Historic Kona and Farm Tour

Duration 7 Hours

Adults 13+ $139
Children Ages 12 and under $129

Delve into the fascinating history and vibrant culture of the Big Island of Hawaii.

Tour ancient Hawaiian sites along the coast, visit early churches and a royal palace, and make stops at a honey farm and coffee orchard to taste some of the island’s locally made treats.

Your tour begins at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, where abundant sea life attracted settlements for centuries. Learn about the amazing handmade fishponds and seawalls along the beach, and walk along a trail to sacred temples and petroglyphs. You might even spot a sea turtle or monk seal on the salt and pepper sands.

Drive through downtown Kona, passing by the former royal vacation home at Hulihee Palace and Mokuaikaua Church, the oldest Christian church in the Hawaiian Islands. Ride along the rugged volcanic coastline to Big Island Bees, which has been producing organic honey since 1972. After a presentation from a beekeeper, get a close-up look at a hive and sample some of their sweet island nectar.

Hear about Captain James Cook’s arrival at Kealakekua Bay and enjoy a fresh picnic lunch at the lookout. Then set out for a narrated walking tour at Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park to learn how Hawaiians who had broken an ancient kapu (law) could flee to this seaside location to be absolved by a priest.

Finally, make your way to a Kona coffee farm. Walk through the orchards and learn about the harvesting and milling process, and sample a warm cup of Kona-grown java before head back for the day.

Highlights
Historic, cultural & agricultural sites in & around Kona
Visit ancient royal grounds at the sacred site of Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Take a guided nature walk through Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to see ancient fishponds and seawalls
Discover Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles at Honokohau Beach
Honey tasting & beekeeper-led talk at Big Island Bees and sip coffee on a tour of a coffee plantation

Pick up location and Time
Tour departs daily. We pick up from all resorts and hotels in Keahou, Kona, Waikoloa, and Kohala area between 7 am to 8 am. Actual pick up time vary depending on location. Tour duration is around 7 hours. We can also pick up cruise ship guests from Kona Pier.

What to bring and wear
Wear comfortable summer clothing. Covered walking shoes are recommended

Group Size: Tours are limited to a maximum of 10 guests per vehicle

Tour difficulty: Easy hiking over short distance. Ages 5 and older are recommended.

Included in the tour: Bento lunch consists of teriyaki chicken, fish, vegetables, and steamed rice with assorted juices, snacks and bottled water. In addition, all park entrance fees, sunscreen, and rain gear.

Cancellation Policy: Minimum 24 hours notice for groups of 1-5, 48 hours notice for groups of 6 or more, and 72 hour notice for private groups to receive a full refund.

How much hiking do we do?
A: We will have couple easy hikes over short distance in this tour. Total hike distance is about a mile.

Will we get to taste Kona Coffee and honey?
A: Yes, there will be free sample tasting at the Kona coffee farm and Big Island Bees

Can cruise ship visitors go on this tour?
A: Yes, we can pick up from Kailua-Kona pier and return by 3 pm

Frequently asked questions

What should I wear on one of your tours?

Closed toed shoes are required and a light jacket is recommended.

Where do you pick up for your tours?

We pick up our guests from all major resorts and hotels between Keauhou, Kona, Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and Hapuna area. For Histroic Kona Tour, we can pick up from Kona Pier. In certain cases we will pick you up from a nearby, easily identifiable establishment. Kona Airport pick up for Circle Island Tour and Twilight Volcano Tour may be available upon request.

Can I island hop to do your tour and return the same day?

Yes, we can pick up and drop off at Kona Airport for the Circle Island Tour. Please arrive airport by 7 am and depart after 8:30 pm.

What is the group size on your tours?

Our small group tours range from 4 to 10 guests. We take up to 14 guests for private or custom tours per vehicle. If you have a larger group we can provide multiple vehicles and guides.

How much hiking should I expect to do on your tours?

Our tours include light to moderate hikes throughout the day. Short hikes of .5 miles (.8 km) up to one mile (1.6 km) are common. Be sure to check our FAQ page specific to each tour we offer for more information!

Our your tours child/senior/disabled friendly?

Yes they are. However we don’t recommend our tours for very young children (i.e. < 5yrs old) or those with serious mobility ailments. Our tour vehicles are not equipped with a wheel chair lift, but do have plenty of storage space for a collapsible wheelchair and have low steps making them easy to board.

Are meals provided on your tours?

We provide local style lunch for all of our tours, made fresh daily at our commercial kitchen. It includes teriyaki chicken, local fish , sweet purple potato, and white rice. Dinner on Twilight Volcano Tour will be served at either Lava Rock Cafe or Kilauea Lodge near Volcanoes National Park with selected entrees. We can accommodate most dietary needs with advanced notice!

How far in advance should i book my tour?

Our Twilight Volcano Tour and Circle Island Tour run daily. Waipio Valley Tour is unavailable on Sundays, and the Historic Kona & Coffee Tour is unavailable on weekends.

We highly recommend booking your tour in advance. Some of our more popular tours sell out days in advance and other tours are sold on demand. Booking early means you get to do the tour you want on the day you want.

Will the tour be cancelled if it rains?

Our tours will operate in wet weather. Rain is common in certain areas of the island which is why we always provide rain gear for your convenience. We only cancel when weather makes transportation hazardous and/or there are road closures.

WIll I see lava on any of the tours?

Due to the dynamic nature of active volcanoes, lava viewing conditions change daily or even hourly. The best viewing of current eruptive activity is on our Twilight Volcano Tour. We will do our best to get you to the closest viewing area providing it is safe and legal. Currently, there is no active lava any where on the island. Please call us for most up to date information.

Is it customary to tip my guide?

Tipping is a great way to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to be a guide. Was your guide friendly, attentive and accommodating? Did he or she provide a well informed and enjoyable experience? Was the overall tour operated safely and comfortably?

What if I need to cancel my tour?

We require at least 24 hours notice for groups of one to five guests, 48 hours for groups of six or more, and 72 hours for private/custom tours for a full refund. “No-shows” will be charged full price – so give us a call and we’ll do our best to work it out to win-win.

Angelica Q wrote a review Dec 2020

Berkeley, California

Amazing experience, highly recommend Tommy!!

Amazing tour of Hawaii! We stopped at two national parks, Greenwell Farms Kona Coffee, and Big Island Bee Farm. We were picked up and driven back, which was so convenient. Our guide, Tommy, was so knowledgeable and kind. He answered every question to the best of his ability and seemed to know each person on our stops as friends. The best way to start off our stay :) thanks for the tour, Tommy!

Diane H wrote a review Mar 2020

Amazing trip!

This tour was amazing! Our tour guide Kahikina was so informative,friendly and so much fun! Learned so much about the island.Took us to beautiful parks a bee farm,( so much to learn about bees) coffee farm ( really delicious coffee to sample and buy)and the painted church( art work was amazing) Very scenic drive from our hotel! Our lunch at the park was so delicious! Teriyaki chicken,Maui Maui,rice and sweet potato And a added bonus some Wonderful pineapple! Lots of cold drinks too!This is a must tour!👍