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Places to Visit on the Big Island
Big Island Divers 1-808-329-6068
The Ocean Rider aquafarm is located on the "Big Island" of Hawaii on the Kona Coast.
Directions are:
• Coming from the Kona Airport: The Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm is located on the Natural Energy Lab Road located 1.2 miles South of the Kona Airport on the ocean side.
• Coming from the town of Kailua: The Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm is located on the Natural Energy Lab Road located 3.3 miles North of Honokohau Harbor or 6 miles North of the Kailua Pier.
• The Natural Energy Lab road will turn towards the ocean off Highway 19 also know as Queen Kaahumanu Hwy. At the entrance is a large Department of Energy building with solar panels on long white wings extended into the air. The Entrance Laval Wall sign says NELHA on one side of the road and Gateway on the other side.
• Stay on this road. You will see Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm sign on the left. The road will bend to the right as it goes past the beach park. Now take the first road to the left and look for the Ocean Rider Seahorse Farm sign. Our farm is on the right hand side with a sign on the front gate.
You can’s miss it, but if you do, just call 808 329 6840.
• This is a guided tour that is personable,highly educational, interactive and fun! You will actually be able to touch and feed the seahorses! The Tour lasts about 60minutes so please wear good walking shoes and a hat!!.
• Since we are a working seahorse farm we are usually very busy taking care of the seahorses in the mornings. Tour times for the month of September are Mon –Fri at 2PM. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or on line at seahorse.com. Please call for current rates. Reservations are preferred but walk ins are always accepted. We simply add an additional tour if the first one fills up.
Directions:
From Hilo, take the Puainako Extension (Hwy 2000) which merges with Saddle Road (Hwy 200). Just before the 28 mile marker, there is a road to the right and a street sign that says Mauna Kea Access Road. Make the right turn. The station is about 6 miles up the road on the right side of the road.
From the Kona side of the island, take Highway 190 heading North toward Waimea. Just before the 6 mile marker, there is a turnoff on the right for Saddle Road (Hwy 200). Take Saddle Road until just after the 28 mile marker. Turn left onto the Mauna Kea Access Road. The station is about 6 miles up the road on the right side of the road.
At the VIS there are informational panels, interactive displays, handouts, a video program, and the First Light Bookstore. The store contains many books about astronomy and Hawaiian culture. The store also has food for sale, and there are hot water containers and a microwave for your convenience.
If you have any questions, please contact us at the VIS at (808) 961-2180. If you have any questions about the weather and road conditions, please call (808) 935-6268. If there are any sudden changes in the weather and/or road conditions, the Rangers will update the message shortly thereafter.
From Hilo: 30 miles southwest on Highway 11 (a 45 minute drive);
from Kailua-Kona: 96 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2 1/2 hour drive), or
125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2 1/2 to 3 hours).
Operating Hours
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is open 24 hours a day year-round. Kilauea Visitor Center is open daily from 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Jaggar Museum is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. "Born of Fire... Born of the Sea" is the featured 25 minute film that is shown in the Kilauea Visitor Center on the hour throughout the day, starting at 9:00 a.m. with the last film shown at 4:00 p.m..
Visitor Information (808) 985-6000 or website: http://www.nps.gov/archive/havo/home.htm
