Surfing Goat Dairy Farm Shop & Café
4.5(1.5K)google
4.2(977)yelp
CraftFamilyInteractive
Overview
Located on the fertile, rolling slopes of Maui's Haleakala volcano, the Surfing Goat Dairy is an award-winning agritourism destination that blends culinary delight with lighthearted fun. This working farm invites visitors to interact with a playful herd of goats, participate in evening milking tours, and learn about sustainable farming practices. The on-site cafe offers flights of gourmet goat cheeses, ranging from savory herbal blends to decadent sweet combinations, alongside refreshing goat milk gelato. It is a fantastic, family-friendly excursion providing a delightful contrast to traditional beach activities and a delicious exploration of Maui's rich agricultural heritage.
Practical Info
MonClosed
Tue9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
SunClosed
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeThe dry summer corridor from May to September is exceptional for visiting this upcountry farm when newborn goat kids are most playful. Secure a booking for the 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM evening feeding tour; walking the pastures under a softer dusk breeze lets you hand-feed the herd and sample award-winning artisan goat cheese flights.
Getting ThereNestled along the scenic lower mountain slopes at 3651 Omaopio Rd, Kula. No public transit serves this rural agricultural zone, making a rental car mandatory. From Kahului, drive HI-37 south, turn right onto Omaopio Road, and follow the winding lane for 3 miles to the farm's grand gate and open grass parking pastures.
Travel Tips
- The tour operates inside an active agricultural industrial plant where private rental vehicles are strictly legally banned from entering; guests must check in at the dedicated processing hub to board authorized rugged crew shuttles.
- Plucking crop materials or packing raw agricultural units in private backpacks violates Hawaii biosecurity laws; while tasting is permitted on-site, moving whole raw pineapples off-property triggers heavy penalties during airport inspection.
- The field soil is composed of sticky red volcanic clay that permanently stains apparel; pineapple plants possess hyper-abrasive serrated leaf edges, making sandals forbidden and requiring dark-colored, enclosed hiking shoes.
Reviews
Positive
- This is a fun and healing goat dairy farm where you can hand-feed cute baby goats and taste multiple award-winning, flavorful artisanal goat cheeses at the café, offering high entertainment.
- The staff are exceptionally warm and patient, especially during the 'Little Goatherd' interactive tour designed for kids. The crowd control is well-organized, and safety measures are reassuring.
- Nestled on the lower slopes of Haleakala, the farm offers wide-open vistas and crisp air. The rustic pastoral atmosphere is pure and natural, completely free of big-city commercial noise.
- The property features dedicated shaded outdoor seating, clean restrooms, and very clear multi-lingual signs and educational plaques. The overall facilities and environment are kept quite clean and neat.
Heads up
- Without renting a car, public transit cannot reach this remote farm in upcountry Kula, and the final gravel dirt road leading to the property is extremely bumpy and dusty.
- While entry and buying cheese are free, any interaction like feeding, milking, or deep farm tours carries ticket fees that feel expensive for such a brief itinerary, reducing its value.
- The derivatives, goat milk soaps, and cheese gift boxes around the café are highly priced, and the food menu is limited, presenting a degree of 'tourist-trap secondary spending'.
- During hot afternoons or when massive tour groups pour in, the limited shaded seating gets extremely crowded. Being an active goat farm, flies are common and the air carries a heavy animal odor.