How to Visit Waipi’o Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii

Surrounded by towering 4,000-foot cliffs, breathtaking waterfalls, endless lush taro fields, and a gorgeous black sand beach, Waipi’o Valley is one of the most sacred and beautiful places on the Big Island of Hawai’i.

It’s nicknamed “the Valley of the Kings” and believed to be one of the first places inhabited on the Big Island, where native Hawaiians have grown kalo (taro) for thousands of years. At its height, the valley was home to over 10,000 Hawaiians, but today, only a handful of families live here.

In my opinion, Waipi’o Valley is a must-see spot on the Big Island—but visiting it is not as simple as it used to be. For years you could hike down into the valley on your own, but the valley is closed to visitors, unless you go with a local guide. Alternatively, you can get a glimpse of this special place from the Waipio Valley lookout, which is an essential stop on any Big Island road trip around this side of the island!

In this article, I’m telling you all about my experience visiting Waipio Valley with a local guide, and exactly how you can do it yourself! It was probably my favorite thing I did on my most recent trip to the Big Island, and I can’t wait to tell you all about it.

👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛

How to Visit Waipi’o Valley

Although it was once possible to walk down Waipi’o Valley road into the valley, the road is now closed to pedestrians. And the only people who can drive into the valley are the people who live there—and occasionally, Hawaii residents with a special permit.

It’s not worth trying to figure out how to explore the valley on your own (trust me, it’s not possible and not worth it). Instead, go with a local guide! This supports the local community and gives you the chance to see a special, sacred place that very few visitors get to experience.

The Waipi’o Valley Shuttle Tour

As I mentioned above, the only way to visit Waipi’o Valley is with a local, and the best way to do it is to sign up for the Waipio Valley Shuttle Tour.

This shuttle service in and out of the valley has been running since the 1970s and is owned and operated by local families who call the valley home.

Today, it’s more of a tour than a shuttle, and I’ll tell you all about my recent experience on the tour in the next section of this article!

Friendly wild horses approaching our van during the Waipio Valley Shuttle tour!

What to Expect on a Waipi’o Valley Shuttle Tour (My Experience)

The 3-hour experience starts when you board the Waipio Valley Shuttle, a van with all the windows punched out so you can see—and feel—everything.

Your driver and guide for the day is a local who grew up in the valley and still farms taro there to this day. Who better to drive you down Waipi’o Valley Road, one of the steepest roads in the United States with a 25% grade!

You can gaze down on the picturesque black sand beach from the Waipio Valley lookout above before descending 1,200 feet to the valley floor. Along the way, you get your first glimpses of the valley’s lush landscapes.

A few scenes from Waipio Valley, including my husband Josh helping plant some kalo (taro)!

Most of the tour is spent inside the van, crossing rivers and driving beside taro farms with waterfalls in the distance. You also get two stops along the way where you can soak in the surrounding beauty.

At the first stop you’ll get an incredible view of Hiʻilawe Falls, which is thought to be the tallest waterfall in the state of Hawaii! You’ll have a chance to snap some photos before heading to the second stop.

The second stop is beside a beautiful river (which is fed by the waterfall), where you can learn about traditional taro farming and get a chance to wander around a little. My husband even got the chance to plant his own taro!

Along the way, you may get to see some of the wild horses that call this valley home. I was shocked when the horses walked right up to the van and even stuck their heads through the punched-out windows! They may be wild, but they’re friendly!

Then, the journey out of the valley begins, back up the same winding road that you entered on.

The view from the Waipio Valley Lookout

Waipi’o Valley Overlook

If you don’t have the time to go on the shuttle tour, you still have to add the Waipio Valley overlook to your Big Island itinerary!

It’s a short detour from the drive along Highway 19 between Kona and Hilo, and absolutely one of the best stops along the way. You can park at the lookout for free and then get some incredible photos while peering down at the black sand beach in the valley below.

The viewpoint is pinned on my free Big Island map, along with some other scenic spots you have to visit on your drive along this side of the island.

Waipi’o Valley FAQs

Why is Waipio Valley closed?

Waipio Valley was officially closed to the public because of hazardous road conditions, as reported by the County of Hawaii.

That said, there are a myriad of reasons why the valley has remained closed. Namely, trespassing was an issue when the valley was open to the public. Most of the valley is private property, and locals who live here don’t want to have to worry about strangers walking through their land and even burglarizing their homes (yes, that happened!)

It’s also simply a dangerous place to visit if you don’t know what you’re doing—the road into the valley is one of the steepest in the country, and there have been several horrific tsunamis that have destroyed the valley throughout history. It’s difficult to get in and out because of the road conditions, so it’s really not safe to have tourists wandering around unaccounted for if there were a tsunami.

And practically, Waipio Valley is not setup for mass tourism. Many parts of the road can only fit a single vehicle, so having tourists driving into the valley would prevent locals from doing their daily business. There are no shops or businesses, and again, most of the valley is private land, and as a tourist, it’s challenging to understand where you can and can’t go if you’re exploring without a local.

Although I think this Waipio Valley is one of the most beautiful places on the island, I completely support it being closed to the public because of these reasons. If you want to visit, go with a local on the Waipio Valley Shuttle tour. You’ll learn about this sacred place from a local, and you should get an idea of why this place is closed.

Is there an entry fee for the Waipi’o Valley Overlook?

No, the Waipio Valley Overlook is free to visit, and parking is free! Just keep in mind that parking is extremely limited.

Is the Waipi’o Valley Shuttle Tour worth it?

I think so! I do a lot of tours around the world and I was honestly shocked that this tour costs less than $100, and is such a unique, immerse experience. It was the perfect blend of Hawaiian history, adventure, and natural beauty.

Can you hike to Waimanu Valley?

Technically, you can get a permit to hike to Waimanu Valley along the Muliwai Trail from Waipio Valley if you are a Hawai’i resident. However, you will have to take the Waipio Valley shuttle to get to the trailhead because pedestrian access to Waipio Valley is still restricted. Keep in mind that this is an extremely strenuous, difficult hike. Read about the Muliwai Trail here.

Can you visit Waipio Valley’s black sand beach?

The Waipio Valley Shuttle tour (which is the only way to visit the valley if you’re not a local) does not include a stop at the beach.