Coffee takes care to tailor its tours to the day’s conditions, ensuring the most memorable, comfortable, and informational experience possible. Depending on the season you may see coffee blooms or coffee cherries (green, red, or both!). The sights only improve during the tour’s conclusion: a tasting under a pergola with stunning ocean views. Be sure to take-in your scenic surroundings with Hala Tree Coffee’s award-winning coffees and teas during this delightful stop in Kona Coffee Country.

Fast Facts:

• Tour price: Free
• Tour hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (last tour starts at 3pm)
• Reservation required? Yes
• Book online

If you’re heading to the Big Island, check out our full Big Island Guide . What to do, where to stay, where to eat…we have you covered.

In addition to a punny name, Kona Joe’s serves up one mean cup of coffee. This plantation’s namesake is also a partial owner of a Californian winery, and it definitely shows!

Each of the plantation’s coffee trees are trained to grow along the wires of an intricate trellis system, creating the rows and rows of this coffee bean “vineyard.” But Joe’s wine-making influence does not stop there. Rather than observation alone, he utilizes state-of-the-art technology to monitor the coffee cherries pH level, sugar concentration, and titratable acid content. By these metrics, the plantation’s scientific team determines the optimal maturity for the bean and the perfect time for its harvest.

This plantation offers something for everyone with a large breadth of tour options from a free self-guided tour to the interactive “Ultimate Tour.” Plan a visit to see if you can taste the difference in this cup of Joe!

Fast facts:  Self-guided Tour: Free, offered daily, on demand, between 8am to 3pm Standard Guided Tour: $20, offered daily at 9am, 11am and 1pm No reservation required

Sunshower Farms

A venture a little further off the beaten path (and a little farther up the mountain) will be well-rewarded with this Sunshower Farms spectacular views and intimate setting. The tour’s length is a bit longer (1.5 to 2 hrs) and its content more technical, so the kids will most likely prefer to stay beachside for this excursion. However, if you are looking for an informational experience that leans far more towards the ‘intimate’ than the ‘touristy’, this family-owned farm is for you.

Each tour begins with a short walk through the orchard (and an introduction to its resident sheep), and concludes with a “coffee cupping experience,” hosted by Kate, Sunshower Farms owner and coffee roaster. The strict brewing protocols required for a “cupping” to enhance the coffee’s taste and aroma set it apart from a standard tasting, and will make you feel like a certified Q grader (professional coffee taster)!

Fast facts: Tour price: $30 How to book: Book directly through their website .

Coffee tasting is kid-friendly, but if you’re looking for more things to do with kids, check out 12 epic things to do in Kona with kids .

Monarch Coffee

When Monarch Coffee calls themselves an ‘Ohana’ (family) operation, they mean it. This multi-generational family of coffee growers began on a modest two-acre plot on Maui before growing into their Kona property, tucked into the hills above Holualoa. 

Monarch imported the seeds of their “Gesha” (not “Geisha!”) coffee trees themselves in 2010, and boy are we thankful they did. Though only on their fourth Gesha harvest, their coffee has already won Grand Champion First Place at the State of Hawaii Cupping Competition, among several other accolades.

If you and your keiki (kids) find yourselves at the farm on a Wednesday at 2pm, The Keiki Farm Walk is a must. During a short walk through the farm, your keiki can learn about a happy, healthy ecosystem and the important role of pollinators before tasting fresh fruit, and participating in a craft project. Whether it’s an egg crate caterpillar or planted milkweed, each project certainly makes for a unique souvenir to take home!

• Walking Estate Tour: $25; 10am to 3pm every hour, Tuesday-Thursday; 1 hour long; 17 and under are free
• Estate Tasting Tour: $75; 10am and 12pm; 2 hours long (limit 4 guests, 18 years or older)
• Keiki Farm Walk: $10; Weds at 2pm; 45 minutes
• For reservations, book here

Coffee tasting is amazing, but don’t miss our 21 best things to do and see on the Big Island .

Kona Coffee Living History Farm

The Kona Coffee Living History Farm certainly lives up to its name. On this family-friendly farm, early Kona coffee history springs to life with costumed interpreters, a preserved 1920’s farmhouse, and demonstrations of traditional agricultural crafts, activities, and more!

The farm, homesteaded by the Uchida family in the early 20th century, recreates the daily domestic life of the Japanese-immigrant family. Upon entering the original farmhouse (and removing your shoes) you may find a homemaker starting a fire on a traditional open-hearth stove, or making musubi for the farmer’s lunch. Outside, visitors can learn to farm coffee just as the Uchida family did. From picking the fruit, processing in the kuriba (mill), and drying on the hoshidana (drying platform), guests learn the techniques and stories of Kona’s earliest coffee pioneers from the farm’s living history interpreters.

Afterwards, you can explore the gardens, visit the chickens, and meet Shizu and Charlie Boy, the farm’s resident donkeys and verified ‘Kona Nightingales.’ And if you find yourself missing Shizu and Charlie Boy after your visit, you can tune into the Kona Historical Society’s “Story Time” here to see a member of the society’s team read stories to the beloved Kona Nightingales!

Fast facts:

• $20 per Adult, $15 if Hawaii Resident
• $10 per Student (ages 7 to 17), $5 if Hawaii Resident
• Entry is free for children under 7

Please note: the farm is closed in June for a local youth summer camp

All proceeds go directly to the Society’s educational programs and preservation projects.

Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation

If a standard tour and tasting is not your cup of Kona tea, a family trip up the (volcanic) mountainside to Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is in order.

Mountain Thunder stands apart from the standard plantation tour, and not just because of the elevation. Located in a Cloud Forest (the only one in the US!), with Lava Tubes to boot, it is easy to forget that they are also the closest coffee farm to the Waikoloa resort area. You can even make a day out of it by visiting the neighboring Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary!

The standard walking tour is free, if only 20 minutes. However, they are offered every half hour from 9:30am until 3:30pm, everyday, and groups under 10 do not need a reservation. Additionally, the walking tours are wheelchair friendly and available rain or shine.

For an additional $10 per family, you can explore Mountain Thunder’s Nature Trail with the  Self-Guided Lava Tube & Nature Walk. The fee includes a guidebook that highlights points of interest along the trail along with stories of Hawaiian culture, history, and geology. The hike takes around 20 minutes, but you are welcome to stay as long as you like if you are hoping to catch a peek at some local wildlife indigenous to this unique ecosystem. Chameleons, butterflies, and cockatoos are the most likely sightings. However, the endangered Hawaiian Hawk is also about, so keep a sharp eye.

If you are looking for a lengthier tour with a bit more umph , a 1.5 hr ATV tour is available for up to five people at a rate of $125.

Remember to pack your lunch for this outing, there are no snacks or lunches for sale. Picnic space can be found in the gift shop area or down the Nature Trail at the observation deck, though it is limited.

• Pack a lunch! No food or snacks are available.
• Walking Tour (20 min, free; no reservations required)
• Self-Guided Lava Tube & Nature Walk (20 min, $10 per family; no reservations required)
• ATV Tour (1.5 hrs, up to 5 people, $125; reservations recommended)
• Roast Master Experience (2 hrs, up to 6 people, $325; reservations required)
• Visit Mountain Thunder’s website to learn more or book a reservation.

Heavenly Hawaiian Farms

Though Heavenly Hawaiian Farms coffee and snacks are delicious enough to border on the ethereal, the true standout is the exceptionally knowledgeable and welcoming tour guides who make every visitor feel like Ohana. And if you are also looking for a pool, tables with an incredible view, homemade honey, and a farm side coffee bar, they have that too…

The Konalani Coffee Bar offers pour overs, cold brew, Italian sodas(!), and of course, 100% Kona Coffee. Heavenly Hawaiian beans can lean to the more expensive side of Kona coffee, but the farm’s flexible hours (the one-hour coffee tour is available Monday through Saturday from 9:15am to 4pm), incredible tour guides, and delicious offerings make it a fantastic stop on your trip through Kona country.

If you are looking to curate a milestone ( eh hem … proposal) or don’t mind breaking the bank on a memorable morning (pricing starts at $750), Heavenly Hawaii recently teamed up with Malama Luxury Picnics to create a ‘Luxury Coffee Picnic.’ Each customized picnic includes a luxury set up, charcuterie breakfast, Heavenly Hawaiian cold and fresh brewed coffee, take home gifts, and more.

• Paniolo Roasting (45 minutes, Ages 13+, $40)
• Coffee Tour (1 hr, All ages, $12)
• Paint & Sip (1.5 hr, Ages 10+, $70)
• Brew Your Best Cup Workshop (1.5 hrs, Ages 13+, $55)

All available times and dates for your tour can be found on Heavenly Hawaiian’s website under ‘Farm Tours.’

Interested in other farm tours? We have you covered with the best Big Island Farm Tours you won’t want to miss. The first one on the list was surprisingly my favorite.

Other Big Island coffee questions?

Why not just say kona coffee.

Kona is just one of the Big Island’s four coffee regions (Kona, Hamakua, Puna, Ka’u). Each boasts a unique microclimate with its own specific conditions for the cultivation of the Big Island’s many distinct varieties of coffee bean.

What makes Hawaii coffee tastings so special?

Hawaii is one of two US states that grow coffee , and many other international growing locations only produce for export. This makes Hawaii one of the only places in the world where you can experience your coffee from cultivation to cup, all in one idyllic setting.

What is ‘Kona Snow?’

As you may have guessed, it is not snow, snow. During the months of February and March, small white flowers bloom on the coffee trees, in preparation for the creation of their coffee cherries. These small blossoms blanket the Kona hillsides with a fragrant and beautiful “snow.”

What is a ‘Cloud Forest?’

A cloud forest is a rare ecosystem unique to montane (mountain) rainforests of high elevation. A cloud forest receives its water not only from rainfall, but from a heavy condensation, or “mist” that can be so thick you feel like you are in a cloud, literally. The tropical cloud forest in Kona Country is the only one located within the United States, so be sure to see it for yourself if you have the opportunity!

Why are there so many sheep?

Seeing more than your fair share of sheep on your coffee excursion? Sheep love to eat the weeds found on plantations, but not the coffee plant, making them a staple of Big Island Coffee farms.

Why do they call donkeys “Kona Nightingales?”

The Kona nightingale is a particularly vocal breed of donkey found in the Kailua-Kona region of the Big Island. Originally brought to the area to work the land, they quickly became beloved pets. However, families could often only afford one donkey. When the family would retire for the evening, the singular donkey would grow lonely and begin to bray (a distinctive loud cry). The sound would carry to other donkeys on neighboring farms, who would answer in turn. Through this night time “singing” the donkeys earned the nickname “Kona nightingale,” after the nocturnal songbird.

When is the Kona coffee season?

The Kona coffee tours run year-round. Harvest generally takes place from August to December. This is when you can see the pulper (the machine that extracts the coffee bean from the pulp) in action. Kona snow is another memorable season, particularly visually, which takes place during the months of February and March.

Too excited (or caffeinated) to sleep? Make it a night to remember by snorkeling alongside Manta Rays. We have a full guide about snorkeling with Manta Rays that covers everything you need to know.

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I'm the co-founder, with my husband Jordan, of The Hawaii Vacation Guide. We have lived on Maui and Oahu and continue to travel, experience, and learn about the Hawaiian Islands. We travel with our kids, Henry and Edith. I am a planner! I love to plan trips from the mainland and island-hopping adventures, excursion days, and everything in-between. I spend a lot of my time in Hawai'i on a SUP and my favorite time of year in Hawai'i is whale season!

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Our award-winning coffee farm is open for tours daily (including major holidays) 8:00 AM to 4 PM Hawaiian Standard Time.  We are located 8 miles south of Kailua-Kona on Highway 11 between mile marker 113 and 114. Handicap accessible.

Tour Options:

Free tours: include a 5 minute video and self guided walking tour. Free tours are conducted daily on demand.

Combined Tour :   Our most popular tour.  Begins with the basic guided tour (8 oz cup of Kona Joe Coffee, 5 minute video, guided tour of our farm and facility, coffee and chocolate tasting, and a free coffee gift) followed by the interactive roasting experience.

Basic Guided Tour :  8 oz cup of Kona Joe Coffee, 5 minute video, guided tour of our farm and facility, coffee and chocolate tasting, and a free coffee gift.

The Interactive Roasting Experience :   Roast 10 ounces of coffee yourself.  Create your own custom roast.  Learn the secrets of roasting with instruction from your guide. The coffee goes home with you for yourself or as a gift.

The Ultimate Tour : a two hour interactive experience, including all of the perks of a comprehensive tour plus the unforgettable experience of roasting your own 6 pounds of 100% Kona Coffee with the Kona Joe roast-master.

