The Chocolate Lover’s Guide to Visiting Oahu: Top 3 Tantalizing Chocolate Tours
Visiting Hawaii is perfect for epic waves, exploring volcanic lava tubes, and embracing the spirit of aloha. While the island offers many extreme adventures, chocolate lovers visiting Oahu are also in for a treat! Hawaii's rich volcanic soil and tropical climate create the perfect environment for growing cacao, making it one of the few places in the U.S. where chocolate is produced locally from bean to bar.
Visiting a chocolate farm or factory offers a deliciously immersive experience. You can learn about the intricate chocolate-making process, taste fresh cacao, and discover the history behind each brand.
3 Best Hawaii Chocolate Tours: Oahu
Here are some of the best chocolate farm and factory tours to add to your Oahu itinerary.
21 Degrees Estate Farm
- Location: 21 Degrees Estate, 47-546 D, Mapele Pl, Kaneohe
- History: 21 Degrees Estate is named after the 21-degree latitude that passes through Oahu, which is ideal for growing cacao. The family-owned farm focuses on sustainable farming practices and small-batch chocolate production.
- What makes it interesting: The tour at 21 Degrees Estate offers a rare opportunity to see cacao growing in its natural habitat. You'll walk through the farm, learn about the process from pod to bar, and taste fresh cacao seeds and the final chocolate product (plus, there are some cuddly goat kids). They also highlight their eco-friendly farming techniques, including fruits and flowers in season. The farm hosts other interesting events, from yoga to cooking classes.
- Tour details: 2 to 2.5 hours | Rates from $22 - $68 | All ages, Family-friendly.
- Distance from Waikiki Resort: Approximately 30 minutes / 20 miles by car.
Lonohana Estate Chocolate Factory
- Location: 711 Queen St, Honolulu
- History: Lonohana Estate Chocolate began when two childhood friends and their families dreamed of being one of Oahu's top artisanal chocolate producers. Since 2009, the founders have created a sustainable chocolate-making process using cacao beans grown on the North Shore.
- What makes it interesting: The factory tour takes you through the chocolate-making process in their renovated 1930s art deco movie theater, now a chocolate factory! With vintage chocolate machines and state-of-the-art equipment, you'll learn everything from harvesting the cacao pods to roasting the beans. During the tasting session, you'll try their single-origin chocolates and learn how subtle differences in growing conditions impact flavor.
- Tour details: 90-minute factory tour and tasting on Friday at 2:30 pm and Saturday at 11:00 am | 12 people max | Ages 8 + | Rates from $36 - $56.
- Distance from Waikiki Resort: Around 10 minutes / 3.3 miles by car or try these other transport ideas.
Mãnoa Chocolate from Kamananui Cacao Orchard
- Location: 67-172 Farrington Hwy Unit C, Waialua
- History: Mãnoa Chocolate creates world-class, bean-to-bar chocolate using locally grown cacao. The company is named after the Mānoa Valley on Oahu, where the founders first began their chocolate journey in 2010. Their focus is on sustainable agriculture and supporting Hawaii's growing cacao industry.
- What makes it interesting: You'll get to walk through a super-diverse cacao orchard, munch on fresh cacao, and pig out on top-notch Mānoa Chocolate. Get the scoop on cutting-edge cacao science and enjoy the tasty, laid-back adventure you won't find elsewhere!
- Tour details: Rate $65 - $85 | Ages 8+ | 1.5 Hours | Mon, Wed, Fri at 9 am and 11:30 am.
- Distance from Waikiki Resort: Around 50 minutes / 35 miles by car.
Aloha Hawaii Chocolate Tourism!
Add these sweet stops to your Oahu itinerary and enjoy a taste of the islands you won't find anywhere else. Our Waikiki Resort Hotel is close to all these locations, so you can fill up on Hawaii chocolates and relax with us.