The Big Island Abalone farm tour is a roughly 1-hour walk through a 10-acre aquaculture farm at Makako Bay in Kona, ending with a grilled abalone tasting, listed at $35 per adult. It suits families, food-curious travelers and anyone wanting a low-effort activity near the airport. The drawback is that tour times and booking policy are unpublished.
Highlights
About 1 hour on foot through the farm, mostly under shade canopies, at 73-357 Makako Bay Dr near Kona airport
Guide covers abalone breeding and the dulse seaweed operation that takes up nearly half the 10-acre farm
Hands-on handling of sea creatures pulled from the farm's deep-seawater pipes near the end
Ends with a tasting of fresh grilled abalone; one operator testimonial also describes a cook-your-own BBQ
Listed at $35 per adult and $17.50 for children 8 and under on LoveBigIsland
What to Expect
Arrive at the farm on Makako Bay Drive in the NELHA ocean-science park just south of Kona airport.
Walk with a guide through the farm while they explain the farm's history and how abalone are bred and raised.
See the dulse seaweed tanks, which supply the abalone's main food and cover almost half the farm.
Handle live sea creatures drawn from the farm's ocean-water pipes near the end of the walk.
Finish with a tasting of fresh grilled abalone.
What's Included
Guided walking tour of the farm
Grilled abalone tasting
Restrictions and Requirements
Walking is required; the farm is mostly shaded by canopies
Big Island Abalone, 73-357 Makako Bay Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Ratings from every source we could find
We haven't collected platform ratings for this tour yet.
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
Kona-area aquaculture farm tours are a niche but well-regarded category, typically praised for guide knowledge and the novelty of tasting fresh abalone on site.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 4 undated, unrated testimonials on the operator's own website and one 2013 Honolulu Magazine article, collected October 2026. No third-party review platform score was found. Testimonials selected by an operator are not a balanced sample.
What Reviewers Praise
Guide is knowledgeable and interactive(3 of 4 testimonials we read)
Three testimonials on the operator site single out the guide and the hands-on format, with one calling the guide knowledgeable, funny and attentive.
— operator website, undated: tour described as "very interactive" with a guide who answered questions throughout
Works for children and mixed-age groups(2 of 4 testimonials we read)
Two testimonials recommend the tour for families, citing the samples and the chance to touch animals.
— operator website, undated: family of four learned about seaweed and sea life and recommended it for kids
What Reviewers Complain About
Walking required with limited seating(1 of 4 testimonials we read · operator issue · undated)
One testimonial notes that walking is required, though most of the route is under canopies; no accessibility statement was found on any fetched page.
— operator website, undated: "walking required", mostly shaded by canopies
You cook the BBQ yourself(1 of 4 testimonials we read · operator issue · undated)
One testimonial says guests grill their own abalone with a chef on hand for guidance, which may not suit everyone expecting a served tasting.
— operator website, undated: "you will have to cook yourself" with chef guidance available
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At $35 for about an hour with a tasting included, this is a low-risk add-on for travelers with a spare morning near Kona airport, especially families. The farm sells a specific thing, seeing and eating farmed abalone, and the four testimonials we read suggest it delivers that. Travelers who want a published schedule and a clear cancellation policy will have to phone the farm, because neither is online.
Book This Tour If…
You have 1–2 free hours near Kona airport and want something indoors-adjacent and shaded
You are traveling with children who will enjoy handling live sea animals
You eat shellfish and want to taste grilled abalone at the source
You can phone 808-334-0034 to confirm times, since no schedule is published
Skip This Tour If…
You do not eat shellfish; the tasting is the finale and the main value at $35
You need a seated or wheelchair-accessible tour; walking is required and no accessibility statement was found
You expect a served meal; the BBQ described in one testimonial is cook-your-own
You want a firm cancellation policy in writing before paying
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Book ahead; the 2013 Honolulu Magazine visit notes most visitors book appointments in advance
Combine with other NELHA-park farms nearby, since the abalone farm is inside the same ocean-science park
Ask about the private tour option if you have a group; the operator site says to contact them for details
Wear closed shoes and bring sun protection; the walk is mostly but not entirely shaded
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Big Island Abalone farm tour?
The Big Island Abalone farm tour is listed at $35 per adult and $17.50 for children aged 8 and under on LoveBigIsland.com as of October 2026. The operator's own booking page could not be read, so confirm the current price on FareHarbor or by phone at 808-334-0034.
How long does the Kona abalone farm tour take?
The Kona abalone farm tour takes about one hour, according to both the LoveBigIsland listing and testimonials on the operator's site. The time covers a guided walk through the seaweed and abalone tanks, handling live sea creatures, and a grilled abalone tasting at the end.
Do you get to taste abalone on the tour?
Yes, the Big Island Abalone tour ends with a tasting of fresh grilled abalone, per the LoveBigIsland listing. One testimonial on the operator's website also describes a BBQ where guests cook the abalone themselves with a chef available for guidance, so the format may vary by booking.
Where is Big Island Abalone located?
Big Island Abalone is at 73-357 Makako Bay Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, inside the NELHA ocean-science park just south of Kona International Airport. The farm uses cold, deep seawater pumped from offshore, which is why abalone can be raised in Hawaii's warm climate.
Is the abalone farm tour suitable for children?
The abalone farm tour is described as suitable for all ages in 2 of the 4 testimonials on the operator's website, which mention hands-on access to sea animals and samples. Children aged 8 and under pay a reduced $17.50 per the LoveBigIsland listing. Walking is required for the full hour.
Contact
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This is the tour operator's own contact info, shared for general questions — not for bookings. Book through the booking links for real-time availability and the best price.
TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Big Island Abalone directly.