Call  Collier Maxwell for group rates and special reservations.

Phone: 808-666-9750

Email:  collier @konajoe.com

Visit Our Farm

Our award-winning coffee farm is open for tours daily 8:00 AM to 3 PM Hawaiian Standard Time. We are located 8 miles south of the Kailua-Kona Pier, on Highway 11 between mile marker 113 and 114. Handicap accessible. We offer a full coffee bar, baked goods, and unparalleled views of the Kona Coast and Pacific Ocean.

Free tours:  includes an 8 minute video and self guided walking tour. Free tours are conducted daily upon demand. No booking necessary.

Standard Guided Tour :  12 oz cup of Kona Joe Coffee, guided tour of our farm and facility, coffee and chocolate tasting, and a free coffee gift

The Interactive Coffee Roasting Experience : a 45 minute interactive experience. Learn the secrets of specialty coffee roasting. You will roast a half pound of coffee with instruction from your guide. You will package and take your custom roast home.

Combined Tour :   Our most popular tour option.  Begins with the fully guided tour followed by the interactive roasting experience.  Save $15 per person with this combined option.

The Ultimate Tour :  a two hour interactive experience, including all of the perks of a comprehensive tour plus the unforgettable experience of roasting your own 5 pounds of 100% Kona Coffee with the Kona Joe roast-master.

Contact Collier Maxwell for group rates of 12 or more, special reservations for parties, meals, weddings, and Green Bean Coffee Sales.

Phone: 808-322-2100 x1004

Email: [email protected]

Book A Tour

• (808) 322-7720
• 78-1136 Bishop Rd, Holualoa, HI 96725
• Mon-Sat: 9 to 5pm

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Heavenly Hawaiian coffee is grown on the hills of Holualoa in the heart of Kona. We grow, process, and roast 100% Kona Coffee all here on the Big Island. Founded by Dave & Trudy Bateman, Heavenly Hawaiian has been growing world class coffee since 1994. Since then, we’ve grown our team and our farm now offers a wide variety of tours, an online store, and of course, 7 farm cats.

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that you’re drinking. By scanning the QR code on the back of every Hala Tree Coffee bag you’ll be

able to view the picking, processing and roasting details of the beans you receive.

If you can’t get enough of the coffee you’re drinking,you can easily follow the “Buy a refill”

link that will conveniently direct you to our website to order the same coffee again.

Know what’s in your cup and check out the QR code feature on your next bag of

Hala Tree 100% Kona coffee! 

Try out our QR code feature to get a deeper look into the story of the coffee that you’re drinking. By scanning the QR code on the back of every Hala Tree Coffee bag you’ll be able to view the picking, processing and roasting details of the beans you receive. If you can’t get enough of the coffee you’re drinking,you can easily follow the “Buy a refill” link that will conveniently direct you to our website to order the same coffee again. Know what’s in your cup and check out the QR code feature on your next bag of Hala Tree 100% Kona coffee!

ABOUT HALA TREE COFFEE

"Coffee Created With Love, For Lovers Of Great Kona Coffee"

Unlike most producers, we control and monitor every stage of what makes exceptional Organic coffee. Nothing is taken for granted. The beans are grown and nurtured in our fields, harvested by hand, then carefully processed and roasted to perfection on-site. We’re constantly innovating our processes to push ourselves, and the industry as a whole, to ever-higher levels of excellence.

Hala Tree Coffee has won awards from the Hawaii Coffee Association, the Kona Coffee Farmer’s Association, and the Kona Coffee Council.

100% Kona, 100% Passion. 100% Taste.

Discover the Magic of Coffee: Why a Farm Tour on the Big Island is a Must

​100% Kona Coffee: A Connoisseur’s Guide

Traceability and Transparency: The Heart of Hala Tree Coffee

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KONA COFFEE TOURS

Discover the magic of U lu 

rain or shine ,  enjoy   a   FA RM-TO-CUP ADVENTURE ON THE SLOPES OF HUALĀLAI.

One-of-a-kind

Guided tours .

Experience the serenity of a single-estate coffee farm in Kona Hawaii. Our guided tours include a walk through our four micro lots. Where you'll learn all about our 100% Kona coffee, macadamia nuts, and daily life on the Big Island Small Farm.

WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY.

"I took my sister to Ulu for my second coffee farm tour there, led by knowledgeable, welcoming and hardworking Trixie. You drive in, and are immediately greeted at this oasis of fruit, mac nut and coffee trees by her and her canine companion Brownie. We were treated to handmade snacks and invited to crack mac nuts while we sampled two types of coffee. We also learned about the rich, uniquely important volcanic soil, the land where it sits and the history of their specific farm. Trixie explained the process so well walking through the grove, that upon first sip, you are present in the moment."

Select your experience.

Group Farm Tour

Enjoy the tour with other visitors.

Private Farm Tour

Get the experience all to yourself.

Tour Description

Buddha’s Cup

With an award-winning roster of organic Kona coffee and tea, it would be easy for this five-plantation farm to coast by on the quality of their products. Instead, they’ve gone above and beyond to provide an immersive, one-of-a-kind experience.

Tour this lush, gorgeous estate on an ATV and you’ll come face to face with more than just coffee – the Buddha’s Cup property is also home to a wide variety of farm animals and fruit trees. Book your family-friendly, COVID-safe tour today!

GreenWell Farms

GreenWell Farms provides free, escorted tours of their organic coffee fields and state-of-the-art processing facility every half hour from 9:00 am-3:00 pm every day. Planning a visit? Guests are encouraged to arrive 10-15 minutes before their desired start time.

Hala Tree Coffee organizes free hour-long tours of their beautiful organic coffee and tea farm overlooking Kona’s picturesque south coast. Tours are available Monday through Friday and include a sample tasting. Advanced booking is recommended.

Heavenly Hawaiian

The Heavenly Hawaiian coffee farm provides tours from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Saturday. These “Farm to Cup” tours provide an in-depth look at the coffee farm and culminate in a fresh coffee tasting on the authentic Hawaiian lanai.

Holualoa Kona Coffee Company

Located off the Mamalahoa Hwy in Holualoa, The Holualoa Kona Coffee Company provides visitors with access to self-guided, COVID-safe tours of their beautiful, certified-organic Kona Le’a plantation from 8 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday.

Hula Daddy Kona Coffee provides tours of their coffee orchard and roasting room from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Tours are available in Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin, but advanced notice is required.

Kona Coffee & Tea Company

Located on the slopes of Hualalai, the Kona Coffee & Tea Company converted an old 20-acre cattle farm into a single estate sustainable Kona coffee plantation that has since grown to 200 acres. Reserve your tour of this family-owned farm today.

Mountain Thunder Kona Coffee

In addition to multiple free first-come-first-serve tasting sessions and tours of their mill, Mountain Thunder offers guided nature walks through their property, as well as private vehicle tours and a VIP 2-hour Roast Master experience.

Rooster Farms

Rooster Farms has been certified organic for 30+ years, making them the oldest certified organic coffee farm in the Kona District. 45 minute – 1.5-hour free tours of the grounds are available but they must be reserved in advance

Ueshima Coffee (UCC Hawaii)

From their gorgeous estate just north of Holualoa Village, Ueshima Coffee offers access to Kona coffee tours by reservation only. Tours include a visit to their full coffee shop, where they make delicious RTD (ready to drink) beverages.

Other Kona Coffee Farms

Bay view farms, bong brothers coffee co., cedar house coffee farm, kona lisa coffee, dragon’s lair estate, hilo coffee mill, island moon coffee company, island sun coffee, ka hua o`kona estate coffee, koa organic coffee plantation, kona blue sky coffee estate, kona coffee living history farm, kona joe coffee, kona kulana farms, kona pacific farmers cooperative, kona star farms, kuaiwi farm, long ears coffee co, mahina mele farm, old hawaiian coffee, pele plantations, mamalahoa hwy, rancho aloha, sugai kona coffee, sunshower coffee farm.

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Kona Coffee Farm Tours and Tastings

Take at least one guided Kona coffee tour if you’re on the Big Island. The Big Island is home to Kona coffee, the champagne of coffee. Considered the best in the world, see how coffee grows, where it’s picked, how it’s picked, and when it’s picked. Walk and talk with the actual farmers that make your coffee. Learn what makes Kona coffee so special.

Table of Contents

In this guide, we’ll discuss what makes Kona coffee unique, everything you need to know to take a tour, and what to expect. Let us know in the comments section if we need to include anything else.

Planning a last-second trip to go on a Kona coffee tour?

If you want to go on a Kona coffee tour last-second, consider booking your trip ASAP. Below are some recommendations of tours and lodging.

Best Kona coffee tours:

• Heavenly Hawaiian
• Greenwell Farms
• Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation

The best lodging near Kona coffee plantations:

• Ka’awa Loa Plantation : 82-5990 Napoopoo Rd, Captain Cook
• Gingerhill Farm Retreat : 81-6467 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua
• Holualoa Inn : 76-5932 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa

Kona coffee farm tour highlights:

• Cost: Range from free to $40
• Reservations: Book a few days ahead of time, as they do fill up
• Kid-friendly : All ages welcome
• Time: Allow 2 hours for a farm tour

Our family took a day to tour Greenwell farms and saw many others in Kona. Our guide, Dave, was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their coffee. Much of what we learned about Kona coffee we’ll share below.

The best coffee in the world

The Kona region in Hawaii is renowned for producing some of the world’s best coffee blends. Visiting the coffee farms in this region can be an exciting and educational experience for travelers. This guide provides comprehensive information on what you can expect when visiting the coffee farms in Kona, Hawaii.

The Kona belt

Kona coffee grows in an area 26 miles long by 3 miles wide. The elevation varies from 700 to 2,000 feet. This region is ideal for growing gourmet 100% Kona coffee.

Number of Kona coffee farms

There are approximately 650 coffee-growing farms on the Big Island . Each farm is an average of 3 acres, although some are much bigger. Kona coffee represents 95% of the coffee grown on the island.

What’s the big deal with Kona coffee?

Volcanic soils as the key ingredient.

Volcanic soils are the key ingredient that makes Kona coffee so good. The coffee is grown on the slopes of Mauna Loa and Hualalai, two active volcanoes in Hawaii.

The volcanic soils provide a unique mineral composition that contributes to the distinct taste of the coffee. The porous soil structure enables the coffee to extract nutrients, resulting in a more flavorful coffee bean.

Unique mineral composition of volcanic soils

The volcanic soils of Hawaii have a unique blend of minerals, including iron, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals are essential nutrients for coffee plants in their growth stage.

Coffee plants need sufficient nutrients in the soil to produce high-quality coffee beans. The unique blend of minerals in volcanic soils sets Kona coffee apart from other coffee beans.

Ideal drainage conditions on volcanic slopes

Additionally, the volcanic slopes provide excellent drainage, which prevents the soil from becoming stagnant and helps to retain moisture.

Combining the mineral composition and ideal drainage conditions creates a perfect environment for the Kona coffee plant to thrive. The result is a coffee bean with exceptional flavor and aroma.

Weather conditions

The specific weather patterns in Hawaii also contribute to the exceptional quality of Kona coffee. The consistent rainfall, high altitude, and ample sunlight provide optimal growing conditions for coffee plants.

The unique properties of volcanic soils, coupled with the ideal weather conditions, result in a coffee bean unmatched in flavor and quality.

Sustainable growing practices of Kona coffee farmers

In addition to the unique flavor profile, Kona coffee is sustainably grown. The coffee farmers in Hawaii care greatly about growing, harvesting, and processing their coffee beans.

The coffee is handpicked and processed in small batches, ensuring consistent quality and no steps are skipped. This results in a coffee that is not only flavorful but also conscious of the environment and the local community.

Flavor profile of Kona coffee

Nutty character of kona coffee.

One of the distinct features of their coffee is its nutty character. The coffee has a rich, nutty, and slightly earthy aftertaste that lingers on the tongue. This nutty flavor is what sets Kona Coffee apart from other coffees.

The coffee has a smooth finish and feels like silk in the mouth. The texture is velvety, and the taste is delicate, making it a perfect drink for those who prefer milder coffee.

Fruity flavor profile of Kona coffee

Kona Coffee also has a fruity flavor profile. The coffee has a bright and citrusy acidity that lures the taste buds. This fruity taste is subtle and complements the nutty and chocolatey notes.

The combination of these flavors creates a balance that is unique to Kona coffee. The coffee is versatile and can be enjoyed with various food pairings, from pastries to savory dishes.

