Top 13 Waterfall Tours in the Big Island

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

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

This 11-hour small-group tour circles the Big Island from Kona or Waikoloa, pairing Kona coffee, Punaluʻu Beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, lava tubes, waterfalls, and Waipio Valley. A guide such as Chris, Drew, or Kevin adds island history and cultural context while you ride in a Mercedes Sprinter with lunch included.

“Prepare yourself for a full day of walking and climbing. Do some research and be prepared to interact with the tour guide. Our guide, Henry was absolutely amazing.”

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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

You’ll build confidence on seven ziplines near Honomu, with guides such as Rose, Bobby, Ky, and Julia handling safety and sharing Hawaiian agriculture. The final long line crosses a gorge above a 250-foot waterfall, with Pacific views beyond. Plan for 2.5 hours, closed-toe shoes, uneven walking, and a 40 to 260-pound weight limit.

“Had a great Zipline experience with the team. They are focussed on safety and ensure that people are well harnessed. They test oout the harnesses using small hops first before we ziplines over waterfalls and jungles. You have to take a small van ride to the spot from the tour office. We also made some good friends in our tour group.”

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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 over treetops, rivers, and Umauma Falls. The 2 to 2.5-hour outing includes gear, entrance fees, four dual lines for racing, and Pacific Ocean views from every platform. Guides such as Wes and Skippy are known for friendly, reassuring instruction.

“I was terrified! My husband, the guides and the group I was with were awesome. I would do it again!!”

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

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

Spend 11 hours crossing the Big Island with Kailani Tours, from Greenwell Farms and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach to Kīlauea, Thurston Lava Tube, Hilo, and Rainbow Falls. Your guide, such as Kawika, Derrick, Chris, or another local escort, handles the long drive, meals, drinks, and park stops for a group of up to 13.

“The tour was great. I like the Green Farm Coffee tour, the malasada, Volcano, Lava Tube and the Rainbow Falls. The Tour Guide was Great. Knowledgeable. i learn a lot from him. I think his name is Chris. It was amazing experience.”

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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 rainforest ziplines, cross a suspension bridge, and race beside 250-foot Kamaee Falls. Guides such as John, Tryson, Justin, Lish, and Jason are praised for making first-timers feel safe while sharing Hawaiian plant and cultural facts. The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, followed by a self-guided garden visit.

“My husband and I were running late and the crew called us to make sure we were on our way, then waited for us to arrive before beginning the tour! Some spectacular views of some streams and of course the amazing waterfall.”

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6.Big Island Waterfalls Tour with Swimming and Botanical Garden

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

Spend about 10 hours crossing the Big Island from Kona or Kohala to Waipio Valley, Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden. Swim at private Kulaniapia Falls when conditions allow. Guides such as Derek, Dreu, Drew, and Stephen add island stories, while lunch, snacks, drinks, transport, and admissions are included.

“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 touring the Big Island with a local English-speaking guide such as Mia, Chris, Justin, or Henry. You’ll visit Waipio Valley, Akaka and Rainbow Falls, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Punalu’u Beach, a lava tube, and Bay View Farm for Kona coffee. Lunch, drinks, snacks, park fees, jackets, and hotel pickup are included.

“AMAZING! Got a whole tour of the top most exciting excursions that you can experience on the Big Island all in one day! Justin our driver and guide was super friendly, knowledgable, and funny! I highly recommend if you have limited time during your stay on the Big Island.”

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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 about 5.5 hours exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea, Thurston Lava Tube, Chain of Craters Road, Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani Gardens, and Big Island Candies. Guides such as Jill, Josh, and Julie add local stories and volcano lore. Pickup is available at Hilo’s port, airport, and select hotels.

“This tour was excellent! Perfect amount of time spent at each site. The variety of sites were great. Felt like you got a good sense of this side of the Island. The tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and entertaining! She was native of the Island and wealth of knowledge. We really enjoyed the tour!”

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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

Justin of Makaio Tours leads a small-group Hilo excursion in a comfortable 15-passenger van. You’ll visit Kilauea, a lava tube, Rainbow Falls, Hilo Farmers Market, Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Big Island Candies, and Richardson Ocean Park, with pickup from Hilo hotels, port, or airport.

“Justin is such a personable and cultivated guide. His Makaio Tours of Hilo takes you to the must sees and it’s just overall a fun day with him and your group. Learned more about the Big Island and had a lot of wholesome moments on the east side. Highly recommend 🌺”

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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. You’ll ride in a van of no more than 10 people, hike through private forest and old Hawaiian agricultural sites, see several waterfalls, swim beneath one, and eat lunch above the coast. Guides such as Gary, Taro, Matteo, and Debra add strong local insight.

“Loved swimming in the waterfall. Bring water shoes for that part. Guide was very knowledgeable and loved to share her knowledge with us.”

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11.Volcano, Chocolate and Waterfalls of the Big Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $308

Spend about 11.5 hours with Hawaii Forest & Trail exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a private lava tube, a cacao farm near Hilo, and Rainbow Falls. Guides such as Tracy, Jon, Adam, Eugene, and Matteo add volcano science, Hawaiian history, and local stories. Lunch, snacks, drinks, walking sticks, sunscreen, and bug repellent are included.

“We had an incredible time! The tour was switched to an evening tour after the eruption and it was well worth the change from just day time. We learned so much about the land, history, animals, and plants! I’d highly recommend this tour as a great way to see the national park with bonus stops (the lava tube)!”

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12.Full Day Adventure Tour of the Kohala Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · from $261

Spend seven hours exploring Kohala with Hawaii Forest & Trail in a small group of up to 10. Ride a 4WD Mercedes Sprinter, walk about a mile through a private reserve, swim beneath a waterfall, visit historic taro terraces, and eat lunch above Pololu Valley. Guides such as Tracy, Gary, Nick, and Jeff lead in English.

“We had a wonderful walk through the forest to see several waterfalls, with the highlight being a refreshing swim at the base of one of the falls. It was a nice sunny day but the trail was a little slick at some points. I’d recommend wearing tennis or hiking shoes and bringing water shoes for the swim. It is very rocky getting in the water. After the swim we had a picnic lunch with a gorgeous view of the ocean and neighboring cliffs and valleys. Our guide was excellent and we met some great people in our group of hikers.”

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13.Full-Day Kohala Zipline and Waterfall Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · 9 hours · from $361

Spend nine hours with Kohala Zipline, traveling from Kona to Hawi for eight ziplines, six sky bridges, a rappel, lunch, and a waterfall swim. Two certified guides lead the canopy course and share Kohala stories. The small group is limited to nine, with pickup from selected Kona and Waikoloa area locations.

“Lots of fun! Dane was our guide and he was amazing. We loved the zip lining and waterfalls; the van was comfortable and Dane did great getting to know everyone and giving us some cool Hawaiian history.”

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