Kona: Coffee & Chocolate Farm Tour with Soap Workshop

Summary

Hawaii’s volcanic soil flavors every sip and bite on this Kona farm

You’ll walk Kona’s lush farm rows with a local guide, sip fresh-brewed coffee as you look out over the Pacific, taste real Hawaiian chocolate right from its source, and get hands-on in a plant-based soap workshop. The air smells different here — you might catch yourself thinking about it long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the air to smell so green when we pulled up to the farm above Kailua-Kona — like wet leaves and something sweet, maybe from the cacao trees? Our guide, Malia, waved us over with a mug already in hand. She grinned, “You’ll want to try this before we start,” and honestly, I’ve never had coffee that tasted quite like that — rich but not heavy, kind of earthy. The Pacific glimmered way down below us; I kept getting distracted by it whenever Malia pointed out how Hualālai shaped all this volcanic soil. I guess that’s why everything grows so wild here.

We wandered between rows of coffee bushes and cacao pods (they’re bigger than I thought), learning how each bean goes from sticky fruit to what ends up in your cup or chocolate bar. At one point, someone asked about the difference between dark and milk chocolate — Malia just handed us a piece to taste instead of explaining. It melted quick in my fingers. There was a quiet moment where everyone just stood chewing, looking at the view. Felt good.

The soap factory part was a surprise for me — I’m not usually into that stuff, but the place smelled like crushed herbs and citrus instead of perfume. We got to see how they use their own plants for everything; even tried lathering some on my wrist (no weird reactions). There’s a small step into the soap room if you need to know — nothing tricky though. Oh, Li laughed when I tried to pronounce one of the Hawaiian plant names; probably butchered it but she was nice about it.

Three hours went fast. By the end, my hands smelled faintly of lavender and coffee grounds, which is oddly comforting. I still think about that first sip of coffee with the ocean below — makes regular mornings feel kind of plain now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Farm tour with coffee and chocolate

• Travel to farm with ocean views
• View Hualālai volcano and rainforest
• Explore chocolate cultivation process
• Sample freshly brewed coffee
• Taste gourmet chocolate
• Visit soap factory with farm ingredients

Top questions

How long does the Kona coffee & chocolate farm tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and starts at 9 am.

Is pickup included for this day trip?

No hotel pickup is included; guests drive themselves to the farm near Kailua-Kona.

Is this tour suitable for kids?

The tour is not recommended for children under 12 years old; all children must be supervised throughout.

Are there accessibility features?

The farm is wheelchair accessible with lots of parking; there is one small step into the soap factory.

Can I bring my service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed on this Kona farm tour.

What will we taste during the tour?

You’ll sample freshly brewed Kona coffee and gourmet Hawaiian chocolate made onsite.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No lunch is provided; tastings include coffee and chocolate only.

Are there any allergy concerns with the soaps?

The soaps are nonallergenic and plant-based; avoid if allergic to specific plants like lavender.

What’s included

Your morning includes a guided walk through a working Kona coffee & cacao farm with tastings of house-made chocolate and freshly brewed coffee along the way, plus an interactive visit inside their plant-based soap workshop led by locals who really know their stuff. Parking is free onsite and accessibility is good except for one small step into the soap area.