Hawaii Forest & Trail
Activities (9)
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Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfalls
This full-day tour with Hawaii Forest & Trail takes guests from pickup locations along the Kona and Waikoloa coasts to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, where a naturalist interpretive guide leads stops through recent eruptive sites, a lava tube, and areas where native plants and animals live. Hikes are adjusted based on group ability and park conditions, and the terrain can be uneven, cool, wet, or muddy, so closed-toe shoes and long pants are recommended. The second half of the day moves to Lavaloha Chocolate Farm above Hilo Bay, where guests learn how cacao grown on the property becomes finished chocolate. The visit ends at a waterfall on the farm grounds, where a chocolate tasting is held. Access fees to both the national park and the farm are covered, and the tour also includes snacks, a deli-style lunch, beverages, and gear such as trekking poles, backpacks, raingear, bug repellent, and reef-safe sunscreen. Pickup is available at several resorts and shopping centers. Because return is late in the evening, guests should arrange their own transportation home from the pickup location in advance.
Kohala Waterfalls Adventure
The Kohala Waterfalls Adventure takes guests into the North Kohala region of the Big Island, traveling off-road to a private trailhead before a guided walk through a nature reserve. The trail covers uneven and sometimes rocky terrain, and conditions can be cool, wet, or muddy, so closed-toed shoes and swimgear are recommended. The hike leads to cascading waterfalls where guests can swim in a natural pool, then continues through a historic Hawaiian agricultural area. The day closes with a picnic lunch overlooking sea cliffs and remote valleys. All gear is provided, including trekking poles, day packs, rain gear, bug repellent, sunscreen, and towels, along with a deli-style lunch, snacks, and beverages. Car seats, booster seats, and backpack carriers are available for young children upon request. Bring a reusable water bottle, swimgear, and any personal sun protection such as a hat or sunglasses.
Kohala Waterfalls Adventure - Private Ohana Outing
This private outing from Hawaii Forest & Trail heads off-road to an exclusive trailhead in North Kohala, on the Big Island. The route passes through a restored ancient Hawaiian agricultural site, and the day closes with a picnic lunch at a lookout above sea cliffs and remote valleys. Meeting locations include Hawaii Forest & Trail, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kona Village, Queens' Marketplace and nearby resorts, Shops at Mauna Lani and nearby resorts, and Kohala Zipline. Gear provided includes trekking poles, day packs, raingear, bug repellent, sunscreen, and towels. A deli-style lunch, snacks, water, and assorted beverages are also included. Car seats, booster seats, and backpack carriers are available on request. Guests should be comfortable hiking on uneven or rocky terrain, and conditions can be cool, wet, or muddy. Bring closed-toed shoes or closed-toed water shoes, swim gear, a reusable water bottle, and personal sun protection such as a hat and sunglasses.
Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure
The Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure takes guests from the coast up to the slopes of Maunakea on the Big Island for an evening of stargazing. Guides share historical accounts of the mountain along the way, and the evening includes a picnic-style dinner with warm selections such as Southwest Stew or Vegetarian Chili, plus hot chocolate and cookies. Stargazing is done through a Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope as well as a digital telescope that captures images of deep-space objects to share afterward. This tour suits travelers comfortable walking on uneven or rocky terrain. Guests should bring closed-toe shoes, long pants, and a sweatshirt, though hooded parkas and gloves are provided. The altitude makes this tour unsuitable for anyone with respiratory, circulatory, or heart conditions, or for those who are pregnant. Guests who have been scuba diving should wait before ascending to the summit. Plan return transportation in advance, as the tour has a late return time.
Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfalls - Private Ohana Outing
A naturalist interpretive guide leads the visit through Kilauea's landscape, including recent eruptive sites and a lava tube, pointing out native plants and animals along the way. Volcano access and eruption viewing depend on conditions and permitted access on the day. After the park, the tour visits Lavaloha Chocolate Farm, a large tropical fruit and cacao property above Hilo Bay. Guests learn the chocolate-making process from tree to finished bar, then taste local chocolate beside the farm's waterfall. Park and farm entry fees are covered, along with morning and afternoon snacks, a deli-style lunch, chilled beverages, and filtered water. Gear including trekking poles, backpacks, raingear, bug repellent, and reef-safe sunscreen is provided. Booster seats are available on request. Guests should wear closed-toe shoes and bring a light jacket, as conditions can be cool, wet, or muddy.
