Kona Tours For Seniors: Fun Activities For Elderly Explorers
Are you looking for fun Kona tours for seniors? You’ve come to the right article.
I recently visited the Big Island for the third time with my mother. We spent over a week exploring the island and were able to discover many amazing places we hadn’t seen before.
The Big Island is an excellent Hawaiian island for seniors because of all the natural attractions it has to offer. Waterfalls, botanical gardens, historical landmarks, volcanoes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
I’ve handpicked a list of tours for seniors specifically with over 60s in mind. These tours offer immersive cultural experiences and explore the highlights of Kona in comfort.
Whether you’re an adventurous senior solo traveler or traveling with elderly family, there’s something on this list for you.
Here is a list of the top Kona tours for seniors.
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1. Big Island In A Day: Sightseeing Tour
See all of the Big Island, including volcanoes, waterfalls, a coffee farm, lava tubes, a black sand beach and more on this full day sightseeing tour.
This tour starts in downtown Kona, and travels to the Volcanoes National Park, then Hilo, and back to Kona along the scenic Hamakua coast.
You’ll get to travel comfortably in a luxury sprinter van and learn about the history and culture from a knowledgeable tour guide. They provide lunch, bottled water, and hotel pickup and drop-off.
With the tour being 10-12 hours long, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the Big Island’s top sites without feeling rushed.
2. Kohala Hidden Waterfalls Hiking Adventure Tour
Explore hidden waterfalls along Kohala’s coast on this 6-7 hour adventure tour. Kohala is the oldest volcano on the Big Island, and it has a stunning coastline with waterfalls, and lush valleys surrounded by greenery.
This tour explores the Waipio Valley, an ancient Hawaiian agriculture site that is now only accessible by private tour. If you’re looking for a scenic guided hiking tour, this is a great option. The tour provides hotel pickups from Kona, drinks, and a deli-style lunch.
Keep in mind that it requires a lot of walking, so it may not be suitable for those with mobility issues.
3. Historic Kona and Coffee Tour
Visit the top historic sites in Kona, tour a coffee farm, and visit a honeybee farm on this 7-hour historic tour.
You’ll get to pass by the Hulihee Palace, and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park, before stopping by a honey farm and coffee plantation.
You’ll get to learn how one of the world’s best coffee (Kona coffee) is meticulously produced, and sample fresh honey at a bee farm.
If you’re interested in Hawaiian culture, history, and agriculture, this is an excellent tour. This tour provides hotel pickups, drinks, and a local style picnic lunch.
4. Kona Walking Food Tour
Taste some of Kona’s best restaurants and learn about historic downtown Kona on this walking food tour.
You’ll get to enjoy tastings from seven different restaurants, and pass by the Hulihe’e Palace and Mokuaikaua Church.
From fresh clam chowder and poke bowls to gelato for dessert, this is the tour for foodies.
This is a great slow-paced activity for travelers of all ages to relax and enjoy Kona’s culinary scene.
5. 11-Hour Volcano Adventure Tour From Kona
Explore the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park while learning about the park’s geology, geography, and natural plants from a geologist guide on this volcano tour.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park makes up 51% of the Big Island, and is one of the most spectacular places to visit.
You’ll also get to stop by a coffee farm, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, and Rainbow Falls in Hilo. The tour lasts around 11 hours, and they provide lunch, snacks, and coffee.
You’ll have plenty of time to relax at your own pace while exploring the national park and learning about the island’s unique geology.
6. Kona Coffee and Chocolate Farm Tour
Learn how Kona coffee, chocolate, and natural soap is made on this coffee farm tour.
This is the perfect activity to learn about the island’s agriculture and biodiversity, while getting to sample delicious coffee and chocolate.
Kona coffee is one of the world’s most loved and expensive types of coffee. You’ll get to walk through the farm to see how the coffee’s grown and produced, then watch chocolate be made from bean to bar!
After, you’ll have the chance to purchase soap, coffee, or chocolate as gifts to bring home on vacation.
7. Historic Sunset Dinner Cruise To Kealakekua Bay
Go on a sunset cruise to Kealakekua Bay to spot dolphins, see the Captain Cook Monument, and learn about the park’s fascinating history.
Kealakekua Bay is a deep sheltered water bay on the Big Island that’s home to an incredible diversity of marine life.
The bay is a resting site for spinner dolphins, and is only accessible by boat or hiking.
You’ll get to enjoy live Hawaiian music, dinner, drinks, and beautiful sunset views as you cruise along the coast.
