Maui Pineapple Tour: The Best Pineapple Farm Tour in Maui
This blog recaps my experience with Maui Pineapple Tour, the best pineapple farm tour in Maui! If you’re still undecided on whether to book this or are hoping to gain more information about what to expect on a Maui pineapple tour, I hope this blog post will encourage you to dive into this educational experience during your trip to the island.
Pineapple has played a significant role in the history and economy of Hawaii. The first commercial pineapple plantation was established on the island of Oahu in the late 1800s, and by the early 1900s, Hawaii was producing over 80% of the world's pineapple supply. The sweet and juicy fruit quickly became a symbol of the islands and a major export. The pineapple industry brought thousands of jobs to Hawaii and helped to diversify the state's economy. Today, the fruit remains an important part of Hawaiian culture and cuisine.
Learning about the culture and eating locally are two things I love to prioritize during my travels. From the conversations I’ve seen unfold on social media, local Hawaiians appreciate when travelers take the time to learn about their culture and respect their land when visiting the islands. Due to the role that pineapple plays in Hawaiian culture, I would highly recommend booking this tour!
Although going on a pineapple tour in Maui was something I debated at first, I’m so glad I included this in our itinerary, as it helped me learn more about Hawaiian culture and sent me home with a few sweet pineapples of my own, one of which is being used by my friends to re-grow their own pineapple! Without further ado, let’s get into the most common questions about the Maui Pineapple Tour!
Disclaimer: This blog contains some affiliate links that may generate a small commission from clicks that result in a purchase at no extra cost to you.
What Is the Best Pineapple Farm Tour in Maui?
If you're looking for the best pineapple tour in Maui, look no further than the Maui Pineapple Tour. This tour takes you through the beautiful fields of the Hali'imaile Pineapple Plantation, where you'll learn about the history and cultivation of pineapple in Hawaii and will get to taste freshly harvested pineapple straight from the field. Continue reading as I delve into what you can expect for your tour, and see for yourself why I recommend the Maui Pineapple Tour as the best pineapple farm tour in Maui!
Check available dates and prices here!
What to Expect for Your Tour
Upon your arrival at the Maui Gold Pineapple Farm, you’ll check in at the main entrance and wait for your group to assemble. After everyone has arrived, your tour guide will greet you and assemble you on an intimate bus, where you’ll be guided through the fields of the Hali'imaile Pineapple Plantation. If your tour guide is anything like ours, you’ll likely hear a mixture of lighthearted jokes and interesting facts surrounding the pineapple’s history and growth process. He also handed around a pineapple he had dressed up and named for comedic effect. A bit cheesy? 100%! But did we still take a photo with it? Yes!
As we were driven through the fields, we witnessed the many stages of pineapple, from its flowering stage to its final packaged product! We had many stops along the Maui Pineapple Tour where we could step outside the vehicle to see the fruit growing up close and personal. This gave us the opportunity to explore the fields and snap photos of the iconic pineapple plants.
You'll also learn how to properly cut pineapple and get tips on selecting the best one at the grocery store. On one of our stops, our tour guide picked a pineapple and swiftly cut it open with a machete, which I only recommend for the true pros. We were provided with toothpicks and were able to sample the pineapple directly off the machete he had just used to dice it up for us. This right here was one of the defining factors as to why I call this the best pineapple farm tour in Maui!
After having heard our tour guide describe the pineapple’s sweet and juicy flavor the entire tour, it was so satisfying to finally bite into a piece of it myself. I can confirm that the Maui Gold Pineapple is the best I’ve tasted in my life, and no store-bought pineapple has even come close to comparing since.
After wrapping up your time in the field, your tour guide will take you to a warehouse building, where you’ll learn about the packaging and shipping process. Best of all, you’ll be provided with a free pineapple that is pre-approved and ready for airport transfer! Even though the tour will be coming to an end by this point, it gives you something to look forward to when you return home.
