You’ll remember this one for the water. This Big Island tour strings together dramatic cliffs, lush rainforest, and (when conditions allow) a cool-off swim under Kulaniapia’s private waterfall. For me, the best part is that it feels like a full-day “highlights tour” without you driving yourself, thanks to hotel pickup and drop-off in Kona and Kohala.

I love the small-group feel and the guide time, and I love that lunch and garden/waterfall admissions are handled. The main drawback to plan for is simple: it’s a long day with real walking and steps, plus you’ll want to be comfortable with cold water for the swim.

If you’re craving Big Island nature but hate the hassle, this tour does the heavy lifting. You start with an early pickup, roll along the Hamakua Coast to major waterfall viewpoints, then hit two of the day’s biggest stars: the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden and the Kulaniapia Falls swim. The consideration: river and weather conditions can affect the swim details, and you’ll still want to bring the right footwear.

Key points to know

• Waipio Valley Lookout gives you a big, jaw-dropping view fast, with admission-free time to look and photograph.
• Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden is built around walking trails through rainforest streams, waterfalls, and ocean viewpoints.
• Kulaniapia Falls is the star for the day’s swimming option, with water shoes and swimsuit planning.
• Most stops are short, but the day still runs about 10 hours, so you’ll be in transit a fair amount.
• Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls add more classic waterfall energy on the Hilo side.
• Saddle Road return brings you a striking back road drive between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

First Stop: Waipio Valley Lookout and Parker Ranch Scenery

Your day starts with pickup from major hotels and resorts on the Kona and Kohala coasts (or you’ll be pointed to a nearby meeting spot if you’re in a vacation rental). Pickup times run early, and the tour begins when you climb into a Mercedes Sprinter van with a professional guide.

Before you reach Waipio Valley, you’ll pass by Parker Ranch, which helps set the scene for how the island’s land has been worked and shaped over time. Then comes Waipio Valley Lookout: a quick, about 20-minute admission-free stop focused on views. This is one of those places where you don’t need a long hike to appreciate scale—you’re looking at cliffs and the ocean below, the kind of sight that makes the hours of the day feel worth it.

Practical tip: bring your camera strap or secure your phone. Lookouts are great for shots, but you’ll likely be stopping in windy, coastal air.

Tex Drive-In Malasadas: A Small Stop That Helps the Whole Day

Right after Waipio, the schedule includes a brief stop at Tex Drive-In for local-style malasadas. This isn’t a big meal break—it’s more like a reset: sugar, a little caffeine if available at the counter, and time to get your bearings before the rainforest portion of the day.

It also matters because the rest of your day is outside. The tour includes snacks and drinks, plus lunch later, but a quick pastry stop can keep energy steady, especially if you’re walking more than you expect.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden: Rainforest Walks Over Onomea Bay

Next up is one of the most scenic parts of the day: Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, set in the Onomea Bay area. You’ll get about 1 hour 30 minutes here, and this is where the tour shifts from “views from above” to “walk through the living jungle.”

What I like about this garden (and what you should look for) is how the trails are built around real tropical features: paths that cross bubbling streams, pass multiple waterfalls, and open into ocean vistas along the rugged Pacific coast. The garden is also known for plant variety, with over 2,000 species of exotic tropical plants and orchids. That’s a lot, but you don’t need to speed-run it. Instead, take your time on the sections that interest you—orchids, broadleaf foliage, or the stream-and-waterfall corners.

One booking reality: it’s outdoors, and it can feel hot. Several people have flagged that the garden runs warm, so plan for sun exposure even when the vegetation looks like it should cool you down.

Bring/consider:

• Closed-toe walking shoes (you’ll be moving on trails)
• A hat and sunscreen if you tan fast
• A dry layer for the later swim transition

Kulaniapia Falls Swimming: The Private Waterfall Moment

Then comes the payoff: Kulaniapia Falls, described as a 120-foot private waterfall and the biggest privately accessible waterfall in Hawaii. This is the part most people think about when they book, because it’s not just viewing—you get the option to swim under the falls.

