The verdict
Our pick
Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Black Sand Day Trip★ 4.92 (7,087) · 11h
Best value
Kulaniapia Falls Day Pass: Swim under Hawaii's largest waterfall★ 4.65 (187) · 2h–5h
Top rated
Big Island Hawaii: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach Day Tour★ 5.00 (606) · 6h–7h
The 12 best-value of 20 options, side by side
✓ 2026-09-28Real price per person across the 20 options: US$ 69–US$ 883 (median US$ 246). With 100+ reviews: 18 of 20.
Default order: real price per person — the group price divided by the seats it includes.
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Up to 2 hours (4)
Big Island Helicopter Tour: Kilauea Volcano & WaterfallsA two-hour helicopter tour of the Big Island that covers Kilauea Volcano, Mauna Loa, the Hamakua Coast, Akaka Falls and the Kohala Mountains in a single flight. The Airbus EC 130 gives you individual business-class seats, expansive glass windows, and two-way communication with a State of Hawaii Certified pilot guide. Check-in is one hour before departure to allow for safety briefing and boarding.Is it for me?Book this tour for a morning or afternoon when you want to see the entire Big Island's geography in one flight — the helicopter covers volcanoes, waterfalls and coastline in two hours, so you don't need a full day or a rental car to see all of it.
Big Island Helicopter Tour: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & CoastlineYou fly from Kona over five volcanoes, including active Kilauea, then north to Kohala's 2,500-foot waterfalls and the Hamakua Coast's lush valleys. The route swings south along white-sand beaches and coral reefs before returning. All taxes, fuel, parking, and airport fees are included; you arrive thirty minutes early and fly with doors on.Is it for me?Right for travelers with limited time on the Big Island who want to see all five volcanoes, waterfalls, and coastline in one morning or afternoon without driving. Plan for a two-hour flight with thirty-minute check-in beforehand; that's what fits the whole island into a single trip.
Waterfall Rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls: 120-Foot DropWaterfall rappelling at Kulaniapia Falls is a guided activity where you descend 120 feet down the falls using professional equipment and instruction from a live guide. The experience takes 2 to 3 hours and includes access to the falls property, where non-rappelling companions can swim, kayak or paddleboard when river conditions permit. Tours depart from The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls and must be booked in advance; parking is available on site for registered guests only.Is it for me?You control the descent with the guide managing the rope, so this suits anyone with moderate fitness who wants to rappel rather than watch it done. If companions are coming along, they can purchase a day pass and spend the time in the water or on the trails while you're on the falls.
ATV Riding on Big Island: Honda & UTV OptionsATV riding on Big Island's Hamakua ranch land with your choice of Honda 4x4 ATV or Side x Side UTV, including instruction on a practice track, scenic photo stops with views of Mauna Kea and the Pacific, and a 20-minute break with snacks and a dip in Umauma's private waterfall pond. All experience levels are welcome; a valid driver's license is required, and riders must be at least 16 years old.Is it for me?Pick the single-rider Honda ATV if you want full control of the machine and the freedom to set your own pace on the trail. Choose the two or four-seater UTV if you're riding with family or friends and want to share the experience in the same vehicle.
2 to 5 hours (4)
Big Island Zipline Tour: 7 Lines Over 250-ft WaterfallZipline seven different lines on Hawaii's Big Island, starting with shorter runs and building to a half-mile line soaring above a private 250-foot waterfall near Akaka Falls. The course is designed for all experience levels, with a professional guide, all equipment provided, and a 2.5-hour time commitment. Weight requirements are 40–260 lbs; children under 40 lbs ride tandem with a certified guide on the final three lines.Is it for me?Book this tour if you're staying on Hawaii's Big Island or have arranged your own transportation there—the remote location means rideshare is unreliable, so a rental car or pre-arranged pickup makes the difference between a smooth arrival and a scramble at the last minute.
Big Island: 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Adventure & Rainforest ViewsYou’ll fly above lush rainforest and real waterfalls on nine ziplines — some long enough to race your friends side by side. Guides share local stories while you catch glimpses of rainbows and Pacific views. All gear is included, so just bring your nerve (and closed-toe shoes). You might surprise yourself by wanting to go again before you even unclip.
Big Island Ziplining: 8 Lines & Suspension BridgeZip Isle Zipline Adventures on the Big Island is an eight-line zipline course through rainforest that gets progressively longer and faster, ending with dual side-by-side zips over a 330-foot gorge and 300-foot waterfall. The course includes a suspension bridge crossing and a free self-guided botanical garden tour; a professional guide handles all rigging and safety, shares knowledge of local plants and history, and lets you taste fruits and spices along the way. The experience runs 2.5 hours and suits anyone from age 4 up to 275 pounds, with children between 35 and 70 pounds zipping tandem with the guide.Is it for me?Groups stay small enough that the guide can share stories about the plants and history as you move through the rainforest, and children between 35 and 70 pounds zip tandem with them rather than solo, which keeps the experience safe and social for families with younger kids.
