Quick Details
Adventurer
$ 169
Tour Rating
Two kinds of active in one trip. A rainforest trail with stairs at ʻAkaka Falls, then an open water snorkel from a lava rock shoreline. Our guides read conditions every morning and make the call before you get in the van.
Book at your level. Check the rating and the local weather before you book. Be honest about your experience.
About the Tour
Rainforest in the morning, reef by midday. We pick you up at the shop and drive the Onomea Four Mile Road along the Hāmākua Coast: jungle, sea cliffs, and lookouts most visitors drive right past.
At ʻAkaka Falls State Park, you walk a paved loop through the rainforest to a waterfall that drops more than 400 feet into the gorge. It is paved, but it has stairs and steady climbs. On the way back, we stop at Mana’s Aloha Farms for fresh tropical fruit.
Then we head to the coast for a guided beach snorkel in a lagoon where honu come to feed. You get a safety briefing on the sand, gear up, and swim in over lava rock with your guide.
Price & What’s Included
Adventurer
$169
Ride-Along (no snorkeling)
$79
Adventurer Includes
- Guide for the whole tour
- Round-trip transport from our shop
- ʻAkaka Falls State Park admission
- Fresh fruit at Mana’s Aloha Farms
- Snacks
- Mask, snorkel, and defog
- Fins and float belt
- Snorkel briefing and fish identification
Need prescription lenses?
Prescription masks are available at no extra charge. Note it when you book.
Ride-Along Includes
- Guide for the whole tour
- Round-trip transport from our shop
- ʻAkaka Falls State Park admission
- Fresh fruit at Mana’s Aloha Farms
- Snacks
- Beach time while the group snorkels
For friends and family who want the rainforest, not the reef. Ride-alongs do not snorkel.
Ready for both sides of Hilo?
Pick your date, add any ride-alongs, and note a prescription mask if you need one.
Requirements & What to Bring
Requirements
- Able to walk a paved trail with stairs and steady climbs.
- Comfortable swimming in open water.
- Able to walk over uneven lava rock to the water.
- Minors join with a parent or guardian.
What to Bring
- Swimsuit, worn before you arrive
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Towel and dry clothes for after
- Reef-safe sunscreen and sunglasses
- Light rain jacket
- Reusable water bottle
- Phone in a waterproof case (we sell them at the shop), or a GoPro
Tour Details
- Meet: At our shop, 1717 Kamehameha Ave. We drive you the whole way.
- Duration: About 4 hours, shop to shop.
- Stops: Onomea Four Mile Road, ʻAkaka Falls State Park, Mana’s Aloha Farms, then the snorkel lagoon.
- Snorkel entry: From shore, over lava rock.
- Water: 75 to 80 °F (24 to 27 °C).
What You’ll See
Here is what guests commonly see on this tour.
- ʻAkaka Falls and the rainforest gorge around it.
- Sea cliffs and coastline from the Onomea Four Mile Road.
- Green sea turtles (honu) feeding in the lagoon.
- Reef fish over coral and lava rock.
Give honu their space.
Stay at least 10 feet away and never touch them. Honu are protected, and your guide will show you how to watch without crowding them.
FAQs
How hard is the ʻAkaka Falls walk?
The trail is paved but has stairs and steady climbs. Take it at your own pace. If stairs are hard for you, let us know before you book.
Do I need snorkel experience?
No. Your guide teaches you on the beach before you get in. You do need to be comfortable swimming in open water.
I wear glasses. Can I still see?
Yes. Prescription masks are available at no extra charge. Note it when you book so we can have one ready.
Can someone come who does not want to snorkel?
Yes. Book them as a Ride-Along for $79. They get the drive, ʻAkaka Falls, the fruit stand, and snacks, then hang out on the beach while the group snorkels.
Is the fruit included?
Yes. Fresh fruit at Mana’s Aloha Farms is part of the tour. You can buy more to take home.
Will we see turtles?
Honu are common in the lagoon, but they are wild, so we cannot promise it.
What if it rains?
Rain is part of a rainforest. We go in light rain. If the ocean is not safe for the snorkel, our guides make the call and we will work with you to reschedule.