Hidden Craters Hike
Hidden Craters Hike takes visitors through private land behind locked gates onto the upper slopes of Hualalai, the volcano that rises above the Kona coast on Hawaii's Big Island. The route passes through a native forest, along spatter cones, fissures, and collapsed pits, and includes a stop at the edge of deep volcanic craters. Hikers also make their way through a lava tube that remains unaltered, descending via earthen steps with a rope for support. The hike covers uneven and rocky terrain with meaningful elevation gain and descent, so participants should be comfortable on rugged ground. It suits active travelers who want access to volcanic landscapes that are not open to the general public. Trekking poles and rain jackets are provided, along with snacks and beverages. Guests should bring sturdy closed-toed or hiking shoes, a sweatshirt or light jacket, a reusable water bottle, and personal sun protection such as a hat and sunglasses. Cool, wet, or muddy conditions are possible.
Hakalau Forest Reserve Birdwatching Exclusive
Hakalau Forest Reserve Birdwatching Exclusive takes participants into a restricted-access National Wildlife Refuge on the Big Island, traveling by vehicle on paved roads and then a rough, muddy dirt road to reach the trailhead. Once there, interpretive guides lead a hike through dense native rainforest in search of rare and endangered Hawaiian birds, including Amakihi, Apapane, Elepaio, Akepa, Akiapolaau, and Iiwi. Along the trail, guests may also spot native plants and unusual animals such as carnivorous caterpillars and happy-faced spiders. The tour suits birdwatchers and nature lovers who are comfortable hiking on uneven or rocky terrain. Participants should wear sturdy closed-toed shoes and long pants, and bring a reusable water bottle and personal sun protection. A deli-style lunch with beverages is included, along with trekking poles, binoculars, day packs, and rain jackets.
Hakalau Forest Reserve Birdwatching Exclusive - Private Ohana Outing
This private, family-focused outing enters the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, a restricted-access area on the Big Island. Interpretive guides who specialize in bird tracking lead the hike through dense native rainforest, where participants search for endangered Hawaiian birds such as the Amakihi, Apapane, Elepaio, Akepa, Akiapolaau, and Iiwi. Along the way, the forest also reveals rare native plants and unusual creatures including carnivorous caterpillars and happy-faced spiders. The tour suits birdwatchers and nature lovers. Hotel pickup is available from several Kona and Waikoloa area locations. Gear provided includes binoculars, trekking poles, day packs, and rain jackets, and a deli-style lunch with beverages is included. Guests should also bring sturdy closed-toed or hiking shoes, long pants, a sweatshirt or light jacket, a reusable water bottle, and personal sun protection such as a hat and sunglasses. The access road into the refuge is unpaved, rough, and requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle, so the trip may not suit guests with neck or back conditions or those prone to motion sickness.
Volcano Direct Hiking Adventure
Roundtrip transportation runs via Saddle Road in a Mercedes Sprinter van, with pickup available at Hawaii Forest & Trail's Kona headquarters, Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kona Village Resort, Queens' MarketPlace, Shops at Mauna Lani, and Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo. An interpretive naturalist guide leads the hike, choosing trails based on current park conditions. The route can take in ancient lava fields, steam vents, craters, lava tubes, and native forest. The guide covers the geology, history, and culture of the island throughout the day. Park access fees are covered, and the tour includes a deli-style picnic lunch, snacks, and chilled beverages. All gear for the day is provided, including trekking poles, a day pack, raingear, bug repellent, and sunscreen. Gratuity is not included.
About
Hawaii Forest & Trail, based in Kailua-Kona, offers outdoor adventures across the Big Island, ranging from volcanic hikes and rainforest birdwatching to waterfall excursions and stargazing on Maunakea.
The lineup covers varied terrain and activity levels. The Maunakea trip pairs a summit visit with evening stargazing and carries an easy-to-moderate difficulty rating.
Private bookings, called Ohana Outings, are available for the birdwatching and waterfall tours, letting families or groups reserve the experience for themselves. Most trips run most of the day, so plan accordingly and arrive at the designated meeting point ready for extended time outdoors.
Hawaii Forest & Trail is based in Kailua-Kona, Big Island. Big Island Activities lists 9 activities from Hawaii Forest & Trail.
Categories: Volcano Tours, Waterfall Adventures and Waterfall Van Tours.
Listings include Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfalls; Kohala Waterfalls Adventure; Kohala Waterfalls Adventure - Private Ohana Outing; Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure; Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfalls - Private Ohana Outing; Hidden Craters Hike; and 3 more.
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