Kulaniapia Falls Rappelling: 120-Foot Waterfall Experience Near Hilo

Experience the thrill of rappelling down the 120-foot Kulaniapia Falls near Hilo. Get equipped with top-notch gear and expert instruction for a safe and exhilarating adventure.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kulaniapia Falls - Access to Kulaniapia Falls is included with your waterfall rappel, and non-rappelling members of your group may purchase a day pass. Explore nature trails, and swim, kayak and paddleboard under the state of Hawaii’s largest privately accessible waterfall, when river safety conditions permit.
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • All necessary equipment
What's Not Included
  • Entrance fees: Non-rappelling guests must each pay a $49+tax guest access fee.
  • Gratuity: $40/guest is typical for this activity
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Immerse yourself in nature, and descend 120 ft down Kulaniapia Falls by rappelling. You’ll be outfitted with top-notch equipment and ample training for a safe, thrilling, and enjoyable journey down the falls.

Tours by Kulaniapia Adventures leave from The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls and need to be reserved beforehand. On-site parking is provided solely for registered guests. ACCESS TO THE PROPERTY IS DENIED WITHOUT A RESERVATION. Guests traveling with rappelling participants in the same car can buy a visitor pass to Kulaniapia Falls upon arrival for $49 plus tax.

  • Activity runs RAIN OR SHINE. You may get wet regardless of the weather.
  • Guests must weigh between 70 and 240 lbs.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
  • Subject to favorable river conditions. If canceled due to unsafe river conditions, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund
Location
100 Kulaniapia Dr
Kulaniapia Drive
Departure Point: The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls Address: 100 Kulaniapia Dr Hilo, HI 96720 Dates: See Availability
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(63 Ratings)
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Sally
Jul 14, 2024
Accommodate all ages. Training and practice for the Novice and enjoyable for the Experienced. - Three generation family holiday. We (grand parents) were able to take photos from a great vista of the parents and grand children doing the waterfall rappelling. Videos from top to bottom! Guides did a terrific job gearing the family with all the equipment necessary to assure a safe experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rodrigo_f
Jun 6, 2024
Definitely recommend! - The guides Eric and Sasha were extremely knowledgeable and experienced. She’s ranged from 13 to 50 and we all had a great time. The activity was so memorable- a highlight of the trip!
Review provided by Viator
J8950pebriana
Mar 25, 2024
A total blast - Delightful. Do it, and get a room for the night. The staff are knowledgeable, reassuring, and they’ll give you the confidence to experience something unforgettable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brenda_c
Mar 11, 2024
Fun experience! - Wonderful experience, both guides were very informative and easy to talk to make a somewhat nerve wracking situation easy!
Review provided by Viator
V1110oomichaelas
Mar 10, 2024
FANTASTIC - Beautiful scenery, incredible guides, was definitely terrified at first but nothing to worry about! If you’re on vacation you have to add this to your to do list!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F117rzpaolos
Feb 7, 2024
Wonderful time! - The views and trails were amazing. Had a great time with our Rappelling guides Jess and Jeremy who really took care of us. It was an amazing and exciting experience. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V902azstaceyr
May 5, 2024
Who should be rappelling? - We had.a good time over all. However the company/hotel was not very accurate in the information before hand. It was painfully obvious they did not want to take myself and husband out. We are in our early 60s and not in good shape. They made us feel very inadequate and guilty for not being thinner and more fit. It was pouring rain and the conditions were difficult. The information about the rappelling indicates no experience necessary, you just have to be over 10. There is no weight requirement given. Considering what they say the requirements are, virtually none, and the weather conditions they should not have taken us out. The rain had caused a ton of mud and I believe it was quite dangerous. All being said we did have a good experience and felt a sense of accomplishment when we had finished the event.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amber_b
Mar 14, 2024
Unique experience - The place this activity is located at is incredibly beautiful and really unique - wish we would have stayed there longer! The activity itself was fun. You can tell the guides are very passionate about rappelling. There was a lot more standing around and waiting than we anticipated but the perspective of looking up at and being next to the waterfall was really unique and fun. We all had a good time and enjoyed it (adults and teenagers)!
Review provided by Viator
59amarc
Jan 10, 2024
Very unique experience. Great location and guides. Steep price. - We did the Waterfall Rappelling in Dec 2023. -Location: The location is majestic. "The Inn at Kulaniapia Falls" has 4 waterfalls, a beautiful hike, tonnes of greenery, antique-looking statues on the hike, a perfect setting for meditation, ponds to swim in under the waterfalls, standup paddle boarding options, etc. You can easily spend 4 hours here. -Waterfall Rappelling: A very unique experience. You are right next to the 120-130ft waterfall that is flowing down in all its glory. This only takes about 10 mins. -Guides: Our guides (Jess and Jeremy) were very knowledgeable and capable. They made the experience very safe for us - they first had us all do a short rappel to give us guidance before setting us up for the main rappel. -Cost: The cost, $279 per person (PLUS tip per guide), is very steep. The whole experience - hike to the waterfall, practice rappel, waterfall rappel, and hike back takes about 2.5 hours. The actual waterfall rappel though only lasts for about 10 minutes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Meredithbm839mm
Jul 23, 2024
Initially fun, but serious safety concerns; profit over safety - I have serious concerns about safety for this experience. The actual repelling next to the waterfall was great, but by the time I got to the bottom and finished the experience, I felt that the company valued profit over personal safety. Pro: We did a short 25 foot warm-up repelling that was low stakes and a great way to get practice in with the gear/guide. The guides doublechecked our linkages, and I initially felt safe. Con: As the hike went on, my perception changed. When we started, the waterfall was borderline on dangerous for coming down. As the hike went on, the waterfall levels intensified. For individuals that had finished and were waiting by the banks, the guides did not allow us to swim in the water because it was too strong/dangerous. Yet, people were still rappelling down next to the too intense waterfall. Jeremy, one of the guides at the top, explained at all times I should have had a double belay system. If, for whatever reason, the line slipped from my hands, I would still be caught by the top or bottom belayer. Unfortunately, when I got near the bottom, the guide at the bottom tried to take pics of me and also be the safety belayer. The line was extra slick near the bottom and the rope line slipped from my hand. I dropped 3 feet, before saving myself/guide grabbed it too. I was less than a foot from seriously injuring/breaking my back on hard rocks. The safety belayer should not have been the photographer. The top belayer could not see me by the time I reached the bottom, and his line had too much slack as well. After the experience was done, and all of the individuals had safely repelled, I talked with Eric , the owner of the company, and shared some of my concerns about the lack and judgment with a belayer being also the photographer. Instead of recognizing his lack of judgment in worsening conditions, he doubled-down and blamed me for the almost near catastrophic accident. I am a novice rock climber and belayer; I should’ve been able to depend on the guides to catch me when my hand accidentally slipped.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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