A Big Island zipline adventure tour sends you flying on cable lines strung across rainforest valleys, over waterfalls, and through the treetop canopy. The island has four commercial courses in two areas: North Kohala near Hawi, and the Hamakua Coast north of Hilo. A typical tour lasts two to three hours, runs five to nine lines connected by short trail walks between platforms, and ends with one show-stopper line, often a long glide over a 250-foot waterfall. No experience is needed: guides handle all the clipping, and the pace suits first-timers and kids.
Key Highlights
- Where: Four courses in two areas, North Kohala near Hawi (Kohala Zipline) and the Hamakua Coast near Hilo (Umauma Falls, Hawaii Zipline Tours, Botanical World Adventures).
- Price range: About $227 to $249 per adult for the Hamakua Coast courses; Kohala Zipline lists its 2.5-hour canopy tour from $195 on its official site, with booking marketplaces often showing lower starting prices around $155 to $165.
- Duration: Most tours run 2 to 3 hours; combo tours with a waterfall swim run 7 to 9 hours door to door.
- Age and weight limits: Kohala takes riders 8 and up, 70 to 270 lbs; Hawaii Zipline Tours runs 40 to 260 lbs; Umauma Falls and Botanical World accept riders from age 4 and 35 lbs.
- Best pairing: Combine a Kohala tour with Waipio Valley lookout, or pair a Hamakua tour with Akaka Falls State Park and the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve Garden.
What the experience is actually like
Every tour starts with a safety briefing and harness fitting, then a van takes you to the course. The first line is short and low, a training run where you learn the seating position and how to land, before the lines get longer and higher.
On the Kohala course you move tree to tree across the canopy; on the Hamakua courses you fly over deep ravines and past waterfalls, 30 to 200 feet above the ground depending on the line. Guides clip and unclip you at every platform.
The finale is the line you will photograph: at Hawaii Zipline Tours the last line crosses directly in front of 250-foot Kolekole Falls, Umauma’s ninth line runs parallel to triple-tiered Umauma Falls, and Botanical World’s final line runs nearly half a mile and ends above 250-foot Kamaee Falls.
The operators: who runs what
Which course fits depends on your home base, your kids’ ages, and how much thrill you want. Prices shift, so confirm on the operator’s site before you book.
Kohala Zipline, Hawi (North Kohala)
Kohala Zipline is the only operator on the Kona side, and it runs the island’s only true tree-to-tree canopy course: five lines and two sky bridges through a private nature reserve, completely rebuilt in 2026 with new towers and a tree-mounted spiral staircase the operator says is the only one of its kind in Hawaii, finishing at a cliffside platform after a sky bridge alongside a waterfall.
The Kohala Zipline Adventure runs 2.5 hours, takes riders 8 and up, and enforces a strict 70 to 270 lb range with weigh-ins at check-in. The official site lists it from $195 for adults and from $170 for children ages 8 to 12; marketplace listings often show it from around $155 to $165. The longer Kohala Zip and Dip adds lunch, a roughly one-mile guided walk, and a swim under a private waterfall for an 8-hour day, listed from $295. The base is at 55-515 Hawi Road, Hawi, and there is no hotel pickup for the canopy tour; only the Zip and Dip includes transport from set points in Kona and the Kohala Coast resorts.
Umauma Falls Zipline, Hamakua Coast
Umauma runs the longest course on the island: nine lines, 16 miles north of Hilo, with a private view of the triple-tiered Umauma Falls that no public trail reaches. Four lines are dual, so two riders fly side by side, and you cross a 200-foot suspension bridge set 100 feet above a water-filled lava tube. This is the pick for families: riders from age 4 and 35 lbs, with small children riding tandem. Tours take 1.5 to 3 hours and run about $249 per adult, about $239 for kids ages 4 to 10, plus tax.
