Big Island Zipline Near Akaka Falls — Everything You Need to Know
The last zipline is a quarter-mile long and crosses directly above a 250-foot waterfall, with the Pacific Ocean visible in the distance beyond the ridgeline. That is the moment 1,105 reviewers — 98% of whom recommend this tour — mention when they describe it. But the full experience at Big Island Zipline starts smaller, with a short training line in a banana field, and builds through six progressively longer and higher crossings before the finale. It is one of the most original ways to see the hilo hawaii waterfalls region of the Big Island, and the only zipline course in the area that flies directly over a major waterfall.
Tour At a Glance
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before — full refund if you cancel in time
2 hours 30 minutes from check-in to the final line
28-1692 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Honomu, HI — near Akaka Falls State Park on the Hamakua Coast
Minimum 40 lbs / Maximum 260 lbs — guests are weighed at check-in, no refunds if not met
Closed-toe athletic shoes or hiking shoes required — sandals are not permitted
Tour runs rain or shine — if cancelled due to extreme weather you receive a full refund or alternative date
Why the Big Island Zipline Course Near Akaka Falls Stands Out
Most zipline courses are about the lines themselves. This one builds a story around them. The seven lines are each named after a traditional Hawaiian agricultural crop — taro, sugarcane, banana, coffee, breadfruit, pineapple, and macadamia — and the guides use the walks between lines to teach the history and cultivation of each. By the time you reach the finale, you have had a surprisingly substantive education in native Hawaiian farming alongside the adrenaline.
The course location adds another layer. The Hamakua Coast north of Hilo is one of the most lush and botanically dense stretches of the Big Island — the old sugar plantation lands where the ridgelines drop sharply into deep valleys filled with tropical vegetation, streams, and waterfalls. Flying through banana and hibiscus fields at 40 mph, with the Pacific Ocean visible beyond the ridge and a 250-foot waterfall below you, is a genuinely rare aerial view of the Big Island that most tourists never experience.
How the Seven Lines Are Structured
The course is specifically designed to build confidence progressively. Line 1 is the shortest — a true training run at low height that lets you feel the harness, the brake system, and the sensation of zipping before any of the dramatic lines. Each subsequent line increases in length and height.
Lines 5, 6, and 7 are where the dramatic views come in. The finale — Line 7 — is believed to be one of the longest ziplines in the United States, crossing a quarter-mile directly over a 250-foot waterfall with the ocean in the background. Guides describe it as the moment that makes most guests go silent before breaking into cheers.
What You Will See and Experience on the Course
- Line 1 — short training line: learn the harness, brake, and body position before anything consequential
- Lines 2–4 — building height and length through banana plantations and hibiscus fields; guides share agricultural history at each walk
- Fresh tropical fruit sampling — guides let you try fruits from the fields as you walk between lines
- Line 5 — first of the high-exposure lines with open valley views over the Hamakua Coast
- Line 6 — views of the Pacific Ocean begin; guides explain the geology of the Hamakua ravines
- Line 7 — the finale: a quarter-mile crossing at full speed above a 250-foot waterfall, with the ocean visible beyond the ridge
- Views of Kolekole Falls (250 ft) directly below Line 7 — one of the most dramatic aerial perspectives of a waterfall on the Big Island
What Is Included and What Is Not Included
| All necessary zipline equipment and harness | Hotel or cruise port pickup — self-transport required |
| Professional guide instruction and safety certification | Gratuity for guides (appreciated) |
| Access to all 7 ziplines and walking routes between them | Photography packages — not offered |
| Water and shade provided along the route | Lunch or snacks beyond the fresh fruit samples |
| Tropical fruit samples from the plantation fields | Smoking is not permitted on tour |
What You Must Know Before Booking
This is the most important section to read before you book. Big Island Zipline has strict operational requirements that result in no-refund situations if not met:
Weight requirement: All participants must weigh between 40 lbs and 260 lbs (118 kg). Guests are weighed at check-in. No refunds are issued if a guest does not meet the weight requirement on arrival. Measure before you book.
