Tour the Hives at the Big Island Bees Company

Description

Meeting honeybees safely and up close is an extraordinary experience for just about anyone, but now on the Big Island of Hawaii you can have a free tour of the world of bees while on your vacation. The Big Island Bees Company is a family owned business that has been producing honey since 1971 and are renowned for their quality raw single-floral organic honeys. The tour experience just began in 2014, and is a one of a kind in the islands. Reservations are required for the tour, but the Bee Museum and the tasting room operate weekdays for those wishing to drop in for a visit. Their quiet location is set back off the road and makes the perfect rest stop in your day exploring South Kona.

Highlights: See inside real live beehives and get education about their complex and intriguing world. An accompanying museum lets you taste, touch and smell the bees products and even take some home with you.
Options: Free public tours: 9:30 to 11 am (by appointment only)
Museum & Tasting Room open daily MondayFriday, 11 am to 4 pm

The tour:

While a Honeybee Docent pries open the lid of a beehive just feet away, you watch from a carefully screened-off secure area. These amazing creatures that do so much for our human existence, from assisting food production to creating golden honey are explained as you see the inner workings of their colony. It is easy to ask questions and to have quality interactions with the beekeeper as this tour is small and a newly opened to the public. You will feel the buzz of bee life with this tour. As it is gaining in exposure and popularity, reservations are required. The entire experience only takes about an hour and you are then just a mile from the gorgeous Kealakekua Bay.

Drop ins:
The Bee Museum and shop has a tasting bar for the varieties of honey that are currently available. There are also bee related products such as raw beeswax, lip balms, hand salves, soaps and candles. Heirloom bee keeping gear, a small hive behind glass, and many examples of bees' productivity

Local's Tip:

Make this part of your day exploring the South Kona region. Also enjoy Kealakekua Bay and Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, both of which are just a short drive away.

Contacts:
Big Island Bees
Telephone: 808.328.7318 for reservations
Tours: tours@bigislandbees.com

Bees Museum Address:
82-5780 Napoopoo Rd #100
Captain Cook, HI 96704
Website: http://bigislandbees.com

Museum Directions:
To get here, take Napoopoo Road off Highway 11, immediately south of the 111-mile marker. Keep bearing right on "Napoopoo Road" (slow down or you might miss this one), following signs to "Kealakekua Bay". Follow the road for several miles looking for the "Big Island Bees" sign immediately past Hawaiian Host Macadamia Factory and Kealakekua Estates. Turn right into the driveway after the long curved guard rail then follow winding lane left for 2/10 mile and turn right at our gate, where you will find a parking lot in the front of the museum.

Map

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