The Big Island's terrain was basically designed for adventure sports: volcanic ridges, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and ranch land stretching across mountain slopes. If you want to get your heart rate up somewhere other than the ocean, the island has zipline courses that fly you over tropical gorges, ATV trails through working cattle ranches, waterfall rappelling that puts you on a cliff face with water streaming past, and horseback rides with views of three volcanoes.
Zipline Tours: The Big Island's Best Courses
Botanical World Adventures (Honomu)
Botanical World Adventures near Honomu runs a multi-line course through tropical botanical gardens with ocean views and waterfall flyovers. The 2.5-hour tour includes multiple lines of increasing length, with the longest spanning over 1,000 feet. The garden setting makes it more scenic than a standard zipline course. You're flying over heliconia flowers, banana trees, and orchids.
They also offer a rappelling adventure if you want to combine heights with waterfalls.
Price: $170-200 | Duration: 2.5 hours | Location: Honomu (15 min north of Hilo)
Umauma Falls Zipline
The 9-line Umauma Falls tour is the most extensive zipline course on the island, with nine lines across the Umauma River gorge, with the triple-tiered Umauma Falls as the centerpiece. You cross over and alongside the waterfalls at heights that give you a bird's-eye view of the cascade. The 4-line version is a shorter (and cheaper) option that still hits the best views.
Combo option: the Zip N' Dip adds swimming in the waterfall pools after your zipline tour.
Price: $150-230 (4 vs 9 lines) | Duration: 2-3 hours | Location: World Botanical Gardens
Kohala Zipline
Zipline tours in the Kohala area fly over the lush North Kohala valleys, a different landscape from the Hilo-side courses. The canopy here is dense tropical forest with glimpses of the Kohala coastline in the distance. Some operators offer waterfall hike combo packages that add a guided hike to a swimming hole after the zipline.
ATV and Off-Road Adventures
The Big Island's ranch country and volcanic terrain are ideal for ATV tours. You're riding through landscapes that look like another planet: black lava fields, green pastures, red volcanic soil, and ocean views from ridgelines.
Ohana Ranch ATV Tour takes you through working ranch land with panoramic views. No experience needed; they provide training and the trails are well-maintained. Their UTV (side-by-side) option accommodates passengers who want the ride without driving.
Umauma's Deluxe ATV Experience combines off-road riding with the botanical gardens and waterfall access. You ride to viewpoints that aren't accessible on foot.
For something different in Waikoloa, Aloha Motorsports rents Polaris Slingshots, three-wheeled open-air vehicles that are part car, part motorcycle. Not an ATV, but a blast to cruise the coast road.
ATV pricing: $120-200 per person | Duration: 1.5-3 hours
Waterfall Rappelling
This is the adventure that makes your friends jealous. Waterfall rappelling puts you on a rock face with a tropical cascade streaming past (or over) you as you descend on ropes. The Big Island's abundance of waterfalls makes this possible in a way few other destinations can match.
Waterfall Rappelling Hawaii runs the signature experience. A guided rappel down a waterfall with all equipment and safety training included. No prior experience needed. They teach you everything on-site, and the guides are right beside you on the descent.
The Umauma Triple-Tier Waterfall Rappel takes the experience to the next level. You rappel alongside all three tiers of Umauma Falls, with a river swim between rappels.
Price: $180-250 per person | Duration: 3-4 hours | Physical requirement: Must be able to support your weight on a rope. Minimum age typically 10-12.
Horseback Riding
The Big Island has a deep paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) tradition, and cattle ranching has been part of the culture since the 1830s. Horseback riding tours take you through this landscape on trails with views you can't get any other way.
Paniolo Adventures' Morning Ride heads out through Waimea ranch country at sunrise, with rolling green hills, grazing cattle, and views of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and the Kohala coast far below. The City Slicker Ride is designed for beginners who've never been on a horse.
Price: $100-180 per person | Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours | Physical requirement: Moderate. Weight limits typically apply (230-250 lbs max).
Which Adventure Is Right for You?
- First-time adventurer: Start with a zipline. It's the most accessible thrill with the lowest barrier to entry.
- Want the biggest rush: Waterfall rappelling. Nothing else on the island puts you in such a dramatic position.
- Families with kids: Zipline courses accept ages 7+ (varies by operator). Horseback riding typically ages 7+. ATV tours usually require ages 10+ for drivers, younger for passengers.
- Rainy day: Ziplines and ATVs run in light rain (and honestly, it adds to the experience). Heavy rain may cause cancellations.
- Combining adventures: The Honomu/Umauma area north of Hilo has zipline, ATV, and rappelling within a few miles of each other. You could stack two in one day.
For ocean-based adventure, check our guides on scuba diving and kayaking. For the full island rundown, see 15 best Big Island tours.