• Saddle Road - Begin your adventure on the Big Island’s Roller Coaster. This brief stretch of the Old Saddle Road is filled with numerous twists, turns, and hills.
• Mauna Kea Observatories - Situated at 9,200 feet on Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest mountain, the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station (VIS) serves as a hub for those heading to the Mauna Kea Observatories and summit.

The VIS provides educational programs, stargazing opportunities, and insights into the cultural and natural importance of Mauna Kea. It’s a must-visit for tourists and researchers, offering a glimpse into the astronomical research at the observatories and the unique environment of Mauna Kea. The center is vital in promoting safe and respectful visits to one of the world’s leading astronomical observation sites.

Near the summit, the Mauna Kea Observatories are part of a network of independent astronomical research facilities and large telescope observatories that benefit from Mauna Kea’s clear skies, low humidity, and minimal light pollution.

• Rainbow Falls - Known in Hawaiian as Waiānuenue Falls, Rainbow Falls is a stunning waterfall in Hilo, Hawaii. It stands 80 feet (24 meters) tall and spans nearly 100 feet (30 meters) wide. Part of the Hawai’i State Parks system, it can be visited without an entrance fee.

The waterfall is fed by the Wailuku River, which cascades into a large, turquoise pool below. The surrounding gorge is lush with dense, nonnative tropical rainforest, enhancing the falls’ beauty. The area is rich with nonnative wild ginger and monstera plants.

Rainbow Falls is named for the beautiful rainbows often visible in the mist on sunny mornings around 10 am. The falls flow over a natural lava cave, believed to be the mythological home of Hina, an ancient Hawaiian goddess, adding cultural significance to the site’s natural beauty.

• Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden - The Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve and Garden is a nonprofit botanical garden and nature preserve.

Located in a picturesque valley opening to Onomea Bay, the garden is a peaceful retreat featuring streams, waterfalls, and an oceanfront boardwalk. Founded by Dan J. Lutkenhouse and donated to a nonprofit trust, it ensures preservation.

The garden showcases over 2,000 plant species from more than 125 families and 750 genera. It has notable collections of palms (nearly 200 species), heliconias (over 80 species), and bromeliads (over 80 species). Some mango and coconut palm trees are over 100 years old. The landscape is further enhanced by a three-tiered waterfall (Onomea Falls), Boulder Creek, and lava tubes on Onomea Bay, making it a scenic and educational destination.

• Akaka Falls State Park - Akaka Falls State Park is famous for its stunning 442-foot (135 m) tall waterfall, one of the island’s top attractions.

The park features a loop trail offering various viewpoints of ʻAkaka Falls and Kahūnā Falls, another impressive 300-foot (91 m) waterfall. The trail winds through a lush rainforest filled with wild orchids, bamboo groves, and draping ferns, leading to scenic waterfall overlooks.

Local folklore includes tales of a stone called Pōhaku a Pele, which, when struck by a lehua ʻāpane branch, is said to summon rain. The park is also home to the ʻoʻopu ʻalamoʻo, an endemic Hawaiian goby fish known for climbing wet rocks near the waterfall using a suction disk on their bellies to reach the stream above for spawning.

• Umauma Falls - Umauma Falls is a breathtaking series of three waterfalls on the Umauma River on Hawaii’s Big Island. Part of the Umauma Experience, a private garden and adventure park, it offers activities like zip-lining, garden tours, and river swimming. The falls are renowned for their scenic beauty, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, making it a popular spot for photography and nature walks.

The upper two waterfalls are easily viewed from a park viewing area, while the third and largest waterfall cascades into a serene pool below, creating a picturesque scene that embodies Hawaii’s tropical beauty. The Umauma Experience provides guided tours to explore the area around the falls, including a beautiful garden with native plants and flowers.

• Waipio Valley Lookout - Waipiʻo Valley Lookout offers stunning views of the valley’s lush landscape, ocean, and waterfalls feeding the river flowing from the valley’s back to the sea. The lookout is a popular spot for visitors to admire the majestic scenery and begin exploring the valley, either by hiking down or taking guided tours that respect the valley’s cultural and environmental significance.

The valley is famous for its dramatic beauty, featuring a black sand beach, several large waterfalls, and taro farms. The valley floor, nearly 2,000 feet below the surrounding terrain, is accessible via a steep road from a lookout point on the southern wall. This road, known for its steep grade, rises 800 feet in 0.6 miles at a 25% average grade, making it the steepest road of its length in the United States, open only to 4-wheel drive vehicles.

• Honokaa - Honokaa is an excellent place to shop for locally produced items. Be sure to visit Tex Drive In for Malasadas!
• Waimea - Waimea is the hub of ranching activities in the area, with Parker Ranch, one of the largest privately owned cattle ranches in the United States, playing a key role in the community. The town is also known for its annual Fourth of July rodeo, a major event. Another significant event in Waimea is the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival, held annually in the first week of February.

The town hosts the headquarters of two astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea, the W. M. Keck Observatory and the Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope. It is also home to the International Lunar Observatory Association.

• Use of a Polaris Slingshot vehicle for the rental period
• Helmets provided for all riders
• Pre-loaded, self-guided navigation tour

• A fully refundable security deposit of $750 or $1,500 is required at the time of rental pickup.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our Big Island Waterfall Wonders Tour!

This tour takes you on a breathtaking journey, starting with a trek to the east side of the island on New Saddle Road. For the performance-minded, you can take Old Saddle Road, the rollercoaster of Big Island, where you’ll climb to an altitude of 6,600 feet before dropping down into Hilo. Your first stop will be the magnificent Rainbow Falls, where you can witness the beauty of cascading water in all its glory. Continue your drive along the Old Mamalahoa Highway until you reach the awe-inspiring Akaka Falls, standing tall at 420 feet. Immerse yourself in the natural wonders of Umauma Falls, take a trip down to Laupahoehoe, experience the panoramic views at Waipio Lookout, indulge in delicious Malasadas at Ted’s, and explore the charming shops in Waimae town.

But it’s not just about the destinations; it’s about the journey itself. Our Polaris Slingshot vehicles make the drive an exhilarating experience.

• On this tour you will be driving a Polaris Slingshot to each of the points of interest. The time listed at each stopping point is an average of time spent. You have the Slingshot for a full 8 hours so you can complete the tour at your own pace.
• Driver must have a valid driver’s license from any country and be 21+ years old for insurance. Passengers of any age must be able to securely sit in the seat.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.