Lydgate Farms Kauai Chocolate

I'm a local but I really enjoyed my bee-autiful inside the hive tour. Ronnie and Christina gave a great tour and provided a lot of interesting info about bees and why they are so important. A look inside a hive was fascinating and the tasting of local honies was divine. Lydgate farms is located in a jungle like setting surrounded by the beeautiful mountains of Kauai. Mahalo and highly recommend the tour.

We had a very enjoyable tour of the farm. Jess and Jasmine were outstanding with their knowledge of Cacoa. All of the information that they shared about the farm operation, honey production, and chocolate demonstrated that they knew about what they were talking! We very much recommend this tour. The tour is well worth the investment. I would label this "a hidden gem." Thank you again for all of the tastings- dark chocolate with sea salt is the winner. Upcountry Estate Hawaiian honey is delicious no matter how you use it!

The Chocolate Tour was a delightful surprise and a great activity in Kauai: First, the farm is not just a farm, it is a botanical garden in its own right. You get to observe unusual plants and flowers, like the various stages of vanilla. Second, the guides are top-shelf (we had Sheri). Humor and a welcoming, open attitude blends with in-depth knowledge of plants, manufacturing, history, ecology and the economics of cocoa and chocolate. Third, the exotic fruit, honey and chocolate tasting is a culinary experience in itself. It is all wrapped up in a lush jungle setting with a nice drive through the island.

Me and my wife did the Inside the Hive Tour and the Chocolate Farm Tour in the same day. We had a wonderful experience and the staff on both tours were incredibly knowledgeable and charismatic. I’m a beekeeper and loved the beekeeping side of things! The guides, McKenna and Roni, really knew their stuff and everyone felt safe and involved the whole time. Pulling a frame out of the hive, harvesting the honey, and then eating it fresh was very unique and cool! The chocolate Tour with Sheri was a blast. The Farm Grounds gave tropical botanical garden vibes and Sheri knew every plant! It was really interesting to hear the whole process of how their chocolate was made and the scientific approach they’re taking to crafting the finest chocolates in the world! 10/10 would recommend.

If you are a chocolate lover, this tour is absolutely worth adding to your Kauai itinerary. My wife and I discovered Lydgate Farms while planning our honeymoon and exploring Kauai on Google Maps. It was not originally part of our plans, but as soon as we found it, we knew we had to book it, and we are so glad we did. Nestled in the hills of Kauai, the farm feels peaceful, secluded, and incredibly beautiful. From the moment we arrived, the staff made us feel welcome. Our tour guide, Mason, was fantastic. He was funny, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about both the farm and the chocolate making process. He shared interesting facts throughout the tour and kept the experience engaging from start to finish. As people who genuinely love chocolate, we found it fascinating to learn how chocolate is made, from the cacao tree all the way to the finished product. Not only was the tour educational, but it also gave us a greater appreciation for the amount of work and care that goes into every piece of chocolate. If you enjoy chocolate, local agriculture, or simply want a unique experience while visiting Kauai, I would highly recommend making time for Lydgate Farms.

The lydgate honey bee tour was the main highlight of our Kaua’i trip! So grateful for the experience. McKenna and Jasmine were both so awesome! They are very accommodating to the guests and kind. They both made the tour such an incredible experience. McKenna is very knowledgeable and inspired me to lean more about beekeeping! Can’t wait to come back and do the chocolate tour next time! Great experience for the whole family, I highly recommend doing this tour!