Quick Details
Adventurer
Priced per person
$ 199
Tour Rating
Advanced
to
Expert
to
Expert
Not for the faint of heart. This is our roughest boat ride: three hours on the exposed windward coast, where the trade winds hit first and the ocean rarely sits still. On a good day it is advanced. When the swell is up, it is expert. Our captain reads conditions every morning and only runs it on days the coast allows.
Book at your level. Check the rating and the local weather before you book. Be honest about your experience.
About the Tour
This is not for everyone. You have to want this one. The Laupahoehoe Run is a 3-hour expedition up the wild Hāmākua Coast, far past Hilo Bay, into open windward ocean. Bigger swell, bigger country, and a coastline almost nobody sees from the water.
The reward is remote. Waterfalls pour straight off the cliffs into the sea, sometimes half a dozen in view at once. Black lava headlands drop into surf. Hidden coves open and close as you run the shore. This is where the trades hit land first, and the rain keeps it green and empty.
Your crew runs the coast all the way to Laupahoehoe Point, a finger of land jutting into the Pacific, and shares the history and legends of this shoreline along the way. Then you turn for home with the cliffs and falls on your right.
Price & What’s Included
Adventurer (18+)
$199
Expedition Includes
- Captain and crew
- Safety briefing
- The full run to Laupahoehoe Point and back
- History and legends of the Hāmākua Coast
Want It Calmer?
The Onomea Waterfall Cruise covers the near half of this coast in 1.5 hours, for all ages.
Ready for the ocean at full volume?
Pick your date. Six guests max.
Requirements & What to Bring
Requirements
- Ages 18 and up.
- Able-bodied and steady on a boat in rough water.
- Not recommended if you are pregnant or have back or neck problems. The ride is rough.
- Prone to seasickness? Take medication before departure, not on the boat.
What to Bring
- Full rain gear or a waterproof jacket
- A warm layer for wind and rain
- Closed-toe shoes with grip
- Phone or camera in a waterproof case with a leash (we sell cases at the shop)
- Reusable water bottle
- Nothing loose you cannot afford to lose overboard
Tour Details
- Meet: Wailoa Small Boat Harbor. Directions come in your confirmation email.
- Duration: About 3 hours.
- Route: North up the Hāmākua Coast to Laupahoehoe Point, then back to Hilo.
- Group size: Up to 6 guests.
- Weather: This coast gets wet. You will too.
What You’ll See
Here is what guests commonly see on this tour.
- Waterfalls dropping straight off the Hāmākua cliffs into the ocean.
- Black lava sea cliffs and hidden coves rarely seen from the water.
- Laupahoehoe Point and the windward coast north of Hilo.
- Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on a clear day.
- Seabirds riding the wind, and sometimes spinner dolphins.
We give wildlife room.
Spinner dolphins are protected by federal law. If they show up, we watch from at least 50 yards.
FAQs
How rough is it?
Rougher than any other boat tour we run. This is open windward ocean with real swell. If you want calm water, book the Onomea Waterfall Cruise instead.
Why 18 and up?
The ride is long, wet, and bumpy. It takes an adult who can hold on, stay steady, and handle hours of motion.
Will I get seasick?
If you are prone to it, plan on it. Take medication before departure. It does not help once you are already sick.
Will we see waterfalls?
Yes. This coast has more falls than anywhere we go, and they are biggest after rain.
What if the weather is bad?
This tour only runs on days the coast allows. Our captain makes the call before we leave the harbor, and if it is not safe, we will work with you to reschedule.