AdventureInHawaii.com | Waipio Ride the Rim ATV

Ride the spectacular Waipio Valley Rim to Hi'ilawe Falls overlook!

Stopping for a photo along the valley rim.

Haleakala Sunrise Tour sunrise at the summit

Crossing a stream ... you may drive your own single-seat ATV

Or you can ride along in a buggy driven by a guide.

Haleakala Sunrise Tour Lanai on the horizon

A view into Waipio Valley and the ocean in the distance.

Ride to waterfalls located high above the valley floor.

Hanging out at a waterfall swimming hole.

Lots of mud = lots of fun on Waipio RIde the Rim ATV!

TOUR DISCONTINUED

Sadly, Ride the Rim has lost their land lease and is no longer able to operate tours. We recommend ATV Outfitters instead.

Select a date to start reservation!

Ride the Rim ATV offers an unforgettable vacation experience as you skirt the edge of the Big Island of Hawaii’s Waipio Valley, also known as “the Valley of the Kings.” Enjoy a 3 hour tour that includes riding through eucalyptus forests, fantastic vistas into the valley, a spectacular overlook of 1450′ Hi’ilaw Falls, and swimming and photo ops at a mountain waterfall swimming hole.

Tours are offered daily at 9am and 1pm. Your adventure begins with checkin near the Waipio Valley Lookout. ATV drivers ride on clutchless automatic Honda Ranchers, and no previous ATV experience is required. You’ll receive a comprehensive safety orientation on the machine’s operation and the opportunity to practice and demonstrate your ability to control the vehicle prior to departing on the trail.

As you ride along the valley rim, you’ll stop for photos along the way. One of those stops is the overlook of Hi’ilawe Falls, and another is at the back of the valley at a waterfall swimming hole that is actually upstream from Hi’ilawe Falls. The water here is constant at about 72 degrees and it is about chest-deep. Wear swimwear under your clothing and bring a towel if you’d like to swim at this stop. Refreshments are provided and experienced guides “talk story” and relate the history and significance of the valley throughout the tour.

While this tour is suitable for beginning riders, any activity that involves driving a motor vehicle involves an element of risk. Participants are required to sign a waiver of liability and a vehicle damage policy. Yes, all participants MUST wear a helmet.

There are three vehicle types on this tour … single ATV’s, Side-by-side ATV’s that hold two participants, and a four-seat Buggy driven by a guide with room for three passengers. The rate is the same for all adult ATV participants, either on the single ATV’s or the two seats on the Side-by-side. Adults on the Side-by-side are able to take turns driving if they are both eligible, and Side-by-side ATV’s require two participants. The minimum age to drive a single-seat ATV is 16 and the driver must weigh between 100 and 350 pounds. The minimum age to drive the Side-by-side is 21. Children ages 5-15 may also ride along on the Side-by-side or on the Guide-Driven Buggy for the child passenger rate. The Adult passenger rate only applies on the Guide-driven buggy.

General Information

Check In: Ride the Rim ATV’s office in the Waipio Art Gallery near the Waipio Valley Lookout.

GPS: 48-5416 Kukuihaele Rd Honokaa, HI 96727 Click to view map

Tour includes: Refreshments and beverages.

Gear provided: Fully automatic ATVs, helmets, goggles

What to Bring & Wear: All riders must wear completely closed toed shoes. Long pants are recommended. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. If you would like to swim, wear a bathing suit under your clothes. Bring a change of clothes, towels, and camera.

Minimum age: Single ATV drivers must be 16 or older and proof of age is required at checkin. Side-by-side drivers must be at least 21. Minimum age for passengers is 5.

Restrictions: Single ATV drivers must weigh between 100 and 350 lbs. Participants must be in good health with no significant neck or back issues. Pregnant women are not permitted on the tour.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be made at least 48 hours before the start of the event.

Ride high above Waipio Valley

Hi'ilawe Falls is 1450 feet tall!

Cruise Ship Passengers

Due to the distance from ports in Hilo and Kona, the Ride the Rim ATV tour does not work for cruise ship passengers. If your cruise is visiting the island of Kauai, you might consider Kipu Ranch ATV Tours. They are located only 5 – 7 minutes away from Nawiliwili Harbor.

Activity Tips

Kevin Ditamore – Owner / Manager

There is no more spectacular place to ride an ATV in Hawaii than along the rim of Waipio Valley. This area is beautiful, isolated, and private as it is closed to the general public.

This area gets lots of frequent showers and the resulting mud adds a FUN component to the tour. Trust us. Water is your friend when you are riding an ATV. Mud is a LOT funner than dust! These light showers don’t affect the operation of these tours and they do go out rain or shine, with rain ponchos being provided for wet weather. While it is a rather rare event, they do cancel in the event of serious storms that include heavy rain, lightning, or high winds.

Obviously viewing conditions are weather-dependent. Waipio Valley is both MYSTical and MISTical … haha. Foggy conditions that obstruct valley views are often fleeting … it can be “socked in” one minute and crystal clear the next. The same is true for the water levels at the waterfall swimming hole. Occassionally the water level may be too high to allow swimming and the waterfall area becomes a photo stop instead.

These automatic ATV’s are really quite easy to learn to drive. On rare occassions someone who is “vehicularly challenged” and just doesn’t quite get the feel of it may have trouble during the demonstration ride. If the guide is not confident a driver can control the machine, or if the driver doesn’t feel comfortable continuing, that individual will be given the option to either ride as a buggy passenger (subject to space availability) with no refund of the price difference, or back out of the tour completely with a refund of that person’s fare.

New to this tour is the addition of two-seat Side-by-Side ATV’s which works great for couples … or two of these vehicles work great for families of four. Two adults on this vehicle are able to take turns driving if they wish, and both adults on this vehicle are charged the same rate as single ATV participants. A child may ride along with an adult driver on these two-seat vehicles for the child passenger rate. There is also the Guide-driven Buggy option that can take child passengers … or adult passengers for a reduced rate.