You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes here, but with one important caveat: the tour notes that you can swim when river conditions permit. Translation: sometimes the swim is straightforward; other times it may be limited or changed. Either way, it’s still a standout water stop. If conditions allow, bring the mindset that you’re stepping into natural water and natural footing.

What you should pack for this part (and don’t skip):

• Swimsuit
• Towels
• Water shoes (recommended)
• You’ll want to keep your feet protected on rocky edges and wet surfaces

A small warning that actually matters: some past swimmers have ended up with pebbles, muck, or goopy stuff in their footwear. That’s a reason to avoid easy-to-slip shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Also, the water can feel very cold, even if you’re warm from the garden.

Rainbow Falls in Hilo: The Banyan-Tree Framing Shot

After Kulaniapia, the itinerary includes Rainbow Falls in Hilo for about 15 minutes. It’s an 80-foot waterfall, and the famous framing comes from the giant banyan trees beside it.

A quick note: even though the name suggests rainbows, the tour doesn’t guarantee that effect. The waterfall itself is the point here—fast photo time, quick fresh-air break, and a chance to stretch your legs before the last big waterfall stop.

If you’re hoping for a rainbow, treat it like a bonus if conditions line up rather than a certainty.

Akaka Falls State Park: A 442-Foot Gorge Drop

In the afternoon, you’ll head down the Hamakua Coast for Akaka Falls State Park. This stop runs about 40 minutes, including time to experience the viewpoint and take photos.

Akaka Falls is a heavy hitter: the falls plummet 442 feet into a stream-eroded gorge. This stop feels different from Waipio and the botanical garden because it’s more about the raw vertical power of the water and the way the gorge shape funnels sound and mist. You’ll likely spend most of your time at the main overlooks, but plan on some walking on uneven ground.

One useful practical check: the tour notes that itinerary changes can happen due to closures out of the operator’s control, and refunds aren’t given for closures. In your planning, keep the mindset that the day will still be fun even if a specific viewpoint has changed.

Saddle Road Return: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on Your Route

The return trip is part of the experience, too. You’ll go back toward Kona or Kohala via Saddle Road, the highway that runs between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. It’s one of those drives where the island looks stark in a new way—less tropical “wet side” and more open, high-country terrain.

This is also where you’ll feel the pacing of the whole day. The tour is designed so you get several stops without staying stuck in one place too long, but you’ll still be in the van for long stretches. If you get car-sore, pack something that helps—water, a snack you like, and something to pass the time.

Price and Value: What $297.82 Really Buys You

At $297.82 per person, this tour is not a cheap add-on. But it’s also not just a seat in a van.

Here’s what your price typically covers:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off on the Kona and Kohala coasts
• Luxury Mercedes Sprinter transportation
• Snacks and drinks, including bottle water and Hawaiian juice
• A picnic-style lunch
• Admission fees for the included sites
• A small-group tour lead (not a big cattle-car day)

If you tried to replicate it with a rental car, you’d be paying for driving stress, fuel, and parking plus the admissions and guided time. For many people, the value is in not coordinating multiple stops across the island in one day—especially if you don’t want to figure out routes while also trying to enjoy the sights.

The honest trade-off: it’s a full-day commitment, so the money only feels worthwhile if you’re excited to be out most of the day and you’re comfortable with moderate walking.

What’s Included (and What You’ll Still Want to Bring)

Included highlights are straightforward: water, Hawaiian juice, snacks, and lunch, plus admission fees and the van. What you supply is the gear.

Plan to bring:

• Swimsuit, towel, and water shoes for the private waterfall swim portion
• Closed-toe walking shoes for garden and waterfall areas
• A layer for comfort if you get chilled after water time

Vegetarian or gluten-free meals are available, but you need to advise at booking. If you have dietary needs, don’t wait until the day of—get it handled beforehand.

