The Early Bird: Guided Birding Tour (Thur. & Sat.)

The Early Bird: Guided Birding Tour (Thur. & Sat.) ranges from $60 to $80 per person, depending on the option you choose.

The Early Bird: Guided Birding Tour (Thur. & Sat.) meets at Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary sign on the left side of Hao Street.

The Early Bird: Guided Birding Tour (Thur. & Sat.) includes Equipment and Guide.

No refunds for late arrivals and missed tours.

The Early Bird Guided Birding Tour welcomes both beginners and experienced birders. The naturalist guides provide bird identification tips and skills during the walk, so no prior knowledge is needed. The tour is designed to give all participants practical identification tools and a deeper understanding of Hawaiian birds and their ecosystems. The itinerary includes a welcome and introduction, a 1.5-hour guided walk, and a wrap-up and reflection session. Guides share stories about ecology, conservation, and reforestation efforts throughout, making the experience informative for newcomers while still offering depth for those already familiar with birding.

This birding tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness and is not suitable for everyone. Participants must be able to walk and stand for up to two hours without prolonged seating breaks, and the terrain includes uneven volcanic rock and tree roots. The tour is not suitable for strollers, walkers, or wheelchairs, and is restricted to guests aged 12 and older. Guests should come prepared with closed-toe shoes suitable for hiking and be confident on uneven ground. The group is kept small - a maximum of 10 guests - which supports a quiet, careful pace through the forest. Participants are also required to remain quiet at times for bird observation, so the experience suits those comfortable with attentive, low-intensity movement.

The tour includes binoculars, walking sticks, bug spray, a poncho in case of rain, and access to a water fill station. You do not need to bring your own binoculars, though you are welcome to. Food, snacks, and drinks other than water are not provided and are not included in the experience. The operator recommends bringing a rain jacket, warm layers, closed-toe shoes, a hat, and a reusable water bottle. Optional items include your own binoculars, birding field guides, and a smartphone loaded with apps like Merlin or eBird. Packing your own snacks is also encouraged since no food is available on site.

You can receive a full refund, credit, or rebooking if you cancel at least 48 hours before your reservation start time. Within 48 hours, all bookings are considered final and no refunds or credits are issued unless you purchased Trip Protection at checkout. A 50% rebooking fee applies to rebookings made within the 48-hour window. Trip Protection can be added at checkout and allows cancellations up to 2 hours before the tour for a full refund, rebooking, or credit. Requests must be made by phone or email. No refunds are issued for weather conditions unless the operator cancels operations - rain is common in the cloud forest and guests are expected to come prepared.

The Early Bird Guided Birding Tour runs every Thursday and Saturday from 7:00 to 9:00 am. You should plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour starts, as the experience begins on time. If you arrive more than 5 minutes after the group has departed, you may not be able to join the tour. The Sanctuary is located approximately 15 minutes up the mountain from Kailua-Kona Airport and about 20 minutes from Kailua-Kona town, so factor in travel time when planning your morning. Groups are capped at 10 guests, and the Sanctuary offers exclusive early access to the property for this tour, meaning availability is limited and punctuality is important.