The Botanical World Adventures zipline is a 2.5-hour Hilo zipline tour of 8 lines and a suspension bridge on the Hamakua Coast, ending with a half-mile run over Kamae'e Falls, for $227 per adult. It suits families with children from age 4 and nervous first-timers. The main drawback is price, among the highest for 2.5 hours on the island.
Highlights
8 ziplines from about 200 feet to nearly half a mile, plus a 150- to 200-foot suspension bridge; two lines run side by side for racing
Final line crosses the gorge above Kamae'e Falls; Greetwell's review summary says line 8 is the most-mentioned moment
Minimum age 4; children 35 to 70 lb ride tandem with a guide, solo riders need 70 to 275 lb
Free digital photos, fresh fruit on the course and garden access included; a shuttle takes you to line 1 and between lines 7 and 8
4.8 on Google (about 1,550 reviews) and 5.0 on Viator (1,007 reviews) as of September 2026
What to Expect
You arrive 30 to 40 minutes before your tour at the visitor center on Old Mamalahoa Highway, show photo ID and the booking card, sign a waiver and are weighed.
Guides fit helmets and harnesses, then a shuttle drives the group up the hill to line 1.
The first lines are short and low, about 40 feet off the ground, so first-timers can practice before the longer runs.
Between lines you walk about a quarter mile in total through rainforest; guides hand out fresh fruit and talk about plants and history.
You cross a suspension bridge over a stream valley mid-course and reach a line about 125 feet above a stream.
A shuttle links lines 7 and 8, and the final half-mile line crosses the gorge above Kamae'e Falls.
After the shuttle back, you collect your free digital photo link and can walk the gardens and maze at no extra cost.
What's Included
All harness and helmet gear and certified guides
Shuttle from the visitor center to line 1, between lines 7 and 8, and back
Water and a seasonal fruit snack on the course
Free digital photos
Garden, maze and Rainforest Trail access after the tour
Bug repellent on request
What's Not Included
Gratuity
Shoe and T-shirt rental and socks for sale, per VELTRA
Snacks, ice cream and drinks at the visitor center
Transportation to Hakalau; no pickup
What to Bring
Closed-toe shoes (required) and long pants or longer shorts, because the harness sits on the upper thighs
Government-issued photo ID plus the credit card used to book
Bug spray and sunscreen applied at least 30 minutes before zipping
Tie back long hair, secure eyewear and leave dangling jewelry and valuables in the secured area
Restrictions and Requirements
Ages 4 and up; under-18s must be accompanied by a paying adult
Solo riders 70 to 275 lb; 35 to 70 lb ride tandem with a certified guide; guests are weighed at check-in and misreported weight can mean denial without refund
Not permitted for pregnant guests, current neck or back injuries, heart or cardiovascular conditions, anyone under the influence, or a serious fear of heights
Not wheelchair accessible; accessibility is case by case with operator approval
Runs in light rain; suspended for lightning, flash flooding or severe wind
Maximum group booking of 12
Cancellation Policy
Full refund with at least 48 hours' notice; groups of 6 or more need 96 hours per LoveBigIsland. Full refund if the operator cancels for weather. VELTRA bookings are charged 100% after 5:30 pm 3 business days before. Checked October 2026 on Greetwell and LoveBigIsland.
Botanical World Adventures visitor center, 31-240 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Hakalau, HI 96710, about 15 to 20 minutes north of Hilo
Check-In
30 to 40 minutes before your tour time
Ratings from every source we could find
Google
4.8
1,550 reviews
Viator
5.0
1,007 reviews
Other
4.8
1,386 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
Hamakua Coast zipline/garden combo attractions are commonly recommended as a stop on the Hilo-to-Waipio scenic drive; general sentiment favors the scenery over adrenaline intensity compared to steeper zipline courses elsewhere on the island.
Last checked 2026-09-15
Ratings and review counts are checked periodically and may not reflect same-day changes on each platform.
What the Reviews Say
We read 2 individual reviews (1 Google review on Greetwell from August 2026 and 1 VELTRA review from August 2017, no star shown) plus 1 first-hand blog account (Run Oregon, September 2025) and Greetwell's summary of about 1,600 Google reviews. Platform scores were collected in September and October 2026.
What Reviewers Praise
Guides mix safety briefings with jokes and local facts(3 of the 3 accounts we read)
All three reviewers named the guides as the reason the tour worked, citing plant and history facts, beach recommendations and a safety-first attitude; Greetwell's review summary reports the same pattern.
— Google via Greetwell, 5★, August 2026: the guides' facts and jokes and their beach recommendations made the day
Works for young children and nervous first-timers(2 of the 3 accounts we read)
A 2017 VELTRA reviewer called it a good course for young kids and first-timers, and the 2025 blog author's 8-year-old and teenagers were made to feel confident; the minimum age of 4 and tandem option are unusual for Hawaii ziplines.