Notes of sugar, honey, and spices when brewed

When brewed, the coffee produces a tantalizing aroma that fills the air with notes of brown sugar, honey, and spices. The aroma is an indication of the coffee’s quality and freshness.

Kona coffee has a complex flavor profile that is versatile, rich, and satisfying. It is no wonder that it is called the champagne of coffee.

The History of Kona Coffee

Samuel reverend ruggles and the first coffee plantation.

The history of Kona coffee dates back to the 1800s when coffee plants were first brought to Hawaii. The first coffee plantation was established in Kona in 1828 by Samuel Reverend Ruggles, who obtained the plants from Brazil.

Japanese immigrants and the growth of coffee production

However, in the 1880s and 1890s, coffee production took off with the help of Japanese immigrants who brought their farming skills and worked the land.

Kona coffee’s worldwide popularity

In the early days, coffee was grown on large plantations spanned hundreds of acres. The coffee beans were hand-picked, dried, and then roasted on-site. By the turn of the 20th century, Kona coffee had become a worldwide sensation, with shipments being exported to Europe and even earning top honors at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

Challenges faced by Kona coffee in the early 1900s

Despite its popularity, Kona coffee faced some challenges in the early 1900s. In 1916, a fungus known as coffee rust devastated many of the coffee plants on the Big Island, causing farmers to switch to other crops.

Later, in the 1930s, coffee prices fell due to the Great Depression, and many farmers were forced to abandon their plantations.

Formation of the Kona Coffee Council

However, in the 1960s, a group of dedicated coffee farmers banded together to form the Kona Coffee Council to promote and preserve the unique flavor of their coffee.

Today, the Kona Coffee Council represents over 650 coffee farms in the region, and their coffee is still a favorite among coffee enthusiasts for its smooth, well-balanced flavor.

What to Expect on a Coffee Farm Tour

Information about the various stages of coffee production.

A Kona coffee farm tour is the perfect opportunity to learn about coffee-making, from planting the beans to brewing a delicious cup of coffee. During the tour, you can expect to see rows upon rows of coffee trees, learn about the different coffee varieties on the island, and pick up essential tips on roasting and brewing the perfect cup. 

You’ll gain a new appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into producing some of the world’s best coffee and leave with a newfound respect for the local farmers.

Tasting coffee blends and taking some home with you

Some tours may include a sample tasting of different coffee blends and roasts. If you are looking for a more in-depth experience, some farms offer private tours for groups that provide a more personalized and detailed look at the growing and harvesting process. However, these tours can be significantly more expensive.

Is a Kona coffee tour worth the cost?

While some may argue that the cost of a coffee tour is steep, the experience is truly one-of-a-kind. Plus, many are free, so if you don’t want to go to one that cost money, you don’t have to.

As you hike through the coffee tree rows and listen to the farmers talk about their craft, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Hawaii. Those that charge for the tour range from $15 to $40.

You’ll get to taste some of the freshest and most flavorful coffee in the world and have an opportunity to purchase some to take home as souvenirs. Additionally, by supporting local farmers, you’re contributing to the sustainability of the Kona coffee industry and helping to preserve an essential part of Hawaiian culture for future generations.

Get the most out of your coffee tour

To make the most of your Kona coffee farm tour experience, wear comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for walking around in the heat. Bring a camera to capture spectacular views of the farm and surrounding area. 

Be prepared to learn a lot, ask plenty of questions, and come hungry – many tours will offer coffee sample tastings and food, like chocolate-covered coffee beans, that make a great snack and souvenir. Lastly, don’t forget to thank your tour guide and show your appreciation for the local farmers and their hard work.

Climate in Kona

Kona is blessed with warm, sunny weather throughout the year, making it an ideal destination anytime for a coffee farm visit.

Coffee plants in full bloom during the winter months

The best time to see the coffee plants in full bloom is during winter, from December to February. During this time, you can witness the coffee plants covered in white, fragrant flowers that eventually turn into bright red coffee cherries.

Read more travel tips and guides:

• Go night swimming with manta rays
• Visit The Painted Church in south Kona
• Watch sea turtles on Laniakea Beach (Turtle Beach)
• Go to the City of Refuge
• Snorkel and dive Two Step Beach (Hōnaunau Bay)
• Visit the best beaches on the Big Island
• Thurston Lava Tube travel guide
• Trek the Captain Cook Memorial trail
• Swim in a waterfall at Kulaniapia Falls

Getting to the Kona coffee farms

Kona is situated on the west coast of the Big Island, which has its own airport. You can catch a direct flight from Honolulu, L.A., or San Francisco. Once you arrive in Kona, renting a car is the most convenient way to get around and visit the different coffee farms. 

Best Kona coffee tours

Traveling to Hawaii’s Kona district is a must-do experience if you’re a coffee lover! There is no better way to learn about the state’s coffee culture and local workforce than visiting these Kona Coffee farms. Below are a list of the best coffee tours in Kona, Hawaii.

1. Buddha’s Cup

Buddha’s Cup is a beautiful family-run coffee farm in Kona. The farm is adorned with a colorful and peaceful atmosphere, creating a calm environment for anyone to enjoy and learn about coffee production in Hawaii. Their tour incorporates some education about meditation and showcases their unique methods for producing organic coffee.

Cost: Free coffee tour

Address: 78-1377 Bishop Rd, Holualoa

2. Heavenly Hawaiian

Heavenly Hawaiian , known for its robust Kona coffee, is run by a family passionate about producing coffee that tastes unlike any other. Their tour includes a walk through the plantation, picking out the best coffee cherries, and explaining the farm’s history and how their coffee beans make it from the field to your cup.

Address: 78-1136 Bishop Rd, Holualoa

3. Kona Coffee Living History Farm

This award-winning coffee farm is a living example of how this industry began over 100 years ago in Hawaii. It offers an amazing glimpse into the lives of Japanese immigrants who worked on these farms, planting and harvesting coffee. Kona Coffee Living History Farm features authentic tools, implements, and infrastructure that were once used to grow, process, and roast coffee.

Cost: $15-$20

Address: 82-6199 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Captain Cook

4. Kuaiwi Farm

Kuaiwi Farm is famous for its rich, organic, shade-grown coffee. The coffee trees are grown in the natural shade of old-growth forests, providing a tranquil ambient temperature that allows the coffee to mature slowly. The Kuaiwi Farm tour does not only focus on the coffee but also the surrounding area, including several waterfalls.

Cost: Free Kona coffee tour

Address: 870 Halewili Rd, Kalaheo

5. Greenwell Farms

The best coffee tour in Kona that we went on was Greenwell Farms. A family-run farm for over 150 years, Greenwell Farm is known for producing world-class coffee.

Their Kona coffee plantation tour provides a glimpse into the rich history of coffee in Hawaii while showing you the distinct methods they use to produce quality coffee. Checkout their gift ship after the tour to purchase coffee and Greenwell Farm merchandise. Greenwell Farms offers free coffee after your Kona coffee Hawaii tour.

Cost: Free tours available

Address: 81-6581 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua

6. Hala Tree Coffee

This farm is well-known for its unique, handcrafted blends using a rare coffee varietal that grows on the slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawaii. Hala Tree Coffee farm tour is a fun and interactive way to look into their sustainable growing practices and learn about their unique irrigation and fertilization systems.

Address: 82-5966 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook

7. Hilo Coffee Mill (in Hilo)

Hilo Coffee Mill is a bit far from Kona, but the Kona coffee farm tour is worth the trip. The mill offers several coffee drinks while guests can tour their farm and processing facility, which contains various handcrafted artisanal foods.

Cost: $40 per person

Address: 17-995 Volcano Rd, Mountain View

8. Hog Heaven Coffee (on the Hamakua coast)

Hog Heaven Coffee is a relatively new farm that prides itself on growing organic coffee. The Kona coffee tour on Big Island covers everything from planting to roasting and how sustainability plays a significant role. Hog Heaven Coffee received first place in the cupping competition in 2022 and 2023 from the Hawaii Coffee Association.

Address: 75-5805 Ali‘i Dr, Kailua-Kona

9. Holualoa Kona Coffee Plantation

Holualoa plantation has produced 100 percent Kona coffee since 1850. Their coffee tour offers an insight into the history of coffee farming in Hawaii while showcasing their unique production methods. The coffee farm tour in Kona runs every hour with panoramic vistas in absolute Serenity.

Address: 77-6261 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa

10. Hula Daddy

Hula Daddy offers personalized tours of their boutique Kona coffee farm. Their tour is intimate, with a chance to taste their award-winning coffee and learn about their unique production methods.

Cost: $35 per person

Address: 74-4944 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa

11. Ka’u Coffee Mill (in Ka’u)

Ka’u Coffee Mill is located in the neighboring district of Kau, with farming ranging between 1200 to 2000 feet in elevation. Here, the coffee is processed using solar energy, which helps increase quality. Their tour is excellent, focusing primarily on processing techniques.

Address: 96-2694 Wood Valley Rd, Pahala

12. Kona Joe Coffee

Only 8 miles south of Kailua-Kona. Kona Joe Coffee has the world’s first trellised coffee plantation. Learn the harvesting and roasting process on their farm tour.

Kona Joe coffee tour cost: $30

Address: 79-7346 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua

13. Mountain Thunder

A fun experience for coffee lovers, it offers a unique 3-hour tour through Mountain Thunder farm and roasting room. You’ll learn everything about the coffee-making process, from the coffee trees to the final product served on your table.

Address: 73-1942 Ha’o St, Kailua-Kona

14. Rooster Farms

Astonishing views and excellent coffee make Rooster Farms one of Kona’s top attractions. Their coffee processing is unique as they blend newer and traditional methods to extract the best flavor from their coffee beans. The tour covers the whole process, from planting the seeds to packaging the coffee for shipment.

Coffee tour Kona (Cost): Free

Address: 84-1245 Bruner Rd, Captain Cook

15. Sunshower Farms best coffee farm tour

Sunshower Farms is a family-owned and operated farm takes pride in providing its clients with unique coffee flavors. Their farm has a wide range of specialty coffees, such as peaberry or honey processed, emphasizing quality and taste. The tour shows how they use unique and numerous coffee cultivars to produce their coffee.

Cost: Free (often sell out of coffee and if they do their tours stop for the year)

Address: 76-1297 Waiono Ranch Rd, Holualoa

16. Ueshima Coffee (UCC)

One of Japan’s top coffee producers, Ueshima Coffee farm provides a fascinating look into making its famous coffee. The tour presents the sophisticated coffee-producing techniques that UCC uses, including drip irrigation and sun-drying of their coffee beans.

Address: 75-5568 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa

17. Uluwehi Coffee Farm

Uluwehi Coffee Farm is a family-owned and operated farm committed to sustainable growing methods, producing some of the best coffee in Kona. Their tour lets visitors see how coffee is grown and processed while overlooking the beautiful Hawaiian landscape.

Cost: $20-$27

Address: 75-5410 Uluwehi Place, Holualoa

Kona coffee events

Cultural festival.

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is the oldest in the world, having been held for over 50 years. The festival is a week-long celebration of coffee and its unique culture, attracting coffee lovers worldwide.

It highlights various events, such as coffee tastings, farm tours, live music, and a coffee art exhibit. The festival ends with a grand parade where coffee farmers march through the streets, showcasing their beautiful crops.

Ka’u Coffee Festival

The Ka’u Coffee Festival takes place every May and is an event that celebrates the distinctive coffee grown in the Ka’u district of Hawaii Island. 

This festival offers visitors a chance to take farm tours, participate in coffee tastings, and attend workshops that provide insight into the history and culture of Ka’u coffee. 

The festival also includes:

• A hula and music competition
• A Miss Ka’u Coffee Beauty Pageant
• A recipe contest where visitors can relish delicious coffee recipes

Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll

The Holualoa Coffee & Art Stroll is an annual festival in November. It is a celebration of Hawaii’s arts, music, and coffee culture. During the event, clients can enjoy live music, art demonstrations, and coffee tastings in the charming town of Holualoa.

The festival is held in the historic village, home to many art galleries, coffee shops, and antique stores.

Kona Coffee and Tea Expo

The Kona Coffee and Tea Expo is an annual event in November, and it’s a must-visit for all coffee and tea lovers. This exciting event showcases tastings of various coffee and tea blends, workshops, and presentations by industry experts.

Visitors can enjoy delicious food offered by vendors and live music and witness a coffee and tea brewing competition.

Kona coffee lodging recommendations

Coffee farms bed and breakfasts.

If you’re searching for an affordable and cozy lodging option, consider staying at one of the many bed and breakfasts in the Kona coffee farms. These bed and breakfasts offer a beautiful and traditional Hawaiian-style experience, and you can wake up to the smell of freshly made coffee every morning. 

