All Reviews for Waipio

Saw everything from volcanos to waterfalls and both sides of the island

This trip into the valley was a highlight of our friend’s visit to the Big Island from Massachusetts. We all commented on what a great guide Forrest is.

This tour was one of my favorite things we did while on the Big Island! Initially, the plan was to just go to the Waipi'o Valley lookout. I am so glad we ended up deciding to take the tour. You're taken down into the valley (on an extremely steep road) in a 10ish seater van. I get really carsick and had no issues during the tour. Our wonderful guide, Forrest, informed us of the history of the valley and it's people. He was extremely informative and clearly cares so much about the valley and it's history. The views inside the valley were stunning! Do yourself a favor and book this tour.

Our tour guide was so knowledgeable and kind. He went out of his way to teach us about Waipi’o family and ensure we experienced it to the fullest!

Our guide to the Waipi'o Valley tour was Kaloeo Olival He did a superlative job. We really enjoyed the tour and learned quite a bit about Hawaiian traditional culture.

Thanks to you and to Kaloeo!

We were told by a couple at our hotel to make sure we do this tour and it was 💯 worth it! What a unique experience led by one of the native Hawaiian to see this hidden valley! Perfect for our 6 year old and adults too! It’s truly like a garden of Eden.

A wonderful experience, If you would like to spend a chill time and have a deeper understanding in Waipio valley ,choose it!

So many gorgeous stops along this tour, and the guides are so funny and make a long day seem like a breeze.

Great guide (local), the pick up spot is a neat art gallery with a snackshot. The tour was great, filled with local knowledge and just the right length.

My wife was initially scared to board, but it wasn't too bumpy, and while receiving explanations in Japanese, we were able to see various mountains, volcanic craters, and waterfalls from the helicopter, which was moving. The price was a bit high, but we created wonderful memories that were worth it.

家内は最初乗車するのが怖がっていましたが、
たいして揺れることもなく、日本語での説明をしてもらいながら
色々な山や火口付近・滝などをヘリコプターから見られて
感動しました。
お値段はちょっと高額ですが、それ以上に良い思い出が出来ました。

We participated as a family of four. The other three members were beginners at horseback riding, but the staff was very attentive, and above all, the horses are smart, which made us feel at ease. The trail for the outdoor ride offers beautiful scenery with views of the sea, forests, hills, and rivers. They also take photos at a stunning viewpoint with the sea in the background, so even if you don't have the time to take pictures yourself, you can relax. During the ride, they provide explanations about the plants and animals. Although it's not a Japanese tour, if you can manage everyday conversation in English, you'll be able to enjoy the conversation fully.

家族4人で参加しました。私以外の3人は乗馬初心者でしたが、スタッフが気配りしてくれるのと、何よりお馬さんが利口なので安心です。外乗するコースは海、林、丘、川辺と景色が豊かで楽しめます。海をバックにした絶景ポイントで写真も撮ってくれるので、自分では写真を撮れる余裕のない方でも安心してください。外乗中は植物や動物についても解説してくれます。日本語ツアーではありませんが、日常会話程度の英語ができる方ならば十分に会話も楽しめます。

Participating as a family of four was truly a courageous choice, especially considering the impact of the exchange rate, but I'm so glad we decided to go for it! It was my first time on a helicopter, and thanks to the thoughtful care of the staff and pilot, I was able to enjoy it without any worries. I wanted to see the Kilauea volcano erupting magma, and I was able to capture that on video to show my elderly mother who was waiting back in Japan. Additionally, we chose a tour that included a stop at a waterfall, and that turned out to be a fantastic decision! It allowed us to truly experience the lush nature of the Big Island. The view of the mountains and valleys from the sea, the green landscape, the blue coral reef waters, and the brown-black of the volcano and lava were all so vibrant and unforgettable. Plus, we were greeted by a cute dog! I wholeheartedly recommend this tour.

為替レートの影響もあり、家族4人で参加するのは本当に勇気がいる選択でしたが、思い切って参加してよかったです！人生初のヘリコプターも、スタッフとパイロットの細やかな心遣いで心配せず、心から楽しむことができました。キラウェア火山がマグマを噴き上げている様子を見たくて参加したのですが、その動画も撮って、日本で待っていた年老いた母にも見せることができました。また、せっかくならば･･･と滝に寄るツアーにしたのですが、これが大正解！自然豊かなハワイ島を感じる内容となりました。海から見る山や谷の緑とサンゴ礁の海の青、火山や溶岩の茶黒。カラフルで自然の姿をしっかりと目に焼き付けることができました。そして、アイドル犬が出迎えてくれます。とってもキュートですよ。心からお薦めのツアーです。

It's a tour without a Japanese guide, but you can enjoy it without any problems.

First, there is a lecture about horseback riding. Then, each child gets to ride a horse, and they are very gentle, so my son had no issues riding.

We lined up and went through the grasslands, moving into the woods. Along the way, there were horses grazing, which was very cute.

After passing through the woods, we took a break at the waterfall basin. You can wear your swimsuit in advance and swim in the river or ride a paddle boat. We had about 30 minutes, so we were able to enjoy it at a leisurely pace.

After the break, we returned the way we came, and the tour ended. The entire experience was in English, and I didn't understand most of the explanations along the way, but the experience itself was very good!

