This Chocolate Farm Tour is simply the best experience you will have on the Big Island! The Farm is set on a pristine sweeping landscape with breathtaking ocean views, bordered by a winding rushing stream, and delicacies found growing in few other places in the world! We were treated as welcome guests and personally educated on every aspect of the farm and its many trees, plants, and beyond! Aloha flows with every step and words can not describe my thankful heart for the wonderful experience my wife and I were treated to. Ten stars! read more

Hamakua Chocolate Farm - The Owners of the Hamakua Chocolate Farm, our Hosts, and Masters of Hospitality, Dan and Berndt, next to Rainbow Eucalyptus - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Papaikou, Hawaii

What a great afternoon! This is a very enjoyable tour. It was educational, intimate and a great way to spend time on this lush and loved property. The hosts are very welcoming. I felt like an invited guest as they shared their love of plants and the process of creating their chocolate. We ended with an extensive tasting of chocolate and various items also are made from the cacao beans. read more

Hamakua Chocolate Farm - One of the many beautiful flowering plants on the property - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Papaikou, Hawaii

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Hands down one of the best tours I've ever been on and I've been on plenty! From the warm greeting, to the initial chocolate talk/sample teaser, stroll thru the cacao orchard, vanilla plants intertwined, botanical garden, suspension bridge to treehouse (lil scary), spice row, and tasting/demo (we had 12!) culmination. We also sampled husk tea and cacao (BaBa) juice - mmm to both! Dan and Berndt seamlessly hand off talking topics/stories, trees, and plants. Their knowledge is amazing and I garnered quite a bit of info about the islands I've been frequenting for 30+ years. The three hours flew by and I drove off w/ some superb bars avail to purchase @ the end. I will tell a friend. Very fair tour price, too, as some places are much more and doubt they would compare. Park close to the side, as trucks pass, and use the "bug juice" provided by D&B cos you will encounter some biters. You're gonna love this tour and if you're lucky enough, might be there when you can partake in the harvest! read more

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Absolutely amazing & creative chocolate bars made on site at this cacao farm, where you can see how it's grown & learn about the process. Would love to return & stay at the on site AirBnB! read more

When I tell you this tour is incredible, believe me. The owners have created a truly special experience, and you can feel their love and interest in the topic of farming from start to finish. Easily the best farm tour I've ever experienced. The tour goes through everything from the uniqueness of farming cocao in Hawai'i, to processing the pods, and into the techniques of actually making a chocolate bar. Their chocolate is fantastic, so be sure to pick up a few (dozen) bars to take home to friends and family. GREAT JOB! read more

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What is the word I am looking for? Wow, perhaps. Fantastic. The tone of the tour is set at the very beginning at the carport with a breathtaking view of the the ocean beyond the cacao trees. Unfortunately, we had just missed the best time of the year for whale watching. Dan and Berndt were very gracious hosts who share their knowledge of not only the cacao but of other plants on their property. You will find a nice mix of education and entertainment at the Hamakau Chocolate Farm. In addition to the great chocolate, one of my favorite highlights was the bridge and tree house. Thanks guys for sharing your beautiful life! read more

We loved our tour! The gardens and chocolate tasting went above and beyond our expectations. What Dan and Brendt have developed on this farm is a slice of heaven. Could not image having to deal with pests, wild boars, and tree failures, however hard work and persistence paid off. This tour was a gem! read more

My wife and I visited this farm and we cannot say enough good things about the experience. First, the owners were very friendly and shared their experience of starting this farm and the day to day challenges. We were able to see a variety of crops and watch chocolate being made. A very good experience. read more

This was a fantastic tour, highly recommended! We were able to see the cacao trees, fermenting/drying areas, and chocolate making room, basically the entire process from soil/sunlight into finished chocolate! Of course, the tour finished with a generous amount of chocolate sampling as well. In addition to the cacao/chocolate, they have an ever growing collection of rare and interesting tropical plants, with smell/taste testing included. Beyond that, the property is just gorgeous and meticulously maintained. The tour is well worth the price. It was far beyond the usual quick tourist tour given by a teenager with a summer job, it was an afternoon-long experience led by the owners/farmers/chocolate-makers/Renaissance men! We also stayed at the Airbnb located onsite, which was equally great (see the Hamakua Chocolate website for more info). Go do this! read more