Local farmers typically manage these bed and breakfasts, and their hospitality and knowledge of the area will make your stay truly unique. Some recommended B&Bs in the area include Holualoa Inn, The Mango Sunset Bed and Breakfast Inn, and Kimi’s Ohana.

Vacation Rentals

Renting a house or apartment on a coffee farm can be a great option if you’re traveling with a group or family. Not only will you have plenty of space, but you can also save money by cooking your meals. 

Many vacation rentals come with fully-equipped kitchens and all the modern amenities you need. Some recommended vacation rentals include the Kona Coffeehouse, the Kona View Estates, and the Holualoa Kona Coffees’ plantation house.

Luxury Resorts

Luxury accommodations are available on coffee farms if you want to spend more. Some resorts offer five-star service, as well as spas and golf courses.

The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai is a luxurious option with breathtaking ocean views, top-notch dining, and stunning beaches. The Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is also an excellent choice for luxurious lodgings.

Have a cup of Kona coffee

Kona is renowned for producing some of the finest coffee in the world. To truly immerse yourself in the rich coffee culture of Hawaii, visiting the coffee farms and plantations in the region is a must-do experience. 

During your visit, you can learn about the history of the coffee and indulge in a coffee-tasting experience. A visit to Kona’s farms is an experience you will want to experience. 

Kona coffee FAQ

• Which coffee roast is best? Light roasts are usually recommended for drip coffee, while dark roasts are best for espresso drinks.
• What are coffee cherries? Coffee cherry or berry is the fruit of the coffee. It’s a small, round stone fruit.

Visiting Kona coffee farms

If you’re a coffee lover or just looking for a unique and immersive travel experience, then visiting Kona coffee farms should be on your travel itinerary. You’ll learn about the history, get hands-on experience, taste some of the world’s best coffee, support local farmers, and enjoy amazing scenery.

It’s an experience you won’t forget, and you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for the coffee you drink and the hard work that goes into producing it. So take a trip to Kona and immerse yourself in the world of coffee.

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Best Kona Coffee Farms: Tours & Cafes on the Big Island HI

Wondering where you can find the best Kona coffee farms when visiting the Big Island?

After living on the Big Island for a year I became a coffee snob and I never wasted an opportunity to try local Kona coffee.

The Big Island has over 900 Kona coffee farms, which might seem a bit overwhelming. However, not all of them give tours and tastings, so I’ve narrowed down the best I think you should visit.

Alternatively, if you just need a quick coffee to-go without a farm tour, take advantage of ordering Kona coffee at the local cafes I’ve listed.

Here are my top places to visit for the best Kona coffee farms and cafes next time you travel to the Big Island. 

My Go-To Big Island Travel Planning Resources 🚗 The best car rental prices I’ve found are from Discount Hawaii Car Rental! 🪂 Have an activity on your Bucket List? Book a tour with Viator! 🧳I never pack my bag without these!

Best Kona Coffee Farms & Cafes in Kona

Mountain thunder coffee plantation.

Tour Fee? No Address: 73-1942 Ha’o St, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

I took advantage of visiting Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation after hiking the Makuala O’oma Trail down the road.

This coffee plantation is tucked away in a cloud forest on the slopes of Hualalai Mountain.

There is no parking lot, so I had to park my car on the street shoulder.

Walking up to the cute gift shop, I was welcomed by a table with self-serve free samples of their Kona coffee.

While sipping their warm brew, I was able to browse the shelves of products and souvenirs inside, away from the drizzly rain.

I also wandered to sit outside under the cabana and watched an informative video about the coffee process and their property.

I didn’t have to wait long for the next free, 15-minute guided tour, which runs every half hour .

A guide showed us samples of coffee beans through their various stages and guided us through their dry mill warehouse where a portion of the coffee bean magic happens.

I didn’t do it, but for $10/family group, you can take a 20-min stroll through their private garden , exploring the cloud forest ecosystem. With the provided guidebook you’ll be able to spot native Hawaiian plants, learn about Hawaiian culture and the history of Thunder Mountain.

You’ll pass an unexplored lava tube, perhaps see some wildlife, and end at an observation deck perfect for picnicking, overlooking the Kona coffee plantation and the Pacific Ocean down below.

Kona Mountain Coffee

Address: 73-4038 Hulikoa Dr #5, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

My favorite stop for coffee within Kona city limits is at Kona Mountain Coffee . It’s super convenient while heading north to Waikoloa or as the last (or first) stop for coffee from the airport.

Their basic menu keeps the stress of choosing a drink to a minimum. I always just get a simple iced latte. I like the smoothness of the Kona Mountain’s coffee, as it’s a little less fruity than some.

If you’re feeling peckish, Dirty Apron provides their baked goods for an on-the-go snack.

There is no indoor seating but there are outdoor patio tables and chairs to sit and enjoy your drink. I’ve even seen a herd of wild goats passing by the parking lot.

Kona Mountain Coffee is a family owned business selling estate, private reserve, peaberry, and flavored coffee beans. You can peek into the kitchen windows and watch as they roast small batches of their beans.

They also have an extensive gift shop with various Hawaiian-made treats and souvenirs. 

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Kona Coffee and Tea Co.

Address: 74-5588 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Another good place to find some Kona coffee to-go in town is at Kona Coffee and Tea Co. next to KTA Superstore. This family-owned, farm-to-cup cafe grows, mills, roasts, and brews their coffee all within a 10-mile radius. 

With a modern, chic white and black interior with wooden accents, this is one of the few coffee shops that has indoor seating for remote working on your laptop or meeting up with a friend. 

Serving 100% Kona coffee from their farm, they will make up your cup any way you are looking for. Their unique menu item is the Kona Bullet , a hot drip coffee blended with grass fed butter and coconut oil, which was surprisingly not bad, and it kept me from having the caffeine shakes!

For a hot day consider their cold brew on tap (my go-to) or an Espresso Shake , vanilla ice cream blended with two shots of espresso. 

Have you been to a coffee shop with Happy Hour ? Well, Kona Coffee and Tea Co. offers one everyday from 3-6pm with 15% off in-store orders.

As per the name, they also serve teas, specializing in the Hawaiian mamaki mint . For fermented tea-lovers they have Big Island Booch kombucha on tap.

If you’re hungry, they offer a limited breakfast menu of bagels, half papaya, and acai (if their machine isn’t broken)

Best Kona Coffee Farms & Cafes in Holualoa

Heavenly hawaiian kona coffee farm.

Tour Fee? Yes Address: 78-1136 Bishop Rd, Holualoa, HI 96725

My favorite coffee farm tour that I’ve done on the island was at Heavenly Hawaiian Kona Coffee Farm .

I lucked out when I visited as they had walk-up availability, but I wouldn’t risk it and would suggest purchasing tickets ahead of time .

I was greeted by Umi the cat before self-serve sampling their different roasts by the pool, overlooking the coffee farm below and the Kona coast in the distance.

Their coffee has unique flavors not really found at other farms like:

• Fire Roast – has an actual smokey flavor to the coffee as it’s roasted in a peanut roaster from 1947
• Kona Sweet – the coffee bean is dried in its fruit giving it a fermented hint

After drinking all the coffee samples, it was time for the tour to start. We were given candy covered macadamia nuts and coffee bean samples, before being led on an hour long guided tour around the property. 

They took us past Geisha coffee trees that grow some of the world’s most expensive coffee at $308/lb. We then strolled down the road next to the main coffee orchard before ending at the hoshidana , drying platform. 

Their small gift shop for has their items for sale and if you ask, you can try a tea sample made from their coffee skins.

Other extra curricular activities include:

• Paint and Sip class – painting on their covered porch while sipping a brew
• Paniolo Roasting class – roast your own beans and bring home a one-of-a-kind bag of beans with you
• Brew Your Best Cup workshop -learn how to make that perfect cup of coffee yourself.

If you are interested in coffee farm work, Heavenly Hawaiian offers room and board for volunteer work. Ask them for more info.

Heavenly Hawaiian hands down is my favorite coffee farm tour experience on the Big Island , so if you do just one I highly suggest this one.  

>> Book Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm Tour Here! <<

Tour Fee? No Address: 75-5568 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, HI 96725

UCC (Ueshima Coffee Company) is one of Japan’s largest coffee companies that was founded in 1933. Their Kona coffee estate was established in 1989 on 40-acres of land.

The farm sits alone about 1.5-miles out of Holualoa town with an expansive view overlooking Kona and the Pacific Ocean. 

Have a seat at the outdoor bar to strike up a conversation with the barista and sample their coffee.

After sampling, select what you want from their simple menu; order the popular affogato (Kona coffee ice cream with a shot of Kona espresso served in a chilled cappuccino cup).

Employees speak both English and Japanese and offer tours in both languages as well.

Take a free 15-30min tour offered almost every hour. 

Or, pay to take the Roastmaster Tour where you can roast ½ pound of your own one-of-kind private reserve and even create a label with your face on it!

Their seasonal Coffee Picking Tour is kinda’ve a scam in my opinion, as they make you pay to pick coffee cherries for them during harvest season. You’ll spend an hour learning about processing coffee and getting out into the field picking coffee off the trees. But at least you get a 4oz bag to bring home.

Holuakoa Coffee Shack

Address: 76-5900 Mamalahoa Hwy, Holualoa, HI 96725  

I stopped into Holuakoa Coffee Shack for a cup of Kona coffee while I wandered the street (not streets) of Holualoa . 

Friendly staff helped me decide how to take my coffee (I chose cold brew). They serve Uncle Kimo’s Kona coffee , an estate coffee grown in Holualoa, and have housemade syrups for extra flavor: coconut, lavender, sugarcane, or vanilla.

They also makes their own baked goods , minus the tantalizing donuts. I haven’t had any of it, but they told me that their banana bread is always a big hit.

If you need a more substantial meal they also make breakfast and lunch dishes from scratch. 

I like their rugged, open-air dining room with a bar overlooking the street for people watching.

Best Kona Coffee Farms & Cafes in Captain Cook

Tour Fee? No and Yes Address: 79-7346 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua, HI 96750

As defined by their highway flag, I can concur that Kona Joe is an Instagrammable spot for Kona coffee in Captain Cook .

Take the long driveway down to a gravel parking lot and walk into a well manicured coffee complex: gift shop to the right and coffee cafe and tours to the left with a beautiful green lawn overlooking the vista view of the Kona coast in between. 

Kona Joe has their own patented process of growing coffee trees on trellises like grape vines . It takes years of meticulous pruning and training of the branches to acquire the desired growing pattern. By growing the branches on trellises and wires the branches and coffee cherries are exposed to the sun more uniformly and cause a more even ripening and the dissolved sugars in the fruit are enhanced.

Another unique process Kona Joe uses is not picking the coffee by sight and looking for a ripe red cherry to pluck. Instead they have their own scientific team to test the fruit for pH levels, sugar concentration, and titratable acids . Only when the numbers read the proper balance of acid and dissolved sugars indicating their optimum maturity do they approve coffee harvesting to begin. 

You can take a free self-guided Kona coffee tour around the property, peaking into the warehouse with the machines and reading placards along the way.

Or, if you are looking for a more in-depth tour you can pay for a guided tour with a coffee-filled souvenir cup included .

They also offer coffee roasting experiences where you can roast your own beans to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Their gift shop feels big but it’s mostly just products spread out to accommodate enough room for tour groups.

Besides finding their estate trellis grown coffee for sale, they also sell Kona coffee picked from neighboring farms but roasted by Kona Joe. 

⚠️ Be Aware! They do sell a blended Kona coffee (Kona coffee beans mixed with international coffee beans), so if you are looking for 100% Kona coffee just double check the bag.

After shopping and exploring the grounds, I enjoyed sipping on an iced coffee from the cafe and sitting on the large covered lanai at the bar overlooking the property of trellis coffee trees all the way out to the Pacific Ocean. 

Greenwell Farms 

Tour Fee? No Address: 81-6581 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua, HI 96750

I was pleasantly surprised with the ever popular Greenwell Farms , a down-to-earth coffee farm experience that was established in 1850 and is still run by the Greenwell family today. 

When we arrived, we signed up at the computer kiosk for the next available free guided tour, which runs about every 30 minutes.

As we waited for our tour to begin, we hung out in the open air gift shop pavilion and sampled from the long row of free, self-serve coffee samples including flavors like macadamia nut and chocolate .

💁‍♀️ Tab’s Trip Tip: you can come and just sample the coffee without taking a tour if you want. 

