Segway FAQs

Our Segway tours are part of Botanical World Adventures gardens, waterfalls and maze in Hakalau at the 16 mile marker on Highway 19 going from Hilo towards Waimea and Kona.

Take Highway 19 toward Waimea and Kona. You will see a pedestrian overpass at the 15 mile marker, then along bridge over a gulch a short time later. At the top of the hill, just past the 16 mile marker, turn left at the paved Leopolino Road. Look for our signs on the left and the King Kamehameha sign on the right side of Highway 19 at the turn. In one block, turn right at the next paved road (Old Mamalahoa Highway) to reach Zip Isle, which is just one block farther.

Take 19 (or 190) to Waimea and go toward Hilo on Highway 19. We are about 10 minutes beyond the Laupahoehoe Train Museum at mile marker 25. You will come to a bridge over the Umauma Gulch after the 17 mile marker. Look for our sign that will be on the hillside on the right side of the road just past the bridge. Slow down as you go up hill past the bridge as the right turn is partly hidden and easy to miss. Turn right at Leopolino Road, the first paved road past the bridge. In one block, turn right at the next paved road (Old Mamalahoa Highway) to reach Zip Isle, which is just one block farther.

Take Highway 11 into Hilo. In Hilo the highway will become Highway 19. Take Highway 19 toward Waimea and Kona. You will see a pedestrian overpass at the 15 mile marker, then a long bridge over a gulch a short time later. At the top of the hill, just past the 16 mile marker, turn left at the paved Leopolino Road. Look for our signs on the left and the King Kamehameha sign on the right side of Highway 19 at the turn. In one block, turn right at the next paved road (Old Mamalahoa Highway) to reach Zip Isle, which is just one block farther.

Follow Highway 11 toward South Point and Volcano. Continue on Highway 11 into Hilo. In Hilo the highway will become Highway 19. Take Highway 19 toward Waimea and Kona. You will see a pedestrian overpass at the 15 mile marker, then a long bridge over a gulch a short time later. At the top of the hill, just past the 16 mile marker, turn left at the paved Leopolino Road. Look for our signs on the left and the King Kamehameha sign on the right side of Highway 19 at the turn. In one block, turn right at the next paved road (Old Mamalahoa Highway) to reach Zip Isle, which is just one block farther.

From Hilo, it usually takes less than half an hour unless there is heavy traffic. From Kona, using Highway 19 through Waimea, it takes 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Segway PT tours run in light pineapple sprinkles. If there are heavy rains, lightning, or strong winds, we may have to cancel a tour for safety. We will try to reschedule your tour at the earliest possible time.

We are open every day of the year from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

We have regularly scheduled tours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We also offer special tours, so be sure to ask. Times are subject to change. Check with our reservations agents at 808-963-5427 on the Big Island or 888-947-4753 toll free for times.

We require you to wear a shirt, pants or shorts, and closed-toe shoes. If you have a long-sleeved shirt and long pants, it helps ward off any bug bites. Bring a jacket if you think you might get cold and rain gear in wet weather. Tie back long hair so the helmet will fit properly, and secure eyeglasses and sunglasses with a retainer if you have one. If you have protruding body piercings that might get caught on branches, please remove or tape them over.

Yes, if it will fit securely under your helmet.

We have shoes to rent and T-shirts and socks for sale. You’re on your own for pants though!

Definitely wear bug spray if you do not have long pants and a long sleeve shirt. We do have packets of bug spray for sale. Bug spray and suntan lotion must be applied at least 30 minutes before you ride a Segway to avoid soiling the equipment.

It is best to leave valuables in our secured area before you leave as things can fall from your pockets and cannot be recovered from the rainforest. We do supply fanny packs at no additional charge if you want to zip up your valuables and carry them with you.

Gliders are not allowed to use cameras or video while riding. However; we have helmet cams that can record your tour. We invite you to bring your camera or video recorder if you are not riding. Our guides help you pose and take photos. We may have our photographer on your tour, so ask your guides about photos available for purchase at the visitor center.

You must wear one of our helmets, which are adjustable to all head sizes.

Weather can be unpredictable in Hawaii, but the gardens are open every day except in cases of severe weather. Umbrellas and rain gear are available in our guest services center. Please review up-to-date weather conditions to plan your trip.

The weather for Hakalau usually shows up raining. Even when weather forecasts say there may be a high percentage chance of rain, the rains fall at night 70% of the time. Although the weather widget puts our location in the Pacific Ocean, we are actually on the coast!

The Big Island climate is interesting. We have almost every climate zone that exists on earth here on the Big Island. There is a better chance of seeing a rainbow in Hakalau, because we get pineapple sprinkles on occasion. Seeing rainbows in Hawaii is a special experience; seeing them for the first time at Botanical World is magical.

