On the gentler of the Big Island’s two waterfall rappelling tours, you learn on training decks, then rappel 45 feet into a gorge, and can repeat it within the hour. The two are very different: a $97 training rappel at Hakalau, or a four-hour canyoneering route at Umauma Falls, down five waterfalls with a swim between them. Neither needs prior rappelling experience.
Table of contents
- Rappel Map + Comparison table
- Introduction: What is waterfall rappelling
- Key things to know about rappelling
- Where to Rappel? Botanical World vs. the Umauma Falls.
Which fits depends on how much you want to take on. If you’re unsure rappelling is for you, start with the Hakalau basecamp: an hour on training decks, stable then angled then vertical, ending in a short 45-foot descent to the gorge. The Umauma route is four hours of moving through water and over slippery rock, with a roughly five-foot jump off one waterfall, and you need to be able to swim.
Map of all Rappels, and how they compare
There are 2 rappels on the Big Island to choose from, and they differ a lot in length and difficulty.
Prices, details, and map locations below last verified August 2026.
| Name | Duration | Price | Best For | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Rappel Basecamp Adventure (Details ↓) | 1 hour | $97 | Testing the waters | 45-foot descent down a rocky cliff |
| 2Umauma Falls Rappelling and Canyoneering (Details ↓) | 4 hours | $399 | Thrill-seekers | 4 waterfall rappels and a jump off a waterfall |
What is Waterfall Rappelling?
Waterfall rappelling means descending a waterfall on ropes, in a harness and helmet.
This is one of the more adventurous activities you can do here. You control your own descent down a steep, slippery rock face, with the waterfall running beside you or over you the whole way down.
And what about Canyoneering?
Canyoneering is rappelling plus a lot of time in the water. Between rappels you move down the river itself, scrambling over rocks and wading through pools, which makes it more varied and more physically demanding than a straight rappel.
Key Things to Know About Waterfall Rappelling
Waterfall rappelling requires basic safety measures and preparation.
Q: Safety First: Gear and Guidance
The right equipment is essential for a safe rappelling experience. Expect a helmet, harness, ropes, and shoes with good grip. All tours here on the island provide the necessary gear and instruction.
Q: Basic Physical Fitness is Helpful, But Not Mandatory
Being physically fit helps, but you don’t need to be an athlete. If you’re comfortable with moderate hiking and some physical exertion, you’ll be fine.
Q: You Don’t Need to Be an Expert Climber
You don’t need extensive climbing experience. The tours here on the Big Island are designed for beginners, with trained guides who teach you everything you need to know on the spot.
Q: You do need to be comfortable with heights
The activity has you descending steep, often vertical cliffs, so follow the guide’s instructions and trust the rope, harness, and gear.
How to decide which tour to take
There are 2 places on the Big Island where you can rappel down a waterfall: Botanical World on the Hāmākua coast, and the Umauma Falls a few minutes up the coast.
- Never rappelled before, or not sure it’s for you: start with the Rappel Basecamp at Botanical World ($97, about an hour). It’s a 45-foot training rappel, low-commitment and repeatable, and a good way to find out whether you want more.
- Want the full adventure: Umauma Falls is the most demanding option: four hours in the water and over slippery rock, with a jump off one waterfall. You need to be able to swim.
Umauma Falls Rappelling and Canyoneering
Adventurous families do this one, but everyone taking part needs to be able to swim.
The Umauma tour involves navigating around 5 waterfalls and swimming the pools between. It includes 4 rappels, a down climb, and about a 5′ jump off a waterfall. Rappelling is the main event, but the stretches through the riverbed between rappels make it more varied and technical than a single-waterfall descent. Choose it for a longer, more physical day in the water rather than a single drop.
Rappel down the Triple-Tier Umauma Waterfall and swim the pools between
Great for adventurous families: navigate 5 waterfalls and swim the pools between. Includes 4 rappels, a down climb, and jump off a waterfall
from:
$399
What is a suggested tour?Our suggested tours are hand-picked tours that receive consistent good reviews, give back to the community, and work hard to minimize their impact on the environment. Read more about these tours on our website.You also need enough mobility to move across uneven, slippery rock. Beginners can do the route, but comfort in the water and on your feet is essential.
Rappel down the famous triple-tier Umauma waterfalls, swim, or float in river tubes. Image: Island Mountain Guides.
Rappel Basecamp Adventure at Botanical World Adventures
The gentlest introduction to rappelling on the island. The experience runs about an hour: basecamp training on a stable platform, progressing to angled and vertical surfaces, finishing with a 45-foot descent down a rock face to the gorge below. You can repeat the descent a few times within the session.
It’s a good fit if you’re curious about rappelling but not ready to commit to a full waterfall experience, or if someone in your group needs a more accessible option. Botanical World sits on the Hāmākua coast (31-240 Old Māmalahoa Highway, Hakalau), next door to Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Gardens.
Digital photos, water, and seasonal fruit included. Closed-toe shoes required. Book it directly on the operator’s Rappel Basecamp page.
This is a starter rappel and begins on a stable deck, to an angled deck simulating a ledge that leads to a vertical deck for getting the full rappel experience.