There are so many ways to enjoy the BIg Island, from hiking to beaching, coffee farms to zip lines. The Umauma Experience just outside of Hilo is a great option for a fun day seeing a different side of the Big Island. Located on the Hamakua Coast, the Umauma Experience gets visitors actively enjoying the lush hills and waterfalls that not many people consider when they’re planning their Aloha trip.
We’ve got the full scoop on how to spend a day with the Umauma Experience, including zip lining over canyons and swimming at a gorgeous waterfall pool. If part of that sounds great to you but one of the other activities doesn’t, don’t worry. We’ll share how you can enjoy this beautiful area and have fun in whichever way suits you and your Hawaii vacay plans. If you have any questions about visiting the Umauma Experience or planning time on the Big Island, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help YOU plan a great Aloha trip!
Highlights of the Umauma Experience
Initially I was pretty nervous about doing a big zipline course over canyons and streams, but when you get the opportunity to see Hawaii in a different way, you take it. The zipline course over the Umauma River is actually a great blend of heights and speed that is not too daunting to somebody that isn’t into thrills… like me. Starting with a simple zipline that is neither too high or too fast you get primed for the rest of the course and get a chance to conquer your fears before it gets too intense. I have to say, the most nerve wracking part of the whole Umauma zipline experience was the first time I watched our guide connect me to that first line. After that I was all set and feeling confident. I ended up loving each of the runs, with the longest one (more than 2000 feet) being my favorite.
After we completed the zipline course which took nearly two hours from orientation to that last zip, we had a short break to wander through the gardens and change for our dip experience. Waterfall swimming is always a highlight for me, and Umauma Falls is a great one for it! Each waterfall on the Big Island is unique, so swimming here was a very different than doing the Kohala Waterfalls with Hawaii Forest and Trail. I love that no two experiences are the same. The “dip” portion of our Zip and Dip Umauma tour was so fun and chill.
We went in a shuttle van with our guide up to the Umauma Falls recreation area on the property. As we went down the canyon stairs, and we saw our waterfall swimming area I realized that the dip portion of the day was all up to us what we wanted to do. Lunch is provided when you do the Zip and Dip, so our guide gave us our meals and we chose where to have our picnic. After sandwiches/salads and drinks (non-alcoholic) we started our fun with jumping off a rock into the waterfall splash pool. The we swam around and hung out under the falls, getting pounded by the water. After that we put some standup paddleboards in the splash pool and just relaxed, swirling with the current of the falls. The whole experience was so chill and the perfect mid-vacation break.
Tips for a Great Umauma Experience
You have options when you come to Umauma Falls and the Umauma Experience. We did the Zip and Dip Combo tour, but you can actually build your day however you like. We had people on our zip line course tour that only wanted to do that (and one family that was on their third visit to do the ziplines) and we had a family join us for the dip portion in the waterfalls that just wanted that experience for their day. That’s something great about coming to the Umauma Experience: you can do whatever you want for your ideal Hawaiian day.
In addition to the ziplines and waterfall swimming, there is also a nice walking trail, beautiful gardens and horseback riding. We were there from 9:00 am until just before 3:00 pm, but we could’ve stayed longer, I’m sure. It’s a really beautiful area and you can just relax at the main hub on the deck overlooking the Umauma River valley and forest or chill in the garden. I love it.
Be sure that when you’re arriving for your tour, whether it be ziplines, time at the waterfall or horseback riding, that you arrive plenty early to get checked in and outfitted for your day. You’ll need to clarify your lunch request if you’re booked for a combo adventure and you’ll need to do waivers and gear if you have ziplining. I think this is an awesome Hilo day trip, so you might as well squeeze as much fun and relaxation out of your time at the Umauma Experience as possible.
Being Prepared for a Day at the Umauma Experience
My favorite statement: wear close toed shoes, such as Keens, for your zipline, waterfall swim or horseback riding at the Umauma Experience. You cannot wear flipflops for ziplining or horses, and if you’re waterfall swimming I ALWAYS wear my Keens into the splash pool. It’s so important to protect your toes when you’re heading into a large pool with tropical, rushing water and rocks.
Zipline: You cannot bring anything with you except a phone or GoPro type camera and it must be secured. You can wear a hat if you like, but it must fit under the helmet they provide. And remember, no flipflops.
Dip / Waterfall Swimming: arrive ready to swim, or you can change when you get done with your zipline if you’re doing a combo trip. And then I recommend bringing a towel or something for laying out and drying off when you do your waterfall swimming. We had a sarong with us also, which made for a great picnic addition, adding a little color and giving us a great lunch atmosphere. For swimming in Umauma Falls, be sure that you have a good waterproof case for your phone or a waterproof camera. Between jumping off the rocks and using stand up paddleboards in the splash pool, there’s a lot to get photos and videos of.
