Welcome to Big Island Abalone
At Big Island Abalone, nestled in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, we pride ourselves on being the largest grower of Japanese edible abalones worldwide. Our story is rooted in sustainable seafood farming, blending education with taste. Guests can enjoy informative tours, where they learn about abalone cultivation and conservation while getting hands-on experiences with marine life. The on-site food truck offers an array of delicious dishes, featuring tender abalone served in innovative styles, from sashimi to poke bowls, all bursting with flavor. Join us for a unique culinary adventure that celebrates farm-fresh seafood and the beauty of Hawaiian waters.
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73-357 Makako Bay Dr, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 Hotline: (808) 334-0034
Welcome to Big Island Abalone, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Located at 73-357 Makako Bay Dr, this seafood haven is not just a restaurant but an immersive experience that brings the world of abalone to your plate and palate.
For those unfamiliar with it, abalone is a delicacy revered for its tender texture and rich flavor. Big Island Abalone stands out as the largest grower of Japanese edible abalones globally, emphasizing sustainability and conservation. This makes every bite not only a treat but also a responsible dining choice.
- Interactive Tours: Guests are invited to embark on a one-hour tour that captivates and educates, led by enthusiastic guides such as Carlos and Karen. These tours provide insight into the fascinating life cycle of abalone, the innovative farming techniques employed, and hands-on experiences where you can gently hold these oceanic treasures.
- Tasting Opportunities: The tours culminate in a delightful tasting session, featuring everything from fresh abalone to unique edible seaweed. Customers rave about the abalone prepared in various styles, from oven-baked to sashimi, complemented by inventive sides like sea grape salad.
- Food Truck Delights: Adjacent to the farm, a vibrant food truck serves up an assortment of abalone dishes and ocean-inspired fare. Diners are particularly enamored with the abalone poke rice bowl and steamed abalone drenched in garlic butter, both of which highlight the dish’s natural freshness.
- A Family-Friendly Experience: The ambiance at Big Island Abalone is welcoming to all ages. Families can enjoy shaded seating areas where children can explore and learn about marine life in an engaging environment.
Reviews from visitors like Ernest C. and Shawn D. highlight the affordability and value of the tours, while Claire Y. and Judy K. emphasize the delectable quality of the dishes served. Whether you're a casual seafood lover or an ardent fan of ocean fare, Big Island Abalone delivers an inviting atmosphere paired with culinary excellence.
Next time you find yourself on the Big Island, don’t miss the chance to experience the perfect blend of education, sustainability, and flavor at Big Island Abalone. With each morsel, you’ll not only taste the ocean but also the dedication and heart that goes into each dish.
To learn more or plan your visit, call (808) 334-0034. Dive into the world of abalone and let your culinary adventure begin!
For a mere $30 per adult, this was actually a pretty cool tour. Took about an hour. Gave you a sample of what an abalone tasted like, and there was an on site food truck also. Relatively new is an option to Cook you own lunch, including some abalone. The very informative tour was well worth the price of admission and the time.
We stopped by to grab some abalone. It's located very close to the airport so it was very convenient. There are options for tours too if you're interested. But we didn't do that as we didn't have time. The abalone was reasonably priced and amazing! We got one order, ate it quickly, then went back for another lol. It was THAT good. Can't wait to have it again next time!
Awesome tour led by Carlos! We came for the abalone tour -- it is about an hour long and takes you through the process of farming abalone and how they have evolved in their process. It was super interesting to learn about and very engaging -- Carlos would bring out the abalone and we were able to hold them. There were also several other sea creatures that we held: starfish, shrimp and urchins. It was super fun for my 4 year old! At the end of the tour, Carlos brought out some abalone for us to sample. He also set out samples of sea grapes. I really enjoyed the sea grapes -- they were served with a dipping sauce and had a nice popping sensation when eaten. My partner really enjoyed the abalone, both canned and oven baked. We were given the abalone shells as a take-home gift after we ate them. Super fun tour -- highly recommend! If you want to just eat some abalone, they have a food truck set up next to them which is open daily except Sundays.
Folks, please don't miss this! Big Island Abalone is the largest grower of Japanese edible abalones in the world, and from a conservation standpoint, this is important. The tour was reasonably priced, our host was hilarious, we sampled abalone to our hearts content, we learned about the biology, cultivation, and conservation of abalone and the educational component was awe inspiring. We come to the big island 1-2 times a year and always make a point of visiting these folks.
Nice food truck stand inside the abalone farm. We tried everything and they are all super delicious!!! Steamed abalone are super tender and fresh. Abalone poke rice bowl is our favorite! Highly recommend. Sea grapes are tasteless with a crunchy texture, something unique to try. Papaya abalone salad is super flavorful and tasty!!! Has a parking lot inside. They also offer BBQ grill where you can grill seafood urself if you want.
One of the best places to visit on the Big Island IMO if you love seafood. Can't get anymore farm fresh than this. All the abalone is super tender and perfect with the garlic butter on top. The abalone sashimi (raw) is tender yet has a slightly snappy texture to it. We went on a Sunday afternoon and there were plenty of shaded outdoor tables. Great place to sit back, relax and have a few drinks with friends & family.
THIS IS A MUST DO! Incredibly informative and interesting. The farm has been around for 20 years and it was fascinating! I don't want to over hype it; but the tour was way better than I thought it would be! You get to learn a ton about abalone and seaweed. And it's interactive (you get to gently hold abalone too). The tour lasts about an hour. The tour is also family friendly. My baby ended up taking a nap through most of it. The tour was shady and there was a nice breeze- perfect baby napping conditions. It went on the first of the day and it was 3 families all with babies/kids. The kids all had a great time. They also have a little food stand. I wasn't planning on eating abalone, but I did. I really liked it!
My cousin and I enjoyed this tour! Our tour guide was Karen, and she was very informative. Karen was friendly and answered the questions whenever someone had them. The tour lasted about an hour. Beware of the mosquitoes around the area, but other than that, you are in shaded areas. My favorite part was sampling seaweed, abalone, and seaweed grapes! I also enjoyed getting to hold sea creatures (starfish and a cluster of abalones). It was my first time trying abalone and I liked it. Highly recommend doing this tour!
Interesting and informative 1 hour tour around an active abalone farm. Walking required; however, you are mostly in the shade because the farm is covered with canopies. Learn about the life cycle of the abalone and the bio-conscious farming techniques used. This tour is great for all ages since you are able to get hands on access and taste samples. @sturdygirlstyle #sturdygirlstyle