Ziplining is a very family friendly outdoor activity that allows you to take a ride through the lush rain forest canopy of the Big Island. The lines are built high above scenic areas and geological features such as ravines, jungles, meadows, and forests. A zipline tour lets you explore these surroundings as you soar through them at a height between ~30 and 200 ft above ground.
Looking for zipline tours? Jump directly ahead to:
- Zipline tours near Kona
- Zipline tours near Hilo
- KapohoKine “zipline through paradise”
- Umaumua Falls & zipline experience
- Skyline Eco Adventures
- Zipisle at Botanical World Adventures
What happens during a zipline tour?
Most ziplining tours are part of a multiple-hour “adventure”. Ziplines connect several scenic points including lush rainforest and one or more waterfalls. The number of lines differs for each tour operator with an average of ~ 8 ziplines per tour.
The height of the rides varies between 30 and 200 ft above ground. The speeds you can reach while soaring down depend on a lot of variables (including your weight) but speeds up to 35 mph are reachable.
Zipline tours on the Big Island
There are more and more companies offering zipline tours on the Big Island and some shopping around can get you a good deal. The biggest difference between the different tour operators is the location of the zipline tours and thus their accessibility and ‘scenic value’.
Depending on your location (Waimea/Kohala or Hilo) you have the following options to find a zipline tour:
Zipline tours near Kona (Kohala):
The zipline adventures on the north side of the Big Island are organized by Kohala Zipline, a sister company of Hawaii Forest & Trail.
1: Kohala Zipline canopy tours
Kohala Zipline offers zipline and canopy tours on the most northern tip of the Big Island close to Waimea. Their tours include 9 lines, 5 sky bridges, and a rappel, all located on private property. For an added fee the ziplining can be expanded with a hike to several on-property waterfalls and a dip in one of them. Transportation to and from most resorts in Kona and Waikoloa can be arranged.
See the following video for a preview of what the canopy ziplines are like:
The two most popular tours organized by Kohala ziplines are the 3 hour Kohala Canopy Adventure and the full day “Zip and Dip”, which includes the Kohala Canopy Adventure, lunch, a short hike, and a swim under a private waterfall. You can read more about each tour on our website:
Kohala Canopy Adventure
9 lines, 5 sky bridges, and a rappel make this the only full canopy tour on Hawaii Island. Set within a towering forest on a private nature reserve, this aerial adventure is perfect for beginners and experts alike. Certified guides ensure safety and comfort and share their extensive knowledge of the area’s natural and cultural history.
from:
$189
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.Kohala Zip & Dip
Double your adventure with the Kohala Zip and Dip Combo Tour and explore the enchanting lands of North Kohala. This 8-hour tour takes you from Kona to the oldest volcano in the Big Island for an inspiring and exhilarating day. Zipline high above the forest floor, picnic on the rim of Pololu Valley & swim under a private waterfall fed by a cool mountain stream.
from:
$264
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.Zipline tours in Hilo:
If you are based in Hilo you have the choice between 4 zipline operators at the Hamakua coast:
KapohoKine “Zipline through paradise”
This is an 8-line zip tour that covers almost 2 miles of tropical river gorges and crosses multiple waterfalls. The longest line is over 2.400 feet long, and the tour lasts 3.5 to 4 hours. An optional upgrade including lunch and a hike and swim to/in some of their on-property waterfalls is also available.
Read more about the zipline through paradise tour on our website.
The Zipline through Paradise lines cross multiple different waterfalls. Image credit: Zipline through Paradise.
Umaumau falls & zipline experience
The zipling tours organized by the Umaumau experience are 16-miles north of Hilo and close to the very scenic Umauma falls.
The tour consists of 9 lines covering 2 miles of zipping as well as a walk over a suspension bridge. You will also get to see 14(!) waterfalls including private views of the Umauma falls.
Skyline eco adventures
Skyline eco adventures1 are located 1 mile south of the ‘Akaka Falls State Park on the Honomu Coast. Their tour includes in total 7 ziplines and a 1/2 mile hike over uneven terrain. Highlights are [1] a zipline that lets you soar over the 250 ft KoleKole waterfall and [2] a zipline over a 450-foot ravine.
Zipping past the KoleKole waterfall is one of the highlights of the tour. Credit: Skyline Eco Adventures
Note that despite what the name of their tour suggests, you won’t be able to see the ‘Akaka falls from the skyline eco adventure ziplines (nor from any other zipline).
Zipisle (at Botanical World)
Zipisle is located at Botanical World (botanical gardens with an on-property maze and waterfalls) on the Hamakua Coast, just a few minutes from Hilo. Their tour includes 8 ziplines *and* a suspension bridge.
Zipline tours in South Kona:
Fly Hi Ziplines closed in 2016, and we are not aware of any current zipline tours in the south Kona district.
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