Set along the rugged lava coastline of Kona, this award-winning salt farm offers a rare glimpse into the ancient-meets-modern process of harvesting sea salt from the deep Pacific. You’ll walk the grounds, learn how deep ocean water is transformed into mineral-rich crystals, and hear how salt shaped Hawaiian culture—spiritually, economically, and ecologically. The tour ends with a tasting of their pure, smoked, and flavored varieties, each one carrying a different note of the island. Optional: add a 48° foot soak in deep sea water for a refreshing reset.
"It was extremely educational and very tasty. Our guide could not have been more pleasant and knowledgeable about the Hawaiian history and culture. Would definitely recommend everyone going."
Verified Review
GUEST REQUIREMENTS
For all ages, group size limited to 20 guests.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Easy, just outdoor walking around the facility.
WHAT TO BRING
Bring shoes for walking and sun cover.
CANCELLATION POLICY
Full refund with 24 hours notice of cancellation.
WHAT GUESTS ARE SAYING
4.9★ from 500+ reviews on TripAdvisor
Guests consistently praise this experience as both educational and sensory-rich. Many mention the engaging guides who explain the deep-ocean sourcing process, Hawaiian cultural traditions, and sustainability practices. The salt tastings, flavored samples, and oceanfront setting receive steady applause, with many describing it as “unique and fun,” a “must-do” on the Big Island, and ideal for families. The relaxed, intimate group size (usually under 20 guests) lets visitors ask questions freely and sample a variety of salts in a laid-back, outdoor environment.
"It is definitely a “who knew?” when you learn where quality sea salt comes from, plus a tasting of their flavored products."
Verified Review
Trip Advisor's "Best of the Best" 2024 Award
Featured on Guy Fieri's new series: "Guy Hawaiian Style" we are located on 7 acres of oceanfront space on Kona Keahole Point and hand harvest Hawaiian Salt from pristine deep ocean waters, 2,200 feet below the surface of the Kona Sea.
What's included
You will learn about the salt harvesting process and the different kinds of salt variations, how deep seawater is different from surface water, the significance of salt in Hawaiian culture and a brief historical overview of the ancient Hawaiian settlement Ho’ona. Lastly, you will get a chance to taste some of our Kona Pure, Smoked and Flavored Salts.
What's not included
Enhance your visit with our exclusive Deep Ocean Water Foot Soaks. Available as an add-on, this refreshing experience features mineral-rich deep ocean water at a soothing 48 degrees. Relax in our Foot Soak Cabana, equipped with 12 individual stations, for a unique and invigorating wellness experience.
Highlights
Hawai‘i’s Only Deep Ocean Salt Farm
Visit the only salt farm on Hawai‘i Island where salt is made from deep ocean water drawn from 2,200 feet below the surface.
Oceanfront Location
Enjoy sweeping coastal views at our 7-acre farm, located in the Hawai‘i Ocean Science & Technology Park, we’re part of a collaborative community focused on sustainable innovation and ocean conservation. Just minutes from the Kona airport.
Rooted in Culture:
Learn about the cultural importance of paʻakai (Hawaiian salt) and how we honor traditional values through sustainable practices.
Taste and Explore:
Sample our handcrafted salts, visit the farm store, and discover gifts, wellness products, and more.
Health & Safety:
Your health and wellness is our top priority, we follow Hawaii County and CDC guidelines. Our tour takes place in open and outdoor areas. Hand sanitizers and masks are available.
Disclaimers:
The tour is only partially wheelchair accessible.Nestled on seven oceanfront acres at Keāhole Point in North Kona, this is Hawai‘i Island’s only working sea salt farm, drawing pure, 900-year-old deep ocean water from 2,200 feet below the surface. They’re known for their signature solar-evaporated Kona Sea Salt—rich in minerals, low in sodium—and the farm’s guided 45-minute tour highlights the traditional salt-making process, cultural importance, and salt tasting experience. Sustainability is at the heart of their mission: they harvest by hand, donate 1% of all proceeds to ocean cleanup, and educate visitors about marine conservation and historic Hawaiian salt traditions.
The farm is located at 73‑907 Makako Bay Drive, on Keāhole Point in North Kona—about a 10-minute drive north of Kona International Airport. From Kona town, take Highway 11 or the Airport Access Road west, then merge onto Highway 19 north, and turn left onto Makako Bay Drive just past the energy laboratory campus. Free parking and a shaded entryway are available right at the farm office.
We understand that plans can change! Guests may cancel or reschedule their reservation up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour or experience are non-refundable. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.
FOLIO TRAVELOGUE
Salt From 2,200 Feet Below
Tucked away on a sunbaked stretch of lava rock at Keahole Point, the Kona Salt Farm feels at once elemental and alive. The Pacific crashes just steps away, but the real action happens below the surface—2,200 feet below, to be exact—where frigid, mineral-rich ocean water is drawn up and turned into some of the purest salt on Earth. The tour begins at the edge of this dramatic coastline, where you’re welcomed with a view of blue horizons and glinting salt pans arranged like glass tiles under the sun.
Over the next hour, you’ll walk the open-air facility and learn how seawater becomes sea salt—slowly, deliberately, and with surprising complexity. The process is a mix of science and patience, rooted in tradition but fine-tuned for purity. Your guide explains how ancient Hawaiians understood the spiritual and practical importance of salt—how it was used to preserve, to heal, and to honor. You’ll also hear about Ho‘ona, an ancient Hawaiian settlement once located here, and how the land continues to hold memory.
Drawn from waters deeper than nearly anywhere on Earth, this is salt with a story—and a soul.
The highlight, of course, is the tasting. Kona Pure salt is crisp and clean, with a briny brightness. The smoked variety adds a rich depth, while the flavored blends—infused with ingredients like garlic, coffee, or hibiscus—hint at both playfulness and precision. If you opt in, the Deep Ocean Water Foot Soak is a perfect finale: twelve shaded stations where you lower your feet into cold, mineral-packed water and feel tension slip away. It’s quiet. Unexpected. A little bit weird in the best way.
This tour isn’t flashy. It’s not a theme park or a photo op. But it offers something real—an invitation to slow down and connect to Hawai‘i through taste, place, and the ocean that made it all possible.