Big Island: Umauma Falls Zipline & Private Waterfall SwimYou’ll soar over Umauma Falls on nine ziplines with a local guide leading the way, then cool off with a private swim in a hidden waterfall pond on Hawaii’s Big Island. Try kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding if you want, or just relax in the sun before enjoying an included picnic lunch surrounded by tropical gardens. It’s equal parts thrill and calm — something about that mix stays with you.
Half day and longer (9)
Big Island: Coffee Farm, Volcano, Black Sand & Waterfall Day TripYou’ll sip fresh Kona coffee among lush hillsides, try warm malasadas at Punaluʻu Bake Shop, watch sea turtles bask on black sand beaches, hike through a lava tube in Volcanoes Park, and feel spray from Rainbow Falls — all with a local guide handling every detail so you can just take it in.
Big Island Waterfalls & Swimming: Akaka Falls, Kulaniapia, Botanical GardenYou visit four major waterfalls and swim at a private 120-foot cascade, walk through a tropical botanical garden with 2,000+ plant species, and see Waipio Valley's sea cliffs — all in one full day with hotel pickup, lunch, and a professional guide in a small group. The swimming stop at Kulaniapia is the standout, and the Hamakua Coast drive alone justifies the time.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see multiple waterfalls, actually swim at one, and explore the botanical garden without arranging your own transport and timing — the van pickup and fixed itinerary handle all of that, leaving you to focus on the water and the views.
Big Island Kohala Waterfalls: Waterfall Hikes & Mountain Stream SwimYou meet in Kailua-Kona, drive north along the Kohala Coast past two volcanoes, then hike through a private nature preserve to reach multiple waterfalls where you swim in mountain pools. Lunch with a valley view is included, along with your guide, gear, and all entry fees. The group stays under ten people, which keeps the pace relaxed and the experience personal.Is it for me?Book this if you want to swim in real waterfalls without arranging your own transport, navigation, or lunch — the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you show up and spend the day actually in the water and on the trails instead of figuring out logistics.
Big Island: Volcano, Chocolate Farm & Rainbow Falls Day TripYou’ll stand at Kilauea’s steaming rim with a local guide who knows every story, taste fresh cacao at a working Big Island chocolate farm (yes, you get samples), and watch Rainbow Falls thunder into lush jungle mist. Includes pickup, snacks, lunch and someone who’ll answer every odd question you throw their way.
Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Black Sand Beach Day TripYou’ll circle Hawaii’s Big Island in one packed day—tasting fresh Kona coffee on a working farm, feeling black sand under your feet at Punaluʻu Beach, walking rainforest trails to Akaka Falls, and seeing steam rise from Kīlauea’s crater. With local stories woven throughout and snacks (plus lunch) included, it’s more than sightseeing—it sticks with you.
Big Island: Volcano, Black Sand Beach & Rainbow Falls Day TripYou’ll walk through ancient lava tubes near Kilauea volcano, feel black sand between your toes at Punaluʻu Beach, taste island-grown fruit over lunch in Volcano Village, and stand in the spray of Rainbow Falls—all with a local guide who shares stories as real as the places themselves.
Big Island Kohala: Zip & Dip Tour with Waterfall SwimYou zipline through five lines and two suspension bridges in the Kohala forest, walk past ancient Hawaiian sites, then swim under a private waterfall fed by a mountain stream. Lunch with coast views is included, along with all gear, a certified guide, and hotel pickup from Kona. The full day out means you're back by late afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Kona who want both the adrenaline of ziplining and the calm of a waterfall swim in one day, with transport and all gear handled. Expect a full day out with early pickup and moderate physical demands — that's what lets you cover the forest canopy, ancient sites, and a private swim without rushing.
Big Island Scenic Tour: Volcano, Hilo & Rainbow FallsA full-day guided tour from Hilo covering Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, the Hilo Farmer's Market and coastal stops, with lunch and water included. Groups stay under 14 guests and a local guide leads in English. Pickup is available in the Hilo area; children from age 5 are welcome. The tour runs seven hours and includes rain gear.Is it for me?Book this if you want to cover Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Rainbow Falls, and Hilo's farmer market in one seven-hour day with a local guide steering the route and pacing.
Hilo: Volcano, Black Sand Beach & Rainbow Falls Day TripYou’ll feel volcanic heat rising at Kilauea’s rim, taste island flavors over lunch in Volcano Village, and watch green sea turtles resting on Punaluʻu’s black sand beach. With pickup in Hilo and a local guide sharing stories along every stop—from Rainbow Falls’ misty roar to walking through ancient lava tubes—you’ll come home with more than photos.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 20 of the 20 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last half a day or longer. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Big Island: Volcanoes, Waterfalls & Black Sand Day Trip is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.92 out of 5 across 7,087 reviews.
Are private options available?
Yes, 2 private experiences are available if you prefer a closed group.
More things to do in Big Island of Hawaii
Kealakekua Bay22 optionsWaimea Tours25 optionsSnorkeling Big Island of Hawaii56 optionsWaimea Waterfalls6 optionsWhale Watching Big Island of Hawaii7 optionsCaptain Cook Monument Boat Tour7 optionsRainbow Falls Tours6 optionsKailua-Kona: Tours & Activities8 optionsATV Tours on the Big Island of Hawaii6 optionsMauna Kea Tours on the Big Island5 options
