Here, visitors can swim in the pool at the base of the falls or enjoy a stroll through the botanical garden leading up to it. Close to Waimea you can find these shows at the resorts on the north Kona coast. There is a large parking lot and it is possible that the lot can fill up during peak visiting hours (weekends and holidays) but during our last visit on Thanksgiving week, we had no issues. You wont regret visiting this beautiful place with your family. See also: 1: An Overview of Maui 2: An Overview of Kauai 3: An overview of Lnai 4: An overview of Molokai 5: An Overview of Oahu, Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram Subscribe to our Newsletter Read our Blog. The lush Hamakua coast is home to many exotic farms (vanilla, chocolate, coffee, tea) that offer tours + tastings, but you can also leave a permanent legacy by planting a native tree. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. Hotel pickup and drop-off is included. You can take your kids out for a day trip or just have them stay home while you go. Visit the popular sights at Pearl Harbor, get cultural at the Polynesian Cultural Center, snorkel among the colourful fishes and reefs, or stretch with some morning yoga under the palm trees. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Credit: Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) / Tyler Schmitt. Make the most of your precious time in Hawaii with a private Oahu tour that you can customize to your own interests. Possible things to see and do include Diamond Head, Manoa Falls, Hanauma Bay, Kualoa Ranch, a coffee farm, the North Shore, or downtown sites. Waimea Valley is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm, except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. This private tour takes you to the North Shore in the early morning hours, before the crowds arrive. Carved into volcanic rock, the earliest of these carvings are centuries old. This Oahu circle island tour also includes entrance fees at the temple and round-trip hotel transport. It is easy to combine a visit to the bay and Waimea into one spectacular day trip from Honolulu. able to take guests to Hanauma Bay for snorkeling at this time. Some of the best white sand beaches (on the Kohala coast) and black sand beaches (in Waipio and Pololu valley) of the Big Island can be found at a short drive just west of Waimea. We wanted to get another and take it back to the hotel! This whole day tour will spend 70% of our time doing beach activities on the North We didnt get shave ice in Haleiwa as the lines were too long but it was nice to walk around the area. Stop for lunch in Waimea Valley and have time to explore the area. There are two petroglyph fields west of Waimea: the Waikoloa Petroglyps and the Puako Petroglyph field. Circle the Island of Oahu by coach, enjoying ocean views, rugged mountains, and fascinating history during this full-day tour. Waipio valley and Pololu valley are prime picks, but by far not the only ones. Shaka Guide is an audio tour app that gives you the benefits of a guided tour with the freedom to explore on your own terms. There are also other ways to get to North Shore Oahu from Waikiki. Explore Oahu with a small group and a guide in a climate-controlled vehicle. Search experiences with increased health and safety practices. If not, you will explore more of the cliffs along the coast. Sunscreen goes without saying anytime you are outdoors in Hawaii but since Waimea Valley is very lush and tropical and there is lots of water in the area, mosquitos are definitely around. There are often local craftspeople doing weaving demonstrations in Waimea Valley using palm (or coconut) leaves. We made it and hustled back in the refreshing rain and were one of the last on the bus. Petroglyphs are images carved in stone, and offer a unique view into the history of Hawaii. The Parker Ranch on the Big Island was once upon a time the largest ranch in the united states. They do have Kamaaina (locals) and Military rates as well. It was organized and the staff was very friendly. I looked at a lot of tours and this one seemed most inclusive. Enjoy the 17 miles of the Na Pali Coast of Kauai while riding on the 37 Naiad, Kauai Voyager boat. This full-day tour from Honolulu visits Nuuanu Pali, Byodo-In Temple, Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm, the Dole Plantation, and Waimea Valley. id feel lucky to have Chief Rob as ours. Our Tours are designed to show you the beautiful Island of Oahu. Waimea Valley hike is one of the best North Shore hikes for families. Pick a 3+ day pass and you'll also get one premium attraction of your choice including a traditional Hawaiian Luau. The crisp, clean skies at night also make Waimea a great place to turn your eyes up for stargazing. You are viewing Virtual Experiences in Oahu. We made it and hustled back in the refreshing rain and were one of the last on the bus. The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers questions. The Hiilawe falls (center left) are best visible from within Waipio Valley. Loved how friendly everyone was. But next time you rent a car and go to your favorite places. Discover unique and beautiful plants from all over the globe. I recommend getting an early start so you have plenty of time to explore all the awesome North Shore activities. Parking at Waimea Valley is free. This private tour is exclusively for your party and takes you from Honolulu to the North Shore where you'll visit a macadamia nut farm and look for sea turtles and monk seals on the beaches. Be prepared for no cell reception. This tour is ideal for your first few days on Oahu to get a comprehensive overview of the island and discover which locations youd like to spend more time at