Hamakua Expedition: The Laupahoehoe Run

About the Tour

This is our advanced ocean tour, and it is not for everyone. The Laupahoehoe Run is a rugged 3-hour expedition up Hawai‘i’s wild Hamakua coast, far beyond the calm water of Hilo Bay and out into the open windward ocean. Rougher seas, bigger country, and a stretch of coastline almost nobody sees from the water. You have to want this one.

The reward is raw and remote. Waterfalls pour straight off the cliffs into the sea, sometimes half a dozen in view at once, fed by the same relentless rain that keeps this coast impossibly green and empty. Black lava headlands drop into churning surf. Hidden coves open and disappear as you run the shoreline. This is the raw edge of the island, where the trade winds hit land first and the ocean rarely sits still.

Your guides run the full coast to Laupahoehoe, a dramatic point of land jutting into the Pacific, sharing the history and legends of this remote shoreline along the way. Keep your camera ready for towering views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and for wildlife that shows up without warning, from spinner dolphins to seabirds riding the wind.

Note: This is an advanced tour on exposed, open water. Expect real swell, wind, spray, and rain. You will get wet. It is built for able-bodied adventurers 18 and older who want the ocean at full volume, not a calm sightseeing cruise. Guests prone to seasickness should plan ahead.

What You’ll See

• A wild run of waterfalls dropping straight off the Hamakua cliffs into the ocean
• Remote black-rock sea cliffs and hidden coves rarely seen from the water
• Laupahoehoe Point and the untamed windward coastline north of Hilo
• Towering views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa rising above the island
• Open-ocean swell, trade winds, and the fast-moving weather this coast is known for
• Seasonal wildlife along the coast, including spinner dolphins and seabirds

What to Bring

• Full rain gear or a waterproof jacket (this is a wet ride)
• Waterproof case and a leash for your phone or camera
• Motion sickness medication, taken before departure
• Closed-toe shoes with grip
• A warm layer for wind and rain
• Reusable water bottle
• Nothing loose you cannot afford to lose overboard