Hawaii Zipline Tours, Honomu
Hawaii Zipline Tours, formerly Skyline Eco Adventures, operates the Kolekole Falls course in Honomu, a few minutes from Akaka Falls State Park. The seven lines start short and low and build to a half-mile finale that crosses in front of 250-foot Kolekole Falls. Viator listings typically show this course from around $246, and the gradual course is the gentlest of the four for nervous riders.
Botanical World Adventures, near Hilo
Botanical World Adventures runs an eight-line course inside the Botanical World gardens near Hilo, usually the cheapest of the three Hilo-side courses at around $227. It accepts riders from 35 lbs and age 4, with a guide riding tandem with anyone under 70 lbs, and the lines start short and close to the ground before building in height.
Prices and what’s included
Across the island, expect $227 to $249 per person for a standard tour on the Hamakua side and from $195 at Kohala, with kids’ tickets running slightly less. Combo tours with a waterfall swim run $295 to $347.
Every tour includes the safety gear: harness, helmet, and gloves or braking gear where needed, plus rain gear when it rains. Not included: gratuities, photo and GoPro packages, and transport to the meeting point unless you booked a combo tour with pickup.
Booking marketplaces like Viator and Expedia sometimes list the same tours slightly below the operator’s own price, but compare both. Many listings offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour; Umauma’s combo requires 48 hours’ notice.
How to get there
You will need a rental car. Kohala Zipline offers no hotel pickup for its canopy tour, and the Hamakua courses sit along Old Mamalahoa Highway with no public transit worth relying on.
- Kona to Kohala Zipline (Hawi): about 1 hour from Kailua-Kona via Highway 19 and Highway 270; about 40 minutes from the Waikoloa resorts.
- Hilo to the Hamakua courses: Umauma Falls is about 16 miles north of Hilo, roughly 30 to 40 minutes via Highway 19. Hawaii Zipline Tours in Honomu is about 11 miles north, roughly 20 to 25 minutes, by the Akaka Falls turnoff.
- Kona to the Hamakua courses: roughly 2 to 2.5 hours via the Saddle Road (Highway 200) and Highway 19, a full day trip.
If you are staying on the Kona side, our roundup of things to do in Hawaii can help you plan which days to spend on the Kona coast and which to cross the island. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour time; operators run strict schedules and cannot hold departures for late arrivals.
Best time of year
Zipline tours run year-round. The Hamakua Coast is one of the wettest parts of the island, so light rain during your tour is normal and tours operate in it, with ponchos provided. Heavy rain, lightning, or high wind can cancel a tour, in which case you are typically offered a different date or a full refund.
Book the morning slot: wind is usually calmer, the rain holds off longer, and your afternoon stays free. December through March and June through August are the busiest months, so book several days or weeks ahead then. Groups are capped, around nine guests at Kohala, so walk-ins are never guaranteed.
Age, weight, and fitness requirements
Each operator sets its own rules, enforced at check-in, including weigh-ins at Kohala. Guests outside the range are denied with no refund.
- Kohala Zipline: 8 years and older, 70 to 270 lbs.
- Umauma Falls: 4 years and older, 35 lbs minimum, tandem riding for small children.
- Hawaii Zipline Tours: 40 to 260 lbs, smaller riders tandem with a guide.
- Botanical World Adventures: 4 years and older, 35 lbs minimum, tandem with a guide under 70 lbs.
The fitness bar is modest: uneven trail walks between platforms and short climbs, including about 25 stairs at some courses and a spiral staircase at Kohala. Anyone pregnant, or with heart conditions, back or neck problems, or recent surgery, is not permitted to participate. Under-18 riders need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. If you are travelling with the whole crew, see our Hawaii family vacation package guide for balancing thrill days with downtime.
What to wear and bring
Closed-toe shoes are required at every operator, no sandals, no exceptions. Wear lightweight pants, capris, or knee-length shorts and a shirt with sleeves; the harness sits against your legs and waist, and most operators ban tank tops and bare skin under the straps. Tie long hair back, remove dangling jewelry, and use a strap on your sunglasses. Bring water and sunscreen for the exposed platforms.