The guide took us on a 45-60 minute tour among the coffee trees, coffee processing machines and buildings, down through their garden growing peppercorns, bananas and other fruits while giving us some coffee history.

It wasn’t raining on our tour, but if it was, they do provide umbrellas.

Sacred Grounds Coffee Farm

Address: 82 Anoi Pl, Captain Cook, HI 96704

If you aren’t looking for it, you might miss Sacred Grounds Coffee Farm . But that adds to the specialness of this Kona coffee oasis and is my personal favorite stop for the best Kona coffee .

Pull into the driveway is tight and there are only a few parking spaces in the tiny lot. But that’s okay, because there will usually not be any other cars there.

Upon entering the lodge-like building there are two things that strike me:

• Shelves filled with beautiful hand-thrown pottery
• The back door porch that leads to a panoramic view of Kealakekua Bay . 

Bill, the owner and potter, will take your order from his very basic coffee menu – no flavored syrups and powders found here or necessary. His coffee is the smoothest, richest Kona coffee on the island that can easily stand on its own. 

Everytime I sit on the porch, I feel any and all stress just melt away as I sip my coffee and take in the view with the coffee orchard and fruit trees below, a church steeple poking up down the hill, and the turquoise bay glowing in the distance.

And the best part? I usually have the view to myself without any crowds .

If this is your first time visiting his farm, Bill will likely invite you to wander among his fruit trees and coffee trees and let you pick some to take with you.

Kaya’s Kawanui

Address: 79-7300 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd, Kealakekua, HI 96750

Kaya’s Kawanui is a cute cafe hidden away in plain sight as a nondescript Old West-type building sitting alone in a gravel parking lot on the edge of Hwy 11.

Kaya’s is an organic bakery and cafe serving Kona Rainforest’s organic Kona coffee and mostly vegan and gluten-free foods. 

Order your coffee black for the purest form or spice it up by trying their Lavender Cardamon Mocha . 

The display case houses organic, vegan treats that will tempt even the non-vegans, like me. Their dragonfruit cashew cheesecake with an almond crust…to die for ! 

They also serve rotating kombucha flavors from Hawaii’s first state-certified kombucha brewery, Hawaii Kombucha , which you can order on tap or have them fill up a whole growler.

Along the walls are shelves selling Hawaii-made artisan goods like handmade soaps, art, jewelry, and various other knick-knacks. 

Coffee Shack

Address: 83-5799 Mamalahoa Hwy Box 510, Captain Cook, HI 96704

One of the most popular stops for coffee and breakfast in Captain Cook is at the Coffee Shack . Parking is always full so you will likely have to find street parking, and waiting for a table is inevitable. 

What makes this such a hot spot? They have one of the best views on the island overlooking Kealakekua Bay . The ocean seems to go on for eons. A lot of visitors make this their breakfast stop on their way to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park .

They serve coffee from their 1.25-acres of 85 year old coffee trees.

If you don’t want to wait for a table, get your coffee to-go and sit on the rock wall for your view or get back on the road. 

Best Kona Coffee Cafe North of Kona

Waimea coffee company.

Address: 65-1279 Kawaihae Rd, Waimea, HI 96743

In Waimea town make a caffeine stop at Waimea Coffee Company within the red and white Parker Square complex. Serving 100% Kona coffee, order your cup how you like it with helpful diagram signs, solo or doppio (single or double shots). 

Order a light meal from their menu. They have bagels, sandwiches, soups, wraps, and salads (even a breakfast salad!).

I was able to find a space to sit in their limited indoor seating with cozy, wooden interior that made it a comfortable place to relax on a log seat while it was wet and cool outside.

If you can’t find indoor seating, there are also covered outdoor patio tables. There was live music playing on the porch when I was there.

They have a second location in Hawi at the Kohala Coffee Mill .

Address: 55-3412 Akoni Pule Hwy, Hawi, HI 96719

Serving the same menu items, the biggest difference between the two locations is the view and ice cream.

Hawi offers good people watching from the sidewalk tables while I enjoyed my lunch and drink.

Also, here they serve up Tropical Dreams ice cream , Big Island-made 18% butterfat ice cream! Yum!

Where to Buy Kona Coffee?

Kona coffee can be found all over the Big Island , as well as neighboring islands. Any gift shop or heck, even any grocery store will carry some brand of Kona coffee. Just again, beware of Kona blends if you are looking for 100% Kona coffee.

Of course you can buy it when you visit the plethora of Kona coffee farms. Most farms give you samples of the coffee before you buy, a huge bonus compared to randomly buying a bag that looks pretty off the grocery shelf.

Most coffee farms will also sell their coffee online. If you are on the mainland craving some Kona coffee it can easily be shipped to your door without having to fly halfway across the Pacific to do your caffeine shopping.

Kona Coffee FAQs

Where is kona coffee grown.

Kona coffee is grown in the Kona Coffee Belt , a stretch of land on the mountain slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa . It is only a mere 30 miles long and about 2 miles wide, stretching about as north as the Kona International Airport down to the border of the Ka’u district near Ocean View.

Similar to champagne in France, if coffee isn’t grown within the Kona Coffee Belt then it is NOT Kona coffee.

Why is Kona Coffee so Special?

For the size of reputation Kona coffee has, it only makes up 1% of the world’s coffee supply . 

The first reason why Kona coffee is special is that it needs specific conditions to optimally grow and the Kona Coffee Belt offers the best of all conditions:

• Temperate weather with consistent temperatures around 70-80°F that don’t go below 55°F
• Sun but not too much sun; shade or cloud cover in the afternoons to lessen the exposure
• Rain, lots of rain
• High elevations affect taste and Kona coffee is grown at about 3,000ft giving it a mild flavor
• Good soil drainage, the porous lava soil is not only good drainage but high in nutrients

Secondly, Kona coffee must be handpicked due to the steep slopes they are grown on, rather than picked by machine. Not only are they handpicked but they are selectively picked. This means only the ripe coffee cherries are picked, leaving the unripe cherries on the branches to finish ripening. 

“ I think the Kona coffee has a richer flavor than any other, be it grown where it may and call it by what name you please. ” Mark Twain when he visited the Big Island in 1866

How Much is Kona Coffee?

Kona coffee is some of the most expensive coffee in the world . For any of the good stuff, you’re looking at about $45+/lb for 100% Kona coffee. 

Due to the meticulous procedure in handpicking the coffee, then processing it, not to mention the high demand for this Hawaiian coffee, the high price tag is really not surprising.

What is Kona Blend Coffee?

⚠️ BE AWARE ! Oftentimes you will see coffee labeled as a Kona Blend. These packages are legally allowed to only contain 10% Kona coffee beans , the rest could be from anywhere else in the world. 

I see this as a deceptive way of marketing; using the Kona name but selling a cheaper product to unsuspecting customers.

If you are informed ahead of time and buy, that’s totally cool. But if you are desiring a 100% Kona cup of coffee, stay away from blends. Only buy ones labeled 100% Kona.

To get even more technical, when you buy a bag marked Estate Kona coffee you are getting coffee beans grown exclusively on the company’s own property. A lot of larger coffee farms will buy Kona coffee from other smaller farms, usually ones who have only 5 acres and don’t sell it themselves.

Learn about the Big Island’s other coffee: Ka’u Coffee

History of Kona Coffee Farms

For the history buffs, here’s a quick run down on the history of coffee on the Big Island. Kona coffee has a 200 year old on-again/off-again story. 

1820s – Brazilian coffee was introduced to Oahu and planted. 1828 – Coffee from Oahu was planted in the Hilo area; Reverend Samuel Ruggles planted a Hilo seedling in Kona; sugar plantation owners switched to coffee 1850s – coffee crops were destroyed due to weather and pests; ladybugs introduced to help with pest control; Henry Nicholas Greenwell planted coffee in the Kona area 1892 – Hermann Wideman introduced a Guatemalan coffee bean to the Big Island, what is known today as Kona Typica 1899 – the world coffee market crash causes coffee prices to plunge due to oversupply; coffee plantations switch back to sugar.  1917-18 – WWI brings a demand for domestic coffee and a Brazilian frost destroys its coffee causing a worldwide shortage. 1929 – coffee prices plummet due to Great Depression 1940s – during WWII coffee demand rose and Hawaiian coffee production picked back up. 1960s – tourism to the Big Island grew and Kona coffee sales rose 1970s – saturated coffee market brings low prices and high costs plus a labor shortage 1980s – coffee prices rise again and Kona coffee gains a reputation as specialty coffee 1991 – Statute HRS 486-120.6 law allows for a Kona blend that may contain only 10% Kona coffee but must be labeled as such(remember that Kona blend rant?) 1990s – Michael Norton misleads consumers by selling cheap Central American coffee as 100% Kona coffee, thus causing the government to require a certification from the State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture to legitimize the coffee beans.

You Might Also Like These Other Farms on the Big Island: • Lavaloha Chocolate Farm • Kona Sea Salt Farm • Vanilla Farm

Epilogue: Best Kona Coffee On the Big Island

You might have typed “Kona coffee farm tour near me” and found too many farms to count.

Finding the best coffee farm on the Big Island can be a difficult venture, especially because there are so many and everyone has their own coffee palette. 

These Kona coffee farms and cafes encompass what I believe to have good quality, ambience, and an almost guaranteed positive experience. 

🌺 Big Island Travel Planning Guide 🌺

🚨  Should I buy Hawaii travel insurance?

YES  — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

 🚗 Is it safe to rent a car on the Big Island?

YES — It’s totally safe to drive on the Big Island. And unless you plan to chill by the resort pool the entire time, renting a car is pretty much a necessity on the Big Island! Jeep rentals are popular . I recommend Discount Hawaii Car Rental , as they have some of the best prices around.

📞  Will my phone work on the Big Island?

PROBABLY  — Most, if not all, cell providers work on the Big Island. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts of the island. For example, I always lose service driving through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park .

🛏️  What’s the best way to book my Big Island accommodations?

For Big Island hotels,  Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking for an Airbnb condo with a kitchen and more space, don’t forget to check VRBO  for potentially better prices and options.

✈️  What’s the best site to buy Big Island flights?

I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip : check if flying into Hilo is cheaper than flying into Kona.

🛂  Do I need a passport to visit Hawaii?

NO  — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Hawaii is part of the United States . If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.

🧳 What should I pack to the Big Island?

Pack for tropical weather but also prepare for colder than expected nights and early mornings, so a light sweatshirt is recommended. Check out this list of 5 Things Not to Forget to Pack .

Aloha! I'm Tabitha, an ex-travel agent turned travel blogger. I've lived from fire (Big Island Hawaii) to ice (Alaska) to the lukewarm (Washington State). I've traveled Europe, Scotland and England being my favorite, Costa Rica, Cancun, Canada, various US states, and more. No matter if it's a staycation or international vacation, every trip I take there are things to explore and discover! I'm here to take what I learn and help others think outside the box when composing their own travel itineraries.

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Best Kona Coffee Farms To Visit on the Big Island

Are you planning a trip to the big island and want to go on a kona coffee tour keep scrolling to find out the best kona coffee farms worth visiting., this list of the best kona coffee farms worth visiting was written by hawaii travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Do you want to visit Kona coffee farms on your trip to Hawaii?

The Big Island is famous for growing Kona coffee beans. And one of the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii is tour a coffee farm!

I’ve pulled a list of the best Kona coffee farms to visit during your trip to Hawaii, as well as the best Kona coffee tours. If you’re looking to do Hawaii coffee tours, Kona is the place to go!

There’s nothing quite like drinking a cup while watching beautiful views from an amazing farm. And tasting some fresh Hawaiian-grown beans at one of the local roasters is a treat.

It’s truly a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the world! Visiting Kona coffee farms is something that will make your vacation even more special when you get back home with memories from Hawaii.

In this post I’ll share all about how these delicious beans are grown, harvested, roasted, and brewed right here in Hawaii.

So, scroll down now and check out my full list of Kona coffee farm tours below. I promise it’ll be worth it! 🙂

Don’t have time to read many Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting the Big Island.

Popular Big Island Tours/Activities

• Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour (you can ONLY do this on the Big Island)
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Tour (this is the BEST way to see lava if you aren’t renting a car)
• Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour (this is a cool adventure for teens and adults)
• Swim with Dolphins (this is a unique experience for kids of all ages and adults)
• Kona ATV Tour (we love this one because they also do cultural activities)
• Book a Photo Shoot (this is a Hawaii souvenir you’ll treasure forever)

Favorite Big Island Resorts/Hotels

• Hilton Waikoloa Village (this is a mega resort where you can swim with dolphins or just enjoy their massive pool area)
• Courtyard by Marriott’s King Kamehameha Beach Hotel (this is a moderately-priced Kona hotel right on a little lagoon)
• Fairmont Orchid (this is a swanky resort with an awesome pool area and beach)

Want to Rent a Car in Hawaii? One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is Discount Hawaii Car Rental because they get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless.

