Waimea Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Waimea. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, and History

• Big Island Waterfalls Tour With Swimming and Botanical Garden

• Big Island Mountain Biking on Anna Ranch

• Big Island Spectacular Helicopter Tour

• Hale Hoaloha Luau at the Mauna Lani

While it’s free to visit the rural town of Waimea, many travelers choose to visit on a tour. Self-guided driving tours of the Big Island start at US$17, but to join a guided small-group tour of the island, expect to pay upwards of US$265 per person.

Yes, Waimea is worth visiting—as the largest town in the north of Hawaii's Big Island, it's known for its verdant countryside and cowboy culture. Whether you choose to stay in town, visit the popular farmers market, or use it as a base for exploring nearby Kohala and the Waipi'o Valley, it's an area full of scenic drives and outdoor adventures. For the best views, head into the heart of the countryside on a mountain biking tour or take a thrilling helicopter flight with an unforgettable landing at a remote waterfall.

Per one customer who booked the Big Island in a Day: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, Sightseeing, and History, "Despite stormy, rainy weather that could have dampened the day, we had an absolutely wonderful time on the tour! Our guide was fantastic! He was knowledgeable, engaging, and full of energy, which made all the difference. We still managed to soak in the island's incredible beauty and learned so much fascinating history and facts about Hawaii. Highly recommend this experience; the guide turned a challenging weather day into a memorable adventure!"

Waimea is known for its paniolo culture, the Hawaiian cowboy culture of ranching and horses. The Parker Ranch was established here in 1815, producing grass-fed beef, and the Hawaiian cowboys arrived in the 1830s. This lush area is known to have excellent farms and food, plus a friendly, local vibe.

There is plenty to do in Waimea, from hiking to seeing black sand beaches. Visit the farmers market to taste local food and produce, and then take a trip to the Big Island Brewhaus. Stop by Parker Ranch or Anna Ranch and learn the history of Hawaiian cowboys, or paniolos.

There are plenty of vacation rentals in the area, plus a range of B&Bs, ranch-style accommodations, and more. With options available for any budget, you can splash out at a more luxurious ranch-style area, or spend a little less; either way, it's a peaceful, refreshing experience.

Waimea is home to excellent produce, grown right there. Farms produce macadamia nuts, coffee, tea, asparagus, burdock, strawberries, squash, and much more. Farms in the area promote organic permaculture, sustainable growing methods, and traditional farming techniques, too. You can find much of this produce at the Saturday market.

If you want to avoid peak tourism season, try to visit in the shoulder months: April, May, August, September, and October. During both the peak summer season and winter holiday period, hotel and tour rates jump. Events and festivals happen year-round—so check what’s on before you arrive.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Waimea. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii:

• Kona (Kailua-Kona)

• Kealakekua Bay

• Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku)

• Mauna Kea Summit and Observatory

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions on the Big Island of Hawaii.