PRIVATE Heavenly Hamakua from Kona

Explore the lush Hāmākua Coast on this private 7-hour tour that showcases a quieter, more traditional side of the Big Island. With a maximum of 6 guests and a minimum of 2, this intimate adventure heads north from the Kona side along scenic highways old and new, winding through jungle gulches, river crossings, and dramatic ocean vistas.

The day begins at the Waipio Valley Lookout, a massive valley carved over thousands of years into the eastern flank of Kohala volcano and one of the most spectacular viewpoints in all of Hawaiʻi. Continue to Tex Drive-In for their famous malasadas — Portuguese doughnuts that are a beloved Big Island tradition. At Laupāhoehoe Point, 300-foot sea cliffs frame a peninsula where powerful Pacific waves carve rugged pinnacles into the coastline.

A rainforest walk at ʻAkaka Falls State Park leads to a stunning 442-foot waterfall plunging into Kolekole gulch, followed by Rainbow Falls in Hilo — an 80-foot cascade that has drawn visitors for generations. At Kaumana Caves, step inside a lava tube that once served as a scorching conduit for molten rock from Mauna Loa, and learn how these formations helped build the island.

The return trip crosses Saddle Road, climbing to nearly 6,800 feet between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa through rainforests, cloud forests, high desert, and vast prairies — passing through many of the Big Island's distinct microclimates in a single drive. Pickup is available from Kona, Waikoloa, and Kohala accommodations. The itinerary may be adjusted based on conditions and group preferences.