Sky-High Waterfalls: 9-Line Zipline Over Umauma Falls on the Big Island

On Hawai‘i’s Hamakua Coast the 9-line Zip & Transportation tour launches at Umauma Falls (meeting point: 31-313 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Hakalau HI 96710), about an hour north of Hilo and a scenic shuttle ride from Waikoloa Village. Over roughly 6½–7½ hours you’ll traverse two miles of ziplines that sweep across river gorges, lava tubes, fern grottos and ocean-facing ridgelines, delivering close-up views of more than fourteen waterfalls and the broad flank of Mauna Kea. This is an active, family-friendly outing: guests as young as four can ride, and the course accepts weights between 35 and 275 pounds. The first four dual lines open the tour with long, fast runs; line #2 pauses over a hundred-foot cascade while line #4 sends riders more than two thousand feet across river water and falls. Between lines you cross a 200-foot suspension bridge that hangs a hundred feet above a water-filled lava tube, and a guest-only shelter affords a privileged view of the famous dual falls at the apex of the route. Local flavor and natural drama make the experience unique. The riparian corridor supports native ohia and ferns and is home to the native Hawaiian hawk (I‘o), which guests sometimes spot circling above the gorge. Geologically the route threads old lava flows carved by streams and holds one of the island’s most accessible concentrations of waterfalls, the kind of scenery most Big Island residents rarely see from this angle. Logistics are straightforward: pick-up is offered from Waikoloa (Waikoloa Queens’ Shops and the Shops at Mauna Lani) with the latest return by mid afternoon; check-in at the park requires arriving 45 minutes early. Tours run rain or shine and rainwear is provided. Expect moderate to advanced exertion—participants must be able to climb several flights of stairs and walk short distances. Closed-toe shoes and secured eyewear are required; pregnant guests or those with serious back or neck conditions cannot participate. Why book it? Few zipline operators combine length, waterfall density and ocean views in one route. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, family memories, or dramatic photos, this trip delivers layered scenery, technical zipping and thoughtful safety standards. Reserve through the provided referral link to lock your spot and experience one of the Big Island’s signature aerial adventures. The operator emphasizes safety with certified guides, redundant harness systems and on-site briefings before each line; no previous experience is necessary. Pickup windows start at 8:00am from Waikoloa Queens’ Shops and 8:15am at the Shops at Mauna Lani, with a latest drop-off around 3:15pm. Note the 48 hour cancellation policy when you book. For travelers staying on the Kohala or Hilo sides this tour turns a long coastal stretch into a single, unforgettable day of Hawaiian scenery. Book early.