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My wife and I stopped by to purchase some chocolate. We would have planned to do the tour, but we had our one-year-old with us. Dan was very responsive and accommodating in making time for us. The property is absolutely gorgeous and the views are stunning. My wife is a hobbyist chocolate maker so we're both familiar with the process of making chocolate, but neither of us has had the chance to see a Cocoa tree in person or taste the raw fruit. We are so grateful for the chance to have done that here. Dan is a wonderful host and shared stories and answered our questions about running a farm. One day we hope to stay with them on the property! read more

Interesting and fun tour Dan and Berndt are excellent owners/hosts, can't recommend enough! read more

Hamakua Chocolate Farm - Cacao tree with pods - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Papaikou, Hawaii

Our family was staying at a rental home in Hilo for the week. Looking for experiences in the area, I found this chocolate farm. I am so glad I did! We made the reservation over email, paid via Venmo and had confirmation right away from Don. He only made the reservation after we sent proof of our negative COVID test, which was a welcome request. The tour was extremely informative. They take you through the entire process of harvest to production. It is a small operation, and therefore a really intimate experience. Don and Berndt take you on a tour of their lovely property, pointing out all of the unique plants and vegetation that they have growing. It is a true paradise. The chocolate tasting is delicious. It is obvious that they put a lot of care into producing a quality product with unique flavors. We all enjoyed the tasting very much and are taking some home to enjoy with a nice bottle of wine! The tour is not for young children. A raincoat is a good idea in Hilo almost anytime. Wear sneakers or hiking shoes as it can be rocky, or muddy. You will not be disappointed in this tour. A super unique way to spend a couple of hours in Hilo. read more

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06.08.2022 - The tour was amazing! We enjoyed ourselves so much! The tour was extremely informative and interactive. We were able to taste the cacao beans right off the tree and taste/smell different spices from the spice trees they grow on their property. The property itself is beautiful and well maintained. It's absolutely astonishing what Berndt and Dan have accomplished in 15 years. It was great to hear how they started as well as learn about the history of chocolate. After walking the property, we learned the process of making chocolate and were able to taste different types of chocolate. The tour was intimate and Berndt and Dan were so friendly and informative. They were easy to talk to and answered any questions we had. My son and I highly recommend this tour. Thank you Berndt and Dan for an enjoyable and fun afternoon! read more

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What a fantastic experience! Not only was the intimate tour informative, the hands on experience made it for a one of a kind, memorable experience. It was amazing to walk the unique grounds and see every aspect of the chocolate making process. We also loved learning about the many other spices, fruits and plants that they grow on site. The tasting at the end of the guided walking tour was the cherry on the top of the cake. The chocolate they produce is smooth and delicious. It is obvious that they take great pride in their product, craft, business and home. Tip: wear good shoes that can get muddy and won't slip on mud! And, pack a pancho in case it rains. They provide umbrellas, but I found my pancho easier to walk around with. We will be back when family or friends come to visit us from the mainland. A true experience unlike any other! read more

Hamakua Chocolate Farm - Chocolatiers & Shops Near Me - Papaikou, Hawaii

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Absolutely amazing! The location, chocolate and story of entrepreneurship is inspiring and admirable. A must stop in Hawaii. 15 minutes from Hilo. My husband and I cannot thank the team more. We are so appreciative. read more

If you find yourself vacationing near Hilo I can't rave enough about fiancé and I's experience at the Hamakua Chocolate farm. You can stay overnight through Air BnB or just stop by for an amazing chocolate tour. We'd start our day waking up to a beautiful sunrise that could been seen from our bed as we looked out the giant widows. Each day we'd venture out and find ourselves back at the chocolate farm because we loved exploring the grounds, taking in the views, and relaxing on the patio. We even did the chocolate tour and we were so happy we did! I had no idea how much work goes into making pure, delicious chocolate. Dan and Berndt are so welcoming and it was such a pleasure to experience the beauty and all the work they have put in to make the chocolate farm a beautiful escape. Everything from papaya and rainbow eucalyptus trees to cardamom and allspice herbs, all so amazing. So much exploring and it won't disappoint. Check out the farm, stay if you can, and enjoy meeting Dan & Berndt! Mahalo read more