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

A Brief Kona Coffee History

Coffee was once a rare commodity in Hawaii. But that all changed when Reverend Samuel Ruggles brought coffee trees to Hawaii in the late 1820s.

He originally planted them in Oahu’s Manoa Valley. Then he took seedlings from these early plantations over to Kona. It turns out that the Kona coffee plants thrived best under volcanic soil conditions.

The full story of Kona coffee is a long story that I can’t tell here. It’s worth reading into. But long story short, it took decades for Kona coffee to gain worldwide attention. Finally, at the 1873 World’s Fair in Vienna, it got that attention.

Now, Kona coffee has been growing and thriving on the Big Island for nearly 200 years!

A Few Kona Coffee Facts

The coffee beans must be grown in kona on the big island of hawaii.

Kona coffee is the product of a specific micro-climate in Hawaii.

In the Kona region, mornings are usually sunny and cloudless, while afternoons are rain y . When it’s not raining, there’s a thick fog till well after nightfall.

The area also experiences light winds you won’t find elsewhere on the island. All of this make the perfect and unique conditions that produce Kona coffee.

It Grows in Volcanic Soil

Kona coffee is world-renowned for its unique flavor. A major reason for that flavor is the island’s volcanic soil. The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest of the islands and has an especially high volcanic soil content because of this.

Volcanic soil is enriched with minerals from ash deposits over time. This makes a huge impact, not only on taste, but also quality!

It’s Actually from Brazil!

Kona coffee is a well-known crop in Hawaii, but it’s not actually from there! Reverend Samuel Ruggles brought cuttings it from Brazil to the island in 1828!

Where are the Coffee Plantations on the Big Island?

Kona coffee is a rare and cherished commodity. To produce the award-winning beans, you need a specific environment.

The high elevation and constant cloud coverage from Hualalai Volcano in the upland slopes of North Kona result in ideal environment for harvesting Kona coffee!

You can find hundreds of small farms throughout the area but most of them don’t offer tours to the public. For tours, your best bet is farms in the greater North and South Kona areas.

I suggest looking in Kau and Puna. And you can even find some cool coffee plantations in Hilo.

And if you’re visiting the Big Island in November, check out the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival! It’s held in the Historic Kailua Village in Kailua-Kona.

What’s So Special About the Kona Coffee Plant?

True Kona coffee is highly prized throughout the world for its full-bodied flavor and pleasing aroma. And this is a direct result of the grading process.

Kona Coffee Grading System

First, workers handpick the Kona coffee berries. Then, they are pulped, dried, and hulled.

Next, the coffee beans are graded before they’re processed. The coffee mill machinery sorts the coffee beans into different grades based on size and shape.

The creme de la creme is the peaberry . These unique beans are formed when one side of the coffee flower merges with the other resulting in a single bean inside the coffee cherry. This gives it a super concentrated flavor. However, this only happens in 5%-10% of all Kona coffee.

The other (more common) grades of Kona coffee include extra fancy , fancy , No.1 , and prime .

Roasting Process

Kona Coffee is handcrafted and sun-dried, then custom roasted depending on desired results and differences in moisture. A good processor can make all the difference for an excellent cup!

The art of roasting coffee beans is considered to be a science by many in the trade. Dark roasts are typically called French, Italian, or Espresso. The medium roasts could be Full-City or Vienna.

Is It Genuine Kona Coffee?

You’ll definitely want to check the label to see if it says 100% pure Kona Coffee .

Otherwise, it might say Kona Blend. This means it only contains the minimum 10% Kona beans legally required to be considered “Kona Coffee.”

Usually, that means producers mixed Kona beans with other blends. These other coffee bends might be from Central America, Brazil, Africa, or Indonesia.

But if you’re on the Big Island and visiting a Kona coffee farm, you should have no problem finding and tasting 100% pure Kona coffee!

Which Kona Coffee Farms Should You Visit?

There are a lot of options for Kona coffee farms on the Big Island. Here are some of my family’s favorites.

Greenwell Farms

81-6581 Mamalahoa Highway Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750

Want to know what goes into making your favorite cup o’ joe? Come experience the deliciousness of Greenwell Farms ‘ 100% Kona Coffee firsthand with their free 45-minute guided tour.

Get an inside look at how they harvest and process these high-quality beans. Then you’ll get a tour of the farm.

Go off on some dirt paths that might be difficult for those not used to. But the adventure will surely make you feel like a veteran explorer!

The best part about this Greenwell Coffee tour is that there are no reservations required. The complimentary tours start every hour on the hour from 9 AM to 3 PM. Just arrive 10 minutes early.

Read below to find out a few Greenwell Farms coffee tours that also make other cool stops.

Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm

78-1136 Bishop Rd Holualoa, HI 96725

There are actually 3 different Heavenly Hawaiian coffee farm tours. You can read a full review of the Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm tour . Or you can purchase tickets HERE .

The first one is a 1-hour tour where families can learn all about how to grow, maintain, and roast Kona coffee beans. This is just $8/person.

There’s also the Paniolo Roasting tour , which is 45 minutes long. It’s quite a bit pricier but kids under 13 are free. On this tour, you’ll learn about Hawaiian cowboys (called paniolos) as well as the history of Kona coffee and the traditional way to roast it.

Finally, they have a Brew Your Best Cup tour , which is 60-90 minutes long and is the most expensive for people ages 13 and older. This tour is all about learning how to brew the ultimate cup of coffee.

74-4944 Mamalahoa Hwy Holualoa, HI 96725

You can experience a private Hula Daddy coffee tour. Learn all about how Kona coffee is grown, processed, and roasted. Plus, you can talk to the owners, the roasters, and even tour the orchard.

Something cool about Hula Daddy is that they are an eco-friendly Kona coffee plantation. They’ve reduced their carbon footprint by planting 17,000 new trees. And they make their own compost from green waste they get from local restaurants.

The Hula Daddy Kona coffee tours last for 60 minutes and cost $30/person.

79-7346 Mamalohoa Highway , Kealakekua, HI 96750

Visit another fun Kona coffee plantation called Kona Joe . You can choose from several different Kona Joe coffee tours.

They have a free self-guided tour that includes a 5-minute video. They also have their Standard Guided Tour that has quite a few perks. You’ll get a cup of coffee, the video, a guided tour of their entire farm, tastings of both chocolate and coffee, plus a free coffee gift.

If that’s not enough, they also have their Coffee Roasting Experience where you can roast 10 ounces of Kona Coffee yourself! Create your own custom roast while learning tips for how to come up with the perfect blend.

They even offer a Combined Tour where you can do their Standard Guided Tour plus the Coffee Roasting Experience. This is the most popular tour and you’ll save $15/person.

And coffee fanatics will want to check out their Ultimate Tour , which lasts 2 hours and you’ll get to roast 5 pounds of 100% Kona Coffee. Wow!

But, the most unique Kona coffee tour has to be their Coffee Picking Experience . It only happens during the harvest season that runs from August 1-November 30.

You’ll get all the gear you need to go into the farm and become a coffee picker for as long as you like. You can’t do this anywhere else in the US!

Keep scrolling to see how you can tour Kona Joe on a circle island tour.

Mountain Thunder

73-1942 Ha’o Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Mountain Thunder is a Kona coffee farm that’s in a really cool location. It’s located on the slope of Hualalai volcano, more than 3,000 feet above sea level. And it’s right next to a cloud forest!

You can take a free Mountain Thunder coffee tour of their mill. Here, you’ll learn exactly how they grow, process, and roast their Kona coffee beans.

They also have a cool Nature Trail Walk where you can explore their coffee plantation. You’ll see native plants, hang out on their observation deck, and even check out a lava tube. This is just $10/family.

And they usually have 4X4 Plantation Tours and an awesome RoastMaster Experience , but they are on hiatus right now.

Keep scrolling to see how you can do a Mountain Thunder coffee plantation tour along with checking out a cloud forest!

Royal Kona Coffee Center

83-5427 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI 96704

You can visit the Royal Kona Coffee Center in Captain Cook. They have a processing plant where you can see how they separate the bean from the pulp and how they dry the coffee beans.

You’ll even see how they grade their coffee beans. Then, watch how they pack it up to be sent to their roasting facility in Honolulu.

During the Royal Kona coffee tour, there’s usually an opportunity to walk through a real lava tube and see some carved tiki statues. However, this is currently closed due to COVID-19.

Best Kona Coffee Tours Worth Booking

Greenwell farms coffee tour & hawaii volcanoes national park small group tour.

This is an unforgettable tour where you travel from Kona to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You’ll stop at Punaluu Beach Park, where there’s a black sand beach before heading to the farm.

At Greenwell Farms you’ll tour the farm, taste freshly brewed Kona coffee, and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Finally, you’ll venture into a lava tube that was formed by volcanic activity. Plus, they give you iPads to use for even more information during the entire tour! Check the latest rates and availability .

Kona Soap, Coffee, and Chocolate Tour

This is one of the most comprehensive tours on the Big Island. Learn all about coffee and chocolate production, from when it blooms all its way through roasting. You’ll even get a chance to do a Kona coffee tasting and enjoy some delicious treats!

On the last leg of the tour, you’ll take an interesting walkthrough a botanical garden used for making soap. a product without any fragrance so no worries there 😉 Check the latest rates and availability .

Kona Joe Coffee Tour & Circle Island Tour

Spend the day exploring all that Big Island has in store for you, from waterfalls and beaches to tropical valleys. You’ll also get an exclusive look at Kona Joe’s coffee farm where they mix Award-winning locally grown beans into delicious cups of joe!

You’ll also keep an eye out for Hawaiian green sea turtles at the famous Punalu’u Black Sand Beach. This tour also includes lunch and several photo stops. Check the latest rates and availability .

Greenwell Farms, Kealakekua Bay, Kaloko-Honokohau Park, and Bee Farm Tour

Take your Big Island vacation to the next level. Book a guided tour with an expert in local history and culture!

Take this informative tour through some sacred sites (like Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park ). You’ll see petroglyphs that date back thousands of years. And look for green sea turtles nests along this shoreline!

Finally, you’ll get to sample fresh Kona coffee at Greenwell Farms and taste local honey from Big Island Bees . Check the latest rates and availability .

Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary, Coffee Farm Tour & Brewery Experience

Kona is a hidden treasure trove of natural wonders and cultural experiences, like a hidden cloud forest in the mountains!

You’ll head to Mountain Thunder Coffee Farm where they grow beans that go into making some of the world’s most delicious coffees. Then, eat lunch there and try Ola Brew Company’s amazing Hawaiian beer.

Afterwards, check out the Kona Cloud Forest. It’s a nature sanctuary filled with native species of plants, Hawaiian flowers, and tropical birds. Check the latest rates and availability .

Kona Coffee Farms FAQs

There are more than 600 coffee farms Within the 20-miles of each other up and down the roads along the Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes. Some of these are really small and others are larger and offer tours to the public.

As the name implies, Kona coffee is a specific type of coffee plant grown in the Kona area of the Big Island of Hawaii. These Hawaiian coffee beans are unique because they grow in volcanic terrain. The coffee beans take on a flavor from the soil that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Yes, but they mainly sell Kona blends. A blend is made up of beans other parts of the world, so it’s not 100% Kona. If you’re going to be on the Big Island anyway, you might as well support a local farm and get the real deal!

Kona Coffee Tours and Tastings Wrap Up

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the best Kona coffee farms on the Big Island of Hawaii. Now you know a lot about Kona coffee plantation tours at different price points.

It’s an amazing experience to taste this exquisite coffee in Hawaii on a Kona coffee farm tour. Plus you can meet real Kona coffee farmers.

I hope you found this post about the best coffee tours Kona has helpful and that I’ve given you some new information to share with your friends or family members who are planning a trip to Hawaii!

Looking for more things to do on the Big Island ? Check out this cultural ATV tour , visit the Painted Church , best Kona coffee cafes , take a Big Island Bees tour , explore a macadamia nut factory , or attend a Big Island luau .

Our Top 5 Coffee Farms to Visit in Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi

• February 3, 2020

We’re proud of our coffee bean-growing heritage here in Hawaii, and the locals in Kailua-Kona all have their favorite go-to sports for their regular caffeine fix. For some, it’s the aroma or the smooth finish that makes the flavor unique. For others, it’s the region-specific location – a little like Champagne in France. Either way, there’s something extra special about drinking coffee on the very farm where the beans were grown, harvested, and roasted.   

