Waterfall Travels · BIG ISLAND WATERFALL TOURS

15 Big Island Waterfall Tours Worth the Detour

39 trips  ·  from $69 a head

Flow, fees and distance decide a waterfall day more than the drop height does. Here are 15 big island waterfall tours with all three set out, best first.

Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Thurston Lava Tube
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes Waterfalls Sightseeing and History

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 in a small group of up to 13 people. Ride from Kona or Kohala in a Mercedes Sprinter, visit a coffee farm, black-sand beach, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, two waterfalls, and Waipio Valley, with lunch and hotel pickup included.

“It is a FULL day! It is absolutely THE way to see everything amazing on Hawai’i in one shot. Everything we wanted to see was on this tour! Kona Chris was amazing! A font of knowledge about the whole island and answered every question we threw at him! I am leaving the island actually knowing what this beautiful place is about. Do it! You won’t be disappointed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Big Island Zipline Tour Near Akaka Falls (250-ft Waterfall!) - Guides who make first-timers feel secure
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Zipline & Canopy Tours

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

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

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

Near Akaka Falls, you’ll ride seven ziplines over rainforest, ridgelines, and tropical farmland, building from a gentle first run to a spectacular final crossing above a 250-foot waterfall. Guides such as Rose, Bobby, Julia, and Riley are praised for calm safety instruction, local stories, and helping first-timers feel at ease. Closed shoes, a 40 to 260-pound weight range, and a half-mile walk over uneven ground are required.

“This was a great zip line tour with very little tourist pushing for extras and pictures or any of that stuff. Our guides were funny and the views for epic. It started off super easy with a small zip lines but grew to an epic quarter mile line over a waterfall!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Big Island: 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience - What the Nine-Line Course Feels Like
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Zipline & Canopy Tours

Big Island: 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience

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. Guides such as Wes and Skippy are known for calm safety checks and good humor. Four dual lines let you race a friend, while the course ends back at the visitor center. Allow about two and a half hours.

“What a blast! I rode this with my husband and 2 adult daughters. Nine lines were a lot but you will really feel like you got your moneys worth. I even got to the point where I felt comfortable enough to ride one of the lines upside down, crazy. The crew was fun and competent too. Don’t pass this one up!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Big Island Highlights: Coffee, Volcano, Black Sands & Waterfall - Greenwell Farms and the taste of Kona coffee
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall & Coffee Plantation Tours, Waterfall Tours

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

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

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

Start with Kona coffee at Greenwell Farms, then follow the island’s south coast to malasadas, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, lunch at Volcano House, a lava tube in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and Rainbow Falls. Kailani Tours provides hotel pickup, a guide, food, drinks, umbrellas, and a small group of up to 13 people.

“Chris was an awesome guide, very informative and fun. Seeing the turtles up close on Black Sand Beach was really cool. Volcano National Park and Rainbow Falls were my two favorite spots. Highly recommend this tour, especially if you have limited time on the island. I will definitely be back as I discovered so many spots I want to further explore during our drive.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Big Island Waterfalls Tour with Swimming and Botanical Garden - Waipio Valley opens the day with a big view
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Swimming & Natural Pools, Waterfall Tours

Big Island Waterfalls Tour with Swimming and Botanical Garden

5.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. The highlight is a possible swim beneath 120-foot Kulaniapia Falls. Guides such as Derek, Dreu, Drew, Stephen, and Stefan lead small groups in English with lunch, snacks, drinks, and hotel pickup included.

“A great way to see a big part of the Island. Highligts were the botanical guarden and a fantastic swim in a waterfall. Our guide Dreu was fun, knowledgeable and entertaining and told os facts and stories about the island, which made the longer rides feel much shorter.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hawaii Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Beaches & Hilo Highlights Day Tour - Hilo Farmers Market gives you an hour to eat
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Hawaii Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Beaches & Hilo Highlights Day Tour

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

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

Spend six to seven hours exploring the Big Island with Justin of Makaio Tours. 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, hotel, or airport, with small-group transport in a reclining 15-passenger van.

“He was very experienced and very friendly. He could talk for hours about everything about the islands. It really pays to have a guide that has lived almost his entire life on the island and is so passionate about it's history and land.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure Tour - Key points to know before booking
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure Tour

7.Kohala Waterfalls Small Group Adventure Tour

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

Spend about seven hours exploring North Kohala by small van and on foot. You’ll visit private nature reserves, see several waterfalls, learn about Hawaiian plants and history, and swim under a cool cascade. Guides such as Gary, Taro, Matteo, and Debra are known for bringing the island’s stories to life. Lunch, daypacks, walking sticks, rain gear, and filtered water are provided.