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We can't stop singing the praises of Hamakua and their incredible farm tour. Dan and Berndt are delightful hosts and their property is a botanical wonderland, far beyond the cacao (which is impressive all by itself). We were so thrilled to spend 2 hours being introduced to all their gardening treasures--crushing and smelling leaves, tasting fruits, and admiring bizarre flowers. The chocolate tasting was of course a highlight, and their single-origin, handmade, 2-ingredient dark chocolate is superb. But there was so much more to enjoy about this experience--if you're on the Hilo coast, book the tour (in advance, it's only twice/week and fills up) and go!! read more

Wow! Just WOW. This tour was so enjoyable and just fascinating! Far exceeded my expectations and absolutely worth every penny. And not just for tourists! Locals you will love it too! It's more than just a farm tour and chocolate tasting. It's a whole botanical garden experience with treats for all five senses with surprises around every corner to see, touch, smell, hear, and of course, taste! I've been to several botanical gardens and have even done a chocolate tour in Belgium and none of them even compare. This was BY FAR my favorite. You get the whole experience here from tree to chocolate and everything in between. Dan and Berndt are so personable and welcoming and just excellent tour guides. They have created this incredible slice of heaven and share it so graciously. So much beauty in every detail of this tour, from the meticulously kept landscaping, the well loved cacao trees, rare plants, spice trees, tree house, rope bridge, volcano shaped chocolates... there is so much to enjoy. Even the print on their chocolate bars is so creative and interesting (it's the topography of the farm!) This whole afternoon was just lovely and educational, culturally enriching and delicious. Thank you Dan and Berndt for creating and sharing this magical place! read more

Great experience! I had called on the morning of the tour to ask if they could take 4 of us as it stated on their website that they only had 2 spaces left. Dan very kindly made an exception and was able to take all 4 of us which brought the whole group to a total of 14 people. We were warmly welcomed almost as soon as we arrived and invited to partake from a bunch of apple bananas that was laying on a bench. This is not only a chocolate farm, they also had a variety of fruit trees, flowering plants, as well as a bunch of spice trees. We tasted the pulp from the cacao pod straight from the tree, as well as some finger limes or caviar lime as they are sometimes called. Dan did warn me that there was a lot of walking when I booked the tour as he wanted to make sure we could manage it. The grounds are pretty extensive and uneven. They have a short suspension bridge that leads to a tree house which has a ladder like stairs. Everything was beautifully laid out and the variety is amazing. Dan and his partner Berndt were super nice and you can tell that they both loved what they were doing. Dan also showed us the whole process from them harvesting the cacao pods to the final product of the chocolate bar. And of course there was the chocolate tasting! We also had a very refreshing drink made from the pulp of the fresh cacao pods. This was really one of the highlights of our trip to the big island. read more

This was a stop highly recommended by my co-workers. While rushing around the big island, and after taking a couple wrong turns (curse you google maps) we finally located the place! The owner was kind enough to let us come in and buy his goods even without a prior reservation. The chocolate was better than my coworkers hyped it up to be. Even the 90% and 100% were smooth and not bitter in the slightest. The owner offered us so many samples of his different chocolates, the chai spice chocolate tasted like christmas in a chocolate bar! We bought so much, and we are excited to share this big island treasure with the family. read more

I included this place as one of the places to go to during my trip to big island with my mom, and it was the best decision ever!!! As the other review accurately describes, the place is gorgeous, the tour is very informative, there are so many exotic plants and fruits, and they are super knowledgeable, kind, and friendly. We even got to try the cacao fruit juice (didn't even know such thing existed!!!!), and another exotic fruit juice that I don't even remember the name of. I don't usually leave reviews, but I had to for this one. I highly recommend including this place on your travel plan if you are visiting big island:) it was also my mom's favorite activity on the big island. Very memorable place/activity!:) read more

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We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Hamakua Chocolate Farm! Dan and Berndt took us on a personalized tour of their property and taught us about the big island and all of its landscape and horticulture. They not only grow cacao but a ton of tropical plants and fruits! The property is gorgeous and the hosts are so welcoming and personable. It was a really cool, unique way to see the beauty that the big island has to offer. We loved it! read more