If you’re looking for the best places to enjoy your Hawaiian caffeine buzz, here are our top 5 coffee farms to visit in Kailua-Kona.  

Mountain Thunder Coffee 

Sitting high above the competition in both altitude and quality, Mountain Thunder Coffee is our No. 1! This plantation sits a dizzying 3,200 feet or 975 meters above sea level in the moist, sub-tropical cloud forest of Hualalai – the ideal place to grow the perfect coffee bean. At the entrance you’ll be greeted by ducks, chickens, dogs, or maybe the resident cat if she isn’t napping… There’s a farm tour that covers it all, an incredible retail store, and even a donkey on site. They have also perfected teas as well if coffee isn’t your thing. This is an ideal stop for coffee-loving families to spend the morning and experience a place unlike any other.  

Bay View Farm Coffee 

Bay View Farm’s coffee beans are grown on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa, in the north and south Kona Districts of the Big Island. Here, the combination of sunny mornings, cloudy afternoons, and mineral rich volcanic soils produces one of the best coffees on the island. Bay View Farm also offers some of the finest views along the Kona coastline anywhere in the coffee-growing region.  

Kona Joe Coffee 

Here’s something new: trellis-grown coffee! The central-Californian farmers at Kona Joe Coffee may have figured out the perfect new way to grow and harvest the humble coffee bean. By exposing the cherries to more sunlight, they believe that the beans will be more flavorful – and result in a better coffee. It’s tough to argue with that; this coffee is so good! Located in South Kona, this is a great place to visit for one of Kailua-Kona’s finest brews.   

Hula Daddy 

Hula Daddy is simply one of the best coffee farms to visit along the coffee belt road in Holualoa, and many of the high-end hotels here recommend a visit. From the moment you enter, you’re greeted by warm, knowledgeable, and friendly staff. The views and décor make a visit here special, and the coffee is superb.  

Greenwell Farms 

For its rich history, insightful tours, and impeccable service , Greenwell Farms is the gold standard in Hawaii . Greenwell is the most-trusted name in the Kailua-Kona coffee farm business, and everyone in the region knows them. Their farm tours are amazing as they explain the history of coffee, show you how the cherry grows, and take you through the roasting process. There are plenty of samples for you to try, and their service is second-to-none. Greenwell is our go-to coffee farm in South Kona.  

For more insights and advice on making the most of your time in Hawaii, the dedicated team at Kailani Tours is here to help. You can read about our services and contact us for more information.

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Incredible Kona Coffee Farms You Can Visit

Deciding on a special big island trip but also wondering what kona coffee tours are worth going to. i know some of the greatest kona coffee farms for tours that are awesome, this list of the best kona coffee farms to visit was written by marcie cheung (a hawaii travel expert) and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

Want great Kona coffee tours?

There are a ton of Hawaiian coffee plantations. Coffee tours found at Big Island are super popular as well.

Here are some amazing coffee farms in Hawaii for great Kona coffee tours.

Coffee beans were harvested and also ground and brewed! Kona is great for fantastic coffee tours!

With Hawaii’s beautiful views, this pairs amazingly well when you have a nice Kona coffee in your hands.

For a great Hawaiian vacation, visit a Hawaii coffee farm for a tour that you’ll never forget! No matter who you are, especially if you love coffee, you won’t regret this trip.

Why turn to me for Hawaii advice? I’ve been there over 40 times and gathered lots of tips!

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Big Island Itinerary complete with daily schedules, fun activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

Kona Coffee History

In the past, Kona coffee was quite rare. Fortunately, this number started to increase rapidly when coffee trees were increasing in number around late 1820.

The Manoa Valley received a few of these Kona seeds until they were moved to Kona. The plants taste best when they feast on volcanic soil, something that was perfect for Kona.

While that’s a brief summary of coffee, the whole story would be pages on pages of text. Even though Kona coffee can be so popular now, it took many decades until it became popular. 

For around 200 years, Kona coffee has become a staple of Hawaiian coffee!

3 Facts About Kona Coffee 

They grow in special, volcanic soil.

It wouldn’t be too unexpected to grow from volcanoes that generate such soil for its extraordinary flavor. Volcanoes erupted over the years, leading to the soil you see now in Hawaii.

The ash from the volcanoes was now soil, making it great for this special drink’s perfect quality, richness, and taste.

Kona Coffee Was Originally a Brazillian Bean!

Even though it’s popular in Hawaii, it’s not truly native to Hawaii. In 1828, these beans were brought from Brazil and soon started to grow!

These Coffee Beans Can Only Taste Great if Made at Kona

It’s the place perfect for this coffee’s weathering conditions.

It’s sunny in the morning but tends to be much rainier around the afternoon times. Light winds around the area also make Kona coffee much tastier.

Where to Find the Hawaiian Coffee Plantations

These are grown in areas that have high elevations. They also need to be constantly covered by Volcanic clouds, creating ideal environments for the beans.

While tons of farms exist, some don’t allow Kona coffee tours. However, the Cultural Kona Coffee Festival is a special event for many people.

Why are Kona Coffee Plants so Special?

Its flavor and aroma as well as its freshness and quality, make this coffee some of the best out there. They’re also graded to ensure the best Kona experience.

Kona Coffee Grading System

The Kona bean starts as berries and is pulped, then dried, and then hulled.

Then, the beans get grades based on their shape. A machine sorts the beans based on their sizes and shapes.

Most of the unique Kona coffee uses different grades such as prime, No.1, fancy, and extra fancy.

However, some special grades are included when a peaberry form with another coffee bean to give super special flavors.

Roasting Process

The Kona coffee gets roasted based on the dryness of the item. Processors can make fantastic coffee if they do well!

French usually make dark roasts which are also called Italian and/or Espresso. Full-City and Vienna are the names for medium roasts.

How to Know it’s True Kona Coffee

If the label says 100% Pure Kona Coffee , it means it’s true Kona Coffee.

If it says Kona Blend, it’s not true Kona coffee. These usually refer to a blend that has 10% Kona coffee. 

If on a Kona farm, you’ll be in luck as finding 100% Kona will be no problem.

The Best Kona Coffee Farms Worth Visiting

These are all Kona coffee plantations you can stop by on your own. Most don’t require advanced reservations.

1. Royal Kona Coffee Center

You can examine the process of their coffee beans here! You can also see how it’s roasted and graded by checking their coffee beans by looking at their unique processing plant.

If you’re lucky, you may even be able to go inside the lava tubes.

Find it here in this spot: 83-5427 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI 96704

2. Greenwell Farms

To learn about some of the best Kona coffee farms, go to Greenwell Farms ‘ finding 100% Kona Coffee right before a 45-minute tour with guides will treat you.

They will show you the process of making these beans and learn how they turn into coffee and are harvested.

They also don’t require the needy reservations. You’ll only need to wait around 10 minutes.

Greenwell Farms can be found at 81-6581 Mamalahoa Highway Kealakekua, Hawaii 96750

3. Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farm

They have three tours. If you want, you can check out this tour review .

For $8, you’ll go through an hour-long trip through how Kona coffee is made here from start to finish. Check the latest rates and availability .

You can also take the Paniolo Roasting tour . Its length is about 45 minutes and costs around $45. You’ll learn Hawaiian cowboy history and how Kona coffee went through the years and how to make it traditional. Check the latest rates and availability .

Lastly, the Brew Your Best Cup tour is around 60 minutes to 90 minutes, while It costs $55. It teaches you how to brew amazing coffee. Check the latest rates and availability .

Find it here at 78-1136 Bishop Rd Holualoa, HI 96725

4. Hula Daddy

The Hula Daddy tour teaches you how coffee is created from start to finish.

This Kona coffee plantation is also known for being eco-friendly. They have planted seventeen thousand trees to reduce their carbon footprint. 

It’s about $30 per person and lasts about an hour long.

Visit here at 74-4944 Mamalahoa Hwy Holualoa, HI 96725

5. Kona Joe

This is quite an interesting Kona coffee plantation. For this place, you can find various tours.

They have self-guided tours for free and offer guided tours that offer videos, coffee, and tour you around the farm. They also give you gifts of coffee, chocolate, and coffee gifts.

They also allow you to roast your own coffee. Create very custom recipes while you’re given tips on how to make the best coffee you’ve ever tasted.

They also offer combined tours which are the same as standard tours but you can make your own coffee. It costs around $15.

The Ultimate tour is 2 hours long while you can Make 5 pounds of Kona coffee.

You can also pick coffee on your own, which is unlike any other place in the United States of America.

Find it here at 79-7346 Mamalohoa Highway, Kealakekua, HI 96750

6. Mountain Thunder

A place that’s next to a volcano and three thousand feet above the sea!

They have free Mountain Thunder tours . You can check the process of growing coffee.

You can also take Nature Trail Walks and check out plantations, plants, and lava. It costs $10 per group of people.

Found in the location: 73-1942 Ha’o Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Kona Coffee Tours to Book

1. coffee farm tour, brewery and kona cloud forest sanctuary.

To see all the magical places Kona coffee has to offer, check these out to go on a very special journey.

You’ll see how coffee beans are grown, but also get to have some lunch and even get to drink some beer.

You can also see a ton of the plants as well as all the different species of birds that live in the area as well. Check rates here .

2. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park & Greenwell Farms Coffee Tour 

When you visit the National Park , you’ll be able to see tons of volcanoes that will be so interesting, you will never forget it!

Greenwell Farms also offer their coffee as well as their picnic lunches. You can also look into their tubes of lava! Check rates here .

3. Kona Chocolate, Coffee, and Soap Tour

These tours will educate you all about the history of coffee and chocolate came to be. You’ll learn about Kona coffee and chocolate and be able to sample some of them.

You’ll also be able to see some of the fabulous and unique soaps that they have to offer. They don’t have scents. Check rates here .

4. Circle Island & Kona Joe Coffee Tour

Awards have been offered to these tours and Kona coffee plantations. Go here to look at some of the best looks and taste Kona coffee you’ll ever taste.

They also have a ton of giant turtles around the area. They also give you photos and lunch. Check rates here .

5. Bee Farm Tour, Kealakekua Bay, and Greenwell Farms

To learn about the culture and history of the area, this one is for you.

They’ll show you sacred areas that once existed tons of time ago. There are also a ton of sea turtles as well.

You can also get a ton of fresh, tasty Kona coffee. Check rates here.

Kona Coffee Farms FAQs

It can, and one of the most popular kinds of Hawaiian coffee is Kona coffee. It’s one of the most popular coffees in America, and coffee farms in Hawaii are known to have such amazing beans for coffee.

In Hawaii, more than 650 different kinds of coffee farms. While many are different sizes and are around 20 miles apart from each other, that’s still a surprising number!

While prices change constantly, one of the most expensive kinds of coffee is actually Kona coffee. It’s rare and super high in demand. An average-sized cup of Kona coffee can cost as much as $8.00.

Big Island Coffee Farms Wrap Up

After reading this, you should know about all the great tours there and how to plan a perfect trip, especially if you’re a coffee lover. Hopefully, you can also figure out how to get some free coffee and chocolate on the road.

The coffee here is fantastic, and the tours make it even better. You can also communicate with farms in the area for a bonus.

I hope that you’ve found this article a way of enjoying the best Hawaiian trip, and you’ll be able to have the best experience ever!

Looking for more things to do on the Big Island? Check out my list of budget-friendly Big Island activities , the coolest chocolate farm tours , things to do with kids on the Big Island , and the prettiest Big Island waterfalls !

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From Bean to Cup: The Top 5 Kona Coffee Plantations to Visit

Home » Hawaii Travel Tips » Kona Coffee Plantation

Incredible beaches, exotic landscapes, and fantastic coffee… is there anything Hawaii doesn’t offer? Among its prized exports, Kona coffee stands out as a rare gem cultivated exclusively on the volcanic slopes of Mauna Loa, within the Kona District of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its distinctive flavor that’s as vibrant as the island itself, Kona’s coffee farms offer a taste of Hawaii in every sip.

If you’re a coffee lover planning a visit to Hawaii’s Big Island, adding a Kona coffee plantation to your itinerary is a must. These farms provide an intimate look at the coffee production process, from seed to cup.

In this article, we’ll explore what to expect on a Kona coffee tour, the Big Island’s top five coffee plantations for sampling world-class coffee, and offer tips to enhance your experience.

What To Expect on a Kona Coffee Tour

The first thing to keep in mind before booking a Big Island coffee tour is that there isn’t just one coffee farm in Kona. The island is home to over 600 coffee plantations dotting its tropical landscape, many of which are small, family-owned farms that still operate with traditional methods passed down through generations. And while not every farm is open to tours, there are dozens that do offer experiences ranging from short visits to comprehensive, more immersive tours.

