10 Waterfall Tours in Big Island of Hawaii That Earn the Road Trip

1.Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,569 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $264Our pick

Spend about 11 hours touring the Big Island from Kona or Waikoloa in a small Mercedes Sprinter van. Visit a Kona coffee farm, Punalu’u Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Thurston Lava Tube, Rainbow and Akaka Falls, and Waipio Valley. Guides such as Chris, Drew, Kevin, and Kawika are known for lively storytelling, Hawaiian history, and local insight.

“Long day in the van but we covered a lot of territory! Our guide, Dreu, was very informative, fun, and also very passionate about the island he lives on!”

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2.Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls (250-ft Waterfall!)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,077 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $246

Near Honomu on Hawaii Island, this 2.5-hour, seven-line tour builds from a short practice run to a long final crossing above a 250-foot waterfall. Guides such as Rose, Bobby, Julia, and Riley focus on safety, local agriculture, and first-timer confidence. You need closed-toe shoes, a car or prearranged ride, and a 40 to 260-pound weight range.

“The guides were friendly and fun, created a great atmosphere for my daughter (11) to quickly build confidence. She initially didn’t think she would be brave enough but the course gets more intense with each line and she soon was trying to be first on each turn.”

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3.9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,057 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $253

At The Umauma Experience near Hakalau, you’ll ride nine guided ziplines above treetops, rivers, and Umauma Falls, with Pacific views from every platform. Guides such as Wes and Skippy help first-timers feel secure, while four dual lines let you race a companion. The 2 to 2.5-hour outing suits ages 4 and up, within the stated weight limits.

“My friend and I did the Zip line and it was a great experience! We had so much fun ! Our tour guides were amazing, very friendly and great they knew exactly what they were doing! Highly recommend it to try it with your friends/family!”

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4.Big Island Highlights: Coffee, Volcano, Black Sands & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,054 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $299

Travel across the Big Island in a small group of up to 13, with hotel pickup, coffee tasting at Greenwell Farms, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Volcano House lunch, and Rainbow Falls. Guides such as Kawika, Derrick, Chris, and Audra are known for lively island stories and careful pacing.

“Our guide Emmanuel is punctual, dedicated and friendly. The tour contains Kona coffee farm, Hawaii donut shop, candy shop, winery etc. and we have lunch at volcano house with beautiful view. You will have enough drinks and food all the long way. It’s good for family especially for kids and seniors who don’t want to drive themselves and hard core hiking but also want to see everywhere around the island.”

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5.8-Zipline & Suspension Bridge Waterfall Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 914 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $237

At Botanical World Adventures near Hakalau, you’ll ride eight ziplines through a Hawaiian rainforest, cross a suspension bridge, and race beside 250-foot Kamaee Falls. Guides such as John, Tryson, Justin, and Lish bring safety, local plant knowledge, and humor. Your ticket also includes the gardens, trails, maze, and souvenir photos.

“Fantastic time! It was safe and fun. Especially the last zip line was amazing. Great view of a huge waterfall. Nice guides!”

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6.Big Island Waterfalls Tour with Swimming and Botanical Garden

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 513 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $297

Travel from Kona or Kohala to Waipio Valley, Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, and Kulaniapia Falls. Guides such as Derek, Dreu, Drew, and Stephen lead the day in a small Mercedes Sprinter, with lunch, snacks, drinks, hotel pickup, and time to swim when river conditions allow.

“All/most of the major sights on the east side of the island. Stephen made it easy for all - from us to college students to a cute 8 yr old and her brother.”

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7.Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Coffee Farm Day-Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 414 reviews · 11 hours · from $264

Spend a full day crossing Hawaii’s Big Island with guides such as Mia, Chris, Justin, or Henry. Visit Waipio Valley, Akaka and Rainbow Falls, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu’u Beach, and Bay View Farm, with lunch, snacks, park admission, jackets, and hotel pickup included.

“Amazing and full tour of Kona, the guide was the best part of it trying to give us history, good tips and handling the energy during the day”

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8.Hilo Shore Excursion: Active Volcano, Lava Tube, Waterfall and Gardens

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $187

Spend 5.5 hours with Mauka Makai Adventures exploring Kilauea, steam vents, Halema'uma'u Crater, Thurston Lava Tube, lava fields, Rainbow Falls, Lili'uokalani Gardens, and Big Island Candies. Guides such as Jill and Josh add local stories and volcano insight. Pickup is available at Hilo Port, select hotels, and Hilo Airport.

“Visiting an active volcano (spewed lava 3 days prior) was amazing. Enjoyed walking through a lava tube, seeing lava fields, and the beautiful flora and fauna of the rain forest. Our guide, Jill, was extremely knowledgeable and provided wonderful stories of her life growing up with volcanoes eruptions, sunamies, earthquakes, and hurricanes.”

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9.Hawaii Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Beaches & Hilo Highlights Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 391 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $186Best value

Spend six to seven hours exploring the Big Island’s east side with Justin of Makaio Tours Hawaii. Visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo Farmers Market, Rainbow Falls, Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Big Island Candies, and Richardson Ocean Park. Pickup is available from the Hilo port, airport, and hotels, with a maximum of 14 people.

“Justin was a great tour guide! We had a wonderful time visiting the different attractions and learning about the area.”

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10.Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 335 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $267

Spend about seven hours exploring North Kohala with Hawaii Forest & Trail. Your guide leads an easy hike through private forest and an ancient Hawaiian agricultural site, with waterfalls, fruit tasting, a swim beneath a cascade, and a picnic overlooking Mokulanikila. Vans hold no more than 10 people, with lunch, rain gear, packs, and walking sticks included.

“Tour was amazing, and I would do again. Not only is it as described, the guide provided geographical waypoints and historical stories, which were amazing. TY!”

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