A Horseback Riding experience by Wailea Horseback Adventure. Back to all Big Island tours.
Tour Summary: The only Big Island horseback ride that breaks for a swim: 45 minutes at a private Umauma-fed waterfall with a changing area on site.
The ride crosses Wailea's pastures on the Hāmākua coast before reaching the falls, about an hour in. 
Wailea holds private access to the Umauma waterfall, the only horseback tour on the island with a swim stop. Guides come from local families who have worked this land for more than 30 years and share its plant and plantation history. NOTE: Alt was a title-case label with no keyword; capt The 45-minute break at the falls is time to swim, snack, or use the paddleboards the operator keeps on site.
5 Tour Highlights:
- 45-minute swim break at a private waterfall on the Umauma stream, with a changing area on site
- The only Big Island horseback tour that stops for a swim
- Calm, trail-trained horses on a slow nose-to-tail loop, best for first-time riders and families
- Guides from families who have worked this land for more than 30 years, sharing plant and plantation history
- Paddleboards available at the base of the falls
Important: The tour is suitable for children from 8 years old, and there is a 225 lbs (102 kg) weight limit for participants. Snacks / drinks / towels are NOT provided so bring your own if you want to enjoy them during the 45 minute break at the private waterfall.
Tour Information:
| Price: | Adult |
|---|---|
| (excluding taxes & fees) | $150 |
Tour Provider: Wailea Horseback Adventure
Activity: Horseback Riding
Tour start time: 9 am, 1 pm
Duration: 2.5 hours
Location: Hamakua Coast
Pick-up available? No
Cancellations: Cancel at least 48 hour before your tour starts to receive a full refund.
Read more: about horseback riding in our Big Island horseback riding guide.
(It is not possible to book this tour directly through our website. Clicking on the button above takes you to the Wailea Horseback Adventure website where you can make the booking.)
Read more about this tour
This is the only horseback ride on the Big Island that stops for a swim. About an hour into the ride, the trail reaches a private waterfall on the Umauma stream, and the group gets 45 minutes to get in the water.
The ride starts at the Wailea barn in Hakalau, next to the Umauma Experience zipline and about 20 minutes north of Hilo. After a short orientation you head out on calm, trail-trained horses across open pasture, with Mauna Kea above you and, on clear days, the ocean in the distance. The pace is slow and the horses move nose-to-tail around a loop, so this rides easy. First-time riders and families are the right fit. If you came to canter or cover ground, reviews from experienced riders are consistent: this is a gentle ride, not a challenging one.
The waterfall swim is the reason to book
The falls stop is what sets this apart. You get about 45 minutes at the base of a private waterfall to swim, snack, or try the paddleboards the operator keeps there, and there is a changing area on site. The pool is colder than it looks. Snacks, drinks, and towels are not provided, so pack your own if you want them during the break.
Age, weight, and what to pack
Riders must be at least 8 years old. Anyone 13 or under wears a helmet, and riders aged 8 to 18 need an adult on the ride with them. The weight limit is 225 pounds, and the operator takes no more than three riders over 200 pounds per departure, so heavier groups should book early and call ahead. Each departure needs a minimum of two riders to run. Bring long pants, closed-toe shoes, a swimsuit, a towel, a camera, and drinking water.
The guides come from families who have run rides on this land for more than 30 years, and the plant, plantation, and cultural history they share is the part reviewers mention right after the falls.
The ride is a fixed loop where the scenery and the swim do the work, not technical riding. Book it for the waterfall, treat the horseback part as how you get there, and it delivers.
About Wailea Horseback Adventure
Wailea Horseback Adventure has run rides on the Hāmākua coast for more than 30 years, and the guides are local families who grew up on this land. They hold private access to the Umauma waterfall, which is why this is the only horseback tour on the island with a swim stop. We list them for that access and for the steady praise their guides draw for plant and cultural knowledge, with the clear note that the riding itself is gentle and aimed at beginners.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Booking through this page costs you nothing extra and is made directly with Wailea Horseback Adventure. We earn a commission from the operator, not from you, and it is what pays for the research that keeps lovebigisland.com free and free of paid placement. We only list operators we would send a friend to. Details on our affiliate links are here.