Hamakua Coast Tours Big Island 2026 | Book Big Island Tours, Activities & Things to Do with HawaiiActivities.com
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Top Big Island Sights & Attractions

Scenic Hamakua Coast

4.82
(294)
A beautiful, lush landscape filled with waterfalls, valleys, rainforests, and black sand beaches, the Hamakua Coast exists in stark contrast with the rest of the Big Island's dry, arid climate. Fly past the stunning sea cliffs of the Kohala Coast, take a horseback tour of Waipio Valley to visit a hidden waterfall, or zipline over the famous Akaka Falls, plunging hundreds of feet to the valley floor. The beauty of Hamakua offers visitors adventures and panoramas like no other place on the island.

Top-Rated Activities for Big Island

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1

Dolphin Quest Hawaii - Dolphin Swim & Encounter at Hilton Waikoloa Village
From USD 272.25
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2

Legends of Hawaii Luau Dinner Show with Open Bar at Hilton Waikoloa Village
From USD 225.13
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3

Island Breeze Luau at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel with Show, Dinner & Drinks Included
From USD 192.41
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4

Mauna Kea Summit Sunset & Stargazing Tour with Meal, Transportation & Guide
From USD 280.00
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5

Waipio Shuttle - An Exceptional Guided Sightseeing Tour of Waipio Valley
USD 75.39
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6

Hawaii Horseback Riding Tour with Waterfall Swim at Umauma Falls
USD 151.43
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7

Hawaii Loa Kohala Luau & Dinner Show with Open Bar at Fairmont Orchid Waikoloa
From USD 214.66
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8

Big Island Helicopter Tour - Volcanoes, Valleys & Exclusive Waterfall Landing
From USD 1,010.00
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9

Twilight Volcano Tour with Stargazing, Black Sand Beach & Coffee Farm
USD 281.68
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10

Oceanfront Royal Kona Resort Luau Voyagers of the Pacific Show - Dinner, Drinks & Fire Knife Dance
USD 190.91
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11

Mauna Kea Stargazing Tour Experience with Free Professional Photos - Epic Tours
USD 271.20
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12

Grand Circle Island Tour - Volcano, Black Sand Beach, Waipio Valley & Waterfalls
USD 250.26
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13

Hawaii Big Island Helicopter Tour – Volcanoes, Valleys & Waterfalls Flight
From USD 760.00
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14

Mauna Kea Evening Stargazing & Daytime Solar Viewing Tour with Dinner
From USD 197.90
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15

Mauna Kea Summit Adventures Sunset & Stargazing Guided Tour with Transportation
From USD 335.07
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16

Hawaii ATV Ride Tour at Kohala Coast - Sea to Mountain Off-Road Adventure
From USD 380.00
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17

Hawaii Manta Ray Sunset & Night Time Snorkel Experience from Kona - Iruka
USD 129.75
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18

Deluxe Captain Cook Snorkeling Tour at Kealakekua Bay - Fair Wind Cruises
From USD 143.93
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19

Kona Manta Ray Snorkel & Night Dive Tour at Keauhou Bay - Sea Paradise
USD 141.03
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20

Big Island All-Inclusive Luxury Private Circle Island Tour & Professional Photos
From USD 2,195.00

Latest reviews of Scenic Hamakua Coast

Grand Circle Island Tour - Volcano, Black Sand Beach, Waipio Valley & Waterfalls

BEST adventure I did on first Hawaii visit

2026/04/30 Couples PawPaw

Had an absolutely wonderful time was a little apprehensive about whether or not to do this tour. It is a long tour all day however I wouldn’t change a thing. It absolutely was awesome didn’t even feel like it was 13 hour... more

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Hawaii Horseback Riding Tour with Waterfall Swim at Umauma Falls

Best experience we had on the island!!

2026/04/01 Families Sheryl from San Diego

I can say enough good things about this experience! Everything about it!

Waipio Horseback Riding Tour | 2-Hour Trail along Hamakua Coast with Stunning Ocean Views

Waipo horseback ride

2026/03/28 Families Waipo horseback

Wonderful ride and day! Patricia and Kaleo guided us through a beautiful ranch!! Great horses! Jack & Liz

Big Island ATV Tour & Ranch Off-Road Adventure from Hamakua - All About The View

My day on the ranch

2026/03/21 Friends The ride

My friend and I had a great time. Ronson was great knew all about the ranch and the habitat. I loved the ponds with fish to use for fertilizer. The ocean view was awesome and we did a couple whales. Thanks so much for a ... more

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Hawaii Zipline Tours - Big Island Waterfall & Rainforest Zip Adventure

Soars and laughter

2026/03/14 Friends zsarahz

I loved this zipline experience! I took a friend with me, and we had such an amazing time. The instructors were so funny and down to earth. Amazing views over the waterfall.

