A Ziplining experience by Botanical World Adventures. Back to all Big Island tours.
Tour Summary: The final of eight ziplines runs half a mile above Kamaʻeʻe Falls. At $227, it's the most affordable zipline tour on the Big Island and the only one open to children as young as 4.
Large photoMost of the eight lines run through dense rainforest canopy — the open views above the waterfall come at the very end.
- Large photo
The final line runs nearly half a mile above the gorge. Kamaʻeʻe Falls is only visible from up here.
- Large photo
Most of the eight lines run through dense rainforest canopy — the open views above the waterfall come at the very end.
Tour Highlights:
- Final zipline runs nearly half a mile above Kamaʻeʻe Falls (250 feet, inside a 300-foot gorge)
- Eight lines from 200 to 2,100 feet, building in difficulty throughout the course
- Multiple dual side-by-side racing lines
- 200-foot suspension bridge crossing over a rainforest stream valley
- Automatic braking system — no prior experience needed
- Open to ages 4 and up; free digital photos included
Important: Solo zipping requires ages 13 and up, minimum 70 lbs. Children 4 to 12 can ride tandem with a certified guide if they weigh at least 35 lbs.
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult | Youth |
|---|---|---|
| (excluding taxes & fees) | $227 | $197 |
Tour Provider: Botanical World Adventures
Activity: Ziplining
Tour start time: 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm
Duration: 2.5 hours
Departure from: Hakalau
Pick-up available? No
Included: Free digital photos. Fresh fruit during tour. Access to botanical gardens and maze after tour
Cancellations: Full refund with 48 hours notice. Groups of 6 or more require 96 hours notice. Tours may be cancelled due to weather; the operator will notify you if that occurs.
Read more: about ziplining in our Big Island ziplining guide.
Botanical World Adventures runs eight ziplines through the Hamakua Coast rainforest on their working botanical garden property, about 15 minutes north of Hilo. Lines range from 200 to 2,100 feet and build progressively, starting with shorter runs close to the canopy floor and working up to the longer ones. A 200-foot suspension bridge (that wobbles more than it looks like it will) crosses a stream valley between platforms mid-course.
The final line is the standout. It runs nearly half a mile above the tree canopy and ends above Kamaʻeʻe Falls, a 250-foot waterfall set inside a 300-foot gorge not visible from any road. On clear mornings you can see Mauna Kea and the Pacific from the same platform. Between December and April, whale sightings from up there are common.
Several of the eight lines run side-by-side, so groups can race.
Tours run at 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm and 2 pm; allow 2.5 hours. The braking system is automatic, so no experience is needed. Guides handle all transitions and cover local plants and Hawaiian culture between lines. Fresh fruit is provided during breaks.
Children as young as 4 can ride tandem with a certified guide (minimum 35 lbs). Solo zipping requires ages 13 and up and 70 to 275 lbs. Free digital photos are included, as is access to the botanical garden grounds and maze after the tour. Closed-toe shoes are required; long pants are recommended.
Children as young as 4 can ride tandem with a certified guide, minimum 35 lbs.
Of the four zipline operators on the Big Island, this is the most affordable at $227 per adult. In our experience, the progression of the course — from short starter lines to the final half-mile run above the gorge — is what makes it work for mixed groups. The waterfall at the end lands differently when you’ve built up to it.
What do other people think
Guides are the consistent standout across reviews: named individually in dozens of write-ups, praised for pacing groups well and knowing when to push nervous first-timers just enough. Safety and equipment get high marks too, and the photo service during the tour is worth noting: guides actively look for shot opportunities throughout.
One honest caveat: if anyone in your group isn’t ziplining, the botanical garden itself is underwhelming. The walking paths are minimal and the plantings aren’t well-labeled. This is a zipline operation that happens to be on garden grounds, not the other way around.
Botanical World Adventures is the strongest pick for families with young children and the best value option among the four Big Island zipline operators. The automatic braking system removes one of the main sources of first-timer anxiety, and guides consistently earn strong reviews for patience with nervous participants. At %%cf_price%%per adult with a $197 child rate, it undercuts the next operator by $20 while running more lines than two of the three alternatives.
We are affiliate partners with Botanical World Adventures and any booking on this page you make is made directly with Botanical World Adventures. We receive a percentage from the activity provider for each successful booking made through our website but this happens without any additional charge to you. (read more on the use of those links on our website here).
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