Hamakua Coast Adventure with The Volcano Van
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
7 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels with basic stamina for walking short uneven trails and handling moderate altitude changes.
Overview
Travel along Hawaii’s scenic Hamakua Coast on a 7-hour private tour with The Volcano Van. Experience lush jungles, towering waterfalls, dramatic sea cliffs, and cultural highlights from Waipio Valley to Akaka Falls.
PRIVATE Heavenly Hamakua from Kona
7 hours • 2 guest min • 6 guest max • All Ages welcome!
Select participants and date
About This Adventure
Embark on a breathtaking 7-hour journey along Hawaii's Hamakua Coast, exploring lush jungles, stunning waterfalls, and dramatic sea cliffs. Highlights include the majestic Waipio Valley, the delicious malasadas at Tex Drive In, and the enchanting Akaka Falls. Experience the island's diverse landscapes and rich natural beauty like never before.
ADVENTURE NORTH, and experience an older, more traditional Hawaii on the famous Hamakua Coast.
Times and duration
- Daily
- 7 hours
About
Along highways old and new, we'll head from the highlands of Waimea, to the coastal jungles of Hilo down Hawaii's Hamakua coast. The backroads of the Hamakua coast wind through lush jungle gulches, crossing rivers, and passing scenic ocean vistas. It is an afternoon drive through a Hawaiian slice of Heaven.
Tour Highlights
WAIPIO VALLEY Carved through thousands of years of erosion into the eastern flank of Kohala volcano. Waipio is one of the greatest valleys in all of Hawaii.
TEX DRIVE IN Here we’ll take in a treat of malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts). Quite possible the tastiest doughnuts in all of Hawaii.
LAUPAHOEHOE POINT Where 300 foot sea cliffs surround a peninsula on both sides. Here, the crashing windward waves of the pacific ocean carve rugged pinnacles into the coastline, greatly displaying the never-ending conflict between the land and the sea.
AKAKA FALLS STATE PARK A beautiful walk through a rainforest leads to a stunning waterfall that plunges 442 feet into the Kolekole gulch below.
RAINBOW FALLS The stunning 80 ft drop of Rainbow Falls has beckoned generations of visitors to Hilo and is a can't miss on any trip to the island's capital.
KAUMANA CAVES LAVA TUBE Get a glance inside a once scorching conduit of molten rock from Mauna Loa volcano known as Kaumana Caves. Here we will discuss the importance of lava tubes in the creation of our beautiful island paradise.
SADDLE ROAD Heading back to the island’s west side. Reaching an elevation of almost 6,800 feet, we'll climb into the clouds through lush rainforests, cloud forests, high desert, and vast prairies passing through many of the Big Island’s microclimates.
PLEASE NOTE, THIS IS A BASIC ITINERARY. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE ITINERARY CAN OCCUR THROUGH GUIDE AND GUEST DISCRETION. PLEASE INQUIRER ON YOUR TOUR DATE.
Adventure Tips
Prepare for varied microclimates
Dress in layers to accommodate changes from humid coastal rainforests to cooler upland forests along Saddle Road.
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Expect short rainforest hikes around Akaka and Rainbow Falls with uneven terrain and occasional wet surfaces.
Stay hydrated throughout the day
Carry water especially during stops involving hikes or rugged outdoor views to prevent dehydration under the tropical sun.
Bring a rain jacket
Showers are common in Hawaiian tropical forests; pack light rain gear to stay comfortable during waterfall stops.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Hawaiian hawk (Io)
- Nene goose
History
Waipio Valley has deep cultural significance as a former royal residency and fertile agricultural hub.
Conservation
Efforts to protect native forest species and manage erosion along the Hamakua Coast help preserve its unique ecosystems.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Kailua-Kona
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Layered clothing
Helps manage temperature swings across microclimates.
Hiking shoes
Provides stability on wet and uneven terrain near waterfalls.
Rain jacket
Protects from tropical rain showers common in the region.
spring|fall|winter specific
Reusable water bottle
Keep hydrated throughout the day’s journey.