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We recently did a girl's trip to the Big Island and was so happy to get reservations at this farm. The hosts are so very friendly and warm and the property is absolutely beautiful. But the most interesting part for me was the tour of the grounds - the unique plants, both local and imported, the stream and the treehouse definitely added to experience. Oh and the chocolate that they produce is so delicious and healthy! ; ) Can't wait to bring the hubby and other friends who would appreciate this experience! read more

We visited the chocolate farm today and took the tour. It was awesome. It was so exciting. We learned so much on this tour. They grow so many interesting things like cacao, vanilla, cinnamon, and many spices. Dan and Bernt are excellent tour guides. We were amazed at their property and all the work they have put in to it. The tastings and samples were fantastic. We were surprised that you could eat cacao right off the tree. It was so neat to crush the leaves of so may spice trees that they grow there and smell the spice. They provide you with so many excellent tasting chocolates that they make right there from their plants. Sign up for the tour. You will love it. read more

Remember the end of the Willy Wonka movie starring Gene Wilder, the only version that matters? After gifting Charlie the keys to his candy kingdom, Wonka is the picture of contentment, all glowing smiles as he sets out on a new path away from the grind. Now imagine him later, retired and living in Hawaii, basking in his blissful freedom but still sweet on chocolate, enough to be growing his own cacao along with other interesting and edible crops on a little slice of tropical paradise. That's where my mind took me while touring Hamakua Chocolate Farm, led by Dan Corson and his partner Berndt Stugger. Beyond the Wonka-esque twinkle in his eye, Dan is a wealth of knowledge about growing, harvesting, and creating delicious treats with cacao. The tour is fascinating, informative, occasionally breathtaking, and, thanks to Dan and Berndt, also a lot of fun. In fact you won't even feel like you're on a "tour" but instead hanging out with new friends who are showing you around their incredible, expansive garden of delights, where you'll encounter beauty and wonder everywhere from a bubbling mountain stream to a treehouse towering above it all. And that's all before the chocolate parade! We tasted a myriad of varieties and preparations, including some very unique flavors made with other local ingredients that you'd be unlikely to find elsewhere. Whether you're a foodie or a gardener or a history buff or a chocoholic or just want to learn something new by experiencing it for yourself, don't miss this. By far the highlight of our week on the big island! We hope to return again. read more

My chocolate farm tour at Dan and Berndt's special place was a highlight of my Big Island trip! From their super welcoming hospitality to the various tastings of incredible foods they grow on their farm (fruits of all tropical variety, spices, and yes, the cacao fruit itself!), my experience was a pure delight. They've very passionate about what they do and their farm is a labor of love. I thank them both for a fun and memorable experience! read more

We didn't really know what to expect beyond a tour of the cocao trees and how they ran the business. We got that and so much more! Dan and Berndt were fantastic! A whole tour of their 6 1/2 acre property boasts a huge variety of tropical plants and trees of all kinds. It was very hands on and we were able to taste, smell & really experience their farm. Much was learned! Highly reccommended! Plus the chocolate is amazing! Book it! read more

This was a fantastic farm tour. My wife and I really enjoyed ourselves. The tour was more than just focused on chocolate. The chocolate farm owners were incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about chocolate and horticulture in general. They grow so many other interesting things on their grounds that are part of the tour. It was facinating to hear their story about how they started this farm, how they had to experiment through a variety of challenges, and how they found successful ways to grow their cacao plants. Dan and Berndt have created an inspiring and delicious experience that is worth a visit. read more

Truely amazing tour and chocolate. All grown and made on the property - such a magical and unique experience. If you are coming to the big island - don't miss this!! read more

This is a MUST SEE / DO if you are on the Big Island! My husband and I went in August and we were blown away. The property is absolutely stunning, filled with all sorts of exotic plants, fruits, and flowers. The tour was very informative, and everything was presented in a fun way ~ Dan and Berndt are just fantastic, outgoing, and friendly people. You will LOVE touring with them. Let's not forget about the chocolate, though! All of the chocolate was absolutely delicious!!! My favorite was the 75%, but my husband loved the 91% the most. Biggest hit of our family and friends (because of course we had to get some for everyone!) was the Caffe Latte; they went crazy for it! We cannot wait to return to this farm on our next trip back. read more