We recommend that you make reservations through our website or by calling 808-963-5427 on the Big Island or 888-Zip-Isle (947-4753) toll free from anywhere in the United States. If you have not made reservations and we have room on a Segway PT tour, we will be happy to take you gliding.

We have different rates for half hour, one hour, 90-minute, and two hour tours, depending on how much time you want to spend. We can also customize a tour if you want a more extensive experience. Also included in the price is a week’s admission to Kamaee Falls, the Rainbow Walk, the Maze, the Rainforest Trail, and the Arboretum at Botanical World Gardens for no extra cost.

You can cancel your reservation for one to four persons at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Groups of five or more require 48-hour advance notice for cancellation.

Yes! We commonly offer discounts for our garden members, active military personnel, kama’aina, travel agents, and concierge staff. For these discounts, call our Customer Service (888-947-4753) or email us at customerservice@wbgi.com.

• Garden members get free passes for their guests above a certain level. See our Membership Program here.
• Kama’aina get 20% or more off every day for gate fees.
• Active duty military personnel get kama’aina prices.
• Concierge staff and travel agents are encouraged to come visit our attractions and inform others about our facilities.

No, anyone who feels fit enough can do it. We can accommodate guests with disabilities. Since our guides do most of the work of getting you ready for using Segway PTs, you can just glide and look at the scenery as you glide. If you are pregnant or have back injuries or another medical condition, we suggest that you ask your doctor’s opinion before scheduling a Segway PT tour.

We can have riders as young as 14. There is no upper limit on age as long as the glider is able to use the Segway PT. Participants under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian to sign their waiver form.

Riders must weigh between 70 and 270 pounds.

Individuals who appear to be impaired due to use of alcohol or drugs will not be allowed to participate and will forfeit their payment.

We provide a charged Segway PT X2, safety helmet, training, guides, and the time of your life in the rainforest.

Introductory 30-minute tours are available for guests who just want to experience riding on a Segway PT. Hour-long tours are available for those who want to ride the trails through the botanical gardens. We also have 90, and 120-minute tours for those who want a longer glide through the rainforest.

Yes, we have custom tours that we book by the hour and can include a gardener for the most detailed information about the plants, tastes, and scents of the gardens. Food can be arranged for added charges.

The rides are variable based on the experience of the gliders. Those who have been on Segway PTs before and know how to handle themselves will have a longer distance ride and will go farther than those that have no experience and need to move at a slower pace. Riders’ weights can also affect the length of the tour.

You go as fast as 12.5 miles an hour on the Segway PT. Some gliders are restricted to a slower speed as may be appropriate for their skill level.

Our entire operation is inspected quarterly (every three months) by independent inspectors to ensure we meet safety standards. Our equipment and each of our routes are inspected every day, and on each trail, one of our guides glides the route first.

All of our guides are certified according to Segway PT Authorized Tours standards. Each guide is re-certified at least annually.

A guide goes with each group. Additional guides help as needed based on the number of guests on the tour.

Our usual Segway PT tour is up to 10 people. If you wish to add more guests, contact us and with enough advanced notice. We may be capable of making special arrangements. We are adding machines as demand increases. If only one guest comes, we still do the tour. We have a ratio of one guide for every eight guests. We use headsets for our Segway PT tours for safety and informative purposes.

All Segway PTs brake by putting pressure on your heels. Our guides can also slow you down or stop you as needed. Individual training is provided to every glider we take on Segway PT tours.

The Segway PTs can carry a person 70 and 275 pounds (32 – 125 kg). They can handle more than that; however, we do not allow more than that weight.

Our visitor center where you check in is only feet away from where the Segway PT tours start. There is a total of about a quarter of a mile of walking, mostly to a hidden waterfall and river walk, in short stretches where we stop Segway PTs on certain tours.

You can walk through the gardens where the Segway PTs glide, but keeping up with a tour is not possible due to their speed. You can meet the tour at various stops or by walking in the center of the garden and meeting the gliders as they pass.

Our visitor center has snacks, sandwiches, and beverages available for you to purchase.

Yes. We have our special Segway PT Off Road Adventure T-shirts in a variety of sizes and colors. And photographs of your tour can be purchased in our visitor center.

If you like the trip, feel free to tip. Our guides make it look easy, but they work hard to make it look that way. Tips are part of their income and they appreciate your gratitude.

Segway® PT Authorized Tours meet a high standard for providing customers a safe and memorable experience. They provide the highest quality tour in their area. As an Authorized Tour Operator, Botanical World delivers the utmost in safety and training – providing fun instruction, smaller guide-to-glider ratio, and in-depth knowledge of technical and practical usage.

• Tour operators have the latest Segway PT product information and training.
• Tours follow Segway PT recommended safety guidelines promoting a smooth and safe experience.
• Smaller guide-to-glider ratio enables more personal attention.
• Tours are pedestrian-friendly and conform to all local regulations.