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79.1/100
Quality Score
9
Tours Available
Kailua-Kona, Big Island
808-331-8505
Our Review: Hawaii Forest & Trail
Hawaii Forest & Trail is the Big Island's premier land-based tour operator, and they've earned that position by going places most visitors can't access on their own. With 9 tours and an average quality score of 79.1/100, this is a focused catalog — every tour involves hiking, nature, or cultural history, and the guides know their stuff cold.
Two tours tie for the top spot at 88/100: the Volcano, Chocolate & Waterfalls full-day excursion and the Kohala Waterfalls Adventure. The volcano tour combines Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with stops at a chocolate farm and waterfall — it's a packed itinerary that covers the island's geological and agricultural sides in a single day. The Kohala waterfall hike takes you into private land on the northern tip of the island that you literally cannot visit without this operator.
The Maunakea Summit & Stars Adventure (85/100) is the other marquee product. Driving to the summit of Maunakea at nearly 14,000 feet for sunset and stargazing is a bucket-list experience, and Hawaii Forest & Trail handles the altitude logistics, warm clothing, and telescope setup so you don't have to.
Private "Ohana Outing" versions of their tours score slightly lower (83-87/100) but offer the same routes with a dedicated guide for your group. The Hidden Craters Hike (80/100) and Hakalau Forest Reserve Birdwatching Exclusive (70/100) round out the catalog with niche experiences that appeal to hikers and birders respectively.
Who This Operator Is Best For
Nature lovers and hikers who want to see the Big Island beyond the beach. Hawaii Forest & Trail is the operator for travelers who care about volcanic landscapes, native forests, and waterfalls more than snorkeling or boat rides. If you want to summit Maunakea or hike to waterfalls on private land in Kohala, this is your only real option.
Available Tours & Activities
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Ready to Book with Hawaii Forest & Trail?
Browse all 9 tours and find the experience that fits your Big Island adventure.
Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
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Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out