Overview

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our Big Island Waterfall Wonders Tour!

This tour takes you on a breathtaking journey, starting with a trek to the east side of the island on New Saddle Road. For the performance-minded, you can take Old Saddle Road, the rollercoaster of Big Island, where you'll climb to an altitude of 6,600 feet before dropping down into Hilo. Your first stop will be the magnificent Rainbow Falls, where you can witness the beauty of cascading water in all its glory. Continue your drive along the Old Mamalahoa Highway until you reach the awe-inspiring Akaka Falls, standing tall at 420 feet. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Umauma Falls, take a trip down to Laupahoehoe, experience the panoramic views at Waipio Lookout, indulge in delicious Malasadas at Ted's, and explore the charming shops in Waimae town.

But it's not just about the destinations; it's about the journey itself. Our Polaris Slingshot vehicles make the drive an exhilarating experience.

Description

Pass By: Saddle Road, Hawaii Highway 200, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

You will start your journey taking the Roller Coaster of Big Island. This short section of the Old Saddle Road has many twists, turns and hills.

Stop At: Mauna Kea Observatories, Mauna Kea Access Rd, Hilo, Hawaii 96720

The Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station (VIS) is located at an elevation of 9,200 feet on Mauna Kea, the highest mountain in Hawaii. It serves as a base for those visiting the Mauna Kea Observatories and the summit of Mauna Kea.

The VIS offers educational programs, stargazing opportunities, and information about the cultural and natural significance of Mauna Kea. It's an essential stop for tourists and researchers alike, providing insights into the astronomical research conducted at the observatories and the unique environment of Mauna Kea. The center also plays a crucial role in promoting safe and respectful visitation practices for one of the world's premier astronomical observation sites.

The Mauna Kea Observatories, located near the summit, are part of a complex of independent astronomical research facilities and large telescope observatories that benefit from Mauna Kea's clear skies, low humidity, and minimal light pollution.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Rainbow Falls, Waianuenue Avenue, Hilo, Hawaii 96720

Rainbow Falls, known in Hawaiian as Waiānuenue Falls, is a picturesque waterfall located in Hilo, Hawaii. It stands 80 feet (24 meters) tall and spans almost 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter. The falls are a part of the Hawai'i State Parks system and can be visited without an entrance fee.

The waterfall is fed by the Wailuku River, which plunges into a large, turquoise-colored pool below. The surrounding gorge is lush with dense, nonnative tropical rainforest, adding to the falls' beauty. Notably, the area around the falls is rich with nonnative wild ginger and monstera plants.

Rainbow Falls gets its name from the stunning rainbows that can often be seen in the waterfall's mist on sunny mornings around 10 am. The falls flow over a natural lava cave, which is said to be the mythological home of Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess, adding a layer of cultural significance to the natural beauty of the site.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden, 27-717 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Papaikou, Hawaii 96781

The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden, is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve.

Nestled in a scenic valley that opens out to Onomea Bay, the garden is a haven of tranquility featuring streams, waterfalls, and a boardwalk along the ocean. It was founded by Dan J. Lutkenhouse and donated to a nonprofit trust to ensure its preservation.

The garden boasts a collection of over 2,000 plant species from more than 125 families and 750 genera. It has notable collections of palms (nearly 200 species), heliconias (more than 80 species), and bromeliads (more than 80 species). Some of the mango and coconut palm trees within the garden are over 100 years old. The garden's landscape is further enriched by the presence of a three-tiered waterfall (Onomea Falls), Boulder Creek, and lava tubes on Onomea Bay, making it a picturesque and educational destination for visitors.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Akaka Falls State Park, End of Akaka Falls Road, Off Hwy 220, Hilo, Hawaii 96728

Akaka Falls State Park is renowned for its breathtaking 442-foot (135 m) tall waterfall, making it one of the island's most famous attractions.

The park offers a loop trail that provides visitors with various vantage points to view ʻAkaka Falls as well as Kahūnā Falls, another impressive waterfall within the park that stands 300 feet (91 m) tall. The trail meanders through a lush rainforest, filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns, leading to scenic overlooks of the waterfalls.

Local folklore is rich with tales of the area, including the story of a stone called Pōhaku a Pele that, when struck by a branch of lehua ʻāpane, is said to call the sky to darken and rain to fall. The park is also home to the ʻoʻopu ʻalamoʻo, an endemic Hawaiian species of goby fish known for its remarkable ability to climb the wet rocks adjacent to the waterfall using a suction disk on their bellies to reach the stream above for spawning.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Umauma Falls, Old Camp Rd, North Hamakua Coast, Honomu, Hawaii

Umauma Falls is a stunning series of three waterfalls located on the Umauma River on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is part of the Umauma Experience, a private garden and adventure park that offers visitors a variety of activities, including zip-lining, garden tours, and river swimming. The falls are known for their scenic beauty, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, making it a popular spot for photography and nature walks.

The upper two waterfalls are easily viewed from a viewing area within the park, while the third and largest waterfall cascades into a serene pool below, creating a picturesque scene that embodies the tropical beauty of Hawaii. The Umauma Experience provides guided tours that allow visitors to explore the area around the falls, including a beautiful garden with native plants and flowers.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Waipio Valley Lookout, 48-5546 Waipio Valley Rd, Honokaa, Hawaii 96743

Waipiʻo Valley Lookout offers breathtaking views of the valley's lush landscape, the ocean, and the waterfalls that feed the river flowing from the back of the valley out to the sea. The lookout is a popular spot for visitors to take in the majestic scenery and to begin exploring the valley, either by hiking down into the valley or by taking guided tours that are respectful of the valley's cultural and environmental significance.

The valley is renowned for its dramatic beauty, featuring a black sand beach at its shoreline, several large waterfalls, and taro farms. The valley floor, which is almost 2,000 feet below the surrounding terrain, is accessible via a steep road from a lookout point located on the top of the southern wall of the valley. This road is known for its steep grade, rising 800 feet in 0.6 miles at a 25% average grade, making it the steepest road of its length in the United States and open only to 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Honokaa, Honokaa, HI 96727, USA

Honokaa is a great place to stop and shop for locally produced items. Make sure to stop at Tex Drive in for Malasadas!

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Waimea, Waimea, Hawaii

Waimea is the center of ranching activities in the region, with Parker Ranch, one of the largest privately owned cattle ranches in the United States, playing a pivotal role in the community. The town is also known for its annual Fourth of July rodeo, which is a major event. Another significant event in Waimea is the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, held annually in the first week of February.

The town hosts the headquarters of two astronomical observatories located on Mauna Kea, the W. M. Keck Observatory and the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. It is also home to the International Lunar Observatory Association.

Duration: 30 minutes