Lydgate Farms Chocolate Tours — Attraction in Kauai

Lydgate Farms in Kauai, Hawaii, offers an outstanding and educational experience that is both relaxing and engaging. The 9 a.m. tour is highly recommended, as the morning temperatures are cooler, making it more comfortable for guests to explore the farm. Since much of the tour takes place under covered areas, weather conditions such as light rain do not affect the experience. Guests spend most of the time seated in shaded or covered spaces, allowing for a pleasant and comfortable visit.

The farm is well prepared for visitors of all mobility levels. An electric golf cart is available to assist anyone who may find the terrain or hills challenging, which makes the experience accessible to nearly everyone. The guides provide clear and detailed explanations about the chocolate and cocoa-growing process, from the cocoa plant to the finished chocolate product. The information is presented in an engaging and easy-to-understand way that keeps guests interested throughout the tour.

Lydgate Farms feels like a combination of a working cacao farm and a botanical garden. The property spans more than 40 acres and is home to a variety of plants and trees. Visitors are introduced to the farm’s vanilla plants, which require each individual flower to be hand-pollinated to produce a single vanilla bean pod. This process is fascinating to witness and demonstrates the care and precision that go into the farm’s production methods. The tour also includes views and tastings of many tropical fruits grown on-site, such as dragon fruit, longan (similar to lychee), and other seasonal fruits. Guests are encouraged to sample the fruits, which are fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented.

In addition to the fruit, the chocolate tastings are generous and delicious. Visitors can sample various types of chocolate produced directly from the farm’s own cacao trees. Each tasting is thoughtfully explained, giving guests a deeper appreciation for the flavors, textures, and production steps. There is no shortage of chocolate to enjoy, and guests leave with a new understanding of the skill involved in chocolate making.

The tour guide, Jess, is extremely friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Her enthusiasm for the farm and the products shines through in every part of the presentation. All the staff members are equally welcoming and ensure that every visitor feels comfortable and cared for during the tour.

Lydgate Farms is located in a central area on the island, making it convenient to reach from many locations. For those staying in Kapaa, the drive is only about fifteen minutes. It is recommended to arrive about fifteen minutes early, as the tours begin promptly on schedule. The farm provides water stations and bathrooms throughout the tour area, along with umbrellas for those who may need them. Rain should not deter anyone from visiting, as the combination of covered seating areas and available umbrellas ensures that the tour remains enjoyable regardless of weather conditions.

Overall, Lydgate Farms provides a top-quality experience that combines education, nature, and indulgence. The setting is beautiful, the staff is exceptional, and the tastings are unforgettable. This experience earns a solid five out of five stars and is highly recommended for anyone visiting Kauai who wants to learn about chocolate, explore tropical plants, and spend a delightful morning in a stunning...

My wife and I, along with two friends, recently had the pleasure of joining the Lydgate Farms Honey Hive Tour on Kauai, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The tour was outstanding, thanks in large part to Brook and Ronnie, whose teamwork and enthusiasm elevated the entire visit. From start to finish, the experience was thoughtfully organized, smoothly executed, and filled with a perfect balance of education, interaction, and genuine hospitality.

What really stood out was how Brook and Ronnie managed to combine deep expertise with approachability. They seamlessly exchanged information while patiently fielding our many questions—always with clarity and warmth. Even though we have friends (not on this trip) with extensive knowledge of beekeeping and honey production) and my wife has participated in lessons on the subject to her students in recent years, we all walked away with a richer understanding and newfound insights. Their ability to make even complex aspects of beekeeping accessible and engaging was remarkable.

But what we left with was more than just knowledge. The tour gave us a deeper appreciation for the immense time, effort, and passion that Brook and Ronnie pour into their craft. Their dedication to the bees, the land, and the art of honey-making shines through every moment of the tour. It wasn’t just about the science or the taste of honey—it was about understanding the connection between people, nature, and community.

For us, this experience became one of the highlights of our time on Kauai. It created lasting memories that we’ll carry long after our trip, underscoring the value of teamwork, patience, and care in everything we do. And for one of our friends, it sparked an entirely new appreciation for the joy and richness of truly great honey (and chocolate, too!).

I cannot recommend the Honey Hive Tour highly enough. It’s an experience that nourishes the mind, delights the senses, and leaves you with a genuine sense of connection to the island, its people, and the remarkable work that goes into every drop of Lydgate Farms honey. Damn good honey and I am looking forward to having it...

This farm and this tour are both PHENOMENAL!

I recommend this tour to everyone because not only are the grounds beautiful, but the knowledge about superfoods and source is valuable and the products are delicious!

Kauai is a uniquely special place and what a treat to be able to sample these delicious fresh fruits straight from their source. Alexandria was our guide and her knowledge of the plants, the process, and the global pulse on cacao farming was delivered in such a fun and memorable way! Lots of laughs and the time flew by! LOL

Every team member was so friendly and helpful from the moment you drive up, to the moment you drive out! There is only a little walking from plant to plant but there is one good sized hill to go down and back up. My friend who was attending the tour with me had some mobility limitations so we let them know ahead of time and they were happy to give her a ride back up on their cacao-asaki🤣 at the end of the tour!

If you're looking for good quality gifts that are unique to Kauai then you will definitely find options here! I got gifts for my chocolate lovers, my coffee lovers, my tea lovers, and my cocktail lovers here!

I felt like this was a healthy, adult, Willy Wonka experience crossed with wine tasting in Napa!!❤️❤️ There is an age limit for kids which I thought was interesting at first, but I can totally see now how it would be distracting for guests and not very polite for the guides if your kiddo might struggle sitting in their chair while learning about the soil-to-bar processes or if you have to keep having side conversations with them during the presentations, so just something to take into consideration when...