Tours and Tickets to Experience Hāmākua Coast
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Hāmākua Coast
- Remember to drive carefully there are lots of hairpin bends in the area and parts of the road are very narrow.
- Obey the speed limits, not only for safety, but to avoid getting a ticket (it’s not uncommon for tourists to get pulled over on this road for going too fast).
- Note that parts of the coast lack adequate cell phone coverage.
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There are plenty of ways to experience the Hāmākua Coast. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:
Visiting the Hāmākua Coast is free. However, there are plenty of tours that make exploring fun and easy, and take away the stress of travel logistics. Helicopter tours start at around US$400 per person and provide fabulous bird’s-eye views of the coast; land tours vary in cost, depending on duration, activity, and what’s included.
There’s no “bad” time to visit the Hāmākua Coast, really. The shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October offer fewer crowds, lower accommodation rates, and pleasant weather with typically less rainfall than winter; however, waterfalls flow magnificently after winter rains. Summer brings drier conditions and excellent visibility for views. It’s really six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Yes, the Hāmākua Coast is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls. Most tours include stops at Akaka Falls, Kahūnā Falls, and Rainbow Falls, while some excursions visit lesser-known cascades, such as Umauma Falls and Pe'epe'e Falls. During rainy periods, you'll even spot temporary waterfalls streaming directly from the coastal cliffs. The coolest way to spot them? Via a helicopter tour.
Highlights of the Hāmākua Coast include the raging Akaka Falls, the historic Laupahoehoe Point, the sacred Waipio Valley, the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, and former plantation towns like Honokaʻa. Of course, there are also the dramatic sea cliffs, lush rainforests, and the working farms that produce tropical fruits, taro, and coffee.
Yes, driving the Hāmākua Coast is one of the most popular ways to experience it. The scenic Hawaii Belt Road (Highway 19 or the Mamalahoa Highway) hugs the coastline for approximately 50 miles (70 kilometers) between Hilo and the Waipio Valley, offering ocean views and access to major attractions. The drive takes around 1–2 hours, depending on stops.