Our Beekeeping Tour

Join our beekeeper for a fun and educational exploration about bees, beekeeping, and honey. Click 'Play' to watch a video about the tour.

Reserve Your Spot Today

During this open beehive demonstration, you will explore an actual hive and learn where the queen resides, how honey is made, and what makes bees so special and interesting, all from behind a safe, screened area. Tour duration is approximately 1 hour.

Adults $30 | Youth (13-18) $20 | Children (12 & under) $10 

Kama'aina (with valid Hawaii ID) $25 (adult) / $15 (Youth)

Read Charlie J.'s review of Big Island Bees on Yelp


Big Island Bees is well worth the drive!

Yesterday we visited Big Island Bees. They did not disappoint! We were fascinated by the tour, and really appreciated the docent who answered all our questions about honey bees. What amazing little creatures! The honey tasting was a revelation... more

Tour Information

Tour capacity is limited to 16 participants. Reservations required.

Tour Schedule

  • Offered 2 times per day Monday-Friday.
  • Tour times: 10am; 1pm
  • Reserve our space for a private tour or event (Please contact us at 808-328-1315 or tours@bigislandbees.com for special arrangements)

Tour Pricing

  • Adults – $30 per person
  • Youth (13-18) – $20 per person
  • Children (12 & under) – $10 per person
  • Kama’aina Adult – $25 per person (must present valid Hawaii State ID)
  • Kama’aina Youth – $15 per person (must present valid Hawaii State ID)

Attention School Groups! We would love to offer you a complimentary tour. Please contact us at 808-328-1315 or tours@bigislandbees.com to book your tour.

 

Included in the Tour

  • A tour and inspection of a live hive with our beekeeper, where from behind a screened area you can watch and learn how bees operate within the hive
  • Free sampling of our all our different honey varietals
  • A short video explaining the production of honey from flower to jar
  • Once the tour is over, you are welcome to browse the museum's artifacts and historical items, and peruse the many unique, locally produced gift items

Additional Information

  • Our tours are open to people of all ages
  • Stroller and wheelchair accessible
  • Both the indoor and outdoor portion of the tour is under cover
  • Minimal walking is required
  • No protective clothing is necessary; Shorts, sleeveless shirts and sandals are welcome
  • Due to COVID-19, all tour participants and store visitors will be asked to wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival. Masks are optional.

Make a Full Day Out of Your Visit with a Shaka Guide Audio Tour

We have partnered with Shaka Guide, a self-guided audio tour provider, to make the most of your trek to our area of the Big Island. We recommend the Kona Big Kahuna Audio Tour for exploration of this area. All Shaka Guide tours work off-line and guide you with narration as you drive to popular and notable spots along the route. Big Island Bees is the 5th stop after Kona on the Big Kahuna tour.

To learn more and purchase a Shaka Guide audio tour, visit the Shaka Guide website.

 

How to Get Here

Click here or scroll down for driving directions to our farm.

Caution: We are located on a rural island where taxis are not readily available. Therefore, if you are getting a ride to Big Island Bees via a taxi or a ride-sharing app, please prearrange a pick-up as well to return you to your destination after the tour.

Meet Our Crew

What can you learn about bees in an hour? A lot! Especially when you explore them in their hive with our experienced beekeepers.

Joe

Joe

Our Senior Bee Docent, Joe, has a BS in Zoology, and has extensive knowledge about entomology and arthropods of the Big Island. He has been leading our tours for over six years, with innumerable five star reviews.

Lisa

Lisa

Lisa manages our packing operation and also acts as a substitute tour guide. Prior to joining our team, she spent 10 years as a commercial beekeeper. You would be hard pressed to find anyone with more knowledge about how honey is produced - from flower to jar!

Directions

Please Use These Directions or Google Maps - Do Not Use GPS

Take Napoopoo Road off Highway 11, immediately south of mile marker 111. Keep bearing right on Napoopoo Road, following signs to Kealakekua Bay. Turn right at Big Island Bees sign immediately past Hawaiian Host Macadamia Factory and Kealakekua Estates (Meli Road). Follow winding lane 2/10 mile and turn right at our gate, where you will find a parking lot in the front. 82-1140 Meli Rd , Captain Cook, HI 96704

**If you are getting a ride to Big Island Bees via a taxi or a ride-sharing app, please prearrange a pick-up as well to return you to your destination after the tour.**