during your stay. Petroglyphs in the Waikoloa Field. Perfect for first-time visitors, this private tour lets you explore Oahu's most important attractions while traveling at your own pace. Find tickets & tours worldwide. The food stop at Fumis was delicious! Only a few people wore masks. Unfortunately, the dispensers have been removed but there are still plenty of amazing birds hanging out in the park, especially around fruit trees. At night the Big Island Brewhaus serves very tasty homemade beer and is a must-taste in Waimea. The 45-foot (13-meter) waterfall offers photo opportunities and the chance to cool off. Waimea Valley is an ideal place to enjoy nature and has one of the best waterfalls in Oahu for families to safely swim near. Their history is interwoven with that of the American presence in Hawaii, and nowadays they also organize very interesting horseback riding excursions. Unlike American homes which have multiple rooms under one roof, the Hawaiians had separate hales (houses) for different purposes such as sleeping, cooking, and gathering. Explore botanic gardens, stop for a traditional lunch (own expense) and end the day with a deeper understanding of this island and its culture. This Oahu Tour Bundle comes with six socially-distanced self-guided audio tours: You get to see just about everything! Historic Downtown Honolulu Walking Tour (1-2 hour tour) See the Oahu you want to see with a private tour that can be personalized to match your interests. First of all, its awesome when you have a fun tour guide. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Read more about the Farmers markets in Waimea. Plan your day around the attractions you want to visit or the activities you want to try out, and the private guide will take care of the details. Because he is local and taught us a lot about Hawaiian culture and the language and history. This Tour is laid back and Stress free. The valley also houses numerous sacred native Hawaiian conservation sites, and various cultural demonstrations are held throughout the year. Donations are accepted for the crowns, but not required. The Host was very enter moretaining. Next stop was Dole anyway and we got Dole Whip there. Visit to learn about native Hawaiian species, take part in workshops, and stroll to Waimea Falls. Youll also visit several beaches where youll have time to take photos. There are several farmers markets in and near Waimea: The largest markets in Waimea are the Waimea Town market, the Waimea Homestead farmers market, and the Waimea mid-week market at the Pukalani stables. Check out the massive Victoria Amazonica water lilies in the pond just past the ticket booth. Thats one of the reasons why its one of the best kid-friendly hikes on Oahu. We will pick you up from your hotel or Airbnb in a Jeep Gladiator. After lunch, we will head over to the beach to swim in refreshing blue waters and snorkel with the sea turtles. Read more about Stargazing on the Big Island. But it seemed just right to me at most places. I would plan on spending at least 2-4 hours in Waimea Valley. Waimea Valley is very stroller-friendly. The ziplines are built high above scenic areas and features such ravines, jungles, meadows, and forests, and there are plenty of those around Waimea. Kimo made the trip so much fun! One of these is part of our list of the 5 most easily accessible, biggest and most popular waterfalls. This private tour of Oahu lets you completely customize your sightseeing experience to include hiking, swimming, shopping, and more. Next stop was Dole anyway and we got Dole Whip there. Search tours and activities you can do from home. You'll visit white-sand beaches and hidden gems while your guide fills you in on the area's culture and history. The half-mile Mauna Kea Beach has good snorkeling next to the rocky points at either end of the beach if the water is calm. I was under the impression we were on a smaller shuttle bus, not a big bus. They would even land on your hands! Summer Vacation in Hawaii - Fun Things to Do on Oahu! Our Reviews speak of how dedicated this Company is in making sure you get the best experience and bang for your buck. These are the best experiences near Waimea Valley: Which places are best for surfing, windsurfing & kitesurfing near Waimea Valley? Discover a side to Oahu that most visitors miss. Was great to see the dancers were also the greeters, wait staff and doing the demonstrations as well. Take advantage of the shuttle service if you have anyone in your group with mobility issues. See Famous sights like Diamond Head Crater, and the Hanauma Bay marine sanctuary, and discover hidden gems like the Byodo-In Japanese temple. Read more about Golf courses near Waimea. Absolutely! Find out more about Snorkeling spots close to Waimea. The address is 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712. Youll have the option to snorkel and explore the caves, if weather is permitting. Music will also be played for you by our driver at stops if you choose to stay back at the bus. If you like going local as well as good breakfasts, we suggest you go for breakfast at one of Waimeas Saturday farmers markets for a good start of your day. Eternity and 51st Dates. The Big Island is known as the golf capital of the state, and in Waimea you are in close proximity of almost half of the golf courses on the Big Island. The food was wonderful. See more Virtual Experiences around the globe. The 45-foot Waimea Valley waterfall flows continuously, but the rate of flow is dependent on rainfall. Photo credit: Mike Neenan. And the local lunch spot was DELICIOUS! The itinerary is flexible, which means you can customize the tour to suit your interests: only go where you want to go and do what interests you, whether