As one of the world’s most beautiful islands, Maui has endless natural beauty and stunning vistas. The island is also home to fantastic farms that produce locally grown foods. If you want to do something unique and exciting on your next visit to the island, why don’t you visit some of the island’s local farms? Then take part in some farm tours and fun culinary adventures while learning more about the local foods. In fact, if you are a foodie, joining the farm tours is one of the top activities to do in Maui.
There are several plantations and farms in Maui that offer tours and other fun activities for all kinds of tourists. Here are some of the best ones to check out.
Chocolate Tasting & Maui Cacao Farm Tour
Native to South America, cacao was first introduced to Hawaii by the Germans around the 19th century. However, compared to other imports, such as pineapple and sugar, cacao did not become a commercial success because growing this crop is a bit tricky, especially in regions with strong trade winds. Eventually, the crop and its delicious chocolate have captured the attention of Maui’s local farmers. Nowadays, you will find plenty of cacao farms on the island and the best way to visit them is to go on a Maui Cacao Farm Tour, which includes a chocolate tasting session.
The Ohana of Maui Chocolate Tours is one of the newest activities for visitors to do in Maui, which features a guided Cacao Farm Tour with a chocolate tasting session, a must-do for all chocolate lovers. Your journey will start with a complimentary cacao drink while you meet your guide at the Ku’ia Estates Chocolate Factory.
As the largest chocolate factory in Hawaii, the Ku’ia Estates Chocolate Factory has a retail store, chocolate tasting bar, and an open-air pavilion that opens to the sweeping views of the West Maui Mountains. During the tour, guests will enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the farm from the rooftop pavilion before heading to the 20-acre cacao farm for a private tour. Nestled in the foothills of the West Maui Mountains, exploring the farm is a fun and scenic activity.
During your cacao farm tour, you will enjoy an interactive and educational tour through the cacao plantation while learning about the different cacao harvest techniques from your guide. This fun Maui activity will end with an exclusive tasting of the farm’s award-winning chocolate, which is definitely a dream for every chocolate lover out there!
Maui Brewery Tours Epic Brew Experience
One of the most unique activities you can do in Maui is to go on a brewery tour. This activity is especially recommended for beer lovers or anyone curious about the beer culture of Hawaii. Craft beer culture is fast evolving in the state, as more and more brewers are embracing the local ingredients to produce some of the world’s best-tasting beer.
The Maui Brewery Tours will take you to an epic brew experience that includes a personal tour of breweries in Maui with beer tasting, and more! Participants will have a wonderful opportunity to explore the Maui Brewing Company in Lahaina and Kihei, as well as the award-winning Kohola Brewing. Located in the heart of Lahaina, Kohola Brewery is famous for its clean, easy-drinking, and balanced lagers and ales. The tour will also include a visit to the Waikiki Brewing Company, one of the largest brewing companies in Hawaii.
Aside from touring the breweries, participants will also be treated to delicious meals that complement well with a glass of beer. Some of the food items on the menu include cheeseburgers, pizzas, and salads. On your visit to the Waikiki Brewing Co, you will be served a BBQ sampler, such as house-smoked brisket, baby back ribs, and more!
Maui Pineapple Farm Tour
Pineapple has become synonymous with Hawaii due to the large pineapple industry established here during the early 1900s. Around the 1930s, Hawaii became the leading producer of pineapples in the world. But due to the increasing cost of labor, companies have to leave Hawaii and move their production to Asia and South America, where it’s much cheaper to produce pineapples. A few pineapple companies are left in Hawaii nowadays, which produce about 10% of all pineapples sold worldwide. If you’re interested to learn more about the history of pineapples in Hawaii, you should join in the Pineapple Farm Tour on Maui.
The Ohana of Maui Pineapple Tour will take you on a fun and insightful journey along the pineapple fields of Maui Gold Plantation. Set in a small plantation town known as Haliimaile in Upcountry, the pineapple fields are surrounded by scenic views of rolling hills and misty mountains. This eco-friendly farm tour is the perfect opportunity to witness up-close the various cultivation methods and growing cycles of pineapples.
During the tour, participants will also be treated to delicious tastings of pineapples. An expert guide will be with you throughout the journey, who will share insights and a little bit of history about Hawaii’s pineapple industry. But the best part is that you could take home a free box of pineapples that are approved for mainland travel!
When people think of Maui, the first thing that will most likely come to mind is the beach. And while the beach is often the main reason people would holiday at the Valley Isle, there’s actually much more to do here than soak under the sun. If you are looking for some unique things to do on your next visit to Maui, you should include visiting farms and breweries in your itinerary. As you can see above, the island is home to various farms and other special attractions, from cacao farms to breweries and pineapple plantations. So, whether you are traveling to the island with your family, honeymooning with your partner, or going solo, joining these tours is definitely one of the most unique activities to do in Maui.