Big Island Abalone: Visiting Hawaii’s Most Famous Aquafarm
I have an affinity for visiting farms, orchards, and vineyards when I travel, so I was pretty excited when I found out that Big Island Abalone offered tours of the facility.
In this guide, I will tell you how to take a tour of Big Island Abalone, what to do once there, and how to get to their location on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I also discuss a bit more about what it is and a few attractions and spots to visit nearby.
Quick Kona Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Kona last minute, be sure you have lodging and tours booked ahead of time (as much as you can)! Below are some of my top picks on the Big Island.
🌋 Best tours and activities in Kona:
- Big Island Abalone 1-hour tour (discussed below in detail!)
- Big Island in a day (you’ll see volcanoes, waterfalls, coffee farms, and more!)
- Kealakekua snorkeling excursion (on a catamaran and has lunch)
🛌 Top places to stay in Kona:
- Kona Tiki Hotel (stayed here and LOVED it – oceanfront in Kona)
- Aston Kona by the Sea (oceanfront luxury in Kona)
🍲 Popular places to eat in Kona: Beach Tree Restaurant & Bar, Kaaloa’s Super J’s (Hawaiian food in Captain Cook), Da Poke Shack, 808 Grindz Cafe
🚗 Traveling to the Big Island independently? Be sure to book your rental car ahead of time to ensure availability!!
Big Island Abalone is a short distance from the Kona Airport and is a great place to see before your flight out (or your flight in!). If you have any questions, let me know in the comments. Thanks!
Table of Contents
About Big Island Abalone
Big Island Abalone is the largest abalone aquafarm in the United States and spans over 10 acres near Kona.
This area was selected to produce abalone because it receives more sunlight annually than any other coastal region of the US and the waters of Hawai’i are cold and very nutrient-dense. These nutrient-rich waters are pumped to the aquafarm from 3,000 feet under the sea, helping to produce premium abalone.
While abalone is not as commonly eaten in the United States as in Asia, it is a growing market! Big Island Abalone’s location is strategic in that it easily allows for exports to the mainland as well as Asia.
Big Island Abalone produces around 100 tons of live abalone annually and you can take a tour of the facility to see just how this happens (and learn a lot more about abalone).
Another cool thing about Big Island Abalone is that they have a food truck on-site where you can taste abalone prepared in different ways. If you don’t have time to take a tour but are passing the area, I highly recommend stopping and trying it out!
Visiting Big Island Abalone (& Taking a Tour!)
Address: 73-357 Makako Bay Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Facility opening hours: Monday to Friday (8 am – 4 pm) and Saturday to Sunday (10 am – 3:30 pm)
Food truck opening hours: Monday to Friday (9 am – 3:30 pm) and Saturday (10 am – 3:30 pm); closed Sundays
Parking: On-site parking lot (free)
➡️ Book an abalone tour here
You have two options when visiting Big Island Abalone: taking a tour of the aquafarm or stopping to get something to eat at their food truck or Kona BBQ. I took a tour and will give some details about how to do that if you’re interested!
Tours are 60 minutes long and are offered Monday through Friday at 9:30 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, they are offered at 11 am, 12:30 pm, and 2 pm.
Reservations ARE required so you cannot just show up and hop on a tour. You can get yourself secured on an abalone tour here.
On your tour, you will learn about the farm’s history and everyday operations, find out more about abalone and its history around the world, and even get some hands-on experience with them and some other sea creatures.
At the end of the tour, you’ll get to try some grilled abalone and even purchase some to take home with you. I also bought some sea grapes to snack on.
The tour was very easy and relaxed, but make sure you book good walking shoes as you will be on your feet for the hour! Also, be sure to wear loose clothing as you are outside, but will not be in direct sunlight.
If you are merely stopping by to enjoy the food truck, you can show up at any time the truck is open (hours were listed above).
Kona Barbecue
Big Island Abalone offers self-cooked BBQs. They also provide local ingredients including meats, seafood, and vegetables, as well as special sauces and seasonings. This makes for a great day out as you don’t need to bring any food along and can simply relax. There are 8 BBQ sites at Big Island Abalone.
How to get to Big Island Abalone
Big Island Abalone is around a 5-minute drive from Kona International Airport (KOA) and under a 15-minute drive from Kailua-Kona (via HI-19).
Buses also run between Kailua-Kona and Big Island Abalone. The 202 service to Kona Airport offers the most convenience. You can catch the bus from Kaiwi Street and then depart at Makako Bay Drive. From there, it’s around a 15-minute walk.
Alternatively, you can take an Uber or Lyft.
Other Places to Visit Near Big Island Abalone
If you don’t want to go out of your way solely to visit the aquafarm and want to pair it with other places, here are some ideas that can help you plan the trip:
Kona Sea Salt Farm
Kona Sea Salt is just a 3-minute drive away and you can continue your Big Island farm extravaganza by touring the island’s only working salt farm.
On this tour, you’ll learn how the salt is harvested and its significance in Hawaiian culture. You’ll also get to taste smoked and flavored salts, as well as some of their Deep Ocean Magnesium mineral water.
Kaloko Honokōhau National Historical Park
Kaloko Honokōhau National Historical Park is around a 6-minute drive from Big Island Abalone. This site is known for its Hawaiian fishponds, sacred temples, and petroglyphs.
Guided tours and special events are offered throughout the year from the on-site visitor center, and you can also spot marine life in this area.
Kohanaiki Beach Park
Kohanaiki Beach Park is around a 7-minute drive away. There’s a camping area right along the beach and it’s a popular surfing destination. It’s a great spot for a BBQ, especially as you can spot marine life from the shore. Facilities include toilets, showers, and drinking water.
Wawaloli Beach Park
Wawaloli Beach Park is located just up the road from Big Island Abalone. It’s a great place to watch the sunset and see the tide pools (which are especially popular with little ones).
You can also spot whales depending on the time of year (usually December until April/May). Facilities include toilets and picnic tables.
Should you visit Big Island Abalone?
Here’s the thing – visiting an aquafarm isn’t for everyone, but I found the experience enjoyable and it was interesting to learn about something I didn’t even know existed in Hawaii until a few months before my visit!
Big Island Abalone is situated only 2.5 miles from the Kona Airport (KOA) so it is a great place to check out before your flight or after you land.
Another reason I think it is fun to visit is that most people have never tried Abalone before! After your tour, you can try it prepared in a few different ways. I had tried it before once or twice, but never had it prepared the way they served it.
If you don’t have time to take a tour, do stop by anyway and check out their food truck where you can try abalone.
Please let me know if you have any questions about visiting Big Island Abalone – thanks!
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