Looking for an afternoon adventure? Ocean Rider is the first and only seahorse farm in the world dedicated to preserving the endangered seahorse with the worlds only living gene bank of live, breeding seahorses and seadragons housing over 30 species here on our 3 acre oceanfront farm at Keahole Point, Kona.
Ocean Rider was started in 1998 by a highly skilled couple that wanted to make a difference. Without any government assistance, venture capitalist, or angel investors (still self financed today) and against all odds, they began producing farm raised seahorses for the global pet trade in order to reduce the fishing pressure on the coral reefs around the world. Within 2 years Ocean Rider produced enough high quality farm raised seahorses to supply the entire global pet seahorse trade, shutting down the collection of wild seahorses forever. Our story has now become a model as to the difference a few people, a good idea, and a small aquafarm can make in protecting and reducing the pressure on our coral reefs and sea grass beds. The technology developed here for the culture of seahorses is transferrable to the culture of other exotic marine fish from the coral reefs to the deep sea paving a way to greatly reduce the amount of wild fish taken out of our ocean. It is our belief that we can bring our oceans back to the level of health and productivity seen at the turn of the century by using this technolgy combined with conservation solutions that are available to us all.
Our tour is for families and children that want to see baby seahorses, pregnant males, feed and hold seahorses and learn about their natural history. Our tour is also for the intellectual and conservation minded individual who is interested in the technolgy behind the operation of a cutting edge, organic marine ornamental aquafarm that redefines sustainabiltiy, and explains the realities of ocean conservation today for our world waterways, coral reefs and deep ocean. We will explain what the problems are and offer solutions that are real and inspiring to all of us. We truly believe we can bring our oceans back to what they were without having to stop eating fish. In fact we believe that eating wild fish should be one of many motivating forces to help save the ocean from further destruction.
On this tour, you will see babies, pregnant males, leafy and weedy sea dragons. You will also be able to enjoy the worlds only sustainable aquarium where more than half the worlds 36 species of seahorses are on display. There is also an interactive tide pool and fish feeding station for the children and a seahorse only gift shop where the proceeds go to the seahorses.
Plan on setting aside 1 1/2 hour for your visit to the seahorse farm. We are sure you will leave in awe!
Tours are lead by Professional, Certified Biologist who are employed at Ocean Rider with credentials that include: minimum of Bachelor Degree in Biology, special hands on training in the culture and husbandry of seahorses, special training in environmental biology and marine conservation, and special trainning in public speaking. In other words your tour guide is well educated, knowledgeable and fun!!
Due to strict bio-security protocol you must be on a scheduled tour to see the seahorses.
When you purchase your ticket on line you we will hold your reservations and tickets for you at the gift shop tour desk check in. All you will need is your ID at check in time. Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in, wash up, receive your tour briefing, get your name tag and sign your credit card receipt.
Please note in the comments section your preferred tour time. Tour times are Monday through Friday at 10AM,noon and 2pm with the exception of the months of September, October November and May which have tours at noon and 2pm only. Private tours are available at almost any time. If you would like to bring your school group please inquire about speical school rates.
Remember, your contribution from your purchase of tour tickets and gift shop items stays here, on the ocean rider seahorse farm to support the continued research, education, conservation and propagation of the 36 species of endangered species of seahorses, sea dragons and Hawwaiian Reef Fish. Ocean Rider is now actively researching the breeding of Hawaiian Reef Fish such as yellow tangs, angel fish and butterfly fish inorder to reduce the pressure on our Coral Reefs here in Hawaii from collectors and spear fishermen, Ocean Rider is also working with the Country of Tonga to establish sucdessful breeding of sea cucumbers for restocking in marine reserves in the remote islands.If you would like to do get invloved in any of these projects please contact us . You can also visit seahorsehawaii.org where you can make a tax deductible contribution. The coral reefs of the world thank you!!
Tour times are Monday through Frioday at noon and 2 pm. We will be offering a 10am, Noon and 2pm tour the week of Thanksgiving and from December 19th thtough April 30th and from June 1st until Labor Day. Click here for directions.
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