Big Island Horse-Friendly Properties For Sale

It is always a challenge to identify horse-friendly properties for sale so I try to keep a list for myself of whatʻs available on the Big Island at any given time. My most recent post on equestrian properties was about six months ago, so it seems time for an update.

Ride along the oceanfront from this 26.72 acre horse property, reduced to $3,000,000 (MLS 618452)

Gated Communities with Equestrian Facilities on Hawaiʻi Island

If you are interested in moving here with horses, you can start with the communities that were built to cater to horse owners. Iʻve written over the years that I consider Waikii Ranch outside of Waimea/Kamuela the only true equestrian community on the Big Island, meaning that a significant percentage of the homeowners actually have horses and use the facilities and riding trails.

There are currently six active listings of 10-acre vacant land parcels at Waikii, priced from $279,000 to $395,000 depending on the view. There are also four active residential listings, at asking prices from $1,435,000 (you would need to add your own barn or paddocks, MLS 621283) to $5,950,000 for the true equestrian estate on over 50 acres that sold at auction four years ago.

Horse grazing a vacant lot at Waikii Ranch (Photo Credit: Mary Buckley)

Puu Lani Ranch is the other gated community that has horse facilities, namely a barn, turn-out paddocks, and riding ring. Located on the “upper road” between Kailua Kona and Waimea, the lots are around one acre, so horses have to be kept at the central barn. Vacant lots range in price from $129,000 to $227,700.

Homes for sale currently at Puu Lani Ranch range from $719,900 for a simple three bedroom home of 1,782 sq.ft. (about the minimum for the subdivision – MLS 623141) to $1,850,000 for a completely remodeled 3,375 sq.ft. home on one of the premium rim lots (MLS 622363).

Gated Communities with Equestrian Trails and Large Acreage Parcels

Two North Kohala gated communities are ringed with equestrian trails, but with few homeowners actually owning horses in these communities, you might just have those trails to yourself!

Horse grazes a vacant 10-acre ocean and Maui view lot at Puakea Bay Ranch near Hawi.

At Puakea Bay Ranch, all the parcels are 10-acres, and cows and horses graze vacant lots. I just listed a parcel there for $400,000 (MLS 624215), one of four similarly priced available lots. There is only one residence currently for sale at Puakea Bay Ranch, asking price $2,400,000 (MLS 622473). This one is planted in gardens, but perhaps you could add an adjacent lot for your horses!

At Kohala Ranch, there are dozens of vacant land parcels for sale from the lower Heathers at 200ʻ above sea level, up to around 3,000ʻ elevation at the top. If you want to keep horses your best bet are the Summit lots of 10-14 acres with enough elevation and rainfall to support your animals on pasture. There are currently 12 listings to choose from at prices from $241,000 to my favorite for a horse owner: $399,000 for 12.9 acres fully fenced with a barn and riding pen already built (MLS 606217).

Horses enjoying sunset in the green pastures of the summit at Kohala Ranch (MLS 618917)

Still available is the major Kohala Ranch equestrian property listed by my Hawaii Life colleagues, with 35 acres and 20,000 sq.ft. of improvements including an indoor arena, now at $2,479,000. I also can attest to the lush pastures, functional barn, beautiful home and separate guest house all with ocean and mountain views at another summit equestrian estate listed for $2,247,000 (MLS 618917).

Horse Properties outside of Gated Communities

In order to have any place to ride your horses, outside of a gated community, you are going to need a pretty large acreage. The property featured at the top of this post is a great example. There are a number of large parcels and ranches officially on the market or quietly for sale, so give me a call or shoot me an email if thatʻs what you have in mind.