Big Island Waterfall Rappelling Tour | Hilo & Hakalau, Hawaii

Quick Details

Duration: Up to 4 Hours
Ages: 10 and over
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Location: 31-240 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Hakalau HI
Seasonality: All

This is the one of a kind Hawaiian Adventure you are looking for if the hum drum doesn’t turn your crank. We turn it and then some!!

R1 (Basecamp)
Height: 48 feet
Location: In the Botanical World Adventures Gardens North

Start Area Description: The start is on an 8 x 10 foot deck under a Kakui Nut Tree. While you rappel off the top of the platform, the group will be taking pictures from the large observation deck.

Landing Area Description: a 6 x 8 foot deck with railing.

Rappel Description: R1 is located along the Hanapueo stream and under an enormously large Kukui Nut Tree. The rappel starts on a small wood platform accessed by stairs. The first 8 feet of the rappel is a 45 degree wood ramp to a 20 foot vertical wooden wall. The last 20 feet of the rappel is on the steep side of the canyon. The rappel ends on a 6 x 8 foot deck 5 feet above the bank stream. From the landing deck participants can return to the top via stairs.

R2 (Ranch to River / Pond Rappel)
Height: 100 feet
Location: Near Line 8

Start Area Description: R2 starts on the edge of the fields below line 8 and looks into the canyon. The start area has wonderful views of the trees in the canyon and the ocean.
Landing Area Description: a small platform over a deep pool in XXX stream.

Rappel Description: Starting from an 8 by 5 deck with a 45-degree ramp before going down a grassy slope for about 40 feet. Participants reach the end of the slope and reach a vertical drop down the last 50 feet. While descending the vertical rock, be sure to take in the upstream view. The landing overhangs the water.

Special Features: This rappel is the first all natural rappel, going down the canyon rim at a low angle before gaining the view of the upper canyon and the vertical wall below.

R3 (Waterfall Primer)
Height: 120 feet
Location: Top of the main falls

Start Area Description: The start area is on a trail next to the steam, deep in the canyon. You will watch your friends step over the edge and down into the canyon next to the falls.
Landing Area Description: The Pu’uwai o Kamae’e falls are in two sections: the upper section and the lower, bigger section. The landing area for R3 is on the ledge next to the small pool between the falls. The ledge is next to the pool looking directly up at the upper falls. When on this ledge, you will be connected to safety anchors and may be in the mist from the upper falls.

Rappel Description: R3 is a unique rappel. Starting from a wooden ramp, you will rappel down a narrow fin of rock and brush with the waterfall as little as 10 feet to your left. This is the first time you will feel the power of the falls. The upper part of the rappel is steep. The bottom 25 feet are vertical. See if you can find the caves.

Special Features: The landing ledge is amazing.

R4 (Up close and Personal)
Height: 120 feet
Location: Directly above the plunge pool at the base of the falls, the rappel goes down from a small (24 inches by 7 feet) ledge. This is directly next to the lower waterfall. You will be in the mist of the falls or in the edge of the falls all the way down.

Start Area Description: You will start standing on a ledge about the size of a dining room chair. This is the last chance to leave the rappel without going to the bottom
Landing Area Description: The landing is directly next to the falls. At some water levels, it is in the falls. The ledge is 15 inches wide and 5 feet long. Depending on the water level, the ledge is 4 to 8 feet above the plunge pool.

Rappel Description: Now it is time to get to know the waterfall in person. This rappel is vertical except for two small intermediate ledges. The first ledge is about 6 feet below the start. The second, about 10 feet farther down. This is also where our staff will take a great picture of you with the waterfall in the background. This rappel is entirely on black volcanic rock. Depending on the water level, this rappel is either like playing in a sprinkler or standing under a fire hose.

Special Features: Being up close to the waterfall is a remarkable experience. It helps understand the amazing power of the river.

OUT to the “Beach”
Once you reach the bottom of R4 you have one more adventure. From the ledge where our guides will disconnect you from the rappel ropes, you will cross a Via Ferrata – “the iron way” – about 100 feet to the outlet stream of the plunge pool. For some, this is the most exciting part of the trip. You will step from iron foot hold glued into the rock to foot hold while using similar iron hand holds to keep your balance.

Once at “the Beach” you can take off your equipment and enjoy some time in the sun or a quick swim in the plunge pool before walking the .3 mile out to the van.

Join An Unforgettable Waterfall Rappel Experience

With spectacular scenery, amazing topography, and the connection to the plants, flowers and fruits we share, Botanical World Adventures is bringing you an incredibly unique new adventure — Rappelling to the Waterfall.

This is the thrill you need either before or after flying the ziplines. It is the first of the full rappel tour that will actually take you into the waterfall mist. But first, we want to take you through basecamp to make sure you have the basic training and skills so you’ll enjoy the next adventure we bring you.

All gear is supplied for the exciting adventure of rappelling off the deck over 45 feet in the air. This is a starter rappel and begins on a stable deck, to an angled deck simulating a ledge that leads to a vertical deck for getting the full rappel experience. Finally, when the deck ends you get the experience of stepping down on the rocky dirt face of the cliff to the gorge below. There you step off and are disconnected while standing on the lower deck. You’ll be amazed by the foliage, Hanapueo stream and a private waterfall only available on our tours.

A staircase leads you back to the top where you can do it all over again. The second time is even more fun as you are used to the equipment and the experience intensifies. We take your group as often as possible in the time allowed.

The Rappel tour is a more adventurous and challenging activity than our zip lines. Rappelling requires participants to take control of their descent under the watchful eyes of our guides.

You will walk a short distance to the first Rappel and learn to use the equipment on a short cliff. Guides will be right beside you, demonstrating how to use the rappel equipment. At the bottom of R1, you can walk to the smallest of our waterfalls to get an idea of what we will do next.

You and our guides will load into a van for the 8-minute trip to the drop-off area. A .4 mile walk along the edge of the former sugar cane fields takes you to the top of R2 and the first drop in the canyon. The view changes significantly as you control your own speed down R2 and over the edge into the heart of the canyon. A guide will be next to you at the lip to coach you over the edge and down.