And don’t forget tipping: tour guide gratuities/tips aren’t included.

Pacing, Walking, and Comfort: A Long Day with Real Steps

This is the practical part that decides whether you’ll love the tour or just tolerate it.

The day runs around 10 hours, and the itinerary mixes:

• short viewpoint stops (like Waipio and Rainbow Falls)
• a longer garden walk (about 1.5 hours)
• a swim stop (about 1.5 hours)
• a state park waterfall visit (about 40 minutes)

Even when the stops are timed, you’re still walking on trails and moving between areas. The tour lists moderate physical fitness as a requirement, and it notes some steep uphill walking and stairs in certain locations.

If you’re traveling with mixed mobility, pick your expectations carefully. The tour is designed for a broad range of adults and kids (it’s not allowed for children under 5), but you’ll want to be realistic about uneven ground and slopes.

Who This Tour Fits Best on the Big Island

This is an easy yes if you’re:

• doing your first Big Island trip and want multiple “must-see” waterfall and rainforest stops in one organized day
• traveling without a rental car (pickup/drop-off is a big help)
• the type who likes photo time, short walks, and then sitting down with a drink before the next stop
• excited about the Kulaniapia Falls swim option

It’s also a good fit for multigenerational groups when everyone is okay with the walking and can handle stairs. A strong guide really helps here—several guide names have popped up in past departures, including Derek, Dreu, and Stephen, and they’re known for keeping the day moving with stories and humor.

A no if you:

• hate long van hours
• want a totally low-walking itinerary
• are sensitive to cold water and muddy, natural terrain during the swim

Should You Book Wasabi Tours Hawaii’s Waterfalls Day?

I’d book this if you want a structured, high-value Big Island day that mixes views, rainforest walking, and a real chance to swim under a dramatic waterfall—without you planning routes or managing multiple stops on your own.

I’d think twice if you’re trying to do too much in one day already, or if you’re traveling with someone who can’t handle stairs and uneven paths. Also remember the swim is condition-based, so don’t plan your day around the idea that you’ll 100% be in the water.

If you’re a nature person who wants a full sampler of the island’s waterfall and botanical side, this tour makes that easy. Bring the right footwear, pack your swimsuit early, and you’ll get a day that feels like a checklist—turned into something way more personal.

FAQ

Where does hotel pickup happen for this tour?

Pickup is offered from major hotels and resorts on the Kona and Kohala coasts. If you’re staying at a vacation rental in Kona, you’ll be directed to the closest pickup hotel. If you’re in Kohala, you’ll be directed to one of the listed pickup locations (Queens Marketplace in Waikoloa or Foodland Farms at The Shops at Mauna Lani).

What time does the tour pickup start?

The listed pickup window is Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 10 hours.

Is swimming at Kulaniapia Falls guaranteed?

The tour includes the option to swim under the 120-foot Kulaniapia private waterfall, but it notes that swimming depends on river conditions.

What should I bring for the waterfall swimming?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and water shoes for the private waterfall areas.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. You’ll get snacks and drinks (including bottle water and Hawaiian juice) and a picnic-style lunch. Vegetarian or gluten-free meals are available if you advise at booking.

Is admission to the sites included?

Yes. Admission fees are included for the stops listed as included (including the botanical garden and certain waterfall/state park entry points).

Is this a small group tour?

Yes. It’s described as a small-group tour, and it’s also listed as a private tour/activity for only your group.

What about weather and closures during the tour?

The tour operates in all weather conditions and runs rain or shine, but itinerary changes can occur due to closures out of the operator’s control, and refunds aren’t given for those closure-based changes.

Are tips included?

No. Tour guide gratuities/tips are not included.

You Might Also Enjoy

Volcano, Chocolate and Waterfalls of the Big IslandAbalone Farm TourHands-On Hawaiian Imu Cooking and Cultural Dining ExperienceKailua Kona: Night Manta Ray Adventure on the Big Island