Kona - Ocean Rider Sea Horse Farm

We will be aboard the POA cruise and with our stop in Kona we would like to go to the Sea Horse Farm. We do not usually book the tours through the cruise ship and would like to do this on our own but will not have a rental car.

How far is the farm from the cruise ship,? are taxis readily available ? and would would it cost us for a return trip from the cruise ship ?

Maybe in the end it will be cheaper to book through the cruise ship but would value your input.

We took this tour several years ago. It is NOT near the cruise pier.

We were on a tour bus so I don't remember exactly how far, but DH said he did not want to drive there himself.

Patti

I think a taxi would be quite expensive. And, you do have to make reservations to tour the farm. We did it several years ago and even though we live on the other side of the island, we did the tour as we did not feel like renting a car. Enjoyed it very much and it leaves plenty of time in the day to do other things.

We did the tour a little over a year ago during a land trip. We booked not far in advance- actually, we went and booked the next tour they had when we first arrived on the island then grabbed and ate a quick lunch before returning for our tour. We weren't on a schedule, though. When on a schedule I do recommend booking ahead with them.

Honestly if there is anything else you want to do that day you may as well rent a car. If not, the excursion through the ship may your best bet.

~Katy

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We just did this in September and it was a great, short tour. We booked it through NCL, it was expensive but after paying for roundtrip taxi and the price of the ticket it wasn't that much more and it was just easier. Because we had the tour booked, we had an early tender, the small tour van was waiting, and it got on the road quickly. The ride itself was not that far, maybe 20 minutes but it is not worth renting a car in Kona just to do that. Afterward, there was plenty of time to enjoy a nice lunch and walk around Kona. Lots of nice little shops, we used this as a relaxing day and it was perfect!

Much of the expense of the seahorse farm tour is for admission. During the tour it is explained that most of the money goes to continuing research. I had no problem with that after being able to see and touch the adorable sea horses!

We just did this in September and it was a great, short tour. We booked it through NCL, it was expensive but after paying for roundtrip taxi and the price of the ticket it wasn't that much more and it was just easier. Because we had the tour booked, we had an early tender, the small tour van was waiting, and it got on the road quickly. The ride itself was not that far, maybe 20 minutes but it is not worth renting a car in Kona just to do that. Afterward, there was plenty of time to enjoy a nice lunch and walk around Kona. Lots of nice little shops, we used this as a relaxing day and it was perfect!

After checking with others with regards to the cost of the taxi we have decided to book it with NCL and do exactly what you are doing after the tour. It will be nice to have a priority tender.

Thanks to you all for your input into this tour... Dave

We looked into doing the tour on our own and decided that it was about the same price to go through NCL. We enjoyed our visit. Pictures are in my review if you're interested! http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2252994