Hawaii is home to the USA’s premier, thriving coffee industry with plantations dotting the islands, and these top tours seek out the best.
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When settling down to a cup of coffee in the morning, you might not always be awake enough to consider the fact that those magical beans were grown on the other side of the world. Unless you’re in Hawaii’s Big Island, where you can access the best, freshest coffee without crossing any body of water at all. Here are some of the top tours that include coffee farm visits, all chosen based on a number of factors such as value for money, and the quality of the coffee you’ll try there.
Big Island Holualoa coffee and chocolate tour
For a straightforward tour of a working coffee farm, this badge of excellence-awarded option is ideal, particularly for those with their own transportation. Meet at the farm’s gift shop, from which you’ll embark on a two-hour tour, learning all about the journey of coffee from plant to roasted bean. And those aren’t the only delicious beans you’ll learn about. Chocolate is made here too, with tasting samples provided. Please note that this popular tour is only available once a week on Thursday mornings. From $25 per person.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Kona coffee farm tour
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Although a fair step up in terms of price, many of the best coffee farm tours on the Big Island are usually combined into the itinerary of a longer day trip. For example, this 12-hour tour is a great way to see the best of the Big Island, from the otherworldly Volcanoes National Park down to the black volcanic sand beaches of Punalu’u, where you might spot a turtle or two. And for coffee lovers, you’ll get to sip the freshest brews after a farm tour near Kona. From $187 per person.
Two-hour Polynesian culture ATV tour
For a novel way to get around Big Island’s mountainous interior, consider this two-hour ATV tour, which has been designed to explore the culture of Hawaii and the many other Polynesian islands beyond. Either driving your own ATV or kicking back in one driven by your guide, you’ll head along dirt tracks through coffee country north of Kona, passing through a coffee farm and stopping to learn more about the growing process, before delving into groves of rainbow eucalyptus trees and jungle. From $210 per person.
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Big Island Circle Tour: Coffee, Wine and Waterfalls
If you have a full day to spare and want to see as much of the Big Island as possible, whilst being sure to include an exploration of Kona’s coffee culture, this might be the best tour for you. You’ll head to Kona Joe’s coffee farm to see the production process at work before tasting the delicious results. Then head elsewhere to see Big Island highlights such as Waipio Valley, a winery on volcanic soils, lofty waterfalls and the Punalu’u black sand beach. From $230 per person.