Kohala Zipline Review: A Canopy Adventure I Won’t Forget!
Ziplining is on many people’s bucket list for adventure tours on the Big Island and I couldn’t wait to take the Kohala Zipline Canopy Adventure tour in Hawi as I’d heard so many good things about it.
While Kohala Zipline has ended up being the best zipline tour I’ve ever done (and I’ve done a few), it also made me stop and ask the question everyone wants answered: is it actually worth the price?
Spoiler Alert! It’s a nuanced answer: Yes & No…
✅ There’s variety in the course with ziplines/suspension bridges/rappelling and the guides were both entertaining and kept me feeling safe.
❌ The only way to get photos is to buy the package as phones aren’t allowed (for good reason) and I’m not gonna lie: it’s NOT cheap.
Here’s my full review of the Kohala Zipline Canopy Adventure where I’ll break down the details to help you decide if this tour is the right fit for YOU and your next Hawaiian itinerary.
Kohala Zipline’s Canopy Adventure Includes:
- 2hr guided tour
- 8 ziplines
- Sky suspension bridges
- Rappel finale
- Water
Checking In
I spent the night at Kohala Village Inn, which is conveniently located directly across the street from Kohala Zipline.
My tour started at 9:00am, so I was able to leisurely wake up, get breakfast from Kohala Coffee Mill around the corner, and then walk right over to the yellow historic Kohala Sugar Co. building where they are housed.
The confirmation email outlined some important rules:
- Wear closed-toe shoes (aka, no sandals)
- No tank tops or sleeveless shirts (harnesses shouldn’t touch bare skin)
- Weight limit: 70–270 lbs (for safety)
- No loose items (phones, car keys, wallets, etc)
I showed up 30 minutes prior to the tour, like the confirmation email requested. I checked in with the front desk, was asked to step on a scale to get weighed, and turned in my keys and phone which they put into a small container with my name on it for safekeeping.
With some time to kill, I browsed their gift shop, which had an impressive selection of outdoor gear, name-brand items, and locally made souvenirs.
Gearing Up & Heading Out
When it was time to start the tour, our zip guides Curtis and Decker called our group of eight together.
In a back room, harnesses were neatly laid out on the floor. We sat on wooden benches as they walked us through safety protocols and what to expect for the day.
Then, one by one, we got suited up with:
- A harness
- A yellow helmet
- Work gloves
We loaded into a bumpy van ride toward Pololū Valley, driving through fields and forest on a private gravel road. Along the way, the guides shared interesting history about the land we were on.
We parked the van by a patch of eucalyptus and robust trees and unloaded.
The Zipline Course
The Kohala Zipline’s Canopy Adventure course features:
- 8 ziplines
- Several suspension bridges
- A rappel finale
I had the photo package addition and Decker was in charge of taking our photos throughout the tour. Before we started, he had us pose in front of our first bridge.
I was surprised at how nervous I felt. Even though I knew I was safely clipped in, my fear of heights and a little vertigo kicked in.
And don’t even get me started on the tree platforms with no railings 150 feet above the forest floor!
But Curtis and Decker were amazing! They kept the energy high, cracked jokes, and made us all feel safe and comfortable the entire time.
In fact, Kohala Zipline even goes beyond industry standards. Their guides are certified by the Association for Challenge Course Technologies (ACCT), which isn’t required but ensures extra safety.
Soaring Through the Trees
The first zipline was a short, easy practice run.
I was appreciative of the short, slow line so I could get used to being high up in the trees and for getting a feel for how it all worked.
Curtis zipped across first so he could be on the other side to catch us and signaled to us when we should start breaking. Instead of an automatic brake, we used our gloved hands to slow down, which took a little getting used to.
One lady in our group had a hard time figuring out how to break correctly, but Curtis took the extra time to work with her until she felt more confident.
After the first run, I started getting comfortable with the height and how to operate the ziplines.
The suspension bridges, however, continued to keep me on edge. One was extra wobbly, and another had uneven wooden slats…I was really living out my dream of being Indiana Jones lol!