Footwear: Closed-toe athletic or hiking shoes are required. This means fully enclosed sneakers or trail shoes — not sandals, not flip-flops, not slip-on canvas shoes. Some guests have been turned away for wearing the wrong footwear. Pack the right shoes.
Check-in: Check in 30 minutes before your tour start time. Late arrivals may not be accommodated.
Location: The course is on the Big Island of Hawaii (Hilo/Hamakua side) — not on Oahu, Honolulu, or Waikiki. Uber and Lyft are unreliable in this remote area. Pre-arrange transport or rent a car.
- Weight: 40–260 lbs — weighed at check-in, no exceptions
- Footwear: fully enclosed athletic or hiking shoes — sandals refused
- Check in 30 minutes early — late arrivals may be turned away
- Drive yourself or pre-arrange transport — rideshares not reliable
- Not suitable for guests with back problems, heart conditions, or pregnancy
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 13+
Getting to Big Island Zipline — Honomu, Hamakua Coast
Who Is This Tour Best Suited For?
- First-time zipliners — the progressive course is specifically designed to build confidence from a short training line to the dramatic finale; no experience needed
- Families with children aged 6+ who meet the 40 lb weight minimum — multiple reviews mention kids as young as 6 and 11 completing all seven lines independently
- Adventure travelers who want an aerial view of the Big Island that no hiking trail can provide
- Anyone who has already seen Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls from the ground and wants a completely different perspective on the Hamakua Coast landscape
- Guests with limited time — the 2.5-hour duration fits easily into a morning or afternoon without consuming a full day
Questions About the Akaka Falls Zipline Tour
Is the zipline course near the actual Akaka Falls State Park?
The course is located near Akaka Falls State Park on the Hamakua Coast, about 15 miles north of downtown Hilo. The final zipline flies over Kolekole Falls — a 250-foot waterfall on the adjacent property — rather than Akaka Falls itself (442 ft). If you want to visit Akaka Falls State Park on the same day, it is a short drive from the zipline course and makes a natural combination. See our full hilo hawaii waterfalls tour comparison for tours that include Akaka Falls by foot.
What happens if it rains during my zipline tour?
The tour operates rain or shine. The Hamakua Coast receives significant rainfall, and the guides are experienced in wet conditions. Rain gear is provided. If the tour is cancelled due to extreme weather — high winds, lightning — you will be offered an alternative date or a full refund. Typical Hilo-area rainfall does not cancel the tour.
I have never ziplining before. Is Line 7 actually manageable for a beginner?
Yes — this is the consistent message from first-timer reviews. The progressive structure means you have completed six lines before you reach Line 7, including two high-exposure lines that prepare you for the finale. Jason G wrote: 'I was hesitant to do this activity, however they start you off slow and easy and by the time you get to the long lines it's a breeze. The guides were very professional and informative.' The guides also check in with every guest before each line.
Can I take photos or video on the ziplines?
Photography packages are not offered by the operator. You can bring your own camera or GoPro if it is secured properly, but check with the guides at check-in — they will advise on what is safe to carry. Your hands need to be free on some lines. Most guests find the views memorable enough without a camera in hand.
How do I get to the course? Is there parking on site?
The course is at 28-1692 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Honomu, HI 96728 on the Big Island. There is parking at the site. Rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are unreliable in this area — the operator strongly recommends renting a car or pre-arranging private transport. The course is about 25 minutes from downtown Hilo. If you are combining this with a hilo waterfall visit, plan your day from the Hilo side.
What 1,105 Travelers Say
Ku'uipo, Jules, and Maika were AMAZING guides! They were so fun, knowledgeable, and great to talk to. We felt so safe the whole time and the views were astounding! We went over 2 waterfalls, a ravine, through banana fields and hibiscus fields. I would recommend this experience to everyone I know!
The view is breathtaking. The guides are skilled, knowledgeable and hilarious! My kids are 6 and 11 and both were able to zipline by themselves until the 6th and 7th line. All of us had a blast and my son said it was his favourite experience.
Absolutely fantastic — cannot recommend them highly enough. Great progression of ziplines. The waterfalls were beautiful. The staff were the most genuine and knowledgeable about the local history surrounding the zipline. One of our party was their first time and they took extra time and care to make sure she was comfortable throughout.