Big Island ATV Tour & Ranch Off-Road Adventure from Hamakua - All About The View

Great time

2026/02/12 Couples Kent & Crystal

Had a great time. Well worth the money. We got fresh fruit from the farm and was really tasty.

About the Hamakua Coast

What is the Hamakua Coast?
The Hamakua Coast is a 50 mile stretch of windward Big Island shoreline running from Hilo north to Waipio Valley. Once the heart of Hawaiian sugar country, it is now a lush green corridor of waterfalls, deep gulches, botanical gardens, and small plantation towns. Highway 19 runs the full length with coastal pullouts, scenic overlooks, and short detours to falls.
Where to start and end
Most Hamakua Coast tours begin in Hilo and end at Waipio Valley Lookout above Honokaa, or run the reverse from Kona via Waimea. The full coast drive is about 60 miles and takes 90 minutes nonstop, but most travelers spend 4 to 8 hours with stops. Some tours continue through Waimea (paniolo cowboy country) and back to Kona, making a half-island loop.
Weather and climate
The Hamakua Coast is the wet windward side of the Big Island, receiving 100 to 200 inches of rain annually depending on elevation. Expect short rain showers most days, especially in winter. The trade-off is dramatic green cliffs and full waterfalls year round. Pack a light rain jacket and quick dry clothing. Mornings are usually clearer than afternoons; aim for early starts.

Top Stops Along the Coast

Akaka Falls State Park
Akaka Falls is a 442 foot single-drop waterfall about 11 miles north of Hilo near the village of Honomu. A paved 0.4 mile loop trail through bamboo and ginger leads to the main overlook, plus a smaller falls (Kahuna Falls) on the same loop. Entry costs around $5 per person and $10 per vehicle. Plan 30 to 45 minutes. Easy and accessible for most fitness levels.
Waipio Valley Lookout
Waipio Valley is a deep amphitheater valley at the end of Highway 240 above Honokaa, the northern end of the Hamakua Coast. The lookout offers a spectacular view of the black sand beach, taro fields, and 2000 foot cliffs. The valley road itself is closed to non-residents as of 2023. Plan 30 minutes at the lookout. Combine with Honokaa town for lunch.
Other notable stops
Other worthwhile stops include Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden in Onomea Bay (40 acres of tropical plants, $25 entry), Laupahoehoe Point Beach Park (historic 1946 tsunami site), Kolekole Beach Park (popular local picnic spot near Akaka Falls), and Honokaa town for plantation-era charm. Each adds 30 to 60 minutes. Build the day around your favorite three or four.

Booking & Tips

Self-drive vs guided tour
Self-drive works well for the Hamakua Coast since Highway 19 is well marked and stops are signed. A rental car at Hilo Airport gives you full flexibility. Guided tours from Kona or Hilo cost around $150 to $250 per person and add narration about plantation history, geology, and local culture. Choose guided if you want context or do not want to drive winding roads.
What to bring
Pack a rain jacket, sturdy walking shoes (some trails are slippery), water, snacks, sun protection for clear stretches, and bug spray for the rainforest paths. Cell service is patchy in valleys so download offline maps. The drive is hilly and curvy; motion sickness sufferers should sit up front. A reusable bag is handy for farm stand fruit purchases along the way.
Combining with Volcanoes
Pair the Hamakua Coast with Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for a classic two day east side itinerary based in Hilo or Volcano. Day one: Hamakua north to Waipio. Day two: Volcanoes National Park. From Kona, a single very long day combines a few Hamakua highlights, Volcanoes, and Punaluu Black Sand Beach in 12 to 14 hours, but two days is more relaxed.
Hamakua Coast Tours Big Island 2026 | Book Big Island Tours, Activities & Things to Do with HawaiiActivities.com
A beautiful, lush landscape filled with waterfalls, valleys, rainforests, and black sand beaches, the Hamakua Coast exists in stark contrast with the rest of the Big Island's dry, arid climate. Fly past the stunning sea cliffs of the Kohala Coast, take a horseback tour of Waipio Valley to visit a hidden waterfall, or zipline over the famous Akaka Falls, plunging hundreds of feet to the valley floor. The beauty of Hamakua offers visitors adventures and panoramas like no other place on the island.