Coffee tourism in Hawaiʻi continues to grow in to 2026. Visitors are no longer just grabbing a souvenir bag. They are coming up the mountains, walking the farms, tasting 100 percent Kona coffee where it’s grown, and talking with the people who care for the trees.
Buddha’s Cup is one of the most requested Kona stops. Our farm sits in the coffee belt with ocean views, clean mountain air, and rainforest energy. We are award-winning, eco-focused, and every cup we pour is true estate-grown Kona.
Every cup is true estate-grown Kona, tied to this land and this climate. When you drink it here, you taste the place it comes from.
Why Go on a Coffee Tour in Kona
A coffee tour in the Kona belt is becoming a signature Hawaiʻi experience going into 2026. Travelers want to see where their coffee comes from, how it is grown, and how it is cared for.
They want to taste something real, learn something real, and support farms that treat the land with respect.
The Kona Coffee Belt
The Kona Coffee Belt sits on the slopes of Hualālai volcano. Volcanic soil, afternoon shade, and cool mountain air create a microclimate that gives Kona its smooth body and natural sweetness. On the farm, you can see the cherries on the tree, feel the air, and understand why this place matters.
At Buddha’s Cup, you get that full story. Our farm is a part of Kona’s coffee heritage. With our Kona coffee farm tour, you walk the land, sip estate-grown Kona with an ocean view, and hear how each roast moves from our trees to your cup.
Even if you do not call yourself a coffee person, there is tea and island treats. Besides, the scenery, the culture, and the conversation make it worth the trip.
The Drive
The drive up to the Kona Coffee Belt already feels like part of the tour. You leave the main highway, pass through Holualoa’s art studios and small-town charm, and look out over the coast sitting far below.
The road climbs through cool mountain air and native ʻōhiʻa forest, then winds toward the farm.
As you reach Buddha’s Cup, you sit around 2,300 feet with a wide ocean view behind you. It is a good moment to pause, breathe, and take pictures before you even step inside. Morning light is soft and clear, and late afternoon gives you warm gold on the trees.
When you arrive, stop into the visitor area and farm shop. It is where you can sip fresh Kona, talk story with staff, and pick up estate-grown coffee to take home.
Before you go, skim our Kona coffee farm tour preparation tips.
The Tour
A Kona coffee farm tour is more than a visit. It is a full 100 percent Kona coffee experience that blends learning, tasting, and true island hospitality.
You are welcomed with aloha and guided from tree to cherry to cup.
Walk the orchards, step into the drying house, watch small batch roasting, then taste side by side. Every stop connects process to flavor, and every pour tells a story.
Our guest experience has been recognized with a Travelers’ Choice award.
At Buddha’s Cup, current tour options include:
Deluxe Tour
- 60-minute Kona coffee farm tour for all ages, mostly on Polaris ATV with some walking.
- Covers how coffee is grown, processed, and roasted, and explains the science behind flavor.
VIP Owner Guided Tour
- 90 to 120 minute tour for ages 7 and up, led by Manny and ʻohana with ATV riding, fruit picking, animals, and biodynamic farming.
- Includes Blu Gro, milling, and roasting access, plus time to talk story and learn the farm’s history.
Express Tour
- 30-minute fast-paced ATV ride for all ages across four Kona farm areas, including ʻōhiʻa forest and cacao.
- Daily offering that gives an overview of how Kona coffee is grown in different microclimates.
Deluxe Tasting
- 1 hour guided Kona coffee tasting for ages 13 and up, with coffees from all five farms and farm to table pairings.
- Small group format at the Holualoa farm, focused on flavor notes, roast style, and how to taste Kona like a pro.
Blu Room Session
- 20-minute private light and sound relaxation session designed for stress relief, mood support, and reset.
- Held at the Holualoa location in a controlled wellness space using blue light and sound.
Manny’s Walking Tour
- 45 minute guided walk with the owner through the coffee and tea farm, covering the estate story and local growing methods.
- Can include fruit picking, Blu Gro UVB process, and wet or dry mill demos depending on season and weather.
Each tour highlights how Buddha’s Cup continues to grow through biodynamic farming, careful land stewardship, and consistent award recognition. This is part of why Hawaii coffee farm tours have become such a major draw for visitors.
Book your Kona coffee farm tour now.
Coffee Plantation
The Kona coffee plantation tour begins with a walk through rows of coffee trees framed by ocean views and cool upland air. Guests can see and smell the blossoms, feel the volcanic soil underfoot, and pick ripe coffee cherries in season.
Guides explain how the trees thrive between roughly 700 and 2,300 feet on Hualālai.
That specific altitude range, combined with rich volcanic soil and afternoon cloud cover, shapes the smooth body and natural sweetness Kona is known for.
- "What an amazing place. We bought a tour for our family. We learned so much. Saw coffee and cocoa trees, fruit trees, and animals. The tour ended with a wonderful coffee/tea tasting with treats. Very memorable day. Highly recommend!" - Tamila L. from Google Reviews.
This part of the coffee tour in Kona is also where guests learn how climate, elevation, and harvest timing affect flavor in the cup.
Coffee Processing
The next stage of the tour brings you behind the scenes. Guests see how each cherry becomes the roasted coffee they taste at the end.
Buddha’s Cup practices sustainable processing methods that respect the land, including careful water use, solar drying patios during certain parts of the year, and low-waste milling practices.
Guests can see, touch, and smell the beans at each stage:
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Harvesting and sorting – Hand-picking only ripe red cherries for quality.