You might even decide to try your hand at growing your own pineapple, as the pineapple growth process begins with the planting of a pineapple crown, which is the leafy top of the mature pineapple fruit you’ll be sent home with. The process is quite lengthy, however. Once planted, it takes about 20 months for a pineapple plant to produce fruit. Despite the time it takes to grow pineapple, it is certainly worth it. As mentioned earlier, my friends are in the process of this with one of the pineapples I brought home, and I love getting updates from them!
This concluded our tour, as our group was then hauled back to our starting point. Overall, you can expect the Maui Pineapple Tour to last around 1.5 hours. Once returning to the starting point, you can do some shopping or zoom off to your next destination.
Tour Address: 883 Hali'imaile Rd., Makawao
Tour Times: 9.30 a.m., 11.45 a.m. & 1.45 p.m.
Click here to book your tour!
How Much Is the Maui Pineapple Tour?
As of 2023, the Maui Pineapple Tour costs $75 for adults (13+) and $65 for children ages 3-12. While we were trying to save as much money as possible on this trip, we simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take this tour. I’m glad we went through with it, as it was a great way to learn about the culture and find out what pineapples should truly taste like.
Can You Visit the Hali'imaile Pineapple Plantation Without a Tour?
As far as I know, the Hali'imaile Pineapple Plantation does not offer self-guided tours. Visitors are required to book a guided tour in order to visit the plantation and explore the fields. However, it is always recommended to check with the plantation directly or visit their website for the most up-to-date information regarding tours and visiting policies. If you are unable to take a guided tour, there are other pineapple farms and plantations on Maui that offer other types of experiences, but I would highly recommend Maui Pineapple Tour as the best pineapple farm tour in Maui.
Can I Take a Pineapple Home From Maui?
When booking a tour with Maui Pineapple Tour, it is easier than ever to take a pineapple home from Maui! As I mentioned, you’ll be provided with a pre-approved and packaged pineapple ready for your airport travel. This takes any worries off the table and allows you to easily bring this fruit home with you.
If you’re purchasing a pineapple in a grocery store or roadside stand, the regulations might be a little different. I recommend reading this insightful post if you are planning on bringing a pineapple home that was not provided by Maui Pineapple Tour!
How Long Does Maui Gold Pineapple Last?
Maui Gold Pineapples can last for several days to a week when stored properly. The shelf life of a Maui Gold Pineapple depends on several factors, including the ripeness at the time of purchase, how it was stored, and how long it has been since it was harvested. A ripe pineapple should be firm but not too hard or too soft. In order to extend the shelf life of a Maui Gold Pineapple, it should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Pineapples can also be stored in the refrigerator, but this can sometimes affect the texture and flavor of the fruit. It is recommended to cut the pineapple into slices or chunks and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator if it is not consumed within a few days. After discovering how good this pineapple tastes on your tour, I doubt it will be sitting uneaten in your kitchen for more than a few days anyway! This is why I also recommend booking the Maui Pineapple Tour toward the end of your trip, as the pineapple will stay fresh longer and can be enjoyed at home.
What Time of Year Is Pineapple Best in Maui?
Pineapple is generally considered to be at its best in Maui during the summer months from June through August. During this time, the weather is its warmest and sunniest, which helps to sweeten and ripen the fruit. Pineapple harvest season in Maui typically runs from April through September. During these months, visitors to Maui can find an abundance of fresh, locally grown pineapples available for purchase at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and grocery stores throughout the island. It is important to note, however, that Maui Gold Pineapple, which is a popular variety grown on the island, is available year-round and can be enjoyed at any time. We visited in October and found it to be the best pineapple we'd ever tasted, so it's hard to say if there's ever a time it tastes subpar.
Although I hadn’t initially thought I’d find a pineapple tour to be interesting, I ended up loving the experience! The pineapple growth process shocked me as a whole, as I had no idea how they produced flowers or that you could re-grow them on your own.
Maui Pineapple Tour stuck out to me as the best pineapple farm tour in Maui for several reasons and is an activity I recommend including in your itinerary if you’ve got the time. As always, leave any remaining questions below, and let me know if you’ve had the pleasure of tasting a Maui Gold Pineapple!
