The Kaimana Tours Manoa Falls hike shuttle is a 3.5-hour round trip from Waikiki to the Manoa trailhead for a self-guided 2-mile rainforest hike to a 150-foot waterfall, with water, bug spray and a walking stick for $52.99 per adult, weekdays only. It suits visitors without a car who can handle mud and stairs. The drawback: nothing is guided.
Highlights
Adult $52.99 and child $47.99 on the operator's site as of October 2026; VELTRA lists $55.49 and $50.25 before a 5% discount, and Greetwell $59.20 and $53.61.
Three weekday departures from Waikiki at 7, 9 and 11 am, each returning 3.5 hours later at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm or 2:30 pm.
The trail is about 2 miles round trip, unpaved and rocky with stairs, a footbridge and boulder sections, ending at a viewing area below the 150-foot Manoa Falls.
Included extras are a bottle of water, bug spray and a walking stick; ponchos are $5 from the driver, and a lost stick costs $25 on the Greetwell listing.
Greetwell shows 4.6 stars from 466 reviews for the operator as of October 2026; cancellations inside 48 hours are charged 100%.
What to Expect
The van collects you at your Waikiki hotel at 7, 9 or 11 am; pickups can begin up to 10 minutes early depending on your hotel's position on the route.
At the Manoa Valley trailhead you receive a walking stick and bug spray and set off on your own; the hike is about 2 miles round trip with roughly 2 hours allotted.
The trail crosses a footbridge and a small stream, passes a eucalyptus grove and climbs stairs and boulders that are muddy and slippery after rain.
At the viewing area you see the 150-foot falls; swimming is discouraged because of rock falls and the water is unsafe to drink due to leptospirosis.
Snacks, restrooms and a gift shop are at the trailhead; the van returns you to Waikiki 3.5 hours after departure.
What's Included
Round-trip transportation from Waikiki
Bottle of water, bug spray and a walking stick
Park entry (listed as included on the Greetwell listing)
What's Not Included
Guide (the hike is self-guided)
Poncho, $5 from the driver
Replacement fee of $25 for a lost or unreturned walking stick (per Greetwell)
Gratuity
What to Bring
Sneakers and clothes you do not mind getting muddy
A poncho or rain layer; the valley is wet and the operator sells ponchos for $5
Restrictions and Requirements
Not recommended for ages over 65, children under 3, or people with disabilities; not wheelchair accessible
VELTRA lists the tour as not permitted for pregnant guests or those with heart or cardiovascular issues
Book only if you need the shuttle; no eating or drinking in the van
Runs rain or shine; may not operate with fewer than 2 participants
Monday to Friday only, except Christmas and New Year's Day
Cancellation Policy
Changes or cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the reservation; cancellations within 48 hours are charged 100% of the total, and tours booked within 48 hours are final sale. The VELTRA listing applies a stricter cutoff of 3 pm local time 3 business days before the activity. The van will not run without its minimum number of guests, in which case the operator contacts you. Checked October 2026 on kaimanatours.com, Greetwell and VELTRA.
Pickup at Waikiki hotels (stop confirmed by the operator at booking); trailhead is Manoa Falls Trail at the end of Manoa Road, Honolulu
Check-In
Be ready a few minutes before your 7, 9 or 11 am pickup; the driver cannot wait for late arrivals
Parking and Getting There
Not applicable; the operator recommends the shuttle over the paid trailhead lot
Ratings from every source we could find
Other
4.6
466 reviews
Google Maps — Summarized by Our Team
Manoa Falls is a well-known, easily accessible hike near Honolulu; independent commentary consistently notes muddy trail conditions and the value of good footwear.
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 1 dated review of this shuttle on Greetwell (5 stars, July 2026), collected October 2026; that is too few to report patterns. The Greetwell rating below is shown on the tour listing but appears to be an operator-level figure.
About the Operator in General
The one Greetwell review we read (5 stars, July 2026) called the tour worth the price and praised communication, while noting the driver arrived a little late. On the operator's Hanauma Bay shuttle, 20 of 59 reviews we read praise punctual drivers, so lateness appears to be the exception.
Our Verdict
Tripreviewall's Take
At $52.99 this shuttle costs more than a rideshare each way for one person but less for two, and it bundles the walking stick, bug spray and a fixed return, which removes the main hassles of the Manoa trailhead. It is worth it for carless visitors who want a short, muddy rainforest hike on a weekday morning. Skip it on weekends, when it does not run, or if anyone in your group is over 65 or under 3, whom the operator advises against.
Book This Tour If…
You are staying in Waikiki without a car and want a fixed pickup and return time
You are comfortable with 2 miles of uneven, muddy trail with stairs and boulder steps
You want to pair it with the operator's Diamond Head shuttle; the two-hike combo is listed from $70.99 to $80.99
Skip This Tour If…
You are visiting on a weekend; the shuttle runs Monday to Friday only
Anyone in the group is over 65, under 3 or has mobility limits, per the operator's own advice
You expect a guided nature walk; nothing on the trail is narrated
Tips From Reviewers and Operator Notes
Take the 7 am slot after rain-free days if you can; the operator warns the trail is muddy and slippery after rain and sells ponchos for $5.
Wear shoes you can rinse; the trail is unpaved and rocky with stream crossings.
Return the walking stick; Greetwell lists a $25 charge for lost sticks.
Book direct for the lowest price: $52.99 on the operator's site versus $55.49 on VELTRA and $59.20 on Greetwell.
Assessed by the Tripreviewall editorial team, last reviewed October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Kaimana Tours Manoa Falls shuttle?
The Manoa Falls shuttle costs $52.99 per adult and $47.99 per child as of October 2026 on the operator's site, including round-trip transport from Waikiki, a bottle of water, bug spray and a walking stick. Reseller prices are higher, at $55.49 on VELTRA and $59.20 on Greetwell for adults.
How long is the Manoa Falls hike?
The Manoa Falls Trail is about 2 miles round trip on an unpaved, rocky path with stairs and boulder sections, rated moderate. The shuttle allows roughly 2 hours for the hike inside a 3.5-hour slot. The trail ends at a viewing area below the 150-foot waterfall, where swimming is discouraged because of rock falls.
What time does the Manoa Falls shuttle leave Waikiki?
Departures are at 7 am, 9 am and 11 am, Monday to Friday, returning to Waikiki at 10:30 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm respectively. Pickups can begin up to 10 minutes early depending on where your hotel falls on the route, and the driver cannot wait for late arrivals.
Is the Manoa Falls shuttle guided?
No. Kaimana Tours provides transport, a walking stick, bug spray and water, and you hike on your own. The operator tells guests not to book unless they need the shuttle. If you want narration, look for a separately guided Manoa Falls tour; this product is transport and logistics only.
Who should not take the Manoa Falls shuttle?
The operator does not recommend the tour for people over 65, children under 3 or people with disabilities, and the VELTRA listing excludes pregnant guests and those with heart conditions. The trail is not wheelchair accessible and can be muddy and slippery, so stable footing is required.
What is the cancellation policy?
Changes or cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the tour; within 48 hours the full amount is charged and bookings made inside 48 hours are final sale. If booking through VELTRA, the cutoff is 3 pm local time 3 business days before the activity. The van is cancelled if it misses its minimum of 2 participants.
Contact
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