Safety
Courses are built to professional standards with redundant rigging, and certified guides handle every clip-in and transfer. Every tour opens with a safety briefing. Your part: give accurate body weight when you book and at check-in, follow the braking instructions exactly, and tell your guide about any fear of heights, injury, or medical condition before the briefing.
What to combine nearby
A zipline tour takes half a day, so pair it with something on the same side of the island. With a Kohala tour: the Waipio Valley lookout is about 30 minutes down the coast, and the Pololu Valley lookout sits at the end of Highway 270.
With a Hamakua tour: Akaka Falls State Park is the natural partner, with a paved loop past 442-foot Akaka Falls and 100-foot Kahuna Falls. Continuing south, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is about 45 minutes to an hour from Hilo; our guide to things to do in Volcano covers a full day there.
For the water half of your Big Island trip, see our picks for the best snorkeling tours in Hawaii, including the manta ray night snorkel at Kona, a good evening match for a morning zipline on the Kona side.
Booking tips
- Compare direct and marketplace prices: check the operator’s own site, then Viator or Expedia. Marketplaces sometimes run lower, but the operator has the most current schedule and cancellation terms.
- Book the morning slot: calmer wind, less rain on the windward side, and your afternoon stays open.
- Book early in peak months: December through March and June through August fill fast, and groups are capped.
- Read the weight limits twice: they are strictly enforced at check-in, and Kohala weighs every rider. No refund if you are outside the range.
- Choose by your group: families with kids 4 to 12 should pick Umauma Falls or Botanical World for tandem lines. Nervous first-timers do well on the gradual Hawaii Zipline Tours course. Thrill seekers should pick Kohala’s rebuilt canopy course.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a zipline tour on the Big Island cost?
Expect about $227 to $249 per adult for the Hamakua Coast courses near Hilo. Kohala Zipline lists its 2.5-hour canopy tour from $195 on its official site, with booking marketplaces sometimes showing it from around $155 to $165. Combo tours that add a waterfall swim and lunch run $295 to $347. Kids’ tickets usually cost slightly less.
What is the best zipline tour on the Big Island?
It depends on your group. Kohala Zipline is the only true tree-to-tree canopy course and the newest after its 2026 rebuild, making it the pick for thrill seekers and anyone staying in Kona. Umauma Falls has the longest course at nine lines with dual side-by-side lines, and it is the best choice for families with young kids. Hawaii Zipline Tours is the gentlest option for anyone nervous about heights.
What are the age and weight limits for Big Island ziplining?
Limits vary by operator and are enforced at check-in. Kohala Zipline requires riders to be 8 or older and weigh 70 to 270 lbs. Hawaii Zipline Tours accepts riders from 40 to 260 lbs. Umauma Falls and Botanical World Adventures accept riders from age 4 and 35 lbs, with small children riding tandem with a guide. No refunds are given for guests outside the weight range.
How long does a Big Island zipline tour take?
Most standard tours take 2 to 3 hours total, including the safety briefing, harness fitting, and the lines themselves. The Kohala canopy tour is listed at 2.5 hours. Combo tours that add a guided walk, lunch, and a waterfall swim run 7 to 9 hours door to door.
Is ziplining on the Big Island safe for beginners?
Yes. No experience is needed. Certified guides handle every clip-in and transfer, courses have redundant rigging, and each tour opens with a safety briefing. The first line is short and low so you can get comfortable. Riders who are pregnant or have heart, back, or neck problems are not permitted to participate.
How far is the zipline from Kona or Hilo?
Kohala Zipline in Hawi is about an hour from Kailua-Kona and 40 minutes from the Waikoloa resorts. The three Hamakua Coast courses sit 11 to 16 miles north of Hilo, roughly a 20 to 40 minute drive. From Kona to the Hilo-side courses is roughly 2 to 2.5 hours via the Saddle Road, so treat it as a full day trip.