Again, I was surprised at how nervous I was even though I was safely clipped to the sky bridges. But I never felt the tension of the tether, so it did feel like I was freefalling it.
I asked what the worst accident they’ve had on their tour. Whether they can say anything or not, Curtis mentioned that, at least during his time there, nothing major had ever happened. The worst incident he recalled was a woman twisting her foot badly while stepping out of the van at the very end of the tour.
That was reassuring.
I was blown away by the breathtaking beauty of zipping through the forest. The towering trees created an enchanting canopy, while the creeks winding through the gulch below made it feel like I was soaring over a magical fairy forest.
Kohala Zipline uses nylon-coated wires, which reduces the noise by 50% compared to other zipline companies on the island. I could definitely tell the difference because I could fully immerse myself in the experience, zipping from tree to tree and taking in the scenery without the distraction of an annoying buzz of the line above me.
At one point, while standing on a tree platform, we saw a whale breach way out in the distance. So if you’re here during whale season (November–April), keep your eyes out!
The Halfway Point
Just when it was starting to get warm out and I was getting thirsty, we reached the halfway point where there was a tent with a water cooler and seats. They say the staircase climb to this point is 25 steps, but I counted 49. 😛
Curtis and Decker also found us ripe strawberry guavas from a nearby tree to try.
By this time, the lines were getting longer and faster, but instead of being nervous, I was excited for each run.
One of the runs we did was a newer line, so I asked how often they change them out for the health of the trees. They told me they replace them every five years at most.
So if it’s been a while since you last zipped with Kohala Ziplines, you can expect a different experience if you do it again.
The Grand Finale
The final zipline was nearly 1,200 feet long! And even better—it was a double line, so you could race a friend.
I had befriended an 11-year old girl in the group and I felt honored when she requested to race with me. However, she totally smoked me and won by a long shot!😂
Like any group tour, the people in your party can make or break the experience. Luckily, our group was full of lively individuals who fed off each other’s energy—and with the guides adding to the fun, it made for an incredibly entertaining day.
After our last run, the final challenge was rappelling down from the tree platform. By now, I fully trusted the ropes and guides, so stepping off felt almost easy.
At the bottom, another water station waited for us before we hopped back in the van.
As we drove through Kapa’au and Hawi, Derek and Curtis pointed out their favorite spots to grab lunch and which dishes to get.
We arrived back at headquarters, and, remembering the lady who twisted her foot getting out of the van, I made sure to be extra careful myself lol.
Curtis and Derek helped us out of our gear and after that we were free to go.
Is the Kohala Zipline Tour Worth It?
Let’s be real. Zipline tours are not cheap, and Kohala Zipline is no exception. At around $250 per person, it’s a hefty price for a two-hour excursion.
As someone who values…value, I don’t say “worth it” lightly.
Is it fun? Heck YES it is!
Will it make for an incredible Big Island memory? For sure!
Was it the best zipline tour I’ve personally done? Hands down, yes.
And that’s where my answer gets a little complicated.
I know ziplining is high on a lot of people’s bucket lists, but from a value standpoint, it’s tough to recommend on the Big Island, especially because it’s not a Hawaii-specific experience. You can find zipline tours all over the world for a fraction of the cost.
That said…if you’re going to splurge on a zipline tour on the Big Island, Kohala Zipline is the one that actually feels worth it.
Kohala Zipline’s Canopy Adventure Includes:
- 2hr guided tour
- 8 ziplines
- Sky suspension bridges
- Rappel finale
- Water
Afterthoughts About the Tour
📆 Best Time to Go: I think taking the 9:00 a.m. was perfect because by the second to last zipline it was getting sweltering hot out there, even in the shade of the trees. And because we had to wear a tshirt and not a tank top, I was getting a little extra overheated.
However, I was told that if it’s a rainy day, the afternoon is nice as it’s a warmer rain rather than a cold morning rain.
📸 Get the Photo Package! Since phones aren’t allowed on the tour, I’m glad to have gotten the photo package. Otherwise I wouldn’t have had anything to commemorate the trip.
Go-Pros are allowed if it’s strapped to your helmet.
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