8. Kona Sea Salt Farm Tour
Learn how Hawaiian sea salt is made at the only sea salt farm on the Big Island.
You’ll get to walk through a 7-acre sea salt farm, learn the salt harvesting process, and soak your feet in a salt bath.
At the end of the tour, you’ll have the chance to sample and purchase a variety of flavored sea salts. This is a relaxing 1 hour tour that’s suitable for all ages.
8. Big Island All Inclusive Vacation Package (4, 5, or 6 night)
Want to relax and enjoy a Big Island vacation of your dreams? This Big Island vacation package covers flights, hotels, transportation, and fun activities, so you can book a worry-free vacation.
You’ll get to stay in a beachfront hotel in Kona, and see all of the top attractions in either 4, 5, or 6 nights. Here’s a sample of their 4 night vacation package.
- Day 1: Airport pickup to Kona resort, near restaurants and shopping
- Day 2: Volcano Island Tour (Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, Rainbow Falls)
- Day 3: Snorkel Sunset Cruise
- Day 4: Beach Day & Hawaiian Luau
- Day 5: Hotel check out, shop in downtown Kona, airport drop off
Overview of the all inclusive vacation package:
- Covers flights, beachfront Kona hotel, transportation, and multiple tours
- Customizable (Can add-on additional tours and activities for a fee)
- Fully planned out 4, 5, or 6 night itineraries
Kona Agricultural Farm Tours For Seniors
Honey Farm Tours (Beekeeping and honey tasting)
- Big Island Bees: Mon-Fri, 10am or 1pm, $30 per person
Watch a beekeeper inspect a live beehive and learn how honey is made on a beekeeping tour.
You’ll get to enjoy complimentary honey tastings, and have the chance to purchase honey ice cream and products from their gift shop.
Vanilla Farm Tours
- The Vanillerie: Tuesday-Friday 10 or 12am, Saturday 10am, $25 per person
- Hawaiian Vanilla Company: Daily 11am or 1:15pm, Sundays only 11am, Fridays only 1:15pm, $41.50 per person
Learn how vanilla’s grown and sample homemade vanilla ice cream at one of Kona’s small vanilla farms.
These tours are one hour long, and you’ll get the chance to purchase a variety of vanilla products at the end of the tour.
Chocolate Farm Tours
- Puna Chocolate Company: Sun, Wed, Fri, 9-10:30am or 12-1:30pm, $29.50 per person
Stroll through a cacao orchard to see how cocoa is grown, and learn how chocolate is made with Puna Chocolate Company.
You’ll get to learn how chocolate is made, and end the tour with samples of dark, milk, and white chocolate.
FAQs Senior Travel On The Big Island
What are the best free Kona tours for seniors?
The best free Kona tours for seniors are coffee farm tours. The most popular coffee farm tours are at Greenwell Farms and Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation.
Greenwell Farms has free coffee tours daily from 9am-3pm, whereas Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation has them daily from 9:30pm-3:30pm.
I visited Greenwell Farms for their free tour, and got to walk through their coffee farm, sample peppercorn, and end the tour with complimentary coffee and sea salt tastings.
However, this is an hour-long tour where you’ll be standing and walking through the farm.
If you struggle with mobility issues, I recommend touring the Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation instead.
They have a free walking tour, on a wheelchair friendly path through their farm and factory.
What should you pack for a Big Island tour?
Some helpful items to pack for a Big Island tour are a lightweight backpack, jacket, umbrella, and water shoes since it can rain anytime of the year on the island.
Although most tour companies provide complimentary items, I recommend bringing extra snacks and drinks so you can stay comfortable if you happen to be on a longer tour.
If visiting the Volcanoes National Park, it can be helpful to bring glasses or use a magnifying camera on a smartphone, to read the informational signs throughout the park.
Which Kona beaches are wheelchair friendly?
The following Kona beaches are all accessible by wheelchair.
- Hapuna Beach
- Isaac Kepo’okalani Hale Beach Park
- Keokea Beach Park
- Kahaluu Beach Park
- Spencer Beach Park
- Kohanaika Beach Park
- Hookena Beach Park
What are the best Big Island activities for elders with limited mobility?
For elders with limited mobility, some of the best places to visit on the Big Island are Hapuna Beach, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, the Liliuokalani Gardens, Coconut Island, and Panaewa Rainforest Zoo.
These places are all wheelchair friendly and have accessible areas for those with limited mobility.
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