it's following a mountain trail to a panoramic ocean view or swimming off a sandy beach with the chance of seeing Hawaiian sea turtles. There is limited wifi available in the park but we think its best to enjoy your unplugged time in nature. ing for the people to come back. Decorate your own palm leaf crown. The only way down into the valley is with a 4wd, as part of a tour, or by walking in (hiking). Read more about the Parker Ranch in Waimea. or your choice Read more about the ATV Tours near Waimea. On the way to the North Shore, we'll show you all the scenic spots locals love. At one time, Waimea Valley was owned by the Audobon Society and you could feed the birds that lived in the valley out of birdseed dispensers. Check out Diamond Head, Nuuanu Pali lookout, the Halona Blowhole, Waimea Valley and Oahus beautiful North Shore. The steep cliffs of the northern valleys are home to impressive waterfalls. Its just such a beautiful place and I could stay for hours. Read more about the Farm Tours near Waimea. Made us all laugh and interact. Because this is a private tour, it can be customized to perfectly fit your groups interests over the course of a half-, full-, or long-day excursion. We saw other E Noa drivers sitting by their buses wait moreing for the people to come back. Guests will have the option to Swim, Kayak or Paddle Board, or do a Waterfall Learn more about horseback riding on the Big Island. It was a great tour and I highly recommend it! Would definitely recommend as the Luau to attend. I saw many smaller shuttles and was told by the tour guide that this company used to use smaller shuttles but now went to the big bus. We spent a lot of time riding the bus and getting on and off. Swimming at Waimea Falls will certainly be the highlight for most children visiting Waimea Valley. The Big Island Brewhaus in Waimea on the Big Island started selling their homemade beers on march 4th 2011. Dont be last on the bus or hell make you do a short hula while he plays his ukulele! Visiting this special North Shore trail is definitely one of our favorite North Shore Oahu activities. The spectacular views of the valley and the steep cliffs that end in the ocean are worth a trip on their own, but the real thing to do here is hiking to the black sand beach at the valley floor! I had done one many years ago and wanted to show my kids now. We spent a lot of time riding the bus and getting on and off. A Lei is a garland or wreath common in Hawaii, and the process of making and giving one still has strong cultural significance. Your stay could be longer depending on much time you spend playing Hawaiian games and swimming in the waterfalls. Experience the natural beauty and rich history of Oahu on a comprehensive tour with a small group from Ko Olina. Waimea can be found at an elevation of nearly 3000 ft. in the north of the Big Island close to some great beaches on the Kohala coast and spectacular hikes in and around Waipio valley. Register and enjoy smoother booking, as well as being able to save your wish list and recently viewed activities. Wear sunscreen and bug spray. Nearby Waipio valley for example is one of the most scenic places on the Big Island and offers stunning vistas and many miles of hiking trails to among others a black sand beach. This small-group tour offers a far richer experience than visiting alone. Oh! Bug spray will make your day much more enjoyable. Keep your eyes peeled for beautiful tropical birds. Made us all laugh and interact. He is a funny guy with a lot of information and also incredibly good delivery with the jokes! As well as stopping at all the best view points, you'll get to hike to Waimea Valley Waterfall and swim in the natural spring. They provide little flowers that visitors can use to decorate the crowns. Quickly access bookings. All materials needed to create your lei are provided, and of course you get to take your lei with you. The other 30% of the time is spent sightseeing both the East and North-East I enjoyed hearing about his family too. The ziplining course nearest to Waimea is in the forests on the Kohala volcano, and can be enjoyed by themselves or as a zip and dip (in a waterfall) combination. Some petroglyphs date back to the 16th century only one century after Columbus first landed on American soil! Ziplining is an activity where you are attached with a harness to a rope that is strung between a high and a low point. Image courtesy of the Kamuela Farmers Market. Have time to look at boutiques and surf shops in Haleiwa town, and opt for a visit to the Dole Pineapple or Green World Coffee plantations if you choose. This is a good option for a grandparent that might have difficulty walking long distances or a child that is simply DONE after walking to the waterfall. Kimo was an excellent tour guide and was full of history and information. Because he is local and taught us a lot about Hawaiian culture and the language and history. Last time I was on Oahu I rented a car and it was much more enjoyable. This was an amazing trip and we had a wonderful guide Jo-jo who was super knowledgeable about all aspects of hawaii cultural, history, plants, food, birds etcThe bus was nice and air conditioned and the time stopping moreoff at each location was just right. Skip the hassle of renting a car or wasting time on long bus journeys by booking a guided tour. We are a Big Island travel guide written by people with a passion for Hawaii. . Simply save your pass (available as your 'ticket' after purchase) on your mobile device (or print it at home and take with you), browse the digital guide for instructions and place reservations in advance where needed, display it at each attraction to be scanned on the day and you are in no cash needed!