Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is a working coffee farm in the cloud forest above Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island. Stop in for a free guided tour of how Kona coffee is grown, processed and roasted, then taste several varieties. The on-site shop sells coffee and coffee-themed gifts, including chocolate-covered beans. For a change of pace, take the self-guided nature trail through tropical forest to lava tubes and a deck overlooking coffee fields and the ocean. Peaberry coffee is a good pick if you want to bring home a distinctive roast.
How the coffee is made
Mountain Thunder is a working coffee farm where you can learn about Kona coffee from cultivation through roasting. The guided tour explains the stages of production, including how the beans are processed and prepared for roasting. You can also see the mill and learn why producing coffee takes more work than picking and roasting the beans alone.
The tour is free, and coffee samples are available on site. Tastings include different bean varieties and roast levels, so you can compare them before deciding what to buy. Peaberry is one of the standouts to look for if you enjoy trying a less common coffee type.
A walk through the cloud forest
The farm is set in a cool, misty cloud forest above Kailua-Kona. Its nature trail takes you among tropical vegetation and native plants, with lava tubes along the way. The walk ends at an observation deck with views across the coffee fields and out toward the ocean.
The trail is self-guided, and a pamphlet helps you follow the route. It is short, but the path includes steps and a steeper section on the return. Wear shoes with a good grip, especially if rain has made the ground slick. There is a fee for the nature trail; one visitor account lists it as $10 per family, so confirm the current charge before you go.
Coffee and gifts to take home
After the tour or walk, the shop is a chance to taste more coffees and browse the farm’s products. You can buy bags of coffee, including peaberry, as well as chocolate-covered beans and other coffee-related gifts. The plantation also sells items such as a coffee face mask.
There is outdoor seating where you can drink coffee and take in the surroundings. The farm is a coffee stop rather than a place to plan a meal: one account says food is not sold there and suggests bringing snacks for a picnic. The nature trail’s overlook is another place to pause, with a view over the fields and ocean.
Perguntas frequentes
Is the coffee tour free?
Yes. The plantation has a free guided tour explaining how Kona coffee is grown and processed, along with free coffee tastings.
Is there a fee for the nature trail?
Yes. The trail is paid. One visitor account lists the charge as $10 per family; check on site for the current fee.
What can you see on the nature trail?
The self-guided route passes through tropical forest and by lava tubes, then reaches an observation deck overlooking coffee fields and the ocean.
What coffee can you try or buy?
You can sample different varieties and roast levels. Peaberry coffee is available, along with other coffee products in the shop.