日本語ガイドが居ないツアーですが、問題無く楽しめます。

最初に乗馬についてのレクチャーがあります。続いて子供も1人一頭馬に乗りますが、とても大人しいので息子も問題無く乗っていました。

一列に並んで草原を抜け、林へと進みます。途中草を喰む馬も居てとても可愛かったです。

林を抜けて滝つぼの所で休憩。予め水着を着ておいて川で泳いだりパドルボートに乗ることが出来ます。30分ほど時間があるのでゆっくり楽しめました。

休憩後、来た道を戻ってツアーは終了です。
全編英語で途中の解説はほぼ分かりませんでしたが、体験自体がとても良かったです！

Forest was a superb guide to this stunningly beautiful and magical valley -he was fun and so knowledgeable. The whole family loved the experience, with our girls wanting to return again the next day. We highly recommend!

Forrest was an excellent guide, full of personal insight into the region as well as its history. He shared with us his experience in the valley, told us about the things and places we were viewing, and explained the challenges the region has and still does face. We loved the views, the animals, and the friendly greetings from the locals.

Highlights included walking through Volcanoes National Park, seeing steam vents and lava fields up close, the stunning black sand beach at Punaluʻu, and panoramic views over Waipiʻo Valley.

It’s a long day, but absolutely packed with jaw-dropping sights and well-paced stops.

We usually skip tours and try to experience places through the locals, soaking in real culture over curated stops. But this tour into Waipio Valley with Forrest changed everything.

From the start, it was clear this wasn’t a typical tour. Forrest’s love for the valley, his deep knowledge of its history and sacredness, and his powerful storytelling made us feel connected to every inch of this land. He didn’t just drive us through—he invited us in.

The peace we felt in Waipio was unreal. Waterfalls, wild horses, taro fields… all of it wrapped in a stillness that felt spiritual. We walked away with more than photos—we walked away with perspective and gratitude.

If you get the chance, go. And hope Forrest is your guide. It’s an experience we’ll never forget.

I would recommend this adventure for anyone who is a first time or experienced rider. The horses are well trained and the guides were awesome. Even the light rain didn’t dampen the experience. What a great time.

This was my third visit to Waipi'o, and I was finally able to see the bottom of the valley. It was truly wonderful. I'm glad I could feel the reason it's called a "sacred place." I definitely want to visit again.

3度目のワイピオでやっと渓谷の下まで見学する事が出来ました。本当に素晴らしかったです。「聖地」と呼ばれる由縁を感じら事が出来て良かったです。また是非訪れたいです。

I splurged on a helicopter ride, thinking I might never come back to the Big Island again. I was moved by the breathtaking scenery that can only be seen from a helicopter, such as valleys, cliffs, and the traces of flowing lava. It was also great that I could ask questions and talk with the pilot through the microphone.

もう2度とハワイ島まで来られないだろうと、奮発して搭乗しました。
普通では見られない渓谷や岸壁、溶岩が流れた跡など、ヘリコプターならではの風景に感動しました。パイロットさんとマイクを通して質問したりお話し出来たのも良かったです。

This is my second time horseback riding in Hawaii. After a brief explanation, we set off on the trek. The horses are well-trained, allowing for a safe trekking experience. It's the best experience to see the beautiful scenery while riding a horse.

ハワイの乗馬は２回目です。簡単な説明の後トレッキングに出発です。馬がよく訓練されており、安心してトレッキングできます。きれいな景色を馬に乗りながら見られる、最高の経験です。

I had been to the top of the valley a few times before, but going into the valley was such an experience! It was incredibly peaceful, beautiful, and Kaleo was a wealth of knowledge about his home. I will absolutely be visiting again when family visits 🤙🏻 mahalo for the experience!

We witnessed the amazing beauty of Hawaii and learned the ancient practices that are still used today. What an unbelievable experience!

Absolutely amazing. You can feel the spirit and history of the land. Like no other place.

We had a great driver/tour guide in Omar. He shared his love for the valley where he was born and raised with such joy and we felt like we got an insider’s view. The personal anecdotes about his family, and tales of fishing, hunting, canoeing, surfing, etc., really made the tour come alive for us. The overlook provides a stunning view but going into the valley provided a rich context for life of the Hawaiian people who have lived off the land and sea for generations. The valley is such a special place, a piece of history and way of life beautifully preserved; I feel blessed and privileged to have had this experience. And we even met one of the wild horses.

I experienced it on May 7, 2025.
1. I was very satisfied with the location, the pilot, and the staff. I highly recommend it. 100 points.

2. Since my seat was on the left side, all the highlights were on the right side of the journey. The aircraft blocked my view, and I couldn't take the photos I wanted, which was disappointing. I requested the pilot to make a turn, but it was only accommodated once. Minus 40 points.

2025年5月7日体験しました。
1、体感は、ロケーション、パイロット、スタッフのみなさんには大満足でした。
おすすめです。100点

2、席が左サイドだった為、見所は全行程右サイドで、隣りの人越し、機体が邪魔になり、せっかくのロケーションが写真も思うように撮れず、心が折れましたよ
パイロットに旋回をリクエストしたがその1回切りの対応でした。
マイナス40点。

Kilauea was just amazing, I could go every day if it was possible!

Found our tour guide Shaun (sp?) to be very informative about the area and Island history. Great scenery and an awesome education!

You definitely should go! I saw the original landscapes of Hawaii that you can only experience by joining the tour. The guide was very experienced, which gave me a sense of security.

ぜひ行くべきです！ツアーに参加しないと見ることが出来ないハワイの原風景を見ました。ガイドの方はもちろん慣れていて安心感がありました。