Adventure Collective Logo
Manoa Falls & Botanical Garden Tours by Wanderlust Hawaii - Honolulu

Manoa Falls & Botanical Garden Tours by Wanderlust Hawaii

Honolulumoderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

8 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for participants with moderate fitness; able to manage uphill walking and uneven terrain.

Overview

Spend a day with Wanderlust Hawaii hiking to Manoa Falls, soaking in panoramic views at Tantalus Lookout, and wandering the expansive Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. Discover Oahu’s lush landscapes and local eats on this unique outdoor tour.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Manoa Falls, Tantalus, & Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens

Ages 18+ • 8 Hours

Select participants and date

About This Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Wanderlust Hawaii, exploring Oahu's stunning landscapes! Hike to the breathtaking Manoa Falls, capture panoramic views from Tantalus Lookout, savor local flavors at Da Spot, and wander through the expansive Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. Experience nature and camaraderie on this unique tour designed for the adventurous spirit!

Welcome to Wanderlust Hawaii, the tours catered to the young and adventurous, that feel more like road tripping with friends!

Join us on a tour where we'll get to see some of Oahus most beautiful tropical rainforest and gardens! Here are the stops we'll make:

Manoa Falls Trail: for the first stop of the day we will head to Manoa Falls for a short walk (30min each way) through the jungle until we reach the 150ft waterfall at the end of the trail. The trail is relatively easy for most people but the second half is slightly elevated so you will need some endurance as well as water and proper shoes for the hike. For this trail you will be free to explore at you own pace so we will give you as much information as we can about the trail before you start. Because of this you will be given a specific time frame to be back at the pickup point.

Tantalus Lookout: Next on the list you'll get to drive up to the top of a mountain where you can see a 180 degree view of all of the Honolulu skyline as well as views out west. This is a short 15min stop for pictures and to enjoy the views

Da Spot (lunch): Then we get some much need lunch at "Da Spot" which is a local favorite and never disappoints. Please check out their menu if you have any dietary restrictions although they do have something for almost everyone! Remember that lunch is not included with the tour price so bring money for that.

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens: Lastly we head over to the east side of the island to explore Oahu's most famous botanical garden where we'll stay for 1hr 45min. The garden is know for having tropical plant species from all over the world as well as a large pond and scenic lookout point. Please keep in mind that this garden is over 400 acres so you will not have time to see everything but the best parts can be seen in the time frame we are there! Also there is no guided tours allowed at the gardens so this stop will be treated as a shuttle.

After that stop we head back to Waikiki to drop off at your hostel!

PICKUP INFORMATION: IF YOU ARE STAYING AT THE BEACH WAIKIKI BOUTIQUE HOSTEL, YOUR PICKUP WILL BE AT 8:45AM AT THE SECOND BUILDING OF THE HOSTEL (2566 CARTWRIGHT RD)

IF YOU ARE STAYING AT HONU, YOUR PICKUP WILL BE AT 8:30AM AT CHIBA KEN RESTAURANT (468 ENA RD)

IF YOU ARE STAYING AT SEASIDE HOSTEL, YOUR PICKUP WILL BE AT 830AM AT ALOH CAFE (407 Seaside Avenue 1st floor outside)

Adventure Tips

Wear Sturdy Footwear

Trails around Manoa Falls include muddy and uneven terrain, so waterproof hiking shoes with good traction are essential.

Stay Hydrated

Bring at least one liter of water, especially for the moderate uphill sections of the Manoa Falls hike.

Pack Light Layers

Weather can change quickly in the mountains; lightweight rain gear or a windbreaker can keep you comfortable.

Respect Garden Rules

No guided tours are allowed at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, so enjoy self-guided walks and keep noise levels low.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Native Hawaiian Honeycreeper birds often spotted near Manoa Falls
  • Coqui frogs that have established populations in the rainforest areas

History

Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Gardens was established in 1982 as part of efforts to conserve and showcase tropical plant diversity.

Conservation

Visitors are encouraged to stay on marked trails to protect endemic plant species and reduce erosion in sensitive forest areas.

Select participants and date

Adventure Hotspots in Honolulu

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Essential

Protects feet and provides traction on slick, muddy trail sections.

all specific

Reusable Water Bottle

Essential

Keeps you hydrated during moderate exertion under tropical conditions.

all specific

Light Rain Jacket

Useful for sudden rain showers common in mountainous and garden areas.

spring|fall|winter specific

Sun Hat and Sunscreen

Essential

Protects against strong tropical sun during exposed trail and lookout stops.

summer specific