Big Island Waterfall Tour Guide: Hilo, Hāmākua and Kohala Falls by Coast
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Which Coast Each Big Island Waterfall Tour Starts From
Choose your Big Island waterfall tour by coast first. On this page, the Kohala listing says it drives along the Kona coast, the Hāmākua listing covers falls north of Hilo, and the scenic day uses Hilo-area pickup.
I write from Hilo, and I treat the island as two separate waterfall planning zones. Hilo sits on the windward coast and averaged about 126.72 inches (3,220 mm) of rain a year at Hilo International Airport between 1981 and 2010, with rain on 272 days of the year (source: Hilo, Hawaii on Wikipedia).
Big Island: Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure for a Private-Preserve Day
The listing describes a small-group day that drives along the Kona coast to a private Kohala nature preserve, with guided walks, waterfalls, a stream dip and a private picnic area. I would pick Big Island: Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure for families staying on the Kona side who want easy walks and a picnic stop in one booking. Its card leaves three things for you to confirm: pickup, whether lunch is provided, and what swimwear and footwear to bring.
Skip this listing if you are sleeping in Hilo and your priority stops are ʻAkaka Falls or Rainbow Falls, because the listing names a Kohala preserve and neither of those falls. I steer Hilo-based readers to the Big Island Scenic Tour below, since that card names Hilo-area pickup.
Big Island: Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure
From $267.02 · Price checked: Oct 2026
Best for: Families wanting a small-group day with easy walks, waterfalls in a private preserve and a picnic area overlooking a valley.
Not for: Those seeking a strenuous hike or volcano visit, as this focuses on easy walks in the Kohala area.
A seven-hour small-group tour driving along the Kona coast to a private Kohala nature preserve, with guided walks, waterfalls, a stream dip and private picnic area. Confirm pickup, whether lunch is provided and what swimwear and footwear to bring.
Check availabilityExternal booking on Viator · pricing and cancellations handled by Viator
Hāmākua and Hilo Falls: Which Listings Reach Them
Two listings here put windward-side falls in writing. The Majestic Waterfall Tour says it covers waterfall sites along the Hamakua Coast, and the Big Island Scenic Tour names Rainbow Falls in Hilo.
The Hāmākua Coast runs about 50 miles north of Hilo and ends at Waipiʻo Valley (source: Hāmākua Coast on Wikipedia). In October 2013 I made that drive myself. Driving north along the Hāmākua Coast, I crossed bridge after bridge over gulches full of tree ferns and roaring water. The windows fogged with the warm, wet air, and at ʻAkaka Falls the spray reached me on the path, cool on my face, while the roar drowned out every bird. What I took from that: wear shoes with good grip on the falls path, and give yourself time to pull over at the lookouts along the coast road.
ʻAkaka Falls is a 442-foot (135 m) waterfall viewed from a loop trail in ʻAkaka Falls State Park, which also overlooks the 300-foot Kahūnā Falls. Rainbow Falls on the Wailuku River in Hilo is 80 feet (24 m) tall and is seen from a viewing platform in Wailuku River State Park (source: Rainbow Falls (Hawaii) on Wikipedia).
Majestic Waterfall Tour for a Half-Day on the Hāmākua Coast
The listing says this tour covers waterfall sites along the Hamakua Coast with local legends and history. I would pick the Majestic Waterfall Tour for travellers who care about the stories behind Hāmākua falls and want a half-day outing. Its card does not state a departure town, so check where it starts. Also confirm transport, pickup, which waterfalls are visited, how much walking is involved and what is included.
Skip this listing if you need every waterfall named before you pay, because the card leaves that for the operator to confirm. I steer travellers who want a fixed, named itinerary to the Big Island Scenic Tour, whose card lists its stops.
Majestic Waterfall Tour
From $229.99 · Price checked: Oct 2026
Best for: Travellers interested in Hamakua Coast waterfalls and their legends who want a half-day outing.
Not for: Anyone who needs clear details before booking, as the listing states little beyond waterfalls, legends and Hamakua history.
A three to four hour tour of waterfall sites along the Hamakua Coast, covering local legends and history. Confirm transport, pickup, which waterfalls are visited, walking involved and what is included.
Check availabilityExternal booking on Viator · pricing and cancellations handled by Viator
Big Island Scenic Tour for a Hilo-Pickup Volcano and Rainbow Falls Day
This small-group listing includes Hilo-area pickup, Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Hilo Farmers Market, lunch and cold drinks. I would pick the Big Island Scenic Tour for travellers staying near Hilo who want one waterfall plus a volcano day without driving themselves. Confirm the exact pickup location and whether park fees are covered, because the card tells you to check both.
