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Big Island: Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure
Overview
Hakalau means “many perches.” Named by Hawaiians long ago, it is still recognized as critical bird habitat today. Once part of a large cattle ranch, it was the first National Wildlife Refuge in the country established for forest birds and it’s home to some of the rarest plants and animals on earth. The Pua Akala tract we access is not open to the public and is an excellent example of successful conservation practices. Enjoy first-class comfort adventuring in our 4-wheel drive Short Wheel Base Mercedes Sprinter along with a more intimate experience with a small group size of 10 guests. Join your interpretative naturalist expert birding guide to search for rare native plants, animals, and endemic Hawaiian birds such as the Akepa, Akiapolaau, Amakihi, Apapane, Hawaii Creeper, Iiwi, Elepaio, Omao, Io and Pueo. Riding in style with our best-in-class field guides to a restricted-access nature preserve, you’ll experience a truly unique Hawaii Island adventure.
What's Included
- Lunch A deli-style sandwich or gluten-free salad with your choice of turkey, ham, pastrami, or veggie, served with chips, a locally baked cookie, and chilled beverages and water.
- Bottled water Please bring your own water bottles, re-fillable filtered water provided
- Small Group Bird Watching Adventure
- Binoculars, Trekking poles, daypacks and rain gear
- Local Taxes
- Private Reserve Access
- Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
- Interpretative Birding Guide
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Included with the option “Private Ohana Outing”.
PLEASE NOTE: Your pick-up time will be different than the tour start time displayed online. Please contact us to verify the meeting time.
For the option “Full-Day Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure”.
73-5593 A
73-5593 Olowalu Street, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
Join us on an unforgettable day of exploring restricted lands at the Hakalau National Forest Reserve, home to some of the rarest plants and animals on earth. Your adventure begins in a comfortable 4-wheel-drive Short Wheel Base Mercedes Sprinters. These vehicles are perfect for our birdwatching tours as they are designed for smaller, more intimate groups (10 guests max) and deliver a rugged build that allows access to those off-the-beaten-path locations. Journey across Hawaii Island through its diverse climates and ecosystems before turning off-road to reach your destination. Follow your interpretative naturalist expert birding guide into Hakalau's forests and fields of the Pua Akala tract as you discover rare native plants and animals, including carnivorous caterpillars and happy-faced spiders. Your guide will help you search the treetops with your binoculars for Hawaiian endemic bird species such as the Akepa, Akiapolaau, Amakihi, Apapane, Hawaii Creeper, Iiwi, Elepaio, Omao, Io, and Pueo. Your day includes a deli-style lunch, snacks, beverages, and filtered water. A once-in-a-lifetime adventure to explore protected and private Hawaiian native forested lands.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Guests on this tour should not be physically challenged or unable to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. Must be able to do short hikes of 1.5 to 4 miles.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Big Island: Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-2804P32
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 49 traveler reviews collected by Cool Hawaii and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Hawaii customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the activity start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the activity start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the activity local time (HST).
- This activity requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Lunch. A deli-style sandwich or gluten-free salad with your choice of turkey, ham, pastrami, or veggie, served with chips, a locally baked cookie, and chilled beverages and water.
- Bottled water. Please bring your own water bottles, re-fillable filtered water provided.
- Small Group Bird Watching Adventure.
- Binoculars, Trekking poles, daypacks and rain gear.
- Local Taxes.
- Private Reserve Access.
- Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off.
- Interpretative Birding Guide.
- Gratuities.
This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 8..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Big Island: Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Guests on this tour should not be physically challenged or unable to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. Must be able to do short hikes of 1.5 to 4 miles.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Big Island: Hakalau Forest Reserve Bird Watching Adventure will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Hawaii. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- LunchA deli-style sandwich or gluten-free salad with your choice of turkey, ham, pastrami, or veggie, served with chips, a locally baked cookie, and chilled beverages and water.
- Bottled waterPlease bring your own water bottles, re-fillable filtered water provided
- Small Group Bird Watching Adventure
- Binoculars, Trekking poles, daypacks and rain gear
- Local Taxes
- Private Reserve Access
- Central Meeting Locations for Pick-up & Drop off
- Interpretative Birding Guide
- Gratuities
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Guests on this tour should not be physically challenged or unable to hike on uneven or rocky terrain. Must be able to do short hikes of 1.5 to 4 miles.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