“Wonderful and fun experience! Gary was an amazing guide! He made the trip so enjoyable and shared a lot of interesting information and stories. Would highly recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Volcano, Chocolate and Waterfalls of the Big Island - The private lava tube is the tour’s unusual highlight
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Dessert Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Volcano, Chocolate and Waterfalls of the Big Island

8.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 a small group of up to 12, exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, walking through a private lava tube, visiting a 1,000-acre cacao farm, and stopping at Rainbow Falls. Guides such as Jon, Tracy, Adam, Eugene, Taj, and Matteo bring geology, Hawaiian culture, and island history to life.

“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)!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Umauma Falls Deluxe ATV Waterfall and Swim Experience - Practice laps before the real ride
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall ATV & Quad Tours, Waterfall Swimming & Natural Pools, Waterfall Tours

Umauma Falls Deluxe ATV Waterfall and Swim Experience

9.Umauma Falls Deluxe ATV Waterfall and Swim Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 198 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Drive a Honda ATV or UTV across private Hamakua ranch land with guides such as Chloe, Kiana, Erin, and Rusty. After practice laps and coastal views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific, stop at Umauma Falls for snacks and a swim in a freshwater pond. Expect dust, mud, photos, helmets, goggles, and a 90-minute outing.

“The guides, Chris and Colby, were great! They catered to our speed, fast when good riders were on and slower when there weren't. Super personable, nice guys!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Kulaniapia Falls Daypass with Activity Discount - Kayaks, paddle boards, and the limits of the pond
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Kulaniapia Falls Daypass with Activity Discount

10.Kulaniapia Falls Daypass with Activity Discount

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 167 reviews · 2 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $69Best value

Spend 2 to 5 hours at Kulaniapia Falls on a reserved day pass covering the waterfall, bamboo gardens, four waterfalls, and nature trails across more than 40 acres. Swim, kayak, or paddle board when river conditions allow. Your pass also gives you $50 off waterfall rappelling, farm tours, cooking classes, and other onsite activities.

“The swimming area is great. Its private and was perfect for us. We had the waterfall and swimming area all to ourselves.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls - The 8:30 a.m. start works well for a cruise day
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Boat Tours & Cruises, Waterfall Boat Tours and Cruises in the USA, Waterfall National Park Tours, Waterfall Tours

Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls

11.Hilo Cruise Ship Excursion: Volcanoes National Park Rainbow Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 130 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $154

This 4.5-hour Roberts Hawaii excursion takes Norwegian Cruise Line passengers from Hilo Pier to Rainbow Falls, Big Island Candies, and Volcanoes National Park. Expect steam vents, the visitor center, and Halema’uma’u crater, with guides such as Grover, Derek, Chris, or Oscar depending on the departure. Bring food, water, a light jacket, and sturdy shoes.

“Grover was our driver/ guide. He was pleasant and knowledgeable about all aspects of this tour. We visited Volcanoes National Park shortly after an eruption and it was fabulous. I highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hawaii Big Island Circle Small Group Tour: Waterfalls - Hilo - Volcano - Black Sand Beach - Puukohola Heiau and Hawaii’s royal past
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Hawaii Big Island Circle Small Group Tour: Waterfalls – Hilo – Volcano – Black Sand Beach

12.Hawaii Big Island Circle Small Group Tour: Waterfalls – Hilo – Volcano – Black Sand Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · from $208

Spend a full day circling the Big Island with a guide such as Katie, Dominic, Bryce, or Karen. Visit Waipio Valley, Rainbow Falls, Hilo, Big Island Candies, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. Hotel pickup, lunch, snacks, water, and park fees are included.

“Katie was an excellent guide. She was friendly and super informative. The tour consisted of many different stops and all were breathtaking. Seeing the history of Kona, Hilo, etc was an experience we will never forget. Thank you for the memories! Well worth it…did everything we wanted to see in 1 day and left plenty of time for beach, pool & relaxation. Came away with tons of knowledge and many suggestions. Thank you, Katie. This is a must do!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hilo Shore Excursion: Visit Volcano, Waterfall, Beach with Lunch - Rainbow Falls starts the day with an easy win
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Hilo Shore Excursion: Visit Volcano, Waterfall, Beach with Lunch

13.Hilo Shore Excursion: Visit Volcano, Waterfall, Beach with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $189

Join Anthony, Desmond, or another Shaka Braddah guide for a 6 to 7-hour Hilo outing that links Rainbow Falls, Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Kilauea, Nahuku Lava Tube, and Punaluʻu Beach. You’ll ride in a small van, eat a local lunch, sample fresh fruit, and learn about Hawaiian culture through stories and artifacts.