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Fermenting – Breaking down the fruit layer in a controlled way to build smooth flavor.
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Dry milling – Removing the parchment and revealing clean green beans.
- Roasting – Heating the beans and unlocking aroma, depth, and Kona character.
Seeing each step up close is a core part of a true coffee tour in Kona, since it shows why 100 percent Kona coffee is so protected and so valued.
Tasting and Farm Shop
Every Kona coffee farm tour at Buddha’s Cup ends with a guided tasting flight. Guests sit down and compare roasts side by side, talk through flavor notes with the guide, and learn what makes true 100 percent Kona coffee so hard to copy.
Buddha’s Cup was also named a Travelers’ Choice honoree, a nod to consistent guest satisfaction.
Signature coffees such as Imagine, Peaberry, and UltraViolet Blu Light are steady favorites.
Each one has its own profile, with chocolate, citrus, macadamia, or gentle floral notes instead of bitterness. Guests can also taste house teas, Hawaiian rum cakes, local honey, and macadamia grown on the property.
This part of the Kona coffee farm visit is meant to bring flavor, story, and place together in one moment.
After the flight, most guests head into the gift shop to buy their favorite roast or ship it home. The shop carries estate-grown 100 percent Kona coffee, rum cakes, and other local gifts you can only get at the farm.
Pro tip: Ask about farm-only blends and current visitor discounts before you leave.
Other Coffee Farm Tour Tips
Planning a Kona coffee farm tour for your Hawaiʻi trip can be even better with a few simple tips. Use these to get the best views, the best tasting experience, and the smoothest visit to Buddha’s Cup.
- For the bloom season, plan your Kona coffee farm tour in February or March. For bright red coffee cherries on the trees, visit between September and January during harvest.
- Farms sit higher on the slopes where it is cooler and light rain is common, so bring a light jacket, closed-toe shoes, and a hat. Bring a camera too, because the morning ocean views from 2,000+ feet are beautiful.
- Tours are small and often full, so reserve ahead. Families are welcome, and kids usually love walking the orchards, talking with the guide, and meeting the farm animals.
- If you want more adventure, add the ATV ride at Buddha’s Cup. You explore coffee, cacao, and forest off-road, which turns your coffee tour in Kona into a full Kona coffee farm visit, not only a tasting stop.
- Plan time for a guided Kona coffee tasting and the farm shop so you can bring home 100 percent Kona coffee and local treats.
Book Your Kona Coffee Experience
You can choose a short tasting, a guided Kona coffee plantation tour, a walking tour with the owner, or an ATV ride through the orchards. Every visit includes local farming knowledge and a Kona coffee tasting that shows how altitude and process shape flavor.
Tours fill quickly. Reserve early for the best experience.
What Visitors Are Saying
- “We did the ATV tour and the deluxe tasting. Such a good experience. The place had a relaxing atmosphere, and the variety of animals was a pleasant surprise. Our guide was great. She shared a lot of knowledge about the farm and the coffee process, including both well-honed traditional methods and cool innovations. She made us feel totally at home.” - Sarah Roth from Google Reviews.
- “If you have the time, take the drive to the top of the hill to this farm. So glad we did. We did not have a reservation, but they let us join a tasting. Coffee was delicious and they paired it with treats. The staff is friendly and truly enjoys what they do. The tour gave a full immersion into coffee and tea, farming methods, ATV experience, and Kona fruits and cacao. The coffee and tea tasting after the tour made for a perfect ending. I believe if you look deeper into the farm you will find it revolves around holistic healing.” - Mrs B. from Google Reviews.
- “We recently visited Buddha's Cup on our family vacation with our 3 teenagers. We did the ATV tour followed by the tasting. Everyone loved the experience! Kay was our tour guide and tasting guru. She was wonderful! The farm is beautiful and everything was delicious! Highly recommend!” - Lauran Bettencourt from Google Reviews
Our tours are 5-star rated experiences. Guests love the views, the Kona coffee tasting, and the warm Aloha welcome.
FAQs About Buddha’s Cup Farm Tours
1. What can I expect on a Kona coffee farm tour at Buddha’s Cup?
Each Kona coffee farm tour walks you through how coffee is planted, harvested, and roasted on-site. You will learn about biodynamic farming, taste 100 percent Kona coffee, and enjoy breathtaking ocean views across the Hualālai slopes.
2. Are Buddha’s Cup coffee tours family-friendly?
Yes. Buddha’s Cup tours are great for families. Children enjoy seeing coffee trees, meeting farm animals, and riding in the ATV. Parents appreciate the relaxed atmosphere, scenic views, and guided tastings that introduce everyone to authentic Hawaiian coffee culture.
3. What should I wear during my Kona coffee plantation tour?
Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and lightweight clothing. The farm’s elevation brings cooler temperatures and afternoon showers, so pack a light jacket and hat. Sunscreen and a camera are also helpful for the scenic farm and ocean views.
4. Does every tour include a Kona coffee tasting?
Yes. Each Buddha’s Cup coffee farm visit includes a guided tasting of estate coffees such as Peaberry, Imagine, and UltraViolet Blu Light. Guests can also sample rum cakes, macadamia, and local honey, making it a full-flavor experience.
5. How soon should I book my Hawaii coffee farm tour?
Tours are limited to small groups and often fill quickly. Booking in advance ensures the best time slot and a personalized experience. You can reserve online through the Buddha’s Cup website or by calling directly before your visit.
Buddha’s Cup is a Travelers’ Choice honoree, so peak days and popular hours tend to book fast.
