Big Island: Craft Chocolate Tasting and Farm Tour in Hilo
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Discover the most in-depth cacao farm experience in Hawai‘i. This 3.5-hour guided tour at Honoli‘i Orchards is led by an expert in the craft chocolate industry and offers an immersive journey through the world of cacao.
Walk the orchards, explore every stage of production—from harvest to fermentation and drying—and learn how fine chocolate is made. No question goes unanswered; the tour adapts to your curiosity, offering a curated educational experience shaped by your interests.
You'll finish with a seminar on the history of chocolate and the most extensive craft chocolate tasting in the state, sampling a curated selection of 10 or more of Hawai‘i’s best single-origin bars, including our own award-winning chocolate.
This isn’t just a tour—it’s a deep dive into the art, science, and soul of chocolate. For those who want more than a taste—for those who want to understand—this is Hawai‘i’s premier chocolate experience.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
On your way to our farm, you'll drive through some of the Big Island's rarely experienced scenic back roads. Our farm is 5 minutes from Hilo and 1.7 miles up Puia Road, in historic ulu, sugarcane, macadamia, and cattle land. Upon arrival at the farm, sit above the canopy and enjoy the stunning ocean and valley views from the Honolii Orchards Tasting Room. Explore the Hamakua Coast’s agricultural history and chat casually before touring the orchards with your guide Wrenn Bunker. We'll discover the secrets of cacao farming and the mysteries of cacao fermentation. Afterward, delve into chocolate's history, from ancient Mesoamerica to the modern craft movement, before savoring diverse craft chocolates from across Hawaii and experiencing the single-origin nuances as genetics and environment meld flavors. Taste fresh cacao juice, roasted beans, cacao tea, and seasonal fruits. Conclude with insights into chocolate’s craft transformation, akin to Napa’s wine scene. This tour offers a comprehensive education, tastings, and a serene pace, leaving you enriched and knowledgeable. You'll return home with lasting memories and an enhanced appreciation for cacao and chocolate.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Chocolate
Coffee and/or Tea
Gratuities
Options
1.5hr 10 Bar Chocolate Tasting
3.5hr Farm Tour & Tasting
Reviews
101 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Incredible Expeeience
joehebda,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience at Honoliʻi Orchards’ farm tour and chocolate tasting 🍫🌿 Jude and Wren truly made the visit unforgettable. Jude led the tasting with the depth and elegance of a fine wine or bourbon experience, guiding us through chocolates from eleven Hawaiian cacao farms and three from beyond the islands. Each sample told its own story. Each sample had distinct flavor notes. Jude and Wren help us discern the unique flavor profiles Wren took us through the farm with passion and clarity, explaining the craft and process behind the chocolate, as well as the vision of founder Colin Hart—farmer, innovator, and driving force behind this award-winning operation. Spending 3½ hours immersed in the world of craft Hawaiian chocolate was absolutely worth it. The knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine love for what they do really stood out. If you’re on the Big Island, this is not to be missed. 🌺
Food for the brain and the taste buds
I7528NEmikem,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It's a little out of the way, but well worth the trip. We did the tour, which lasted about 4 hours, including a two-part tasting of 13 different chocolates and a very detailed tour of the farm and fermentation area. Colin was a very gracious host and patiently answered all our questions which was a great educational experience. Jude was a very entertaining tasting guide, inviting us to sample some cacao tea (smelled great!). Highly recommended if you're a chocoholic.
Fantastic!
Katrina L,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I cannot recommend this tour highly enough. The hosts were friendly, knowledgeable, and generous. I learnt so much and had a great time. Also, loved Darwin the dog. He was also a great host. Don't hesitate to book this tour.
Amazing experience
candaces499,Mar 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate tasting and farm tour, and highly recommend the experience to everyone. Wrenn, Jude and April were great – and Wrenn’s knowledge of cacao was astounding! Thanks so much!
Educational and fun plus chocolate!
542east,Mar 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This cocoa tour and chocolate tasting was an excellent experience. Wrenn has a comprehensive knowledge of the cocoa plants and the industry. He explained topics thoroughly and in an understandable manner. Honolii is committed to the cacao industry being successful locally. They are involved in collaborative research to ensure the craft industry thrives on the Hawaiian Islands. Jude led the chocolate tasting, and we learned so much about the different qualities and characteristics of craft chocolates. Along with April, the three of them shared information with facts and humor. Most of the chocolate making process is done through collaboration with other organizations. Aside from that, if you want to improve your chocolate eating experience, this helps.
Excellent tour of a working craft chocolate farm
Connector711238,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a very worthwhile tour. Wrenn, Jude, and April were excellent tour and tasting guides, giving a wealth of information about cacao pods and how to turn them into chocolate. We tasted more than 12 varieties of craft chocolate from various farms around Hawaii and Oahu. And we were offered a chocolate beverage and various fruits during the tour. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves chocolate!
Learned so much about chocolate.
C4312CYsusanh,Jan 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience. Guides were so enthusiastic and wanted to please. Very informative and their knowledge was superb. The only difficulty we had was finding it. Perhaps some signs on the way would help
A great tasting experience.
jrmathe,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tasting that we attended had 10 participants. It lasted almost 4 hours. Wrenn was our guide. It was a fabulous immersive experience. Wrenn knows his history , farming in Hawaii, and the complicated process of making some of the best chocolate in the world. We toured the property and learned so much about the making of chocolate. Most of our time was spent in tasting chocolate which was a great experience. Expect to be WOWed.
How Craft Chocolate will change the world…..
P6110QZlisad,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wrenn and Collin do an excellent job of introducing the public to the budding art of Craft Chocolate. Providing a bit of science to help you understand the complexities of the work they all do to bring their product to market and the healing properties in cacao. They are the bosons in the chocolate universe - the force carriers quietly reshaping how the entire system behaves, from a tiny point on the Big Island. BRAVO!
This was our first craft...
Tamas V,Jan 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was our first craft chocolate experience and our hosts, Ren and Jude were great. The tour of the cacao farm was engaging and informative. Ren and Jude shared a lot of information about craft choclates and made the experience fun and informative. The chocolates were delicious. The farm and tasting area were in great condition, weather was good. We stayed near Kona, and the location for this is near Hilo - about a 2 hour drive, definitely worth it if you have the time.
From US$135.00
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Operated by Honolii Orchards