The waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands are home to a variety of diverse sea life and spending some time swimming and snorkeling is an excellent way to see some of these creatures in their natural habitat. In addition, the Big Island of Hawaii is home to research facilities and aquariums that are well worth a visit if you want to see some of the area’s marine life up close and personal. One such location is the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm, which provides a fun outing and interest for adults and children alike!
A Hands-On Adventure at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
Ocean Rider is an organic aqua farm that focuses on research and conservation of sea horses, as well as protection of the species in the wild. As one of the few farm-raised seahorse facilities and the only aquarium in the country where you can pet a seahorse, Ocean Rider offers a unique experience.
Tours at Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm are led by biologists who are friendly and knowledgeable in their field. Visitors will learn a lot about the seahorse’s life cycle and stages of development, with tanks holding seahorses at various ages labeled and providing a great depiction of how they progress. The touch tanks are a real highlight, where visitors get the chance to feed and interact with seahorses. And the feeling of a tiny seahorse wrapping its tail around your finger is an exciting opportunity! Over 20 endangered seahorse species are being bred at Ocean Rider, where researchers hope to prolong the livelihood of endangered species.
The seahorses raised at the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm in Kona are not released into the wild. Some of them move on to other aquariums or to hobbyists who would like to care for their own seahorse. In fact, they are happy to get visitors started on owning a seahorse if it is of interest!
Before heading out, be sure to stop in the gift shop at Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm, where you’ll find a variety of items featuring seahorses. Hoodies, t-shirts, hats, earrings, necklaces, and keychains are just a few of the items you’ll find. Pick up something for yourself or select an item for gift-giving once you’ve returned home!
Planning Your Visit to Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm in Kona is located near the Kona International Airport at 73-4388 Ilikai Place. They are open Monday through Friday, and it is recommended that tickets be booked in advance via Ocean Rider’s website. The cost is $77 for adults and $72 for children. Ocean Rider staff can be contacted at 808-329-6840 with any questions you may have.
Other Kona Attractions Near Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm
If you want to surf while on your Hawaii vacation, you’re in the right place. Ocean Rider also offers private surf lessons at all levels, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced. For your lesson, you’ll be partnered up with a local professional surfer where you’ll enjoy one-on-one instruction at a private beach. When it comes to surf instruction, it doesn’t get more customized than this! Whether you’ve only surfed a handful of times or you’re an avid surfer looking to advance to the next level, a surfing lesson in Kona with Ocean Rider will be a memorable experience.
For the chance to see more marine life up close and personal, head to the nearby Kanaloa Octopus Farm. Similar to the Seahorse Farm in that it promotes marine biology research and organic aqua farming, Kanaloa Octopus Farm presents the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most interesting cephalopods. Octopi are surprisingly engaging creatures, interacting with humans and even playing with toys. At Kanaloa Octopus Farm, visitors have the chance to touch and engage with octopi in their tanks, while also learning about the life cycle and stages of development of these interesting creatures. Tours are approximately one hour long and are given by knowledgeable scientists.
While near the airport, take advantage of the opportunity to embark on a helicopter tour of the island. With much of the terrain on the Big Island remaining undeveloped, one of the best ways to see remote areas is by air. Paradise Helicopters Tours of Hawaii is located at the nearby Kona Airport and offers a wide variety of options for enjoying the island by air. Their tours range from the Kohala Coast & Waterfalls tour where passengers take in 2,500-foot waterfalls and sheer cliff faces to tours that include landing for a hike before continuing to enjoy the sights by air.
Kona Accommodations
Select accommodations convenient to the Kona International Airport and attractions such as Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm when you base your Hawaii vacation in the west side town of Kona. In case you’re traveling with a group, a stay in our large vacation rentals might be an excellent choice. At Venture Hawaii, we offer upscale vacation rentals in Kona that are an ideal place to make your home away from home in Hawaii. Contact us to learn more! Browse our oceanfront vacation rentals today. Explore our studio vacation rentals in Kona!