Getting to Umauma Falls
The drive to the Umauma Experinece from Hilo is short, at just 20 minutes north of town. You’ll pass by Akaka Falls State Park and the Old Mamalahoa Highway (now a scenic drive) before arriving at Umauma. This is private property, so you can’t just show up and access the falls for swimming. You need to pay admission and be a part of the a tour.
There is lots of parking, and if you get there early enough, you can get a good shady spot. Once you’re checked in and ready for your zipline tour, you’ll be able to leave your keys with the office staff, so lock up anything you’re not bringing with you before giving them your key. If you’re adding a horseback ride or a dip to your zipline tour, you’ll have a chance to get anything else you need back out of your vehicle before the next part of your Umauma Experience.
Umauma Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure, whatever that may look like for you, at the Umauma Experience. Remember, you can do just the ziplines or you can do just the swimming in Umauma Falls, or you can do the combination Zip and Dip (which is the best value).
- Operating Dates/Season: Monday through Saturday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed Sundays
- Tour office phone number: 808-930-9477
- Company website: Zipline and Waterfall info
- Tour check-in address: 31-313 Old Mamalahoa Highway, Hakalau HI 96710
- Tour booking links: Book Umauma Zipline here! or Zip and Dip here!
FAQ about the Umauma Experience
I’ve taken the questions we’ve gotten about the Umauma Experience and waterfalls swimming at Umauma Falls and put them into a hand FAQ. If you have any questions that aren’t covered, please let us know!
You can view the falls via a trail, but you cannot swim at the falls or enjoy the splash pool area. You need to check in at the visitor center before roaming the property.
I thought it would be more scary, but it’s actually really fun once you see how secure you are. You wear a harness with multiple contact points and you’re connected to the lines via multiple locking clips. You wear a helmet and there is ample staff at each zipline throughout the Umauma Experience.
There are shuttle vans to transport guests all around the Umauma Experience property, as it’s a huge piece of land and you start the ziplines up much higher. This is on the slopes of Mauna Kea, so you have to head up the mountain in the vans to begin.
Yes! There are rules about where you can go and there is a lifeguard onsite for guest safety.
Depending on what activities you’re doing, you could be here from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. In general, a zip and dip combination tour will last around 6 hours and include lunch.
Yes, there is a cafe and gift shop so you can get anything you need that you may have forgotten. If you’re doing a full day activity that includes lunch, your meal choices will be worked out with you in advance of starting your day at the Umauma Experience.
The current pronunciation is “umau ma” but the kapuna (elders) say it as “uma uma”.
More Hilo Things to Do
Hilo is a very fun and functional city. It’s very chill and the surrounding area is absolutely beautiful. Hilo serves as a wonderful home base for exploring both Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the area from Hilo up through the Hamakua Coast. There are plenty of scenic drives on the Big Island. You can easily enjoy the city itself, the beaches and the natural wonders all the way to the Waipio Valley and return to your stay each evening. Such a great hub. Here are my favorite things to do when we’re in Hilo.
- paddleboard on Hilo Bay or Reed’s Bay
- hiking at Akaka Falls State Park
- day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- visit Lavaloha Chocolate Farm
- do the Onomea Bay Trail
- drive up Mauna Kea to the visitor center and observatories
- enjoy the Hilo farmers market
- drive up to the Hamakua Coast, stopping at Laupahoehoe Beach Park and all the farm stands
- BONUS: if there’s an eruption, visit Hawaii Volcanoes NP for lava glow
You can easily spend four or five days in Hilo exploring the east coast of the Big Island, but these ideas are a good start if you are limited for time.
More Hilo travel ideas:
Where to Stay in Hilo
When you’ve made your way to the east side of the Big Island, you’ll be able to choose where you want to stay, and that may not actually be directly in Hilo. There are lots of unique inns and bed and breakfasts from the town of Volcano all the way up the coast to Honokaa (such a cute town). I like to stay in Hilo proper as there are great biking areas and tons of great restaurants, but some people prefer a quieter atmosphere. Find a hotel or vacation rental below.
I think you’ll love the Umauma Experience zipline or waterfall swimming tour. It’s such a fun, different way to enjoy the Big Island. If you have any other questions about zipping and waterfall swimming at Umauma Falls or planning your time on the Big Island, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a beautiful Hawaii trip. Aloha!
