Kona Coffee Farm Tours
From Cherry to Cup — Experience the World's Most Prized Coffee
The World's Most Coveted Coffee, Grown Right Here
The Kona coffee belt stretches 20 miles along the western slopes of Mauna Loa, where rich volcanic soil, afternoon cloud cover, and perfect elevation create a microclimate found nowhere else on Earth. Genuine 100% Kona coffee is one of the world's rarest and most sought-after coffees — and you can taste it straight from the source.
- 100% Kona coffee — not a blend
- Working farms with native Hawaiian guides
- Tastings of freshly roasted estate coffee
- Take home beans roasted the same day
Available Coffee Farm Tours
Choose the experience that fits your group and schedule
Classic Kona Coffee Farm Tour
Walk through a working 100% Kona coffee farm on the slopes of Mauna Loa with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn how coffee is grown, harvested, and processed from cherry to cup — then enjoy a guided tasting of freshly roasted single-estate Kona coffee.
Farm-to-Cup Immersive Experience
Go deep into the full Kona coffee journey. Pick ripe red coffee cherries alongside the farmers, watch the wet-milling and drying process, and roast your own small batch to take home. Includes a gourmet farm lunch with locally sourced ingredients.
Kona Coffee Belt Driving Tour
Explore the entire 20-mile Kona coffee belt with a local guide. Visit three distinct farms — a small family operation, a mid-size estate, and a large commercial producer — to understand how size and method shape the final cup. Includes tastings at each stop.
Sunset Coffee & Macadamia Nut Tour
Combine two of the Big Island's most iconic crops in one golden-hour experience. Tour a working coffee and macadamia nut farm as the sun sets over the Pacific, then settle in for a tasting flight of estate coffees paired with fresh-roasted macadamia nuts and local chocolates.
What to Expect on Your Tour
A journey through every stage of the world's finest coffee
Walk the Farm
Stroll through rows of coffee trees on the volcanic slopes of Mauna Loa with a local guide explaining the growing process.
Pick the Cherries
Learn to identify perfectly ripe red coffee cherries and pick them by hand — the same way it's been done for 150 years.
See the Mill
Watch the wet-milling process that separates the coffee bean from the fruit, and see how beans are dried and sorted.
Taste & Take Home
Sit down for a guided tasting of freshly roasted estate coffees and bring home a bag of the real thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Kona coffee so special?
Kona coffee is grown in a narrow 20-mile belt on the slopes of Mauna Loa on the Big Island's west coast. The combination of rich volcanic soil, afternoon cloud cover, and ideal elevation (800–2,500 ft) creates a microclimate found nowhere else on Earth. Genuine 100% Kona coffee is one of the world's most prized and expensive coffees.
Is there a difference between "Kona Blend" and "100% Kona"?
Yes — a big one. "Kona Blend" coffees sold in grocery stores are legally required to contain only 10% Kona beans. Our tours visit farms producing certified 100% Kona coffee, which is what you'll taste and take home.
What time of year is the coffee harvest?
The main Kona coffee harvest runs from August through January, with peak picking in October and November. Tours run year-round — outside harvest season you'll see the trees flowering or with green cherries developing, and the farm experience is equally fascinating.
Can I buy coffee to take home?
Absolutely. All of our partner farms sell their estate coffee directly, and you'll have the opportunity to purchase freshly roasted beans at the end of your tour. The Farm-to-Cup tour even lets you roast your own small batch to take home.
Are the tours suitable for non-coffee drinkers?
Yes! The agricultural and cultural story of Kona coffee is fascinating even if you don't drink coffee. Our Sunset Coffee & Macadamia Nut Tour is especially popular with non-coffee drinkers for its scenery, mac nuts, and chocolate pairings.
What is your cancellation policy?
We offer our Aloha Refund Policy — cancel up to 24 hours before your tour for a full refund. Call us at 800-224-2319 for same-day changes or special circumstances.
Ready to Taste the World's Best Coffee?
Call our Big Island experts to book your Kona coffee farm tour or ask about private group experiences.