“The tour guides were great! Very informative. I loved seeing the local relics as well. Desmond was talking to me about all the medicinal uses of the plants in the area and that was very interesting. I appreciated him sharing that information with me!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls: 120 Foot Drop, 15 Minutes from Hilo - A small group makes the instruction better
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Canyoning & Abseiling, Waterfall Canyoning and Abseiling in the USA, Waterfall Tours

Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls: 120 Foot Drop, 15 Minutes from Hilo

14.Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls: 120 Foot Drop, 15 Minutes from Hilo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $279

At Kulaniapia Falls, guides such as Eric, Sasha, Jeremy, and Ben teach you to rappel a 120-foot route beside Hawaii’s largest privately accessible waterfall. Plan on two to three hours, getting wet in any weather, and sharing the experience with no more than eight people. You also get access to the property and its trails.

“The place this activity is located at is incredibly beautiful and really unique - wish we would have stayed there longer! The activity itself was fun. You can tell the guides are very passionate about rappelling. There was a lot more standing around and waiting than we anticipated but the perspective of looking up at and being next to the waterfall was really unique and fun. We all had a good time and enjoyed it (adults and teenagers)!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Big Island: Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfall Adventure - The long ride from Kona or Waikoloa
Big Island Waterfall Tours, Dessert Tours, Tour Reviews, USA Waterfall Tours, Waterfall Tours

Big Island: Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfall Adventure

15.Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfall Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 78 reviews · from $309

Spend up to 12 hours with Hawaii Forest & Trail, traveling from Kona or Waikoloa to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Lavaloha Chocolate Farm, and Rainbow Falls. Short walks, volcano stories, snacks, drinks, rain gear, and a deli lunch are included. Guides such as John, Brett, Taj, Rob, and Adam have led this outing.

“Amazing tour with Brett, who was a wealth of knowledge.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Big Island Waterfall Tours

★ 4.0Volcano Adventure Tour & Waterfall – Shore Excursion from Hilo HarborFrom $19910 reviews
★ 5.06 Hour Private Tour-Volcanoes NP, Rainbow Falls and more.16 reviews
★ 5.0Private Hilo Shore Excursion to Volcano Waterfall and Black Sand9 reviews
★ 4.5Historic Hilo Bay Waterfalls by KayakFrom $16012 reviews
★ 5.0Private Magical Waterfall TourFrom $45012 reviews
★ 5.0Kohala Waterfalls & Valleys Helicopter TourFrom $46036 reviews
★ 5.0Kohala Waterfalls with Exclusive Landing Helicopter TourFrom $80419 reviews
★ 4.5Kohala Coast Volcano Waterfalls-90 Min Heli Tour-Doors Off or OnFrom $8957 reviews
★ 4.5Hilo Highlights: Waterfall & Local Secrets on a Short ExcursionFrom $18928 reviews
★ 4.5Cruise Ship Favorite Hilo Excursion Volcanoes and Akaka FallsFrom $29912 reviews
★ 4.5Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia FallsFrom $16936 reviews
★ 5.0Big Island Scenic Tour: Volcano HiloTown Waterfalls Beach & LunchFrom $19924 reviews
★ 5.0Big Island Waterfalls, Blacksand Beaches, Lava Tubes & VolcanoesFrom $18624 reviews
★ 3.5Botanical Tour and waterfall swim at The Cloudforest BioreserveFrom $896 reviews
★ 5.0Best of Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfall, Blacksand Beach & LunchFrom $18514 reviews

Keep browsing

Waterfall Boat Tours & Cruises254Waterfall Hikes228Waterfall Swimming & Natural Pools65Private Waterfall Tours243Waterfall National Park Tours33Waterfall Tours2256
Scroll to Top

Follow the water

Pick a country, a named drop or a way in.

The named falls

Niagara FallsIguazu FallsVictoria FallsKrkaOuzoud

How you reach it

By BoatOn FootSwimmingCanyoningBy Helicopter

Falls with something else

Hot SpringsCoffee FarmsRice TerracesCaves & CenotesQuad Bikes

Bigger days out

Park DaysPrivate DriversRafting & TubingZiplinesHorse Trails