You can tour the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm at Keahole Point, north of Kailua-Kona, and yes, you get to hold a live seahorse. This is a working farm and research operation, not an aquarium exhibit: a certified marine biologist leads the tour, which runs about an hour. The displays hold more than half of the world’s 36 seahorse species, plus baby seahorses, the famously pregnant males, and leafy and weedy sea dragons.
One rule catches people off guard: you cannot take the seahorse tour if you have visited another aquaculture facility the same day, a bio-security measure to protect the animals. The farm sits inside the Hawaii Ocean Science and Technology Park, the same NELHA campus that runs sea salt, abalone, and coral nursery tours, so it pairs easily with a half day of other stops.
Table of contents
You can hold a seahorse during the tour at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm. Image credit: the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm Tour Details
Tours run Monday through Friday, three times a day (10 am, noon, and 2 pm) in high season and fewer times in low season. Each one lasts about an hour and is led by a certified marine biologist trained in public speaking.
You will see baby seahorses, pregnant males, and leafy and weedy sea dragons, plus an aquarium displaying more than half of the world’s 36 seahorse species. There is an interactive tide pool and a fish-feeding station for kids. You can read more on the ocean rider website.
Tickets for the tours can be bought online or by phone. See their website for details.
How to get to the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
The Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm is located 5 minutes south of the Kona airport, at Keahole point. Take the exit for the “Natural Energy Lab” about one mile south of the Kona airport exit.
The road you turn onto is called Makako bay drive, and there is large white scaffolding with solar panels visible at the exit.
The address where they give the tours (for use with GPS) is: 73-4388 Ilikai Place, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA.
Sea Salt Farm tours
The Kona Sea Salt farm makes salt by evaporating seawater pumped from 2,200 feet below the surface, on a site buried by the 1801 eruption of Hualālai. Salt has long held a place in Hawaiian culture, used in ceremonial blessings, for purifying, and for preserving a good catch of fish.
During the tour of their facility you will learn about the role of salt in Hawaiian culture, about their special water source, and about the salt harvesting process. You will also get to taste several of the flavored salts they produce.
If you are interested you can book a farm tour on the Kona Sea Salt booking page
Big Island Abalone
Big Island Abalone (website) runs a 10-acre ocean aquafarm and ends every tour with a tasting of their fresh grilled abalone. Tours last an hour and cost $35 per person, or $17.50 for children 8 and under.
Your guide walks you through the farm’s history and how abalone are bred and raised. A big part of the tour is the seaweed (dulse algae) operation, which takes up almost half the farm and is the abalone’s favorite food. Near the end you get to handle different sea critters pulled from the farm’s ocean-water pipes, followed by the tasting.
For more information and booking see the booking website.
During the tour you learn how abalone are bred and raised. Ocean-fresh grilled abalone closes the visit and is a highlight for most guests.
ʻĀkoʻakoʻa Coral Nursery Tours
ʻĀkoʻakoʻa runs weekly behind-the-scenes tours of their working coral restoration facility on the west side of the island. Visitors get an up-close look at live coral growing in raceways (large flow-through tanks), learn about the science behind reef restoration, and see the water filtration and pumping systems that keep the operation running. The program weaves together Hawaiian cultural values, marine science, and community education, and the guides know the work firsthand.
Tours run Fridays at 11 AM and are open to everyone: families, general visitors, students, and anyone interested in marine conservation. Pricing varies depending on the type of visit, so contact ʻĀkoʻakoʻa directly to book and confirm costs. Booking is by email only for now.
More information at the ʻĀkoʻakoʻa coral nursery website.
ʻĀkoʻakoʻa runs weekly behind-the-scenes tours of their working coral restoration facility on the west side of the island