During Kona coffee tours, you’ll typically start with a walk through the plantation’s coffee field. There, you’ll learn about the environmental factors that contribute to the exceptional quality of Kona coffee. Guides, who are often the farmers themselves, will explain how the combination of volcanic soil, elevation, and the region’s specific microclimate creates perfect growing conditions.

Most times, the tour then moves to the processing facilities, where you can observe the transformation of the coffee cherry into the bean. You’ll see the different stages of processing, such as pulping, fermenting, and drying. Many tours also include a visit to the roasting room, where you can witness (and smell) the beans being expertly roasted to bring out their unique flavors.

The highlight of any Kona coffee plantation tour is, of course, the tasting session at the end, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample a variety of exclusive blends and single-origin brews to experience what makes Kona coffee one of the best coffees in the world. Most plantations also offer the chance to purchase freshly roasted beans from the coffee farm, Kona artisanal products, and souvenirs.

Hawaii’s 5 Best Coffee Farm Tours, Kona Edition

Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or are just curious about how coffee is made, a visit to a Kona coffee tour on the Big Island is the perfect opportunity to explore the heritage and craftsmanship behind one of the world’s finest coffees. Here are five amazing Kona coffee plantations providing exceptional tours and tasting experiences.

1. Hula Daddy Kona Coffee

Location: Holualoa, Kona District

Hula Daddy Kona Coffee is an eco-friendly coffee plantation known for its commitment to quality and sustainability. The folks over at Hula Daddy offer one-hour group tours that take you through their coffee orchards and small-batch roasting rooms. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a tasting session with various award-winning coffees.

Highlights:

• Group tours with expert guides
• Award-winning coffee tastings
• Breathtaking views of the Kona landscape

2. Greenwell Farms

Location: Kealakekua, Kona District

Greenwell Farms is one of the oldest coffee plantations in Kona. Their tours include a free guided walk through their coffee fields and a paid Deluxe Tour & Tasting, which gives you access to many places the complimentary tour doesn’t go, including the cupping room, roasting room, farm, nursery, and dry mill. They also offer manual brewing classes and private tours where you’ll be able to sample a variety of coffees at their tasting station.

• Free guided tours of the plantation
• Brewing classes and private tours
• Extensive coffee-tasting options

3. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation

Location: Kaloko Cloud Forest, Kona District

Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is unique for its location in the tropical Kaloko Cloud Forest. They offer free guided educational tours every day of the week, no reservations required. The tours take about 20 minutes and visitors can learn about how Kona coffee is grown, explore their orchards, learn about the processing methods, and enjoy samples of their organically-grown coffee. They also offer a self-guided walking tour with views of three lava tubes, which costs $10 per family group of any size.

• Free educational tours every day
• Unique cloud forest location
• Optional self-guided lava tube tours

4. Kona Joe Coffee

A pioneering coffee plantation, Kona Joe Coffee is known for using a trellising method, which involves growing coffee on trellises similar to grapevines. This technique, which produces coffee with a unique flavor profile, has earned Kona Joe many awards over the years. Their tours include a walk through their coffee fields, a visit to the processing and roasting areas, and a sampling session where you can taste their unique blends and single-origin coffees.

• Innovative coffee-growing methods
• Award-winning coffee
• Three different tours

5. Rooster Farms

Location: Honaunau, Kona District

Rooster Farms is an organic coffee plantation with small-scale, sustainable coffee production at the world’s oldest certified organic Kona coffee farms. Their tours are relaxed and informative, focusing on their organic farming practices and the journey of their coffee from bean to cup. During your visit, you can enjoy tastings of their coffee, which is known for its smooth, rich flavors.

• Organic coffee farming
• Informative and relaxed tours
• Learn about permaculture and how their coffee is grown alongside other plants to complement its taste

Tips for Planning Your Visit to a Kona Coffee Farm

To make the most of your visit to a Kona coffee farm, keep these tips in mind:

Understand Your Tour Options:

Different farms offer different types of tours, ranging from brief visits to in-depth experiences. Research each farm’s offerings to choose a tour that matches your interest and time availability.

Schedule in Advance:

While some plantations offer free guided tours that don’t require reservations, some of the most popular farms do require or recommend making reservations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.

Try to Visit During Harvest Season:

The coffee harvest season in Kona typically runs from August to January. Visiting during this time allows you to see the harvest process in action, from picking the ripe coffee cherries to processing and drying the beans.

Respect the Environment:

Coffee farms are working agricultural spaces. Be mindful of where you walk and follow the farm’s guidelines to avoid damaging plants or disrupting farm operations.

Plan Your Hawaiian Adventure Today

Coffee enthusiasts are constantly looking for the next best coffee, and if you’re planning a vacation to Hawaii, you’re in luck because Kona coffee is among the finest in the world.

The Big Island is home to a number of coffee farms that give you an inside look at the meticulous process of coffee production. Renting a car from Discount Hawaii Rental will give you the freedom to explore these farms and fully immerse yourself in the Kona coffee experience.

Plan your visit today and sample one of the best coffees in the world in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

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Free guided educational tours are available from 9:30 AM until 3:30 PM seven days a week.  Family groups do not need any advance reservations.  Tours generally take about 20 minutes. Our tours are easy walking tours, rain, or shine, and are wheelchair friendly.

Learn about how coffee is grown, why 100% Kona coffee is so good.

See coffee trees, see how fruit is milled and dried to produce green coffee.

Learn about roasting and sample various roasts of our 100% Kona Coffees.

Detailed Directions to the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation

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Visit This Lesser-Known Town For Hawaii's Best Coffee And Art Scene

The Hawaiian islands are known for their pristine beaches , world-class surf, and awe-inspiring nature destinations. However, one town in particular has a very different claim to fame. Holualoa on Hawaii's Big Island is known for its thriving arts scene and abundant coffee farms. For lovers of fine arts and a fine cup of joe, a trip to Holualoa is among the most exciting things to do on Hawaii's Big Island . Located in the heart of Hawaii's coffee country, Holualoa is a hub for growers and purveyors of 100% pure Kona coffee. Visitors can enjoy this renowned and rare brew straight from the source and explore the picturesque upland fields where the beans are harvested.

This beautiful under-the-radar Hawaiian town  is also known for attracting the most talented artists on Big Island. The community has an incredible array of galleries showcasing the work of local painters, woodworkers, sculptors, and craftspeople. It even has a ukulele gallery where visitors can make their own instrument to take home. Holualoa hosts fun celebrations throughout the year to encourage support for their artists and to give tourists a reason to visit their colorful town. Plus, Holualoa is a 90-minute drive from one of the best beaches on Hawaii's Big Island. Ready to plan your trip? Let's dive into the best coffee and art experiences that this town has to offer.

Incredible coffee experiences in Holualoa

Holualoa is located in a mountainous region with lush sloping landscapes, cloudy skies, and volcanic soil. It's the birthplace of Kona coffee, famous for its unparalleled quality and delectable taste. It's no surprise, then, that Holualoa is home to some incredible coffee-themed experiences that take you inside the process of how this beloved beverage is made.

First on the itinerary is a trip to the beautiful Mauka Meadows for a walking tour of a working farm. Positioned on the picturesque Kona Coffee Belt, visitors are invited to walk along the trail overlooking the ocean. Perched at an elevation of 200 feet, it offers panoramic views of the coffee fields surrounded by lush greenery. The one-way meandering trail takes 15 to 20 minutes to complete and can be slippery, so proper footwear is recommended. At the bottom is a gift shop where you can buy freshly harvested beans to take home.

Not far from Mauka Meadows is the Holualoa Kona Coffee Company , an organic farm that offers daily coffee roasting tours for free every day. Explore the rolling upland hills, scenic orchards, and farm roasting mill, then browse the gift shop and enjoy a cup of delicious Kona coffee. As the jewel of the Coffee Belt, Holualoa has several cafes that serve up a mean cup of java and unbeatable scenic views, including the beloved Uncle Kimo's Coffee Shop and Holualoa Garden And Kitchen.

Essential destinations and events in Holualoa for art lovers

In addition to growing world-class coffee, this charming small town has a reputation for being an artists' haven. Drive along the Mamalahoa Highway and you will spot many galleries run by talented artists and craftspeople. Glyph Art Gallery showcases the work of over 30 local artists whose work is inspired by the culture and stunning scenery of the Hawaiian islands. Musicians must pay a visit to the Holualoa Ukulele Gallery for beautiful displays of these traditional Hawaiian instruments. It also offers workshops where visitors can build their own ukulele. Between sipping Kona coffee and strumming your ukulele, you can experience Holualoa with all of your senses.

Holualoa loves to celebrate its thriving arts scene. The community hosts several events throughout the year dedicated to showcasing the work of local Hawaiian artists, including the First Friday Art Walk, which takes place every first Friday of the month. The event has art displays, music, food vendors, and activities. Each November, the town has its popular Coffee & Art Stroll, a beloved open-air event with vendors selling Kona's finest coffee, food, and artisan products. A trip to this colorful town will leave you feeling joyful, inspired, and perhaps a little bit over-caffeinated. 

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Seed to Cup Coffee Festival is coming to the Maui Tropical Plantation on Aug. 18

The Maui News

MAUI–The Maui Coffee Association (MCA) is thrilled to announce the 2024 Seed to Cup Coffee Festival, taking place on Sunday, August 18th, from 9 am to 4 pm at the beautiful Maui Tropical Plantation. This event is free and open to the public, inviting coffee enthusiasts and curious visitors alike to celebrate and explore the vibrant coffee culture of Maui.

The MCA is a group of growers, service providers, merchants, and enthusiasts dedicated to promoting coffee grown in Maui County, Hawaii. Our mission is to improve awareness and communication between growers and other segments of the Maui coffee industry. Through community events, farm tours, cupping workshops, and other opportunities, we represent Maui Coffee and the associated industry to the public, the County, and our State Government.

The festival will feature a variety of activities and attractions, including:

9:30 a.m.-10 a.m.: Namaka Pauole & Chayce Tancayo

10:05 a.m.-10:15 a.m.: Hawaiian Blessing

10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m.: Jacaranda Trio

10:55 a.m.-11:10 a.m.: Zenshin Daiko Drummers

11:15 a.m.-11:55 a.m.: Maui Jazz & Blues Festival Band featuring Fast Freddy & the Blue Lava Blues Band

12:10 p.m.-12:40 p.m.: Tarvin Makia & Al Villaren

12:55 p.m.-2 p.m.: Kanekoa

2:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m.: Lahela Lee Park

3 p.m.-3:45 p.m.: Lahaina Grown

The entertainment has been produced by award winning Maui Filmmaker & Promoter Ken Martinez Burgmaier for 14 years. “it’s an honor working & supporting the local coffee, farmers and creating a wonderful community event that shares their passion to produce the best coffee in the world, and to celebrate with some of Hawaii’s finest musicians performing” says Martinez Burgmaier

In addition to the scheduled performances, festival-goers can look forward to:

Meet the Farmers & Roasters: Engage with local coffee farmers and roasters, learn about their craft, and gain insight into the journey from seed to cup.

Coffee and Chocolate Pairing Hosted by Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate and MND Coffee Lab: Explore your own sensory and taste experiences, while learning different styles of cold brewed coffee.

Mixology Mocktail Demonstrations using coffee by Tikehau Lounge: Enjoy innovative mocktails featuring coffee as a key ingredient.

Taste the Roast: Highlighting the many talented coffee roasters on Maui, interactive, educational and fun. Coffee provided by O’o Farm, Kula, 1st place winner of the Maui District at the 2024 HCA Cupping.

Barista Throw Down: Enjoy a competitive barista showdown where skilled baristas showcase their talents in crafting the finest coffee beverages.

Coffee Inspired Food & Drinks: Savor a variety of food and drink options inspired by coffee, highlighting the versatility and rich flavors of Maui coffee.

Made on Maui Coffee Inspired Gear & Art: Discover unique, locally made coffee-inspired gear and art, perfect for coffee lovers and collectors.

This annual festival is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Maui’s coffee scene, connect with the local community, and enjoy a day filled with coffee, education, and entertainment.

The 2024 Seed to Cup Coffee Festival is proudly supported by the Maui County Farm Bureau, the County of Maui, Hawaii On TV and KAOI Radio. For more information, please visit mauicoffeeassociation.org.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, August 18, 2024

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Location: Maui Tropical Plantation

Admission: Free

Join us for a day of coffee culture and celebration at the Maui Tropical Plantation!

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