A volcano stop does not mean lava. Kīlauea's eruption is episodic, so check the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updates before you set your hopes on glow. Skip this listing if you are staying on the Kona side and want a short day; my guide to where to stay on the Big Island covers how your base shapes these choices.
Big Island Scenic Tour: Volcano Hilo Town Waterfall Beach & Lunch
From $199 · Price checked: Oct 2026
Best for: Travellers staying near Hilo, including children aged 5 and up, wanting a small-group volcano and Hilo day with lunch.
Not for: Visitors based in Kona, as pickup is listed only for the Hilo area.
A seven-hour small-group tour of up to 13 guests with Hilo-area pickup, Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, Hilo Farmers Market, lunch and cold drinks. Confirm exact pickup locations and whether park fees are covered.
Check availabilityExternal booking on Viator · pricing and cancellations handled by Viator
Waipiʻo Valley Access and the Zipline Near Akaka Falls
Waipiʻo Valley closes the Hāmākua Coast, but the valley floor is not open to every visitor by road. None of the four cards on this page names Waipiʻo Valley as a stop.
The road into Waipiʻo Valley rises 800 feet in 0.6 miles at a 25% average grade; valley-floor access by road is limited to Big Island residents, county-permitted tour operators and those practicing Native Hawaiian customary rights (source: Hāmākua Coast on Wikipedia).
Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls for a Waterfall From the Lines
The listing describes a zipline course near Akaka Falls that finishes above a private waterfall, with younger children riding tandem with a guide. I would pick the Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls for zipline beginners and families who want a waterfall waiting at the end of the lines. The card asks you to confirm weights beforehand, wear enclosed shoes and arrive for an early check-in.
Skip this listing if walking the ʻAkaka Falls loop trail is your priority stop, since the card says near the falls and stops there. I steer readers comparing lines and courses to my Big Island zipline tours page.
Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls (250-ft Waterfall!)
From $246 · Price checked: Oct 2026
Best for: Zipline beginners and families with children over 40lbs wanting seven lines that build gradually, ending above a waterfall.
Not for: Anyone outside the 40 to 260lb weight range, as no refunds are given if limits are not met at check-in.
A 150-minute course of seven ziplines near Akaka Falls, finishing above a 250ft private waterfall, with children of 40 to 69lbs riding tandem with a guide. Confirm weights beforehand, enclosed shoes and the 30-minute early check-in.
Check availabilityExternal booking on Viator · pricing and cancellations handled by Viator
Insider Tips for Matching a Waterfall Tour to Your Base
Kona-side and Hilo-side departures are far apart, so check the departure town or pickup area each listing names. Where a card names none, ask the operator. My advice: count the cross-island drive as part of the tour day.
Compare the listings directly, and do not assume a lower price covers the same inclusions.
I would pick the Kohala listing for a Kona-side family and the Scenic Tour for a Hilo-side traveller who wants lunch included, as its card states. I steer anyone trying to fit both coasts into one day to my Big Island in a day plan first, because a waterfall listing alone will not answer the drive question.
What to Check Before Booking a Waterfall Tour
The checks that matter are coast, inclusions, and a spare day. Confirm the departure point, what the listing includes, and whether your trip leaves a night to rebook.
A tour price may not include park entry or pickup when the listing does not say so; the Scenic Tour card, for example, asks you to confirm whether park fees are covered.
My advice: keep a weather-dependent tour off the last day of your trip, so a rescheduled date still fits.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Big Island waterfall tour starts on the Kona side?
The Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure is the only card here that mentions the Kona coast. Ask the operator where pickup happens before you plan the rest of that day.
Does any tour on this page visit ʻAkaka Falls State Park?
No card on this page names the state park as a stop, and the zipline listing only says it runs near Akaka Falls. If ʻAkaka is your priority stop, ask the Majestic Waterfall Tour operator for its exact waterfall list.
Will I see lava on the Hilo volcano and waterfall day?
Neither this page nor the listing promises lava, and eruption activity can change between booking and tour day. Recheck the park and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory updates the evening before you go.
What should I wear for these waterfall tours?
Follow each card: the zipline listing asks for enclosed shoes, and the Kohala listing tells you to confirm swimwear and footwear for its stream dip. Shoes with good grip also suit the ʻAkaka Falls loop trail if you visit on your own.
Can children join the zipline near Akaka Falls?
The listing says younger children ride tandem with a guide within a set weight range. Weigh your children at home and compare the result with the range shown on the card.
Written from Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaiʻi. Check the National Park Service, state park and operator pages for current conditions before you go.
Keoni writes Big Island Tour Guide's tour comparisons using published tour details and official park and state sources. About Keoni.