Hilo Waterfall Hike: Guided Falls on Private Land Near ʻAkaka Falls

The Hilo side of the Big Island is where the waterfalls are. All that rain has to go somewhere, and on the Hāmākua Coast north of town it pours off the mountain through gulches full of ferns and banana trees. A guided Hilo waterfall hike gets you off the paved lookouts and into that country, with someone who knows the land leading the way.

This page covers the hike we recommend in Honomū, what it costs, who should skip it, and how it fits with ʻAkaka Falls, the famous waterfall just up the road.

Why this made our list

The land is the first reason. This hike runs on private land near Honomū, so you are walking trails that are not open to the public. The waterfalls are the same kind of tall, rain-fed falls that make ʻAkaka famous, without the parking lot and the crowd at the railing.

The age range is the second. This hike takes kids from age 4, which makes it one of the easiest family outings to plan on the east side.

The third is the guide. A local who knows this land turns a walk in the rainforest into a lesson in plants, history and place, and the hike holds a 4.9 rating across more than 2,600 reviews.

Why this operator

We compared the waterfall options around Hilo on three things: whether you see anything you could not see on your own, how kid-friendly they are, and how they handle the rain. You can see ʻAkaka Falls and Rainbow Falls on your own from paved paths, and you should. The waterfall cruises show you the falls pouring off the sea cliffs from the water, and we cover the best of those on our Hilo waterfall cruise page. For getting on foot into the rainforest to falls the public cannot reach, this guided hike is the one. The same company also runs a zipline voted #1 in Hawaiʻi by Hawaii Magazine, if you want to add some speed.

What the Hilo waterfall hike is like

The hike runs about 2.5 hours. Every group is a little different, but here is the general shape of it.

1. Meet in Honomū. The meeting point is 28-1692 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, in the old sugar town of Honomū, about 20 minutes north of Hilo.
2. Into the land. Your guide leads the group out across open grassland and onto the trail.
3. Through the groves. The path winds through banana groves and thick green rainforest. Expect your guide to stop and point out plants and talk about the land.
4. Down to the water. Trails lead between ferns down to the streams that feed the falls.
5. The waterfalls. You reach the falls on the property for views and photos. Check the booking page for whether swimming is part of your tour.
6. Back to Honomū. The walk out, usually a little muddier than the walk in.

Prices and what you get

The waterfall hike is from $140 per person plus tax and booking fees. That covers about 2.5 hours with a guide on private land. Check the booking page for any gear or snacks included. Gratuity is extra.

If you want more, add the 2.5-hour zipline from $210. It was voted #1 in Hawaiʻi by Hawaii Magazine; riders must weigh between 40 and 260 lb.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour.

Is it worth paying for when ʻAkaka Falls is right there? We think so, and we tell friends to do both. ʻAkaka is a short paved loop to a viewpoint. The guided hike is the rainforest itself: walking through it, learning what grows there, and reaching water you would never find on your own.

Who it’s for (and who should skip it)

Anyone from age 4 who can walk for a couple of hours on uneven, sometimes muddy ground. Families with young kids, couples, and anyone who wants to see the green side of the Big Island up close. It is also a good first activity on the Hilo side if you have just driven over from Kona and want to stretch your legs somewhere that looks nothing like the lava fields you crossed to get here.

Skip it if you need a paved, level path; this is a real trail in a rainforest. Skip it if you hate getting muddy. And if your knees or your schedule only allow a short stop, the paved loop at ʻAkaka Falls State Park is a few minutes up the road.

Where to check in and how to get there

The meeting point is 28-1692 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Honomū. From Hilo it is about 20 minutes north on the Hāmākua Coast. From Kona, plan on about 2 hours 20 minutes: around 2 hours to Hilo by Saddle Road (the Daniel K. Inouye Highway), then 20 minutes north. That is a long day from the Kona side, which is why we suggest spending a night or two in Hilo. Our Kona vs Hilo guide explains how to split your stay.

Best time to go

Time of year. Any month. Hilo gets more than 125 inches of rain a year, so the falls run all year and the trails are often wet. After a few rainy days the waterfalls are at their biggest.

Time of day. Morning is usually the driest part of the day on the Hilo side, and it leaves your afternoon free for ʻAkaka Falls, Hilo town or the drive to the volcano, about 45 minutes from Hilo.

If it rains. It probably will at some point. Rain is part of what makes this side of the island so green, and the hike runs in normal Hilo weather. Wear clothes that dry quickly and keep your phone in a dry bag.

Local tips before you book

• Wear shoes you can get muddy. Not your new white sneakers.
• Pack a rain jacket. Even on a sunny morning.
• Bring bug spray. The rainforest has mosquitoes.
• See ʻAkaka Falls too. It is a few minutes up the road from Honomū and takes under an hour.
• Stay in Hilo. Pair this with the Maunakea summit tour in the afternoon and you have one of the best days on the island.
• Continue up the coast. The Hāmākua Coast keeps going to the Waipiʻo Valley lookout, about an hour from Hilo; our Waipiʻo Valley tour page explains what is open.

The verdict

If you want waterfalls on the Big Island, base yourself in Hilo and book this Hilo waterfall hike. A guide, private land, rainforest and falls the public cannot reach, 20 minutes from town and close to ʻAkaka Falls, for ages 4 and up. Bring muddy shoes and a rain jacket, and add the zipline if you want the full day.