— Blog review, September 2025: guides made the 8-year-old and two teens feel comfortable and confident
What Reviewers Complain About
No critical reviews found in our sample(0 of the 3 accounts we read; Greetwell's Google breakdown shows 28 reviews of 1 to 2 stars out of about 1,600 · operator issue · most recent: not shown)
We could not read the text of the low-rated reviews, so we cannot say what they complain about. The only cautions we found come from the operator itself: a quarter mile of walking between lines, a rain-prone location and strict weight checks at check-in.
Price is high for 2.5 hours(editorial note from the LoveBigIsland listing, not a reviewer complaint · operator issue · most recent: September 2026)
At $227 plus tax per adult (up to $253.59 via Greetwell) this costs more than most half-day boat tours on the island, though LoveBigIsland rates it as the cheapest of the Big Island zipline operators it compared.
About the Operator in General
Botanical World Adventures also sells a $15 self-guided garden day pass and cites a 2025 USA Today Readers' Choice ranking as the top aerial adventure park; Greetwell's summary of its Google reviews mentions guests in their 60s, 70s and one aged 84 completing the course.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
This is the Big Island zipline to book if you have children as young as 4 or a first-timer who needs a gentle progression, and the 4.8 to 5.0 scores across more than 2,500 reviews are consistent across platforms. At $227 per adult it is not cheap, and the location on the wet Hamakua Coast means you will probably zip in drizzle. Experienced zippers chasing the longest or highest lines in Hawaii may want to compare the Kohala and Umauma courses first.
Book This Tour If…
You are traveling with children aged 4 to 12, who can ride tandem from 35 lb
Someone in your group is nervous; the lines start low and short and build gradually
You want the garden and maze access included for family members who are not zipping
You are based in Hilo and want an activity within 20 minutes rather than a drive to Kohala
Skip This Tour If…
Anyone is pregnant, has a neck, back or heart condition, or weighs under 35 lb or over 275 lb
You want wheelchair-accessible adventure; this course is not
You are on a tight budget; expect $227 to $254 per adult before tip
You dislike getting wet; tours run in light rain and the coast is rainy
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Wear long pants or longer shorts; the operator says the harness fits on the upper thighs
Bring the credit card you booked with and matching photo ID, or you will need alternate payment at check-in
Apply bug spray and sunscreen 30 minutes before the tour; repellent is available on request
Be honest about weight at booking; guests are weighed and misreporting can mean denial without refund
Book direct or compare: the operator lists $227, VELTRA $206.28 and Greetwell $253.59 for the same adult ticket in October 2026
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Botanical World Adventures zipline?
The Botanical World Adventures zipline costs $227 for riders aged 13 and over and $197 for children 4 to 12 on the operator's website in October 2026, plus tax. Resellers varied: VELTRA listed $206.28 adult and $174.87 child, while Greetwell listed $253.59 adult and $220.07 child. Free digital photos are included.
How long is the Botanical World zipline tour and how many lines are there?
The Botanical World zipline tour lasts 2 to 2.5 hours and covers 8 ziplines plus a suspension bridge. Lines range from about 200 feet to nearly half a mile, with the highest about 125 feet above a stream and the lowest about 40 feet. The final line crosses the gorge above Kamae'e Falls.
What is the minimum age and weight for the Hakalau zipline?
The Hakalau zipline accepts riders from age 4. Solo riders must weigh 70 to 275 lb, and children between 35 and 70 lb ride tandem with a certified guide. Everyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and guests are weighed at check-in, so misreported weights can lead to being turned away without a refund.
What should you wear for the zipline at Botanical World Adventures?
Wear closed-toe shoes, which are required, and long pants or longer shorts because the harness sits on the upper thighs. Athletic clothing, tied-back hair and secured eyewear are recommended, and dangling jewelry should be removed. Apply sunscreen and bug spray at least 30 minutes beforehand; shoes and T-shirts can be rented on site.
Does the zipline run in the rain?
Yes, the Botanical World Adventures zipline runs in light rain, which is common on the Hamakua Coast, but tours are suspended for lightning, flash flooding or severe winds, in which case the operator refunds in full. The cancellation policy otherwise requires 48 hours' notice, or 96 hours for groups of 6 or more.
Is the Botanical World zipline wheelchair accessible?
The Botanical World zipline is not wheelchair accessible, according to VELTRA, and Greetwell says accessibility is handled case by case with operator approval. The course involves a shuttle ride, about a quarter mile of walking between lines and a suspension bridge. Non-zipping companions can use the gardens and maze with a $15 day pass.
What is included with the zipline ticket?
The zipline ticket includes all gear, certified guides, shuttle transport to line 1, between lines 7 and 8 and back, water and a seasonal fruit snack, free digital photos and access to the botanical gardens, hedge maze and Rainforest Trail afterwards. Gratuity, visitor-center food and transportation to Hakalau are not included.
Contact
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TripReviewAll is an independent review site and does not operate this tour. For changes to an existing booking, contact Botanical World Adventures directly.
